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

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

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)

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 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

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

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

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

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)

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

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.

Harwood 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.

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.

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.

New 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

Ernie Pyle Library

The Ernie Pyle House/Library is a historic house at 900 Girard Boulevard, SE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Built in 1940, it was the home of famed war correspondent Ernie Pyle from then until his untimely death in 1945 during World War II. It now serves as a branch of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Library, containing Pyle memorabilia and a monument to Pyle. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

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.

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

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.

The New Mexico Rattler

New Mexico Rattler, officially The New Mexico Rattler, is a hybrid roller coaster located at Cliff's Amusement Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The wooden roller coaster, which uses a steel support structure, was designed and manufactured by Custom Coasters International (CCI). The $2-million coaster opened to the public on September 28, 2002.