Albuquerque Museum of Art and History

Address:2000 Mountain Rd.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tel: (505) 243-7255

See real Don Quixote-style helmets, swords, and horse armor! Wander through an 18th-century house compound with adobe floor and walls, and see gear used by the original cowboys who came to New Mexico region in the 16th century!

Drawing on the largest U.S. collection of Spanish colonial artifacts, the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History has unique attractions such as treasure chests filled with pearls and gold coins, religious artifacts, and early maps. A multimedia presentation chronicles the development of the city since 1875 and the 'Common Ground' art exhibit chronologically displays museum owned works to give visitors a fair idea of the evolution of art in New Mexico.

Visitors to the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History will enjoy a stroll through the sculpture garden which contains 45 works by 20th-century southwestern artists that include Glenna Goodacre, Michael Naranjo, and Luís Jiménez. Free tours of the garden are offered mid-April through mid-October. Kids will enjoy the weaving exhibition where they can try spinning wool, and a trapping section provides them with pelts to touch. In the History Hopscotch area, kids can also explore an old trunk or play with antique blocks and other toys.

Before you leave the museum, drop by the Gallery Store and check out its souvenirs, books, jewelry and Navajo dolls, or enjoy a relaxed lunch or a leisurely coffee at the museum's City Treats Café. The museum also conducts Old Town Walking tours at 11am from Tuesday to Sunday during spring, summer and fall. Don't forget to visit Tiguex Park too, a tree-shaded, grassy plot that hosts many events, including arts and crafts fairs and concerts, right across from the museum.

To get to the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History from the "Big I", where Interstate 40 crosses Interstate 25, go west on I-40 to Rio Grande Blvd exit, at the bottom of the off-ramp turn left/south under the bridge on to Rio Grand Blvd, continue south to the stoplight at Mountain Road, turn left/east on Mountain Road, through the light at San Felipe, turn right/south at the light on 19th Street. Parking is on the southside of the museum on your right.

Two and four-legged friends throughout Albuquerque recently enjoyed one the most popular events of the year for animal lovers -- The Mayor's Annual Dog Ball.