The red arrow is in the parking lot across the road from Whole Foods. A great photo op while you pick up your costume from Spirit Halloween. be nice if there was a little step so you could sit on the platform and hug the arrow. Another fun pop culture stop to mix in with your history and nature stops. read more

Giant Red Arrow - Local Flavor Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

You will find this gigantic red arrow, with its tip to the ground in a busy Whole Foods Parking lot. It is an Albuquerque staple and a part of the city's culture. It could maybe use a fresh coat of paint, but it is still considerably in great shape since it has been there since 1961. Back then the shopping plaza was named Indiana Plaza. The arrow stands about 20 feet tall and looks like it was shoot into the stone base on which its sits. If the arrow does not already draw enough attention, it use to have neon lighting. However, it was too expensive to maintain so they scrapped it. Another interesting note is that in 1980, some of the plaza's tenants looked to add a few parking spots, which is premium in that location, by ripping out the arrow. The arrow was given landmark status though and it remains in it location today. There is an urban legend that the arrow ended up there by Lil' Beaver, the Indian sidekick of Red Ryder, the cowboy of TV, movie and comic strip fame, using a giant bow to shoot the arrow into an awaiting patch of soft concrete. I love the story and the hype, but I seriously doubt that it is true. I was able to pull into that same parking lot, park, get out and take a closer look. It was very easy. Anyway, as with most attractions that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, such as the space ship house or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. read more

See all

I pass this arrow everyday on my commute. For the last 3 months I've been trying to capture a photo of this amazing giant weirdly placed arrow. Let me tell you it has not been an easy task. Why? Well let's start off at the location. At the intersection where Carlisle meets Indian School, the arrow sits at the south east corner of the Whole Foods parking lot. As expensive as Whole Foods is, believe it or not this place is packed from open to close. That being said I've come at all hours of the day and there always seems to be someone parked in the spaces in front of the arrow. Now don't get wrong I can probably find another angle to capture the photo without getting the peoples cars parked in front but I'm a creative person. When I visualized capturing the photo I had our beautiful Sandia mountains in mind as the perfect background. I also wanted to it some perspective along with some depth and dynamic on its greatness. That being said when I finally saw the spaces open and the sunset hitting the mountains just right I knew I had to jump at the opportunity. I cheated I admit. I used my Canon DSLR to capture it rather than my phone but the photo came out more epic than I initially expected! It's much larger up close than it appears driving down Carlisle. Definitely another one checked off the list of oddities for my series! If you haven't already seen this guy it's worth checking out! I have no idea the story behind it and why it's there but if you do, please share! read more

Giant Red Arrow - Giant Red Arrow - Local Flavor Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This is the spot! This giant red arrow looks like it was shot from a huge Indian in the next pueblo over. It seems like they were trying to shoot the Whole Foods, and hit the parking lot. This thing is huge! It's probably the biggest arrow I've ever seen. Big. It's historic, but the story has been lost on me. There's no reason to ask, "Why?" It's just there because it's there. If it wasn't there, would you be reading a review about the Whole Foods parking lot? Perhaps, but this landmark gives Albuquerque some of that local flavor. read more

Love for the Giant Red Arrow. My love for it is almost as large as the Giant Red Arrow itself. I don't know the history of this arrow, but it makes me smile every time I go by it. The compulsion to stop and get out and touch or photograph it, is strong. Clearly, others feel the same way, judging from all the photos of it posted just on Yelp. Clearly, it's been around a long time, I'm thinkin' it's from the 1950s. It feels like it was once a part of a local business, but long gone. It doesn't fit with Whole Foods, but when I first moved here, it helped me find my way to Whole Foods. And after reading Lyssa D.'s review, I see that this Giant Red Arrow has been around at least since the early 1980s and there was a Fast Photo store here. She also says the Giant Red Arrow was one of possibly three pieces of sculpture in ABQ. At the time, this may have been really exciting for ABQ, but as sculpture goes, it's not very exciting. However, it does fit loosely within the work of Swedish sculptor Claes Oldenburg. He has his own giant red arrow, though it's with a bow, and the overall piece is called, "Cupid's Span." All the same, I love this Giant Red Arrow. It harkens back to a much simpler time. read more

This is definitely a landmark that stands out for sure! I used to work in that shopping center before whole foods. There were a few businesses there, including a drycleaner (owned by the father of an acquaintance at school) that I worked at. I would take my lunch break and head over to subway, which was about 2 minutes walking. Those were the days! read more

Everything I expected. Big. Red. Arrow. I still have no idea why this is here, but I'll find out. I cannot believe I've lived in Albuquerque for almost a year and this is the first time I've seen it. It's glorious. Kind of reminds me of those roadside attractions on your way through the middle of no where. You know... The larges ball of twine. That huge dinosaur somewhere between California and Arizona. It's a thing. read more

Giant Red Arrow - Local Flavor Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

