Albuquerque

Albuquerque Museum of Art and History

Guided walking tours of Old Town start here. An excellent example of a city-specific museum, with a large permanent collection of Southwestern art, changing art exhibitions, artifacts from the history of colonial New Mexico and Albuquerque through the years (with some pretty neat items, like conquistador armor and antique cars), and an outdoor sculpture garden. The Albuquerque Museum also operates tours of the historic home of Casa San Ysidro in the nearby village of Corrales, which offers a glimpse into Spanish colonial life in the valley.

Tue–Sun 9AM–5PM except major holidays·$4, $2 seniors, $3 teens, $1 children, under age 4 free (admission free first Wednesday of the month and every Sunday 9AM–1PM)

ABQ BioPark Aquarium

Albuquerque's small but pleasant aquarium is well-curated, with exhibits designed to simulate the Rio Grande and the saltwater marshes of the Gulf of Mexico before moving on to ocean species. Among the sea creatures on display are jellyfish, seahorses, eels, and plenty of colorful reef fish, with the highlight being a huge tank at the end with sharks, sea turtles, and rays. Divers enter the big tank every day from 2–3PM to feed the fish.

9AM–5PM daily, except major holidays·$12.50, $5.50 seniors, $4 children, under age 3 free (includes admission to Botanic Garden; train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo ticket)

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

This splendid museum has well-constructed geological and paleontological displays which illustrate a "journey through time", covering everything from the birth of the planet to the Ice Age. There's plenty of dinosaurs around, from the statues outside the main entrance, to a T. rex in the atrium, to one massive hall with several complete (and massive) dinosaur skeletons. Additionally, an entire wing of the museum is devoted to astronomical exhibits, and there's also an exhibit about the birth of the personal computer, which happened right here in Albuquerque. A planetarium and a large-screen theater are also in the building.

Wed–Mon 9AM–5PM, closed Tue (closed on major holidays)·$8 for adults 18-59, $7 for seniors (60 and above) and children 13-17, $5 for children 3-12, under age 3 free. Separate fee required for planetarium and DynaTheater

University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico (UNM; Spanish: Universidad de Nuevo México) is a public research university in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 1889 by the New Mexico Territorial Legislature, it is the state's second oldest university, the flagship university of the state, and the largest by enrollment, with 22,630 students in 2023. UNM comprises twelve colleges and schools, including a medical school and the only law school in New Mexico.

ABQ BioPark Zoo

It may not be as big as your average big city zoo, but this zoo is surprisingly comprehensive for its size, with most of the popular species you can expect to find at any good zoo: polar bears, lions, zebras, tigers, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, etc. And like any good zoo, the animals are in nice, naturalistic exhibits. The highlight exhibit areas are the seals, the polar bears, a large Africa area, and a large elephant enclosure. Every day there are scheduled feedings of the seals and the polar bears; during the warmer months more feeding times, activities, and outdoor concerts are scheduled. A small narrow-gauge train runs through the zoo (Tu–Su 10AM–3:30PM at 20-min intervals), with a conductor pointing out some of the animals and explaining what goes on behind-the-scenes. A separate train line runs to the Aquarium/Botanic Garden.

9AM–5PM daily, except major holidays·$12.50, $5.50 seniors, $4 children, under age 3 free (train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo ticket) · Entry 20 USD;

¡Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum

A truly splendid science and children's museum, this museum has lots of interactive exhibits teaching science, technology, and art. There are some fantastic exhibits here, like a laminar flow fountain with water jets you can turn on and off, an experiment bar, a high-wire bike, and a robotics lab.

Mon–Sat 10AM–6PM, Sun noon–6PM except major holidays·$8, $5 seniors/students/military, $4 children, under age 1 free

National Hispanic Cultural Center

A large complex of buildings dedicated to Hispanic culture, with a small but very interesting art museum with changing exhibitions of Hispanic art. There is also a library and genealogy center, restaurant, gift shop, and a regular schedule of special events and performances.

Tue–Sun 10AM–5PM, closed major holidays·$6, ages 16 and under free

University Art Museum

Changing exhibitions of art, with a focus on New Mexico and UNM artists.

Tue–Fri 10AM–4PM, Sat 10AM–8PM, closed Sun–Mon·Free · Free entry

Albuquerque Isotopes

The Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, play baseball in a beautiful stadium. Seats in the park are both good and cheap—$16 can get you a seat behind home plate. All the concessions and restrooms are along a big concourse behind the seats which is open to the field, so you don't miss any of the action. For $9 a ticket, you can bring a picnic blanket and find a spot in the grassy "Berm" behind right field that's perfect for kids—they can enjoy the grass and play on the playground on top of the Berm. Beware of foul balls—the park is a notorious "launching pad" for hitters that drives pitchers nuts. The park also hosts the new men's soccer team New Mexico United (below).

