TRAVEL TIPS
Hours of Operation
Although hours differ little in New Mexico from other parts of the United States, some businesses do keep shorter hours here than in more densely populated parts of the country. In particular, outside of the larger towns in New Mexico, it can be hard to find shops open past 6 pm and restaurants open past 8 or 9 in the evening. Within the state, businesses tend to keep later hours in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe than in rural areas.
Most major museums and attractions are open daily or six days a week (with Monday or Tuesday being the most likely day of closing). Hours are often shorter on Saturday and especially Sunday, and a handful of museums in larger cities stay open late one night a week, usually Friday. New Mexico's less populated areas also have quite a few smaller museums—historical societies, small art galleries, highly specialized collections—that open only a few days a week, and sometimes only by appointment during slow times. It's always a good idea to call ahead if you're planning to go out of your way to visit a smaller museum.
Banks are usually open weekdays from 9 to 4:30 or a bit later and some Saturday mornings, the post office from 8 to 5 or 6 weekdays and often on Saturday mornings. Shops in urban and touristy areas, particularly in indoor and strip malls, typically open at 9 or 10 daily and stay open until anywhere from 6 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and Saturday, and until 5 or 6 on Sunday. Hours vary greatly, so call ahead when in doubt.
On major highways and in densely populated areas you can usually find at least one or two supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations open 24 hours, and in Albuquerque, you can find a smattering of all-night fast-food restaurants, diners, and coffeehouses. Bars and discos stay open until 1 or 2 am.
![](http://destinytravel4u.com/wp-content/plugins/nas/content/live/tap6/wp-content/themes/OA-Agent-Theme/parts/ajax-loader.gif)