Albuquerque - Old Town

Located in Albuquerque's Old Town, Explora is a popular children's museum, where youngsters can come to learn and have fun. Interactive displays allow children an entertaining environment to learn about science, technology, and art. The museum is experience based and very hands on, with many small individual spaces which are not overwhelming for children. Many of the exhibits are simply designed on table tops, inviting participation. The center is geared toward children and families who can learn together through 250 experiential exhibit activities, and the primary target audience seems to be for toddlers to early teenagers.

In addition to the many exhibits, the museum also offers various events and programs, including summer camps, all of which can be found on the facilities calendar. The museum is very popular with locals and visitors, and it can get quite busy on school holidays.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History offers a fascinating survey of the natural history of the American Southwest from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum features a large number of permanent exhibits and additional traveling or temporary exhibits. Particularly impressive are a life-size model of a dinosaur, an artificial volcano, a reproduction of an Ice Age cave habitation and a "time machine". There is also a cinema where spectacular nature films are shown, as well as a Planetarium.

The Museum of Natural History and Science offers a variety of educational programs and field trips for both children and adults. The Young Explorer's Summer Camps helps kids develop an early interest in science and natural history. Adults can see about upcoming lectures and classes.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque is a unique museum, showcasing the development of nuclear technology. Its history and application from past to present are laid out in detail. Topics covered at the museum include atomic theory, World War II and the first atomic bomb, including its impact on New Mexico, the Cold War, nuclear medicine, atomic culture and pop culture, nuclear power plants, and much more.

Overall the museum shows the huge influence and impact Nuclear Science has had on our lives, both historically and in present day. Displays are very well laid out and this is a very comprehensive museum, so for those with a real interest, be sure to leave yourself enough time.

The museum also encourages people to bring their children, and offers hands on, educational displays for kids.

The Albuquerque Museum of Art, History and Science has exhibits on contemporary art and the history of the city.

The Amapola Gallery in Albuquerque's Old Town has original work by 40 local artists and craftspeople. The collection includes paintings, photographs, sculpture, weaving and jewelry.

The Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque is the largest public exhibit of live rattlesnakes in the world. Visitors will discover hundreds of ways that rattlesnakes have influenced our lives. Other exhibits include artifacts and memorabilia.

Anitras Gallery is located in Albuquerque's Old Town, with limited edition prints and fine art of the Southwest.

The Art Garage in Albuquerque has several works by local artists.

Arturo's Jewelry and Mercado Gallery in Albuquerque's Old Town has a large collection of local crafts.

The Crossroads Mall in Albuquerque commemorates the major crossroads of Route 66 and U.S. Highway 85.

The El Nino Gallery in Albuquerque specializes in prints and posters by Southwest artists.

At Fifth and Marquette in Albuquerque is a bronze sculpture by Native American artist Alan Houser.

The historic KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque is a Pueblo Deco interpretation of pueblo architecture, completed in 1927 to house vaudeville acts. The theatre was renovated in 2000 and hosts performances of dance, drama as well as art exhibitions.

The Mariposa Gallery in Albuquerque's Old Town has contemporary crafts by New Mexico artists.

Exhibits at the Holocaust and Intolerance Museum include holocaust art, Nazi memorabilia, child labour, the Nuremburg Trials, Greek and Native American genocide displays. There is a research library and replica concentration camp gate.

The Southwest Mercado Gallery has pottery, handblown glass, and other work by local artists. It is located in the Old Town of Albuquerque.

The Telephone Pioneer Museum in Albuquerque has extensive displays on the history of the telephone in New Mexico, including the switchboard used to alert the Columbus townspeople of the Pancho Villa raid. The museum is housed in Albuquerque's original telephone building, which dates from 1906.

At the corner of Rio Grande and Mountain in Albuquerque's Old Town is a statue of Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes, who founded Albuquerque in 1706.