New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

Natural history museum · Albuquerque

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

Natural history museum · Albuquerque

1

1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Photos

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by Photo courtesy of New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science by null

Highlights

Discover New Mexico's past through dinosaurs, fossils, interactive exhibits, and a stellar planetarium—all at a wallet-friendly price in Albuquerque.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 Get directions

nmnaturalhistory.org

Information

Static Map

1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 Get directions

+1 505 841 2800
nmnaturalhistory.org
NMMNHS
𝕏
@NMMNHS_Paleo

Features

wifi

Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@afar

"Jurassic Park in New Mexico This popular museum showcases a permanent exhibit of all things dinosaurs including rare finds and Jurassic era life-size replicas. It's like walking back into time, a scene out of Jurassic Park -dating back a mere 200 million years ago. There's also a naturalist center and a walk-through simulated volcano. The museum's advanced planetarium, a full dome theatre, is where the live action happens. Don't miss "Enchanted Skies," a very cool look at constellations, planets and the far, deep sky."

The Best Museums in New Mexico
View Postcard for New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

carl tabor

Google
Lots of dinosaur exhibits here. And a volcano. And underwater stuff. And space stuff. Nice gift shop. We came here to see dinosaurs in 3D, but missed it and had to see desert elephants in 3D. Which was probably better. Not crowded on a Thursday in late January.

Janine Jarvis

Google
My kids and I traveled to Albuquerque for a quick visit and had a great time at the museum. Prices were extremely reasonable and we enjoyed learning about the natural history of New Mexico. They have a lot of interactive exhibits that make visiting fun for all ages. The clerk at the front, Lisa, was wonderful and so friendly. Highly recommend buying tickets at the counter as you will get a great deal on show tickets. We saw the Mission to Mars show in the planetarium and the 3D Desert Elephants show. Such a great time!

Amanda M

Google
Always a fun time, I've been taking my son here since he could walk and now he's 11. He enjoys just as much too. We went for the Earth Day Family Event. I thought it was going to be a little more educational but still had some cute crafts to do. Love the new area especially the post card set up but wish they still had the space area.

M C

Google
This place was the best on our trip in Albuquerque. We were military so it was free. But it's worth every penny of admission they charge. We spend all morning there

Krystalyn Furgison

Google
Great little museum! Not many exhibits that have changed since I was a kid growing home but my kids were done fast because it was “normal” for them. The earth quake part and the mars are was a huge favorite. Great option for littles to be inside for a bit. The Dino at the entrance was the best!

Sara Harmon

Google
My son loves dinosaurs and really enjoys this museum. The Bisti Beast is so cool! This last time we saw the TREX movie and it was incredible. Highly recommended. My 4YO loved it! The new display at the top of the stairs is really interesting - I loved learning about the Dimetrodon in NM.

Robin Cumbie

Google
This was a very interesting place. Full of history lessons. A great place to take the kids. We were there a long time and still didn't see everything. In my opinion, the fees to enter were very reasonable. Very educational.

Anne Champion

Google
Had a lovely afternoon at this museum. It has everything you could want in a museum: breathtaking displays, interactive walkthroughs, short films to sit and watch, beautiful art, and a variety of exhibits.
google avatar

Ed L.

