Part of the outdoor sculpture garden at Albuquerque Museum. Photo: The Erica Chang via Wiki Commons
Albuquerque Museum
Albuquerque Museum, the engaging hub of New Mexico culture, was formerly known as the Albuquerque Museum of History and Art.
The museum traces its origins to 1967 when it opened as the Museum of Albuquerque at the old Albuquerque Municipal Airport. Today, history buffs, art fans and travelers who are looking for respite from New Mexico’s arid afternoons are drawn to the modern center designed to reflect Old Town’s Spanish and Pueblo influences.
Inside, you will find the museum’s collection of Rio Grande valley artifacts, which spans from 12,000 CE to the present. Must-see works in the museum’s art collection are displayed in its permanent exhibition called “Common Ground.” Look for Native American jewelry; Hispanic folk art; and Santa Fe artists including Georgia O’Keeffe.
The museum’s art collection extends to the outdoors in its sculpture garden surrounding two sides of the museum building. It features more than 50 installations by some of the Southwest’s most notable sculptors. They include Allan Houser, Glenna Goodacre and Sebastián. The outdoor sculpture garden can be enjoyed by anyone for free.
Don’t miss: The “Only in Albuquerque” exhibit, which encompasses five galleries and hundreds of artifacts including the material related to the storied Route 66.
Check out this temporary exhibit: Consider paper in a new way at “Papercentric,” on view until Aug. 28, 2022. Using materials ranging from paper maché to embossed paper, artists explore the creative and expressive possibilities of paper itself. Among the highlights is “Souvenirs” by Barton Lidicé Beneš, a playful work that incorporates paper money from 42 countries.
The museum hosts a variety of lectures, indoor and outdoor tours and art workshops for children and adults. Find its updated list here.
Free museum days: Admission to the Albuquerque Museum is free on Sunday mornings from 9 to 1pm; all day on the first Wednesday of the month; and from 5 to 8:30pm on the third Thursday each month, which is when the museum stays open late.
Exception: There is no free admission during the Balloon Fiesta in October.
Bank of America’s Museums On Us program offers free entry the first full weekend of each month to Albuquerque Museum with an eligible Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card. The free entry is only for the cardholder.
FIND MORE FREE ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM DAYS WITH OUR LIST
Albuquerque Museum is located at 2000 Mountain Road NW in Old Town and run by the city of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts and Culture. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday.
General admission is $6 for adults; $5 for New Mexico residents with ID; $4 for people 65 and over; and $3 for children ages 4 to 12. Children under 3 are free.
Parking is free for museum visitors in the parking lot located directly behind the museum on 19th Street NW. Provide the parking space number to the admissions desk staff when you enter the museum.
