My husband is a tv/movie geek - seriously, he is obsessed with all things filmed. Over the years he has had his "favorites" but nothing has come close to his love for Breaking Bad.
You had intelligent writing along with truly brilliant acting...but there was one other magical component to the show - you could actually visit almost all of the places where they filmed.
Thankfully, Albuquerque is embracing this and a number of different tour companies have started to shuttle locals and tourists around to some of the key spots from the show.
For my husband's birthday, I couldn't resist booking a vacation to do just that. And, of course, I couldn't go without bringing our Mezco Walt figures along.
Albuquerque Rail Yards (1100 2nd Street Southwest, Albuquerque, NM 87102).
This location was used for numerous scenes, including the part when Jesse is helping Mike with pick-ups and saves him from a robbery (Season 4, Episode 5). It was also used for all of the promotional artwork for season 5 (All Hail The King). I should also point out that The Avengers, Transformers and Terminator Salvation were filmed here as well.
A 1986 Fleetwood Bounder RV was used as Walt and Jesse's first lab.
This particular Bounder is part of the Breaking Bad RV Tour where visitors can ride in full "meth" style around to a number of key filming locations. Guests are even greeted with their own little baggie of Walt's signature "Blue Sky" meth - don't worry, it's only rock candy (compliments of The Candy Lady).
You brought a meth lab to the airport?
Albuquerque Airport
A1A Car Wash/Octopus Car Wash (9516 Snow Heights Circle N.E. Albuquerque, New Mexico 87112)
Serving as both the site of Walt's initial humiliation and later a sign of his growing meth empire, the Octopus Car Wash is one of the central locations of the entire series. Seeing the $7.99 sign outside of Octopus however, should actually make us question the logic of trying to launder $80 million through a car wash.
Lazer Base (Hinkle Family Fun Center located at 12931 Indian School Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112)
Saul Goodman attempted to convince Walter White and Skyler White to invest in a lazer tag business to launder their money. When asked how it related to Walt, Saul explained: "Walt's a scientist, scientists love lasers." Walt, Jesse Pinkman, and Saul also met here to discuss their moves against Gustavo Fring, Gale Boetticher, and Mike Ehrmantraut.
Tight, Tight, Tight!
Java Joe's (906 Park Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102) served as Tuco's hideout in the show and is a great coffee shop in real life.
Oddly enough, many of the scenes of wide open desert used in the show are actually just behind the sound stages at Albuquerque Studios (5650 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106).
I know a guy...
Saul Goodman's Office (9800 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111) Sadly, the exterior has completely changed and it is now a nightclub.
Los Pollos Hermanos/Twisters (4257 Isleta Boulevard Southwest Albuquerque, NM 87105)
The famous fried chicken place run by Gus Fring in the show is in fact a chain that serves burritos and burgers. Twister's interior remains almost exactly the same as in the TV show, so feel free to take a picture in the famous booth that Walter White used to sit.
The Superlab/Delta Uniform and Linens (1617 Candelaria Road Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87107)
In real life it's only a laundry and there is no secret lab built underneath...or is there?
Fugue state
Hi-Lo Market (2513 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM)
Get back in your car, Walt
Gus Fring's House (1213 Jefferson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110)
Ding, ding, ding, ding
Casa Tranquila Nursing Home (8820 Horizon Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113)
The visual effect of Gus Fring's massive facial wounds took months to prepare, with assistance from the special effects team from fellow AMC drama The Walking Dead.
Fun Fact: The GPS coordinates to the place where they did their first cook, where Walt's money was buried -- and later becomes Hank and Gomez' grave -- +34° 59' 20.00", -106° 36' 52.00" actually points to the Albuquerque Studios lot.
Tread lightly
Hank and Marie's House (4901 Cumbre Del Sur Ct NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111)
Call the vacuum repair guy's number to order a new dust filter for a Hoover MaxExtract Pressure Pro, Model 60
John B Robert Dam (Juan Tabo Blvd and Osuna Road, Albuquerque, NM)
Be sure to get the tableside guacamole (The food is EXCELLENT here btw)
Garduno's Restaurant (2100 Louisiana Boulevard Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87110)
Jesse!
Jesse Pinkman's House (322 16th St SW Albuquerque, NM 87104)
I watched Jane die!
Jesse & Jane's rental apartment (323 Terrace St SE Albuquerque, NM 87106) Yes, it really is available to rent...though the guy standing outside drinking wine straight from the bottle says people keep stealing his stuff, so maybe that's why....
Perfect place to grab a free birthday meal and an assault rifle
Dennys (2608 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106)
I am the danger!
Seriously - it's like the Holy Grail of Breaking Bad. But don't throw any pizzas, the owners really don't like it.
Walter's and Skyler's House (3828 Piermont Dr NE Albuquerque, NM 87111)
RIP
The "Mock funeral" raised over $17,000 amid quite the controversy. The headstone was relocated to an out of the way strip mall and placed on an exterior wall. You'd never even see it if you weren't specifically looking for it.
Walter White Headstone (6855 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM)
Awesome!
We really had so much fun! I wish Mezco hadn't been so slow in rolling out the Breaking Bad figures. We've already pre-ordered Jesse, Gus and "Blown Up" Gus!
Will we need to return to finish it up? Possibly. And with Better Call Saul under way - I'd say it's very likely.
Quick thanks to the artist who painted these custom Converse for my husband! Get yours, or Walking Dead, or even Justin Bieber if that's your thing. Check out Cora Hand Painted here!
Hello, World!
