Plenty of Albuquerque’s museums offer free days for visitors.
Public art abounds in Albuquerque. Photo: Kristy Graybill via Visit Albuquerque
One of the best ways to get to know your hometown or immerse yourself in a new city is to visit one or more of these museums. Since the visit is free, you can stay for the whole day or just 10 minutes, which is “This is Us” character Kate Pearson’s favorite way to pretend she understands art.
We’ve included the free deals we know about. Please share any museum deals you run across in the comments.
FREE MUSEUM DAYS IN ALBUQUERQUE
Albuquerque Museum
Admission to the Albuquerque Museum is free on the first Wednesday of the month. Sunday mornings from 9 to 1 pm are also free. Admission is free from 5 to 8:30pm on the third Thursday each month, which is when the museum stays open late. (Exception: No free admission during the Balloon Fiesta in October.)
Don’t miss – “Only in Albuquerque” exhibit, which encompasses five galleries and hundreds of artifacts including the iconic Route 66 sign.
The Albuquerque Balloon Museum overlooks the Balloon Fiesta grounds. Photo: Visit Albuquerque
The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
Museum admission is free on Sunday mornings from 9 to 1pm. It is also free on the First Friday of the month. Bank of America card holders get free admission on the first full weekend of each month.
Ballooning traces its history to 1783, when daring inventors first used the contraptions to usher in the era of airborne transport. You can explore the rich history of ballooning in the 55,000-square-foot one-of-a-kind building.
Designed by Studio Southwest Architects, the building suggests an inflating balloon at its entrance, which features a fabric covering. The museum, a center of activity during the annual Balloon Fiesta, looks out on the launch field of the International Balloon Fiesta Park. It is a worthwhile visit any time of the year.
Inside, visitors to the International Balloon Museum will find interactive displays that trace the art, science and magic of balloon history.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Museum admission is free to New Mexico residents on the first Sunday of every month. Bring a New Mexico ID or proof of residence. Regular admission fees are charged for shows.
Indulge the dinosaur expert in your family with a visit to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
National Museum of Nuclear Science and History
Free with Bank of America card first full weekend of each month.
With a motto of Reactions Welcome, the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History bills itself as the only congressionally chartered museum in its field. Exhibits explore everything from pivotal moments in atomic history to its portrayal in pop culture through the years.
Don’t miss – The 9 acre outdoor exhibit of planes, rockets, missiles and cannons.
University of New Mexico Art Museum
Admission to the University of New Mexico Art Museum is always free. There, you will find yourself surrounded by a curated collection of photographs, lithographs, paintings and sculptures.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and closed on major holidays.
More information on how to make the most of your visit here.
Art all around you
The city of Albuquerque takes pride in being the first in the country to launch a public art program. It designates public money to buy or commission works of art. The greatest concentration of public art is downtown.
You can learn more about the program and download a brochure about the glorious murals at the convention center building. You can also find a map of the so-called “Valley Girls” tour of public art around town created by women.
All that is available here.
Or check out the Albuquerque Public Art Facebook page.
