Historic places in Albuquerque

45 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Albuquerque.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 45.

Photo: PerryPlanet at English Wikipedia, Public domain

SeeMuseum
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)
SeeNature museum
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
See
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
SeeMuseum
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
Do
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.
SeeArt museum
Turquoise Museum
While the location isn't ideal (in a strip mall near Old Town, rather than in the historic district), this small gift shop and museum has some interesting exhibits about turquoise and its manufacture, history, and mythology. Reservations required.
90-minute tours Mon–Sat at 11AM and 1PM$12, $10 children/seniors/military
See
Anderson–Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
Overlooking the balloon launch field is this very interesting museum dedicated to the science and history of ballooning, with exhibits on hot air balloons and other lighter-than-air craft (including a couple of historic craft occupying the expansive hall), collections and memorabilia from famous balloonists, and extensive exhibits on ballooning in Albuquerque. If you can't make it to the Balloon Fiesta, this is next best thing, and if you can make it to the Balloon Fiesta, this makes for an excellent complement to a morning spent at a mass ascension.
Tue–Sun 9AM–5PM$4 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children, age 3 and under free (Sunday mornings free)
Buy
Old Town
If you're looking for all the "New Mexican" shops, this is probably the next best thing to Santa Fe. Granted, some of it is tacky souvenir stuff, but there are also plenty of quality gift shops with authentic Native American and Southwestern art. You can also find plenty of antiques, art galleries, jewelry, pottery, weavings, clothing stores, and other specialty shops.
Buy
Nob Hill
A trendy district known for its neon reminiscent of the Route 66 days, Nob Hill is easily one of the best places in the city to window shop. The Nob Hill Business Center, at Central & Carlisle, has some great little shops as well as the La Montanita Food Co-Op (see Grocery stores under "Eat" below).
SeeHistoric site
La Glorieta
La Glorieta is a historic hacienda in Albuquerque, New Mexico, believed to be the oldest residence in the city. Its exact age is unknown, but it is known to have been standing in 1803 and possibly dates back as far as the 17th century. It has been the home of several generations of prominent New Mexicans: merchant Franz Huning, U.S. Representative Harvey Butler Fergusson, writer and historian Erna Fergusson, and writer Harvey Fergusson.
SeeHistoric building
Skinner Building
The Skinner Building is a historic building in Albuquerque, New Mexico, considered to be one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the city. Originally a grocery store owned by J.A. Skinner, it was designed by local architect A.W. Boehning and built in 1931. The building is of brick construction, with a street facade of white terra cotta tile on the north and west sides.
SeeHistoric building
Southwestern Brewery and Ice Company - Home of Glorieta Beer
The Southwestern Brewery and Ice Company is a historic brewery in Albuquerque, New Mexico, located adjacent to the BNSF railroad tracks in East Downtown. Built in 1899, it is one of the only surviving 19th-century commercial buildings in the downtown area.
SeeHistoric building
S. H. Kress Building
The S. H. Kress Building is a historic commercial building in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. Built in 1925 by the S. H. Kress & Co. department store chain, it is notable as a well-preserved early 20th century retail building.
SeeHistoric building
Rosenwald Bros Building
The Rosenwald Building is a historic building located in Downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. Designed by Henry Trost of the El Paso firm of Trost & Trost and built in 1910, it was the first reinforced concrete building in the city. It is a massive three-story building with a two-story recessed entrance and simple geometric ornamentation.
SeeHistoric site
West San Jose School
West San Jose School, also known as Riverview School, is a historic former elementary school in the Barelas neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was built in 1936–37 as a Works Progress Administration project and operated as a school until 1975. It is now part of the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
SeeHistory museum
H. B. & Lucille Horn Preservation Station
The Huning Highlands Conoco Service Station is a historic gas station in the Huning Highlands neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was built in 1937 by the Continental Oil Company (Conoco) and is notable as a well-preserved example of the automobile-oriented development that shaped the city during the mid-20th century. The building was listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
SeeHistoric building
Microsoft (Historic Headquarters)
Former headquarters for Microsoft, now located at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington, U.S.A,
SeeHistoric site
De Anza Motor Lodge
The De Anza Motor Lodge was a historic motel located on former U.S. Route 66 in the Upper Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was built in 1939 by Charles G. Wallace, a local trader of Zuni art and pottery, who remained the owner until 1983. Wallace decorated the motel with a variety of Native American art, including a series of murals by Zuni artist Tony Edaakie in a basement room.
SeeHistoric site
Old Post Office
The Old Post Office is the oldest surviving federal building in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Located at the northwest corner of Fourth and Gold in downtown Albuquerque, the Spanish Colonial Revival-style building was built in 1908 under the supervision of architect James Knox Taylor. Several federal agencies were initially housed in the Post Office building but it quickly became overcrowded, necessitating the construction of the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse next door in 1930.
SeeHistoric building
Santa Fe Freight House
The AT&SF Freight Office is a historic building in Downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1946 and is a notable example of Mission Revival architecture. The building was listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties in 2012 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
SeeHistoric building
Springer Square
The Springer Building is a historic building in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was built during 1929–30 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was designed by the Springer Transfer Company, including architect Miles Brittelle, Sr.
SeeHistoric building
YDI Wool Warehouse
The Wool Warehouse (originally known as the New Mexico–Arizona Wool Warehouse) is a historic building in the Warehouse District of downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. Built in 1928–29 by wool merchant Frank Bond, the warehouse is significant for its role in New Mexico's wool industry in the mid-20th century. It was added to the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties in 1980 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
DoPark
Soldiers and Sailors Park
1301 Central Avenue Northwest
DoPark
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park
805 Locust Place Northeast
SeeHistoric building
Microsoft (Historic Headquarters)
Former headquarters for Microsoft, now located at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington, U.S.A,
EatAmerican restaurant
Central Grill and Coffeehouse
2056 Central Avenue Southwest
Open now · closes 2 pm
EatRestaurant
Dave's
6601 4th Street Northwest
SeeHistory museum
Cavalcade of Wings
Sunport Boulevard
SeeHistoric building
Broadway Market Building
421 Broadway Boulevard Southeast
SeeMonument
White Sands National Monument
SeeAttraction
Rosenwald Building Historic Site
320 Central Avenue Northwest
SeeMonument
Serenity Stone Co.
4909 Ellison St NE Ste B
SeeMonument
Chevy On A Stick
5001 Gibson Blvd SE
DoHistorical tour
History & Ghost Tours of Old Town
303 Romero St NW Plaza Don Luis - N120
SeeMonument
Flame of Hope
SeeHistoric building
Appliance City
500 4th Street Southwest
SeeHistoric building
Bliss Building
400 Central Avenue Northwest
SeeHistoric building
El Vado Motel
SeeHistoric building
Highland Pharmacy Building
300 Central Avenue Southeast
SeeMonument
Microsoft Original Headquarters Plaque

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Albuquerque (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).