🇺🇸 Route 66 Road Trip - Stop 14: New Mexico

🛣️ Route 66 Known as the "Mother Road", this iconic highway was once the main path to the American West. Starting in Chicago, Illinois, it stretches through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and finally ends in Santa Monica, California. 📅 Itinerary Stop 14: New Mexico 🌵 Entering the Land of Enchantment, the Midwestern stretch of Route 66 gives off major "Red Dead Redemption" vibes—wide-open deserts, rugged landscapes, and a taste of the Wild West. From Native American art and cowboy culture to atomic history towns and multi-ethnic cuisine, this state is full of surprises. 🪶 Gallup, NM The first stop in New Mexico—a hub of Native American culture! 📍 Centered near several tribal reservations (including Navajo Nation), Gallup is packed with shops selling authentic Native crafts. Art lovers, budget extra time here! 🏺✨ 📍 Once a hotspot for classic Western films, its Hollywood fame faded—the last major shoot here was Natural Born Killers (1994). 🎥🔫 🕵️♂️ Albuquerque (#ABQ) Founded as a traditional Spanish colonial village, its layout still revolves around: A central plaza (now a museum/cultural hub) Historic adobe buildings A classic mission-style church ⛪ Locals call the heart of town "Old Town" (or "La Placita"—"little plaza" in Spanish). Oh, and yes… Breaking Bad fans, this is your holy land! 🚐💊 💡 Pro Tips: ❤️ Mexican food portions are HUGE—come hungry! 🌮🍛 🧡 Shops close early—plan ahead! ⏳ 💛 Check museum hours—many are closed on random weekdays. 🏛️🚪 💚 Breaking Bad fans: Join a guided tour to hit all the filming locations! 🚌📸 #Route66 #NewMexico #RoadTrip #WildWestVibes #BreakingBad