Top Things to do in New Mexico
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Top 10 Museums in New Mexico, United States
With its rich cultural heritage from Native American and Spanish settlers, New Mexico has been both a Spanish colony and a Mexican colony, and still retains a strong individual identity within the United States. The landscape is breathtaking, the food incredible, and there is a thriving cultural scene, all of which makes New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, a great place all year long.
Restaurants in New Mexico
1. Nedra Matteucci Galleries
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 348 reviews
An art gallery specializing in 19th- and 20th-century American art.
Reviewed By ColoradoChilidog
Sometimes it's the setting/location that makes a place and Nedra has it in spades. The historical buildings, classic interior rooms, vault, and art would make this a must stop but add in the garden area and that makes this a very special place. Every staff member would answer questions that I'm sure they are asked dozens of times per day. It's educational along with great art viewing.
2. Explora Science Center and Children's Museum of Albuquerque
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 810 reviews
(Holiday hours are at end of description). Explora is an innovative learning place, part science center, part children's museum, providing fun, truly hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math for all ages, from toddlers to teens to adults. We have an early childhood learning area, including a special area for toddlers to explore. Children and adults enjoy not only our two main floors of exhibit activities, but outdoor decks with views, giant building blocks, playground patio, and gift shop filled with entertaining and educational items great for at-home or travel fun. We offer preschool, after-school, home school, and early childhood classes; winter, spring, and summer camps; teen & adult events. Near historic Old Town Albuquerque, Explora has free parking and is perfectly situated to walk to nearby park, shops, restaurants. We close Jan. 1, July 4, the week after labor day, Thanksgiving, & Dec. 25. We close at 2pm Dec. 24 & 31. Admission range $6-$10.
Reviewed By Allansha - New York City, United States
This is perhaps the best children’s museum I have ever seen. With special classes, activities to enthrall children and adults it is just a blessing for those who come. Parties and special events are held here and it has been expanded many times. Come and bring your children , grandchildren and yourself to appreciate ie
3. Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Fan7856
The historical center is a lovely house built in the early-1900's. Admission is free (but donations accepted). The staff are very gracious and welcoming. We opted for a guided tour. The tour includes a short film, which provides a glimpse into the rich history of Roswell and adds to the guide's in-depth knowledge of the house. It does not take long to go through the house, but is a must-do if you are visiting Roswell.
4. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 312 reviews
The Memorial was dedicated in 1971 and was the first major Vietnam memorial in the United States. In 1987 Congress recognized the site as a memorial of national significance. Our visitor center features educational exhibits. The grounds are a peaceful and beautiful backdrop for the Chapel.
Reviewed By Ambassador734578 - Denver, United States
I stopped by to visit the memorial and found it to be beautiful and peaceful. It is well kept. Little gardens mark the paths that lead around the entire area. The names of our fallen soldiers are listed on the bricks that make up the sides of the path. There is a helicopter sitting on the ground for you to look inside, if you like. The memorial is easy to get to and was done in a beautiful setting. I see that they are putting in a new veterans cemetery down over the hill from the memorial.
5. Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By bradk578
Intro - I have noticed how little problem there was shifting our culture frame of reference for dating historical time from the more narrow BC or Before Christ to the broader BCE, Before Current Era. Not so when it comes to Art. I have never understood how Edwardian Era art critics managed to get a perpetual copyright to the term "modern" for their particular hundred year old artistic epoch. Until such times as the term modern in modern art is used in quotes with a slight eye roll, the term Contemporary as in the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art will do. Why I think the Anderson Museum is showing 21st Century Master Pieces: In the medieval guild system, a masterpiece was an example of work of such quality that it would prove ones qualifications to be an acknowledged Master of your craft. The Anderson Museum exhibits the work of artists-in-residence who are given a house, a studio, a stipend and a year to do art. Once all the excuses have been removed, the artist is left with only their naked show us what you got craftsmanship and creativity. In my opinion, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art is filled with examples of the artist pouring everything they had to give into their work. The artists have prepared and presented their masterpieces and we are the judges. Entrance is by donation and I found myself digging a bit deeper than I typically do. The museum is deserving of your visit and the work deserving of your attention and respect.
