Museums and galleries in Albuquerque
132 museums and galleries in Albuquerque, from the big collections to small independent spaces.
Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 132.
Museums and galleries in Albuquerque
SeeMuseumAlbuquerque 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 museumNew 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
SeeScience museum¡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
SeeNational 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
SeeMuseumUniversity Art Museum
Changing exhibitions of art, with a focus on New Mexico and UNM artists.
Tue–Fri 10AM–4PM, Sat 10AM–8PM, closed Sun–MonFree · Free entry
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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
SeeNational 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
SeeAnthropology museumMaxwell 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 holidaysFree
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SeeMuseumIndian 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
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Meteorite and Geology Museums
In the university's geology department building are a pair of galleries with minerals, fossils, and meteorites collected by UNM faculty and students, as well as exhibits about local geology.
Geology Museum: Mon–Fri 8:30AM–noon and 1PM–4:30PM; Meteorite Museum: Mon–Fri 10AM–4PM (hours may be limited when school is not in session)Free
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Albuquerque Photographer's Gallery
A juried photography co-op of award-winning photographers, representing a wide variety of styles and techniques.
Mon–Sat 11AM–5:30PM, Sun noon–5PM
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Amapola Gallery
Co-op of 40 contemporary artists selling a wide variety of southwestern arts and crafts.
Daily 10AM–5PM
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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
SeeAnderson–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)
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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.
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Masks Y Mas
An art gallery and store cram packed with Day of the Dead folk art.
Mon–Thu 11AM–6PM, Fri Sat 11AM-7PM, Sun noon–5PM
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Open Space Visitor Center
The center for the city's open space program, which encompasses land from around the city to preserve for environmental and recreational use. The visitor center has exhibits on the natural and cultural resources of the area, an art gallery, a nature area, and views of the bosque and mountains.
Tue–Sun 9AM–5PMFree
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Unser Racing Museum
Operated by the local Unser racing family, this museum is dedicated to the racing legacy of the Unsers and to the sport of auto racing in general.
10AM–4PM daily$10, $6 seniors, under age 16 free
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Tanner Chaney Gallery
A long-standing business selling native arts and crafts.
Mon–Sat 10AM–5:30PM, Sun noon–5:30PM
SeeArt galleryHarwood Art Center and Montessori
The Harwood School is a historic building in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which was originally a Methodist boarding school. Built in 1925, it is a two-story, H-shaped building with a red brick facade and Neoclassical detailing. The building ceased operating as a school in 1976 and now houses a community art center as part of the outreach programs of Escuela del Sol Montessori.
SeeMuseumNew Mexico Holocaust Museum and Gellert Center for Education
The New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum is a Holocaust museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Closed · opens noon Wednesday
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Remarque/New Grounds Print Workshop
Remarque/New Grounds is a printmaking workshop and gallery offering press rentals, classes, and contemporary prints from around the world.
Closed · opens 10 am Thursday
SeeHistory museumH. 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.
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Museum of Southwestern Biology
The Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB) is a research and teaching facility in the Department of Biology of the University of New Mexico (UNM). The museum's collections include vascular plants, invertebrates and vertebrates from the American West, Central and South America, and from throughout the world. It is open to visitors by appointment.
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Matrix Fine Art
Art gallery with a variety of types of art along with monthly featured artists. Price Range $50-$1,200
Closed · opens 11 am Thursday
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The Wheels Museum
1100 2nd St SW
Closed · opens 9 am tomorrowFree entry
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Telephone Pioneer Museum
110 4th Street Northwest
Hours unclear (by appointment)
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Mothership Alumni
105 4th Street Southwest
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BUGarium
2601 Central Ave NW
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GIZMO Arts
410 Central Avenue Northwest
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Levy Gallery
514 Central Avenue Southwest
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Romero Street Gallery
121 Romero St NW
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Cavalcade of Wings
Sunport Boulevard
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Gallery Hózhó
2000 Bellamah Ave NW
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New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society
1833 8th Street Northwest
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Shi Yazhi Sage Gallery & Studio
323 Romero St NW
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Bear Paw Indian Arts and Gallery
328 San Felipe St NW
Free entry
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Turquoise Museum
400 2nd Street Southwest
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Penfield Gallery
2113 Church St NW
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Jonson Gallery
1909 Las Lomas Road Northeast
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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).