Yelp
After having lunch near the Albuquerque sunport, I took an Uber to the New Mexico Natural History Museum to spend a Monday afternoon soaking up some history and culture of the state and surrounding region. I spent about three hours here from 1:30 PM till close to closing at around 5 PM that Monday afternoon to evening. I managed to take part in the last planetarium show of the day starting at 4pm, which essentially was pretty cool. I haven't been to one in a long time maybe since I was in high school back in the 90s. With that being said, I walked around the museum slowly and carefully to make sure that I catch most of the exhibits here. It was need to see a lot of natural history that shaped New Mexico. From its Native American upbringing to the Spanish influence, Mexico has been through a lot in the last few centuries. The Museum made sure that it displays everything that he can to preserve and showcase what is like to be in the region. Museum was fairly large and probably spend about a good two hours or so wandering around and gaining a lot of knowledge that afternoon. I admired the artwork that they displayed and read about the artifacts that they unearth through archaeological digs and other cultural references. It was truly a remarkable time spent here at the New Mexico natural history Museum. I learned a lot and never knew that so many fossils of dinosaurs have been on earth here in the vicinity. It is pretty cool that to see dinosaur skeletons on display to us humans. Not sure if they are dates of the original, but it is pretty cool to see on display. I don't really have a favorite one, but they are exciting to see regardless. It brought a smile to my face. It was a nice day to come here and enjoy. Even though it was on a Monday afternoon, it was pretty cool. I don't come to museums that often, but I need to learn something on this trip, to educate myself and to not think about what I was going to do on Saturday. The overall experience here at the New Mexico Natural History Museum was very much worth the price of admission. The planetarium was very cool too. You don't really see this kind of stuff in everyday life, unless you love the stars or hit up the planetarium in your area. For the most part though, the knowledge gained from spending time in the New Mexico natural history museum is invaluable and helped me understand how New Mexico has changed throughout the centuries. There was a few people walking around the museum that afternoon. It was the day before the Presidential election 2024. I guess people were out and about then and decided like me to head to the NM natural history museum for the day. I enjoyed the exhibits, especially learning about the history and natural environment that shaped New Mexico. The dinosaurs were great too. I enjoyed the quiet ambiance and for me to Process the information gained from reading the information provided to me. And do ask questions if you need. They have people to help you, if you need their expertise and assistance. The New Mexico Natural History museum is located at 1234 North road in East Albuquerque, New Mexico. They charge admission, but it's not that much. $8 for adults is decent enough to support the museum in its mission to be the knowledge link to the past and to our humanity. They accept major credit cards, as well as cash. As far as parking goes, they have a large parking lot for anybody and everybody who drives. As for me, though, I ended up getting an Uber from my lunch spot to the museum. I'm not sure if the Albuquerque public bus system transit can get you close to here or here but if there's a will there's a way. Best bet is to contact the Albuquerque public transportation website, and see what routes are possible for you to get where you need to be to the New Mexico natural history and science museum. And of course there's always Uber and Lyft there, as mentioned before. Like I said, it is a beautiful museum that is often overlooked, but trust me. It is a great place to learn about the natural area of New Mexico and present day Albuquerque came to be. You'll learn a lot and the eight dollar admission will pay for itself in lots of knowledge that you would never thought possible, outside of actual book learning in school. I know I did, but I would come back, if future travels permit to do so. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+
google avatar

Matthew B.

Yelp
Price... 10/10 Exhibits... 10/10 Story... 9/10 This was an excellent stop over spot in ABQ. We spent about an hour going through the different available exhibits. If you're lucky, a cultural presentation or dance will be on the schedule!
google avatar

Ryan J.

Yelp
This surprisingly is a great museum! We tried on a Tues, but there were closed. There's multiple floors and numerous exhibits. We appreciated that the exhibits were "real", and they didn't use plastic or castings. There's also a few areas with live reptiles, arachnid, and bugs. The children were behaved for the most part. The museum had hand sanitary stations everywhere. The prices were very reasonable.
google avatar

Katie N.

Yelp
First attempted on a Tuesday to come, Oops they are closed. Wow, only $8 admission - what a deal! (Can add shows for $2 a show if interested. Various topics offered throughout the day) Parking is free - score! Interesting exhibits throughout the museum and it was very clean and well-maintained.
google avatar

Heide P.

Yelp
We went to Mesmerica 360 tonight. It was spectacular! The science museum isn't just for kids. I see something new and cool every time. I love the gift shop as well!
google avatar

Selvyn C.

Yelp
It's been 5 years the last time I came here. Not much has changed, but it is still a cool place to visit. Wanted to do the 3D film but unfortunately didn't have to do it. Felt really warm parts of the museum, but there are a lot of historical items to see, so it's fun for the whole family.
google avatar

Taylor S.

Yelp
This museum was utterly amazing! We are grown adults --30 years old and enjoyed every inch of this museum! The dinosaur fossils, the interactiveness, the history of all the eras was so fun to walk through and learn even more! We took a dinosaurs class in college so this was so cool to see fossils that were found in New Mexico! Definitely a must see place!
google avatar

John G.

Yelp
The Museum is awesome! My family and grandkids from out of town were here! My oldest grandson is so into Dinosaurs. He loved it! The interactive exhibits, interactive touch and feel of fossils was very cool and the staff were very knowledgeable! Great time!
google avatar

Konrad J.

Yelp
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is located in Old Town right near The Sawmill. Current pricing is $8 per adult (ages 18-59) for the museum without the additional Dynatheater or Planetarium. For all three, it would be $15 per adult. I really enjoyed the museum and there are some amazing fossils, sculptures, and fossil casts on display. Additionally there are small cases of butterflies, shells, and other assorted scientific collections. Children would very much enjoy this experience as well. When you walk in, there's an animatronic T-Rex, and there are interactive exhibitions throughout. I would recommend the museum periodically dust or clean out their displays. Some displays had a lot of dust accumulated so the glass was a bit cloudy. A few of the children's interactive displays we tried had been there long enough they were no longer working, so perhaps a run-through test of the interactive exhibits would improve the experience. Overall, who doesn't love seeing dinosaur fossils? You can even visit the gift shop afterward.
google avatar

Anna D.

