5 Top Museums in Albuquerque
Are you a history buff or do you just love to learn? Albuquerque has some great museums, and we put together a list of our favorites for you to visit while you’re here.
Albuquerque Museum
2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
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With both permanent and ever-changing temporary exhibits, the Albuquerque Museum paints a well-rounded picture of New Mexico culture through the years and how that’s combined in the present day. Both history and art are the focus here, and you’ll be able to see the Hispanic influences in various pieces. Take some time to visit the Sculpture Garden, which contains pieces from prominent artists such as Luis Jimenez. There’s also exhibits on Native American culture from the area, and how the expansion of the States affected that culture.
Holocaust and Intolerance Museum of New Mexico
616 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
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Founded by three Holocaust survivors, the museum was founded to remind people of the dangers of hatred and prejudice. While the museum does have a heavy focus on Holocaust events, it also features exhibits about slavery, the Civil Rights movement, and numerous other prejudice-related events around the world. This may not be a great place to take toddlers, as it features some very emotionally-heavy visual aids, but kids, teens, and adults can all benefit from the reminders of just what hate can cause.
Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
1111 University Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87131
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Exhibits cover a range of topics from around the world, but the main focus is definitely on Southwestern culture. Daily, religious, and cultural life is explained in great detail, and how Native American interacted with the natural world around them is highlighted in several exhibits. Maxwell Museum is an interesting place to visit, but can also be emotionally evocative, as you watch the culture change through outside influence. It may not take long to see the entire building, but there is so much knowledge packed into the space, visiting is worth it.
American International Rattlesnake Museum
202 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
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You can’t go to New Mexico and not learn about the snakes and other reptiles. The American International Rattlesnake Museum has the largest collection of rattlesnakes in the world, and aims to educate people about the serpents. There’s a few (very safe) hands-on elements for kids, and the tour guides have a lot of knowledge to share. It’s always a fun way to spend a few hours, and at the end, you’ll have a new respect for scaly creatures.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
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This museum is always a favorite. It has everything – dinosaurs, bugs, rocks, stars. With exhibits that are interesting across all ranges, it’s easy to spend an entire day here. The palaeontological exhibits are particular hits, because some of the artifacts come from local digs – New Mexico is home to the San Juan Basin, where numerous dinosaur remains have been found. For an added experience, volunteer in the Kiwanis Learning Garden and learn about how to create a garden that helps the environment, animals, and humans.