Season runs from April–September·$9–36

Petroglyph National Monument

On the west side of town, Petroglyph is a unit of the United States National Park System and preserves a significant archaeological site with an impressive number of petroglyphs. Despite their proximity to an urban center, the petroglyphs are in good condition with very little vandalism or theft. The monument has a visitor center with some interpretive exhibits and a few short trails that lead past numerous petroglyphs. Also within the monument are a series of volcanic cinder cones overlooking the city, accessible by hiking trails from Atrisco Vista Blvd along the backside of the monument.

Daily 8AM–5PM·Free, parking at Boca Negra Canyon trailhead $1 weekdays/$2 weekends

American International Rattlesnake Museum

This great little museum's claim to fame is the largest collection of different species of live rattlesnakes in the world. There's lots of snakes (and various other reptiles) and snake-related memorabilia, such as artwork and films, and the gift shop is not to be missed.

Summer: Mon–Sat 10AM–6PM, Sun 1–5PM; Sep–May: Mon–Fri 11:30AM–5:30PM, Sat 10AM–6PM, Sun 1–5PM·$5, $4 seniors/military/students, $3 children

Cliff's Amusement Park

This is just about the only amusement park in New Mexico. Fairly small, but with a good number of rides. Thrill rides (including two roller coasters), family rides, kiddy rides, and a water play area.

Open Tue–Sun May–August, plus weekends in April and September; hours vary, may be closed for weather·Day pass (includes general admission and all rides) is $28, children/seniors $25 (parking is free)

ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden

Next door to the Aquarium, this expansive botanical garden is one of Albuquerque's real gems. The place is an oasis with a variety of gardens to explore, with an emphasis on high desert plants but also with many highlight exhibits that are great for children: an indoor conservatory with lush Mediterranean plants, an insectarium with plenty of creepy-crawlies, an indoor butterfly pavilion that's open in the summer, a large Japanese garden with a koi pond and a waterfall, a recreation of an early 20th-century farm with a barnyard petting zoo, a model railroad, and a fantastic children's "Fantasy Garden" made to look as if you've shrunk down to a bug's size, with giant pretend vegetables, garden tools and bugs.

9AM–5PM daily, except major holidays·$12.50, $5.50 seniors, $4 children, under age 3 free (includes admission to Aquarium; train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo ticket)

New Mexico United

Pro soccer has arrived! United began play in the second tier of US men's soccer, the USL Championship, in 2019, with home games at Isotopes Park.

Walk-up prices $16–42

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a nine-day event occurring in the first full week of October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. It has over 500 hot air balloons each year, far from its beginnings of merely 13 balloons in 1972. The event is the largest balloon festival in the world, as well as the most photographed annual event, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year from around the globe.

$10, children ages 12 and under free (parking $15 per car)

National Museum of Nuclear Science and History

A museum devoted to things nuclear, with extensive exhibits on the history of nuclear weapons including replicas of the Little Boy and Fat Man bombs dropped in World War II as well as other weapons and displays on arms control and uses of atomic energy. Even for those who are skeptical of the merits of nuclear arms and power, a visit to this museum makes for an interesting experience; a particularly illuminating exhibit is a guestbook where visitors are invited to share their thoughts regarding the use of atomic bombs on Japan, and as one might expect, such a controversial matter invites a wide variety of strong opinions. Outside the museum is a collection of nuclear-capable aircraft standing alongside rockets, missiles, and even a cannon designed to fire nuclear bombs.

9AM–5PM daily except major holidays·$12, $10 seniors/youth, $8 veterans, $7 active military, age 5 and under free

Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

The anthropology department at UNM has been acclaimed as one of the finest in the nation, and over the years its field schools have amassed an impressive collection of artifacts. The museum has changing exhibits and two permanent exhibits; one showcasing the evolution of humans from primates, and the other focusing on the prehistoric native cultures in the American Southwest, with a reconstruction of an archaeological dig in Chaco Canyon.

Tue–Sat 10AM–4PM, closed Sun Mon and major holidays·Free

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

A tourist complex operated by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico. Though there is a museum about pueblo history and culture on-site, it's rather small and tucked away, with most of the complex given over to more lucrative ventures like an art gallery, a restaurant, and a large gift shop (a better museum experience can be found at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture up in Santa Fe). Besides the gift shop, the best reason to visit this place is the regularly scheduled Indian dances which take place in the courtyard.

9AM–5PM daily, closed on major holidays·$8.40, $6.40 seniors/military, $5.40 students/children, under age 5 free · Wheelchair accessible

Rio Grande Nature Center

The bosque provides a tranquil setting for this small but delightful nature center, with its wildlife pond and exhibits on the native wildlife. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy the enclosed views of the pond behind the visitor center. Two short trails head into the bosque from the visitor center.

