Learn and play at a center that challenges people of all ages and backgrounds to explore, learn and critically think. Explore art, science, technology, culture and fun. The museum contains a collection of over 250 interactive science, technology and art exhibits such as an experiment bar and a high-wire bike and robotics lab. Demonstrations, theater performances and a variety of programs and activities are also offered. The museum store provides a wide array of bilingual and educational items.
This place is known as America's official museum of nuclear science and history. A short movie shown every hour features Albert Einstein and the people involved with the development of nuclear science. The world's largest public collection of nuclear weapons is displayed here. Also on display are military air crafts, robotics and nuclear medicine exhibits.
Take a walk through time from the big bang through the ice ages in one of the premier natural history museums in the country. Also, discover a great collection of massive dinosaurs while you watch technicians work on actual fossils. You can also experience the Dynamax Theater with its multi-story screen and super sound system. Step into the Time Machine and stop by the Lode Star Center that includes a high-tech, 175-seat theater, telescope and planetarium. The STARTUP Gallery tells the story of Albuquerque's role in the development of the computer. The Nature Works store in the museum features a unique inventory of items related to dinosaurs, birds, and various species of animals and scientific gadgets.
This one-of-a-kind museum features exhibits chronicling the history of ballooning, with a special focus on Albuquerque's contribution (as "Balloon Capital of the World") to this lighter-than-air art form. Famous history-making balloons are on display, as well as other intriguing exhibits like nineteenth-century Japanese ballooning outfits, German war balloons used for bombing operations, and artifacts from the very beginning of hot-air ballooning in the late eighteenth century. The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum facility overlooks the field from which balloons take off during the world-renowned annual Balloon Fiesta.
The Indian Pueblo Culture Center is owned and operated by the 19 Pueblo Tribes of New Mexico. Visit the museums, galleries and gift shops where more than 305,000 visitors annually experience the culture, art and history of pueblo life. Children are welcome to join hands-on experiences in the Pueblo House Children's Museum. Art and craft workshops, various Indian Rites and many special celebrations and events are planned throughout the year. The Pueblo Harvest Cafe serves great New Mexican and Native American dishes at reasonable prices.
Amid undulating hills and volcanic rocks that rise and dip along New Mexico's West Mesa, nearly 15,000 ancient rock drawings serve as testament to a rich Native American and Spanish history. This 7,100-acre (2873-hectare) monument, deemed to be one of North America's most significant petroglyph sites, contains some of the nation's largest natural displays of prehistoric artwork. The drawings date back to a time when Anasazi nomadic hunters etched various drawings and messages onto the black basalt boulders of the escarpment just west of the Rio Grande. It also includes historic etchings of Spanish settlers who roamed these lands nearly 700 years ago. Together, these priceless drawings serve as indelible vestiges of cultures that once influenced and breathed life into these landscapes. Both an adventurous and education experience, visitors to the monument can take a ranger-guided tour that can last up to two hours or explore various trails on their own.
You will never forget the hospitality of the Pueblo People who are very proud of their ancient heritage. The history of the pueblo dates back hundreds of years, and there are many landmarks that still exist from this earlier time. One of these is St. Augustine Mission. Ancient rites and dances, such as feast day, and harvest festivals are still practiced and some are open to be shared with the public. There are many modern things for you to do like visit the Isleta Gaming Palace, a game of golf on the Isleta Eagle championship course, or fishing at Isleta Lakes.
Watch as NMSL&RHS volunteers restore the impressive Baldwin 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive, AT&SF 2926. Originally built in 1944, this colossal locomotive is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit during open hours and learn about the rebuilding process as well as take a short tour. Who knows, you might just sign up to volunteer yourself.
Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe is tucked away in historic Old Town Albuquerque. The chapel along with a shrine was built in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the students of Sagrada Art Studios to pray. The chapel has impressive work on the window that was especially created for the Sagrada. There are six wooden benches with hand carved verse of scripture. The sacred space of the Chapel has often been used as a venue for weddings and receptions. For more information, please visit their website.
Located along the New Mexico State Road 47, South Broadway Library is set in the same building as the South Broadway Cultural Center. In addition to offering books to readers of all ages, this library also offers several computers, printers, faxing machines, free WiFi and more. Readers can even access the ebooks and audiobooks that the library has to offer.
With many rare and exotic animals, this zoo offers award-winning natural habitat displays of white tigers, polar bears, big cats, and great apes. Do not miss a chance to feed the seals and sea lions. Shop for hats, toys, film and gifts in the gift shop, which is open daily. An extensive menu is offered at the Cottonwood Café.