Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

First off, there is reserved parking for museum guests on the west side of the building (on a small drive off Redondo West Drive). Parking permits are available at the museum gift shop. The entrance to the museum is on the south side. While the exhibit is about anthropology in general, the focus on pre-Columbian Native American culture. The highlight is a simulated archaeological dig site. There are numerous artifacts including a very informative pottery display and a section on petroglyphs. There's also an excellent section on human evolution with skull casts and a life-sized model of Au. afarensis.

I really wanted to come by during the balloon festival so I can see new Mexico's culture and history. I learned a lot looking around and even got some keep sakes and thoroughly enjoyed my experience with my family.

This is a fantastic museum. The special exhibit on Milton Snow’s Depression era photos was fantastic, educational and illuminating. The permanent exhibit is also outstanding. Smithsonian level quality. You go, UNM!

Definitely worth the trip! For one thing, it's free. For another, after exploring history and science museums in 9 or 10 states now this is my favorite, tied with the Natural History Museum also there in Albuquerque. Both of them have their own pros and cons but this one is a smaller and thus easier to get through and it's free. My least favorite part is rather particular to me. I don't like being told I can't take pictures and there's a place upstairs where you're asked not to without explanation. If there's something I can't do that I can do elsewhere I like to at least we told why. Did the bits are carefully and thoughtfully laid out with a clear history unfolding. You see how the ancient homes in the Southwest evolved, how pottery and ropes evolved. You see how camps were laid out. That one helped my imagination the most. It wasn't at all what I expected. You see a replica of an actual dig site! That was exciting too. There's also a huge exhibit of all sorts of baskets. I wish I'd had more time to study them. The ingenuity of basket weaving amazes me. To think all you're doing is taking some basic fibers and wrapping or folding them around each other and somehow creating a three-dimensional object. It's like origami on a whole other level. Origami done with what's left after the paper shredder. Incredible! But Lucy stole the show. Lucy has been my favorite hominid since I was young. She's a famous specimen of the Australopithecus afarensis species. I could write pages about that encounter alone and there was much more than her in that exhibit but for now I'll just say -- go. See it for yourself! It's free so you have nothing to lose and your chances of it being a great experience are very, very, high.

I was very intrigued when I first heard about this museum. The exhibits were really interesting and very informative. I thought the exhibit with the makeshift archeological set up very interesting as I've always had a soft spot for archeology. I also enjoyed the early man exhibit. While it was small, there really was alot to learn. I look forward to going back after their new exhibit is set up.

Such a nice little museum! I loved checking it out while in town, so much cool information and exhibits

Great museum. The displays on local Pueblo culture was more interesting than that of generic human history even though this was intriguing as well. I was most fascinated seeing the rocks and arrowheads, almost exactly similar to ones my father had collected up north in Montana. There is a large amount of pottery; amazing to see the intricate designs and shapes; equal to or more impressive than pottery from other parts of the world at the same time (but somehow these get labeled as 'prehistoric'...all you can do is LOL at how dismissive academia can be of Indigenous culture at times). Overall a great way to spend an hour or so, located right on UNM campus, which is also good for a walking tour to see the unique architecture. There was no admission other than being asked politely to sign your name in their guest book. Students work and run most aspects of the museum, go and give them your support.

For a smaller free museum, this was a great experience. The staff was very friendly (especially the director of public events) and there was even some free refreshments and pictures. I'm a history nerd and truly enjoyed the overview of New Mexican archeology and the reproduction of an actual archeological dig.