Explora! Science Center

For family fun, you can’t beat Explora Science Center -- easily my favorite museum in the city. This is a fine hands-on science museum for children that has proved wildly popular with adults. So popular that they have created a special program just for grownups – no children allowed. It’s more than just opening the museum, they have a special theme, demonstrations, snacks, and often live music. Explora! opens its doors every other month for Adult Night at Explora!. For more information visit Explora!

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

A great planetarium show and excellent special exhibits including Space Frontiers, Dawn of the Dinosaurs (the only Triassic hall in North America). In START-UP visitors trace not only the rise of computers (and a great trip down Memory Lane), but also Albuquerque’s own part in the process. Microsoft stated here. One of the many highlights is “Rise of the Machines” - an immersive multimedia theatre experience. Just plain fun (and informative). It's fascinating, and lots of fun. Read more at New Mexico Museum of National History and Science

Fractal Friday Part light show, part education, this is another program that you won’t find elsewhere. It’s a joint program between the Fractal Foundation and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. This is the only Planetarium based live fractal show in the country. The show features both the science and the art of fractals, and includes dramatic animated footage of ultradeep fractal zooms, together with original, locally-produced music. It’s great for both adults and teens. Taking place the first Friday of the month, this show is so popular you need to buy tickets in advance. Learn more about the show, and make reservations at Fractal Foundation

Albuquerque BioPark

The Biopark is the combination of Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Rio Grande Zoo, and Tingley Beach. It's a great (and full) day's adventure and a scaled down train will take visitors from one attraction to another so you can park at one and see them all. A combination admission ticket is available and a good bargain. Read more at Biopark

The Botanic Gardens in the Biopark is a whole day adventure with the Children’s Fantasy Garden, Heritage Farm, model railroad on the grounds near the children's garden. In season there's the PNM Butterfly Pavillion and all year long, the cool oasis of the Sasebo Japanese Garden. The Botanic Garden is a delight for everyone.

Tingley Beach nestles up against the Bosque on one side and the three fishing ponds on the other. It’s the depot for the Rio Line Train, which makes a loop to the Rio Grande Zoo and Albuquerque Aquarium/Rio Grande Botanic Garden.

Nearby, the Aquarium and the Rio Grande Zoo are neighbors and visitors can buy a combination ticket for both that's cheaper than individual admissions.

The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History

Combining history and art, the Albuquerque Museum offers a never-ending series of special exhibits. There is always something worth exploring (and their gift shop is quite extraordinary). There's also magnificent sculptures throughout the grounds including a bronze tableaux of Albuquerque history.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Although located in a different part of the city, going a bit out of your way to this excellent and comprehensive museum is worth the trip. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History features exhibits on origins of atomic theory, the complexity of the political scenarios contributing to World War II, the height of the Cold War, to modern-day advances in nuclear medicine. planes, rockets, missiles, cannons attract plane buffs and historians alike. Development of the atomic bomb, the decision to drop bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum

Albuquerque is one of the best places in the country for hot air ballooning. The reason is a weather pattern called the Albuquerque Box. The wind blows predictably north at one elevation and south at another. Hot air balloon pilots can launch, fly a great distance, then change altitude to catch the winds blowing them back towards the launch site. So it was a natural that Albuquerque would start the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October when the air currents are at their most cooperative. Read more at Balloon Museum

But Albuquerque hosts one of only two balloon museums in the country for another reason. Balloonists are born in Albuquerque. In 1978, Albuquerque balloonists Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson, along with partner Larry Newman, made history when they completed the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a gas balloon. The Anderson and Abruzzo families spearheaded efforts to advance the museum project throughout the 1990s and the City of Albuquerque embraced the project and financed the construction of the facility.

Today this unique museum features Soukup and Thomas International Balloon and Airship Museum collection, donated to the City of Albuquerque, more than fifty historic and contemporary gondolas, many accompanied by complete balloon systems. Plus artifacts and memorabilia. Learn more at International Balloon Museum

More Museums

The Turquoise Museum, the Telephone Museum, all the New Mexico State and Albuquerque city museums, and those associated with the University of New Mexico.

It's easy to love Albuquerque -- a destination city for those loving innovation museum programs, and unusual museums.

For more information visit ItsATrip.org

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