|
|
|
| Attractions, Parks, & Museums |
Albuquerque is a wonderful place for family vacations, or just for some extra time to soak in culture. The attractions all are in picturesque settings.
Parks and Attractions:
- Albuquerque Biological Park - http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/ (including Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Zoo, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, and Tingley Beach), all located along Central Avenue west of Downtown; $7 per adult for Zoo, Garden, or Aquarium, or $12 for combination; no admission for Tingley.
- Rio Grande Nature Center (http://www.cabq.gov/aes/s1rgnc.html), located 4.3 miles from the Convention Center, a protected riparian habitat; no admission fee; $3 parking.
- Open Space parks (http://www.cabq.gov/openspace/), established by the City of Albuquerque in cooperation with conservancy organizations, are established in key spots throughout the city. These parks are prime study spots for Southwestern, high altitude, river, and desert plant life. The Visitor Center, located about a 15-minute drive west of Downtown, features artifacts, art exhibits, gardens, wildlife observation, and an unexcavated Indian village (http://www.cabq.gov/openspace/visitorcenter.html). It is used to educate about the culture, wildlife, and archeology of Albuquerque, with an emphasis on conservation. There is no admission fee. One of most scenic parks in the system is the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area (http://www.cabq.gov/openspace/elenagallegos.html), located about a 20-minute drive northeast of Downtown in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. It features picnic areas, an amphitheater, and trails. Parking is $1 per car on weekdays, $2 on weekends.
- Old Town Albuquerque - http://www.oldtownalbuquerque.com/; the original, 300 year-old center of town; located 2 miles west of Downtown.
- Sandia Peak and Tramway - http://www.sandiapeak.com/; the world's longest tram at 2.7 miles long; located about 20 minutes from Downtown in the Sandia Mountains; $17.50 per adult roundtrip; $1 parking
- Petroglyph National Monument - http://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm; with 3 locations on the West Side of Albuquerque, plus the Visitors Center; no admission; $2 parking fee at Boca Negra Canyon.
- Coronado State Monument - http://www.nmstatemonuments.org/about.php?_instid=CORO; 20-minutes north of Downtown; $3 admission.
Museums
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science - http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/
- Including "START-UP: Albuquerque and the Personal Computer Revolution" (http://www.startupgallery.org/). This exhibit was conceived and largely funded by Paul Allen, as well as supported by Bill Gates. (Of course, Albuquerque is where they started Microsoft.)
- Located on Museum Row on Mountain Road in Old Town.
- Admission - $7 per adult; parking - free.
- Albuquerque Museum of Art and History - http://www.cabq.gov/museum/; located on Museum Row on Mountain Road in Old Town; admission - $4 per adult; parking - free.
- Explora Children's Museum - http://www.explora.us/ExploraPHP/english/index.php; located on Museum Row on Mountain Road in Old Town; admission - $7 per adult; parking - free.
- National Atomic Museum - http://www.atomicmuseum.com/; admission - $6 per adult; parking - free; currently located on Museum Row, however it soon will be relocating to a larger facility near Kirtland Air Force Base.
- National Hispanic Cultural Center - http://www.nhccnm.org/; located south of Downtown; admission - $3 per adult; parking - free.
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center - http://www.indianpueblo.org/; located between Downtown and Old Town; admission - $6 per adult; parking - free.
- New Mexico Holocaust and Intolerance Museum - http://www.nmholocaustmuseum.org/; located Downtown; free admission; parking available Downtown.
- Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum - http://www.cabq.gov/balloon/; located in north Albuquerque; admission - $4 per adult; parking - free.
- Unser Racing Museum - http://www.unserracingmuseum.com/; located in the North Valley of Albuquerque; admission - $7 per adult; parking - free.
- American International Rattlesnake Museum - http://www.rattlesnakes.com/; located in Old Town; admission - $3.50 per adult; parking - available in Old Town.
- Turquoise Museum - http://www.frommers.com/destinations/albuquerque/A33667.html; located in Old Town; admission - $4 per adult ; parking - free.
- Maxwell Museum of Anthropology - http://www.unm.edu/~maxwell/; located on the University of New Mexico campus; admission - free; parking - available on campus.
- " Museum of Archaeology and Biblical History - http://www.mabh.org/; affiliated with Trinity Southwest University.
- UNM Geology Museum - http://epswww.unm.edu/museum.htm; located on the University of New Mexico campus; admission - free; parking - available on campus.
- Museum of Southwestern Biology - http://www.msb.unm.edu/; collections of vertebrates, arthropods, plants and genomic materials from the American Southwest, Central and South America, and from throughout the world; located on the University of New Mexico campus; admission - free; parking - available on campus.
- Tinkertown Museum - http://www.tinkertown.com/; located in the East Mountains; admission - $3 per adult; parking - free.
Additional information and resources may be found on http://www.itsatrip.org/activities/default.aspx.
|
