Neighborhood in Albuquerque · Bernalillo County

Nob Hill

Nob Hill runs along Central Avenue just east of the University of New Mexico.

Photo 1 of 1

Lobo Theater and adjacent storefronts along Central Avenue in Nob Hill, photographed in September 2024. — Lobo Theater and Central Avenue storefronts in Nob Hill — September 2024

Route 66 buildings, neon gateways and Central Avenue transit

About Nob Hill

Nob Hill runs along Central Avenue just east of the University of New Mexico. Neon gateways, reused Route 66 buildings and locally owned shops and restaurants shape its commercial corridor, with residential streets nearby.

Central Avenue between the neon gateways

Nob Hill’s commercial corridor follows Central Avenue east of the University of New Mexico. Shops, galleries, restaurants and nightlife line this roughly mile-long stretch, which became part of Route 66 in 1937. Residential streets extend away from the avenue.

Neon arches mark the corridor at Girard and Washington. Artists Terry Conrad and Joan Weissman created these gateways in 1993 as a public art project, drawing on the signs associated with Route 66’s roadside businesses.

Service stations with a second life

Several of Nob Hill’s dining and coffee spaces retain the buildings of its motoring past. Little Bear Coffee and Wine Bar occupies the former Save Way service station, while Fan Tang uses the Andy Johnston Service Station. M’tucci’s Bar Roma is housed in the Jones Motor Company building, built in 1939.

The Nob Hill Business Center was completed in 1947 to a design by Louis G. Hesselden. Its drive-in shopping layout belongs to the same period when Central Avenue’s businesses increasingly served motorists. Together, the center and reused service stations make the Route 66 history visible in the present streetscape.

Visit Albuquerque — Nob Hill on Route 66

Two ART stations along the corridor

The Nob Hill ART station is at 3150 Central Avenue SE, and East Nob Hill is at 3730 Central Avenue SE. Both have center platforms and serve routes 766 and 777. The buses connect west through the university area and Downtown toward Central & Unser Transit Center.

Eastbound, route 766 continues to Uptown Transit Center, while route 777 stays on the Central corridor toward Tramway. ART currently has no fare. Marked, signalized crossings provide access to the platforms in the middle of Central Avenue.

City of Albuquerque — ART routes and stations

Check these on a visit

Try these in person before you commit to an address in Nob Hill.

Follow Central Avenue between the Girard and Washington gateways to see the Route 66 storefronts.
Look for the former service stations now used by Little Bear, Fan Tang and M’tucci’s Bar Roma.
Use the Nob Hill or East Nob Hill ART platform for a trip along Central Avenue.

Neighborhoods and districts near Nob Hill

The closest neighborhoods and districts in Albuquerque, measured center to center.

3.6 miOld TownOld Town centers on Albuquerque’s historic plaza, with San Felipe de Neri Church, adobe storefronts and the Portal Market.

All Albuquerque neighborhoods and districts

Guides about Nob Hill

Schools near Nob Hill

The 6 closest schools within 5 miles, including any outside the city. Being nearby does not mean a home is zoned for a school: confirm attendance zones with the school or district.

All schools in Albuquerque

Monte Vista ElementaryElementary
about 0.1 mi · Public · Grades Pre-K–5 · 379 students
Jefferson MiddleMiddle
about 0.5 mi · Public · Grades 6–8 · 615 students
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic SchoolK–8
about 0.7 mi · Private · Grades Pre-K–8, TK · 55 students
Bandelier ElementaryElementary
about 0.7 mi · Public · Grades K–5 · 387 students
New Mexico Academy for the Media ArtsSecondary
about 0.9 mi · Public · Charter · Grades 6–12 · 109 students
Coral Community CharterK–8
about 0.9 mi · Public · Charter · Grades Pre-K–8 · 241 students

Distances are approximate. They are straight lines from the centre of Nob Hill, not travel distances, and a home at the edge of the area can be noticeably closer to or farther from a school.

Sources & data notesReferences, reporting periods, and how to use this information

Information on this page is compiled from multiple sources and provided for general information. It may be incomplete or out of date, and we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Independently verify important details with the original source, relevant authority, or a qualified professional before making decisions.

Statistics keep their reporting periods. Survey estimates are not current asking prices or quotes for an individual property. Displayed values are rounded.

Neighborhood setting and Central Avenue corridor
Visit Albuquerque — Historic Nob HillSource checked 2026-10-18
Gateway locations, date and artists
Nob Hill Main Street — Neon GatewaysSource checked 2026-10-18
Historic service stations and business center
Visit Albuquerque — Nob Hill on Route 66Source checked 2026-10-18
ART fares, routes and station locations
City of Albuquerque — ART routes and stationsSource checked 2026-10-18

Photo credits

Image credits and license
Lobo Theater and Central Avenue storefronts in Nob Hill — September 2024
Creator: Kenneth C. Zirkel
Original source
License: CC BY 4.0
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; card previews may crop the photo. Guide gallery preserves the full frame.
Lobo Theater and Central Avenue storefronts in Nob Hill — September 2024