When planning a trip to Albuquerque, NM, most people think of its stunning desert landscapes, vibrant culture, and, of course, the world-famous International Balloon Fiesta. But did you know that Albuquerque is also home to some of the most fascinating museums in the Southwest?

From exploring the secrets of nuclear science to immersing yourself in the region’s art and history, these museums showcase the city’s diverse and rich heritage. In this post, I’ll take you with me through the best museums in Albuquerque highlighting what makes each one special and how you can make the most of your visit.

– Hours of operation do not include holidays or special events
– Admission: Rates are current as of Sep. 2024. Students, Teachers, Seniors, Active Military, and Veterans receive discounts at most museums.

Nuclear Science Museum

Address: 601 Eubank Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am- 5pm
Admission: Children under 5 – Free, Children 6-17 $20, Adults $22
Website: https://www.nuclearmuseum.org/

Although I’m not a history buff, I was super excited about visiting this museum because of the uniqueness of its contents. Not every city has a museum full of nuclear technology, bombs, and rockets!
If you are a history buff, this museum has an incredible amount of information to read while you make your way through.
I really enjoyed seeing the history of nuclear medicine exhibit as well as the pop culture craze of nuclear science. They even have a Mandalorian in this museum!
The back of the museum has a large outdoor area where you can visit multiple planes, tanks, and rockets.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interactive exhibits including a periodic table of elements game, and making wind in the energy encounter exhibit.
I spent about 2 hours exploring and there’s definitely something for everyone in the family here. The Nuclear Science Museum tops the charts as one of the best museums in Albuquerque.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

Address: 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Hours of Operation: Wednesday-Monday 9am- 5pm, closed on Tuesdays.
Admission: Children under 2 – Free, Children 3-12 $5, Children 13-17 $7, Adults $8
Website: https://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/

I feel like every big city has a Natural History Museum, and yet I’m still excited to visit each and every one of them during my travels.
Although the dinosaurs were impressive (they always are), what made this natural history different from others I’ve visited in the past was the volcano and cave exhibits. They were both done so well and I learned a lot! The cave was so neat. Although a man-made exhibit, it felt so real! They even had fake bats and water dripping for ambiance. I also really liked the paleontology section. There’s an actual workspace in the museum where paleontologists are working on fossils in a glass office space so visitors can watch them do their work.
There was a theatre, pop culture section, and a future of technology by Meta section of the museum, which unfortunately, for me, fell flat on expectations. I thought that would be one of the coolest exhibits and it wasn’t nearly as cool as the permanent exhibits.

Albuquerque Museum

Address: 2000 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Sunday 9am- 5pm, Closed Mondays
Admission: Children under 3 – Free, Children 4-12 $3, Adults $6,
Free on Sunday mornings 9am 1-pm
Website: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/albuquerque-museum

I didn’t originally have this museum on my list of places to visit, but someone told me that I could pay $4 to park in the parking lot and visit Oldtown or I could go to the museum for $6 and it would cover the museum entrance and parking, so I couldn’t resist.

Although this museum is smaller than some of the others, and less interactive, it still makes the list of best museums in Albuquerque. Visiting this museum allowed me to be more informed about the cultural heritage and artistic spirit of the city. The “Only in Albuquerque” section of the museum was impeccably curated and I loved it. The museum also had contemporary and local art as well as a temporary exhibit.

Unfortunately, I the photos I took inside the museum don’t do it much justice at all. You’ll just have to go visit for yourself. (:

The Rattlesnake Museum

Address: 202 San Felipe, NW. Albuquerque, NM 87104
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday 11:30am – 5:30pm, Closed Sunday-Monday
Admission: Children under 3 – Free, Children 3-12 $6.95, Adults $8.95
Website: https://www.rattlesnakes.com/

If you’re looking for a truly one-of-a-kind experience, head to The Rattlesnake Museum in Old Town. It’s not a huge museum, but it’s worth the entrance fee. As the home to the world’s largest collection of live rattlesnake species, you’ll learn a lot about different snake species, behaviors, and habitats while you roam. Not only does this museum have snakes, but spiders, lizards, and even a large tortoise that free roams the museum!

The owner of the museum is truly living his dream of running this place. You could tell he really loved each of the animals in the museum and was eager to share stories and answer any questions the visitors had. His passion was infectious.

I also advise you take some time to read some of the fliers posted around the museum lobby. The owner has a great sense of humor as well.

Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Address: 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Sunday 9am – 5pm
Admission: Children under 5 – Free, Children 6-17 $3, Adults $6
Free on Sundays 9am – 1pm & the first Friday of every month
Website: https://balloonmuseum.com/

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit Albuquerque during the annual balloon festival, but I was excited to visit the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum! This is an absolute must-visit for your Albuquerque itinerary!

At Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, you’ll have the opportunity to soar through (see what I did there 😉) the history and science of ballooning which is one of Albuquerque’s most iconic traditions. You’ll get to pull the cord inside a balloon and hear the woosh of the fire lifting the balloon. You can read stories of some of the earliest ballooners (I don’t actually know if that’s what they’re called) who first attempted balloon air travel. On top of the great information and interactive exhibits, this museum has one of the best views of the mountains from any museum I’ve ever visited! <- Nice bonus.

Bonus Museums:

I was unable to visit the museums below, but when doing my research on museums to visit, they came up often and were highly recommended.

Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum

Address: 1701 Mountain Rd. NW Albuquerque, NM 87104
Hours of Operation: Daily 10am – 5:00pm
Admission: Children 1-11 $7, Youth & Adults $11
Website: https://www.explora.us/

Traveling with kids or just love hands-on fun? Explora is the perfect spot! This interactive museum is packed with science exhibits that let you explore physics, biology, and technology in a playful and engaging way.

Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

Address: 500 University Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87131
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday 10am- 4pm
Admission: Free, donations welcomed
Website: https://maxwellmuseum.unm.edu/

If you’re fascinated by human history and culture, the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology is for you. With exhibits ranging from ancient artifacts to modern cultural studies, it’s a captivating stop for anyone curious about how people have lived and evolved across time.

Telephone Museum of New Mexico

Address: 110 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Hours of Operation: Monday & Wednesday 10am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free, Donations requested at $2 for Children, $4 for Adults
Website: https://www.unlimiteddronesolutions.com/telephonemuseumnm

Love quirky museums or are intrigued by the evolution of technology? Add the Telephone Museum to your list! From vintage switchboards to early mobile phones, this museum is a nostalgic and educational experience for tech and history fans. It’s a fairly quick visit, affordable, and entertaining.

Wheels Museum

Address: 1100 2nd St SW Albuquerque NM 87102
Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday 9am – 12pm & Saturday 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Website: https://wheelsmuseum.org/

I rarely pass up a free museum while I’m traveling, but this one is a little farther out of town to the south side and I just didn’t make my way down there for anything else so I chose to skip it. The Wheels Museum features vintage cars, trains, and unique transportation artifacts, it’s a great stop for gearheads and history lovers.

Turquoise Museum

Address: 400 2nd St. SW Albuquerque, NM 87102
Hours of Operation:
Admission: Children under 2 – Free, Children 2-17 $15, Adults $20
Website: https://turquoisemuseum.com

Turquoise is a very important part of Albuquerque’s culture. I am not a big collector of jewelry or knick-knacks and at $20 for an entrance fee, I chose to skip this museum, but if you’re looking for some art or jewelry made of Albuquerque’s iconic gem, this is the place to go.

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Best Museums in Albuquerque Roundup

Albuquerque’s museums are more than tourist attractions—they’re gateways to the city’s unique character and culture. Whether you’re uncovering the science of flight, exploring the mysteries of the natural world, or immersing yourself in local history and art, the best museums in Albuquerque offer experiences that are as diverse as the city itself.

From quirky finds like live rattlesnakes to inspiring exhibits on innovation and creativity, these museums have something to captivate every traveler.

If you’re visiting Albuquerque, add one or more of these to your to-do list. If you’re not visiting anytime soon, I’d still love to hear from you. Which museum would be top of your list if you were visiting? Tell me in the comments!

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I am working on writing up more content from my trip to Albuquerque, NM now, so stay tuned for more!

• Beautiful Murals in Albuquerque, NM: My Self-Guided Tour
• Best Hikes in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Trails for Every Adventurer
• Exploring Albuquerque Breweries: My Self-Guided Brewery Tour
• A Cozy and Thoughtful Airbnb in Albuquerque, NM: Casita Bonita
• 5 Must-Visit Restaurants in Albuquerque
• Riding the Sandia Peak Tramway
• My 4-Day Albuquerque Itinerary
• and more!