Having grown up in Santa Fe, actor Anna Gunn , best known as Skyler White in Breaking Bad, was thrilled to return to New Mexico to shoot the hit TV series. She gives us the lowdown on Santa Fe and Albuquerque …

What kind of people are drawn to Santa Fe?



There's a wide variety of people in Santa Fe. When we arrived in the late 70s it was before it had really been discovered, or written about – even as a travel destination. But it was a place people who were spiritual – and artists – knew of. I think it attracts those who want to connect with nature, and the city's incredible history.

How much has growing up in Santa Fe moulded you as a person?



There's so much art: visual, dance, theatre. All of a sudden, as a child, I was going to the opera for the first time in my life. This was back when the opera house was somewhat uncovered so you'd be watching the Magic Flute and the backdrop would be the mountains, the sky and you'd be sitting out under the stars hearing the most beautiful music. As an eight-year-old, that changes your life. I'm certain it steered me in the career direction I eventually chose.

Since Breaking Bad, has Albuquerque had more visitors?



Absolutely. There's actually now an unofficial tour, which is extraordinary. People make a day of it. When we were shooting at the car wash or the white house, the lovely people who own the white house, Fran and Louis, would tell us how people now knock on their door from all over the world. Sometimes they want to know if the pizza that Walt threw onto the roof is still up there.

Desert destination. The New Mexico location for the 'cooking in the RV' scenes of Breaking Bad is a draw for fans. Photograph: Snap Stills/Rex

What is the best location to visit?



All the places we filmed at are normal, everyday locations. Saul's office was just a storefront in the mini-mall. The art department put up that funny statue in front of it, so it doesn't even look that way. The most exciting thing would be the desert – when they cooked out there in the RV. Although that would be a little harder to find, because it's in the middle of nowhere, I imagine people still try to find it. The train heist episode, which is one of the newer ones, would be a really exciting location to check out. That's up close to Santa Fe, near Lamy, I believe.

Has Breaking Bad changed the way you view the area?



I think the way Michael Slovis, the art director, captured New Mexico was extraordinary. New Mexico becomes a character in the show and I can't imagine it being set anywhere else. He had this vision of it being like a Sergio Leone film and I think that really comes across, especially as Walt gets deeper into the crime and that old western feel develops.

What is the best thing a visitor can experience in Albuquerque?



Albuquerque's hot air balloon fiesta. Photograph: Kevin Fleming/Corbis

The balloon fiesta every October is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. There are hundreds of hot air balloons in all shapes and sizes. They try their best to land back in the park, but sometimes they land in people's backyards. One day I was doing the dishes and one landed outside my window.

Where can you go to get a taste of Santa Fe?



There's a restaurant called Cafe Pasqual's – my brother worked there as a dishwasher when he was a kid. They have a big community table and they do this breakfast burrito, which, if you manage to eat it, will mean you're set for the day. If you want authentic Santa Fe food, go to the Five and Dime General Store on the Santa Fe Plaza where they sell amazing frito pies (chilli, cheese and corn chips). I used to have them as a kid and they still serve them.

The soundtrack to Breaking Bad has received a lot of praise. Is there a particular song that reminds you of New Mexico?



De Colores. I'm not sure if they used it in Breaking Bad but, whenever I hear it, it reminds me of Santa Fe. It's a really traditional Mexican song you hear all the time. I remember hearing it as a kid and it just brings me back.

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