1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104-1375, USA
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Phone: +1 505-841-2800
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Location
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is situated in Albuquerque’s “museum row,” which includes the Albuquerque Museum and the Explora Science Center nearby. This central location is within walking distance of Old Town and various shops in the Sawmill neighborhood, such as the Ponderosa Brewery.
Hours and Admission
General Hours:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
FREE admission for New Mexico residents with ID on the first Sunday of every month, applicable to both the museum and the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center.
New Mexico seniors aged 60 and over receive free admission on Wednesdays (planetarium and Dynatheater charges still apply).
Museum Admission Rates:
$7 adults (ages 13 – 59)
$6 seniors (60+)
$4 children (ages 3 – 12)
What’s Nearby
- Old Town
- Explora Science Center
- Rattlesnake Museum
- Albuquerque Museum
- Botanic Gardens
- Aquarium
DynaTheater
The five-story screen in the DynaTheater boasts digital surround sound. It also features the world’s first 2D/3D system, providing films in both standard and enhanced 3D formats, ensuring every seat is a good one. DynaTheater shows run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with two shows alternating every other hour.
Admission Prices:
$10 Adults (ages 13 – 59)
$8 Seniors (60+)
$6 Children (ages 3 – 12)
Members receive a 50% discount
Planetarium
The planetarium features three different shows that explore space, the night sky, and various astronomy topics. The digital projection creates an immersive experience on a domed screen. Shows begin on the hour, starting at 11 a.m., with the last show at 4 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
$7 Adults (ages 13 – 59)
$6 Seniors (60+)
$4 Children (ages 3 – 12)
Members receive a 30% discount
Educational Programs
The museum is renowned for its youth camps, which tend to fill up quickly. The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center collaborates with Albuquerque Public Schools to ensure that all fifth graders visit the center to learn about the local natural history. The center also features family hikes or special topics on the first Sunday of each month, covering botany, geology, and the science of the area.
What to Expect
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science attracts over 250,000 visitors annually, making it the state’s most visited cultural institution. Located just near Old Town on Albuquerque’s museum row, the museum is conveniently across from the Explora Science Center and close to various other museums. It caters to all ages, featuring an interactive discovery room for young children, as well as scientific shows and exhibits for adults and older children. Regardless of whether interests lie in space, geology, or ancient creatures like woolly mammoths, there truly is something for everyone.
You can discover:
- An active volcano
- An ancient ice age cave
- A look at weather and earthquakes
- Astronomy displays
- Interactive experiences related to the startup of the computer age
- Giant dinosaur exhibits
- Cretaceous era landscapes with ocean tanks
- Interactive, hands-on natural history exhibits with live animals
The museum emphasizes premier informal science education programs, ranging from volunteer opportunities to overnight events and ongoing camps. To learn more about the museum, visit their website.