I don't know it's history. I don't know why it's there. I just know during my stay in ABQ, I used it as a landmark for giving directions & for learning my way around the city. Once I saw it, I knew I was nearing the area of the hotel I called home. In the parking lot of KMart, well there was a KMart there, idk if it's still there; but at the time, in the parking lot of Kmart, this delightful signage was high in the sky for all to see. I'm sure for the locals, it was a background item, but for me each time I saw it, I was floored. Standing alone, by itself, in the parking lot, there it was. And no one seemed to be bothered by it but me!!!! I stared at it each time. I wanted to touch it. I wanted to snap pics of it. I wanted to know why no one was giddy like me when setting it. Ehhhhhh I never questioned anyone about it and to this day, I have looked up it's significance or history; I think I like the mystery of it and possibly learning the truth will lessen the appeal it has for me. read more

This is a Pokémon Go gym and a landmark for sure. My husband and I get excited because we play Pokémon Go. It is located in the Whole Foods parking lot, so the photo opts may be limited if you want that "no one else is here" look. Regardless it's a fun sight! read more

Yet another bizarre Albu-quirk-ian landmark. This would be so much cooler for me if it was out in the mesa, or by the bosque, or at the edge of the foothills. The location just throws me, it just seems....misplaced...ya know? So, meh. It is what it is: a big red arrow in a shopping center parking lot. On to the next... read more

Giant Red Arrow - There it is - Local Flavor Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

1000 check-ins at the GIANT RED ARROW!!! I am the king of the arrow forever!!! WOO HOO!!! I have come to love the Giant Red Arrow for more than just its quirkiness and awesomeness. It has become a bonding thing for me with other people. It's a really strange and random piece of art that has come to mean something personal to me. Yesterday I hit 1000 checkins at the GRA and had a little Yelp party. I set up a UYE and friends came to celebrate with me. How awesome and weird is that??? The arrow is representative of everything good and fun in ABQ and on Yelp. Out of nothing came a shared love of something, and happiness and friendship followed and were cemented. Love this arrow... read more

See all

Meh. I've definitely experienced better than the Giant Red Arrow. But it must be Yelped. So, what was the thinking on this one? Boss Hogg: "So I got my eye on this here plot o' land in Albuquerque, Rosco, and I'm thinkin' a callin' it Indian Center. You got any ideas on how we could make the place look Indian?" Rosco: "Aw gee, Boss, I don't rightly have no i-dea. How's about stickin' one a them Indians there. On a horse or somethin'." Boss Hogg: "Just put an Indian there? On a horse?" Rosco: "Uh... Yep." Boss Hogg: "So he can just sit there." Rosco: "Right." Boss Hogg: "How's he gonna eat, or take a leak?" Rosco: "Well heck, Boss, ya didn't ask me that. Ya got it all complicated, now. Aw shucks. I thought that was a good idea." Boss Hogg: "Gimme another one." Rosco: "Well let me think now, little fat buddy... Remember when we was kids? We used to run all over the yard playin' Cowboys 'n Indians. I was always the Cowboy, that's why I became a Sheriff when I grew up, ya know. And you, you used to holler and yip and jump around like a wild animal with yer bow and arrow. Those were the days, boss. I can see you now, all fat and happy with yer giant red arrow. Yep. That giant red arrow... Hey boss, did ya see that?" Boss Hogg: "See what?" Rosco: "It's them boys again, they just drove past us. I gotta go git 'em!" read more

Giant Red Arrow - "I wonder how that arrow landed up there." Bueno, Lynette. - Local Flavor Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Of course, we HAD to stop at the giant red arrow during valentine's day weekend. A little bit of cupid's love goes a long way, right? We came. We saw. And then we got bored. And it was big for sure. But c'mon the giant red arrow didn't seem THAT giant. Just sayin.' Well, I paid my respects and appreciation for the local ABQ landmark so dearly loved by many. I'm glad we stopped but now we gotta keep moving along. read more

Giant Red Arrow - Local Flavor Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

It's been like 20 years that x has marked the arrow spot for home. Appreciate the reminder. Hope it never leaves us in our needy community.

It's was a stop during our pass through of Albuquerque since my friend always wanted to explore this city since Simpsons kept referring to it. We just came to take a photo or two. It doesn't seem to have a history of any sort. No plaque, no placard, no nuthin'...it's just a giant...red...arrow, no more, no less. It's on the corner of the plaza with Whole Food. read more

I've decided to throw my hat in the ring, and give my vast opinion about the Giant Red Arrow. When I first moved to ABQ, it was one of the maybe 3 pieces of sculpture (loose term in retrospect) but still, ABQ wasn't a very interesting artistic place in the early 80's. Also, maybe some remember, but the big red arrow pointed at a Fast Photo drive up film developing store. Does anyone remember film? It the long roll of cellophane than you would put in a camera, capture images you had no clue how they would look (tongue in cheek), You had to take this film somewhere to develop, because only really cool people had their own darkroom, and you needed a place like Fast Photo, or else you would just have a bunch of canisters in your purse, drawer, box, etc. Side note: I just found 3 of these said canisters, and I'm sorely missing Fast Photo... Back to our regularly scheduled programming... Anyway, I think the Giant Red Arrow is less about a beautiful statement or artistic interest, it was never meant to be anything more than an sign to "come here to shop, we have amazing stores, to include a Fast Photo!" and so it's intrinsic beauty comes from nostalgia. All those old ways, like film, that we are losing with our quickly evolving culture. Side note two: I really love digital, so I probably won't miss Fast Photo, past this review. But, I'll always have the Giant Red Arrow to mark the spot where a long, long, long time ago I began my love of photography. *extra star for my memories Anyone ready to talk about the Bowling Pin Staples Sign on Menaul? :-) read more