6. Millicent Rogers Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
This impressive museum has more than a dozen galleries with some 5000 pieces of Native American and Hispanic art, including furniture, weaving, paintings, pottery and a celebrated collection of Native American jewelry.
Reviewed By WC-Travelers-75
We knew nothing of this museum other than it was listed in the AAA TourBook before we visited. Because we allowed extra time in our travel to Taos, we took it in. What a surprise! An extensive collection of Southwestern art of many cultures and mediums. The jewelry collection was memorable, with some pieces you wonder if they were meant to be worn given their size. We lingered to take it all in as best we could. This museum is a gem! We would visit again if in Taos since exhibits change.
7. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,029 reviews
Re-opening April 8, 2021. See website and purchase tickets before visiting. https://indianpueblo.org/welcome IPCC was founded in 1976 and is jointly owned and operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. Located in the historic Albuquerque Indian School District just minutes from Downtown and Old Town Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a world-class museum and cultural center created to be a place where we, Pueblo people, can tell our story. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the only place in North America to host traditional Native American dances every weekend year round and also offers an exciting schedule of cultural and community activities, including rotating museum exhibits, events with Native American artists, hands-on children’s programs & art festivals. Visitors can also experience the award-winning Native Sourced, Pueblo Inspired cuisine of Pueblo Harvest and shop at the Indian Pueblo Store, a trusted destination for authentic handcrafted Native American art.
Reviewed By rrpd - Rochester, United States
From an excellent full service restaurant, to a sampling of native American culture & arts, this makes for an excellent stop for families & individuals when traveling into the Albuquerque area.
8. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 857 reviews
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, one of four museums in the Museum of New Mexico system, is a premier repository of Native art and material culture and tells the stories of the people of the Southwest from pre-history through contemporary art. The museum serves a diverse, multicultural audience through changing exhibitions, public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and other educational programs.
Reviewed By kendak999 - Durban, South Africa
Another of the NM museums on the Culture Pass, I visited mid-December, hoping to get some insight into Native American culture and history. I was not disappointed. The Here, Now and Always exhibition is quite large and beautifully curated, giving you a glimpse of the life and ways of several Native American tribes who are/were in the NM region, including day to day items as well as art. Some of the pieces date from 500 AD! On the Art side, there are several galleries exhibiting Native American pottery, again, with some pieces magnificently conserved and dating back over 1000 years. What I particularly liked, both in the culture and art exhibitions, was the curation of real-people accounts from Native Americans, their remembrances and views on many aspects of the exhibits.
9. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,237 reviews
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is the New Mexico’s only congressionally chartered museum in its field and a Smithsonian affiliate. Visitors can explore how nuclear science continues to influence our world. The museum strives to present, through permanent and changing exhibits and displays, the diverse applications of nuclear energy in the past, present and future along with the stories of the field’s pioneers. Originally known as the National Atomic Museum, it was established in 1969 as an intriguing place to learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research of nuclear development through today’s peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, United States
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has much to offer with good displays of science and history in areas devoted to various topics such as B-52s, Los Alamos, the cold war, nuclear medicine, and energy. Outside, planes and missiles are displayed. We appreciated the volunteer who offered to take our photo in front of one of the planes. Multiple videos are shown in the museum theater. Visitors to this museum may spend one to three hours depending on level of interest and personal schedule. Veteran, senior, and active military discounts are available.
10. El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 338 reviews
This living history museum, located just south of Santa Fe, recreates 18th-century ranch life. Guides, dressed in period clothing, show how people lived in early New Mexico.
Reviewed By Preraphaelite11
Walk into El Rancho de las Golondrinas and you'll open a door and step back 300 years to experience authentic Southwest history. See first-hand how people lived, the buildings they constructed and their purpose, how they made their clothes, cooked their food and worshipped. You'll get a unique taste of everyday life in a community in the 1700s, learn about the inhabitants' hardships, their hopes and fears while exploring this exceptionally, well-maintained and preserved historic ranch. I spent 4 hours walking the grounds and talking with the knowledgeable and friendly staff. I'm a historian and learned more about New Mexico's fascinating history when visiting El Rancho de las Golondrinas.
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