10AM–5PM daily·Free, parking $3

New Mexico Lobos

UNM sports

The Lobos are big. For a deafening experience in college sports, try to catch a basketball game at "The Pit" (formally named Dreamstyle Arena), the university's semi-underground fieldhouse that has been a house of pain for visiting basketball teams for over 50 years. The women's teams have often been better than the men's in this century, and attract crowds every bit as raucous—when the teams are doing really well, games will sell out. Right across the street is Dreamstyle Stadium, home of the immensely popular Lobos football team.

Football tickets $20–40, $15–20 children. Basketball tickets $8–42, $4–19 children (women's game tickets are cheaper than men's). UNM students are free, guests of students can sometimes get a discount

Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

The Nature Center

Visitors can walk the paths through cottonwood forest and next to managed ponds and wetlands, or avoid the elements at the Visitor Center. Beautiful tile installments throughout the park educate visitors on local ecology and conservation efforts. Birdwatchers find this site an especially rewarding urban location.

Park 8AM-5PM; Visitor Center 10AM–5PM; Nature Shop Mon–Fri 11AM–3PM, Sat Sun 10AM–4PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day·$5.00 per vehicle

Sandia Peak Tramway

Runs from a lower terminus in the northeast heights to the top of Sandia Peak east of the city, and is one of the longest and most spectacular aerial tramways in the world. The first upward tram departs at 9AM (except Tu in the off season), and service continues until early evening. The 15-min ride to the top is incredible, bringing you right up to the rocky face of the Sandias. The view of the city from Sandia Peak is tremendous (especially after sunset), and there is a visitor center at the top. Closed for two weeks in spring and fall for "maintenance," but spring winds are so intense that you really don't want to be on an aerial tram then anyway.

Operates every 20–30 min from 9AM until evening (no morning rides on off-season Tue), with closures in April and November for maintenance·$25 round trip for adults, $20 round trip for seniors/military/students (age 13–20), $15 round trip for children, free for children under 5

Frontier Restaurant

One of the most popular restaurants in Albuquerque; a big hangout for the college students at UNM. Good American and New Mexican food, the breakfast burrito here is one of the best in Albuquerque. The atmosphere is casual, and it's a great place to people-watch and witness a good cross-section of the city's population. If you can't make it to the Frontier, you can go to one of the several Golden Pride chain places around Albuquerque, which is owned by the same family and serves much of the same food.

5AM–1AM daily·$3–9 · Takeaway · Vegetarian options

Albuquerque Biological Park

Includes the city's aquarium, botanical garden, zoo, and Tingley Beach (see below under Do). Combo tickets for the Biological Park can be purchased and include the price of train rides on a small narrow-gauge train running between the Aquarium/Botanic Garden and the Zoo. The train runs Tu–Su from around 10AM–4PM at 30-min intervals.

Limited wheelchair access

Canteen Brewhouse

A long-standing microbrewery with a loyal following. Small food selection.

Sun–Thu noon–10PM, Fri Sat noon–midnight·Wi-Fi

Church Street Cafe

A cozy little restaurant with good New Mexican food tucked away down a side alley of Old Town.

Thu–Sat 8AM–8PM, Sun–Wed 8AM–4PM·$6–15 · Vegetarian options

Banh Mi Coda

Excellent Vietnamese sandwiches. Get the #6, grilled pork on a French style baguette with French-inspired style mayo (aioli), cucumber, cilantro, strips of pickled carrots, and slices of jalapeños. Bakery also carries various Vietnamese desserts, steamed sweet/glutinous rice with mung beans, and Vietnamese steamed pork sausages.

Closed · opens 8:30 am Saturday·Wi-Fi

La Cumbre

A microbrewery opened by a former brewer from Chama River Brewing Co.

Daily noon-closing time·Brews its own beer

KiMo Theater

This historic and beautiful downtown building is a vibrant setting for the local performing arts community, and a venue for some traveling shows. The theater is gorgeous and filled with Pueblo-esque art deco ornamentation, such as beautiful murals, plaster cow skulls and wooden beams.

Rio Grande Valley State Park

A very pleasant state park running along the banks of the Rio Grande through Albuquerque. The park encompasses almost the entirety of the bosque (cottonwood forest) in the city, which is home to much wildlife, such as geese, roadrunners, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and numerous other species. Numerous trails criss-cross the park, most notably the Paseo del Bosque paved bike/walk trail which runs the length of the park and offers a scenic walk or bike ride. The park's trails are also utilized by an active equestrian community in the area. There are also several picnic areas and wetland areas, with the two most prominent listed below.

Free