Giant Red Arrow - Giant Red Arrow - Local Flavor Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

What can I say about the Giant Red Arrow that Kendall A. hasn't already said? ABQ is a unique place. Maybe it's perpetual sunstroke. Maybe it's the fact that it's an island unto itself in the middle of the desert southwest. Maybe it draws, and spawns, it's own unique set of people. But the Giant Red Arrow has come to symbolize, though not necessarily epitomize, all that is weird and wonderful about ABQ. What's not to love?? read more

I'm new here but I am enamored with this arrow. Maybe someone can help me figure it out but I swear there is more than one around ABQ.????? What does it all mean? Why do they call to me?? Oh you elusive arrow, share with me your secrets of the city. Is it an overshot from the bow and arrow from San Francisco? Is it a sign from the gods that I'm exactly where I meed to be? read more

The giant red arrow in the Whole Foods parking lot is a perfect symbol for how different Albuquerque is. Why is it there? No ones really sure how it "landed up there". I've heard it was part of an old hardware store that existed before Whole Foods. Or maybe it just fell form the sky there? We might never know. Nonetheless, it's a symbol everyone knows in Albuquerque. Growing up, I remember my grandfather's house was a few blocks away, so I always knew when we were close to seeking grandpa! Today, I think of it fondly because it's unique and random. Albuquerque is a unique and random place, so it totally fits. Keep on impressing and making people question you, giant red arrow. read more

As promised, the is a big, shiny, red arrow in the parking lot of the Whole Foods A good landmark to remember where to turn left! read more

Yeahhhhh... no. Nothing special here. Just that it cost more to tear it down than to just keep it there when they remodeled the strip mall years ago. read more

Lawn darts for giants maybe? Anyone remember that awesome game? The PC police and "Safety" advocates have ruined everything that's good and wholesome dang it! Nevertheless, I think it's kinda cool, not as cool as giant Paul Bunyans mind you, but still kinda cool. read more

Albuquerque is so weird. What's not to love, giant red arrow sticking in the corner of a Whole Foods parking lot. It has no explanation, speculate away why it's here, what it means, and why we Yelp it! read more

Sorry Howie, I have to agree with Kendall! As a new burqueño, this arrow helps me find my way home! It's also great landmark for when I give directions. It's weird and out of place, but doesn't that make it so appropriate for ABQ? read more

Many years ago, Giants roamed this land called New Mexico. They were fabulous Giants, with lots of style and a wicked sense of humor. They also loved the color red. Loved it! They liked to hunt, but they had some trouble with that when they came to this area. The local elks didn't appreciate being shot at. The first time the Giants hunted elk was the last, because those fierce quadrupeds showed up on their Harley's and opened a can of serious whoop ass on the Giant village, which was located in what we now call the city of Albuquerque. After that, the Giants said screw this, planted one of their big red arrows in the earth as a warning to others that psycho elks lived nearby, and wandered off to find a more hospitable place to live. And that, children, is the story of the Giant Red Arrow. read more

I seriously love that red arrow. One of my friends told me that the family story was the arrow pointed to the center of Albuquerque. Pretty sure that's not the case given that its on Indian School. Regardless, I live near it and it makes my life easier when I have to give directions. I would love nothing more than more landmarks like the red arrow. Huzzah! read more

The monument was made by a(n) Unknown artist(s) ca. 1961. It is deep red - which may or may not be maintained. It is an arrow - the tool of Native Americans. It marks the intersection of "Indian School" and "Carlisle". Carlisle was a re-education and indoctrination program. The monument reveals a point in time and space where changes in the societies here exist(ed) and interact. Read what you will into symbolism and analyse too. But, remember and change is the point I believe. read more

This thing scares the crap out of me and I don't see any non-offensive historical significance to it's existence. Every time I pass it, I attempt to stay on the opposite side of the road for fear that it will come crashing down, crushing my entire family, at any given moment. The angle of the arrow to the ground has decreased an uncomfortable amount during the time I have lived in this city and the base has pulled farther from the foundation with every passing year. I'm uncertain as to why it hasn't been removed. Nostalgia maybe? Either way, I'm soon to stop taking Carlisle as a means of getting places because of it. read more

It's an arrow, it's GIANT & red! Some say it's from ancient mythological dragon hunters. The dragons once lived in the volcanos west of town they would soar from the mountains to the Malpais. The ancient Native hunters used the crest for a perch to launch their giant arrows! This red arrow is the result of a rare missed shot. The leader of the hunters had this arrow left in the ground to show his dissatisfaction for centuries to come. read more

I gave it 4 stars because a random giant arrow is awesome! Plus I like whole foods :)

I didn't know up until recently that there are actual multiple arrows spread across the us. I remember when I was a child my mother told me it was Cupid's arrow. It was always cool driving by it but I think it's pointless. Haha. read more