Yelp
NM natural history and science museum entails natural and scientific research collection and exhibits of fossils, minerals, and other elements within NM and pieces of both local and international. Very educative for folks of all ages. Limited exhibits for children. The please has potential to make it more of an lucrative attraction. Maybe more sensory and hands on activities might make this is a 5/5. For fossils areas they should include a sand box with fossil and tools to pretend play for children. Not much of a food court or shopping store.
google avatar

Tawnia M.

Yelp
I'm a NM Native and have been coming here since I was a kid in elementary school for field trips. Now that I have a family of my own we have been bringing our kids here since they were babies. The museum exhibits have significantly improved throughout the years and we love coming here! The atmosphere is engaging with plenty to see and learn about. Today we visited most of the exhibits and watched Secrets of the Sea in the DynaTheatre. Theatre has plenty of room and is nice and clean. Gift shop is a bit pricey but has some neat things. I wish they would re-open the cafe/snack area but there's a nice park across the street to bring your own lunch and eat there.
google avatar

Kasia W.

Yelp
Large dinosaur in entry that when activated roars and moves. All the kids were squealing with delight and backing up with each roar. Great small gems display on ground floor. Good focus as to New Mexico sources of fossils and different geological treasures. Permanent attractions: - Dinosaurs - for adults there are examples of different fossils from different ages and it's long enough that even for a kid who runs through most of it you'll spend quite a bit of time there (30-45 min) - Fossilworks - "exhibit in which trained museum volunteers demonstrate the painstaking process of paleontological preparation" there was one volunteer working there so it's semi open, I'm guessing based on availability of staff - the naturalist center - still closed until further notice. - Mars rover replica with ability to move its camera and see through it. - there's a planetarium and a dynatheater ( verus research theater). Will update with more info as I catch enough shows. My 4 year olds rating: 88 stars (no explanation given), but was asking when do we get to go back again tomorrow. Covid safety: many patrons and their kids were not wearing masks. Staff was split about 50:50 on mask wearing. There were a few disinfectant stations throughout the museum but not all of them were full. Tip: if you're planning on going more than 3 (three) times per year it may be economically beneficial to get the annual membership.
google avatar

Isaac A.

Yelp
We got hours of entertainment and it was only like $30 to get in. They had tons of dinosaurs and an animatronic T-rex that the kids enjoyed. The museum is a good size and we were able to do it all. There was also a chocolate exhibit, but it really made me want chocolate more than anything. They have some look volcanic, space, and climate change exhibits that were really good. Parking kn site was free and close by.
google avatar

Heidi A.

Yelp
My partner and I visited the museum today because it was the last day for the chocolate exhibit! The exhibit was very informational and also had some interactive elements to it. I enjoyed getting to know the history of chocolate! We didn't have too much time, so we didn't get to look around too much for the main part of the museum. Hopefully, when it's not as busy, we can return and take time. The admission was $8 for an adult. Very reasonable price! Hoping to visit the planetarium, too, next time :)
google avatar

Jennifer N.

Yelp
My kids had a really good time! The prices were very reasonable. And it was only $2 more to watch a show in the planetarium. I enjoyed the dinosaur fossils. The kids enjoyed the planetarium and the Naturalist Center. They liked looking at the bugs through magnifying glasses. There were also a Chocolate Exhibit and exhibits about volcanos and how the Earth came to be. We stopped by the gift shop and we let our kids pick out 1 item each. My daughter picked a squishy Earth ball which had a price sticker on it. I tried to remove the sticker as carefully as possible but it still took part of the ball off with it. The ball was "damaged" before we left the parking lot. Bummer.
google avatar

Carol H.

Yelp
My friend and I were in Albuquerque last month and had a delightful visit at the New Mexico Natural History Museum! Michael was the guard/docent we met after we entered the museum, and he was extremely helpful and informative. He told us about Bella, the interactive dinosaur (actually the Bisti Beast, Bistahieversor Sealeyi) in the central atrium, and how to navigate the galleries if we wished to take the Walk Through Time (Timetracks). It's a truly brilliant way to organize a museum! We started on the upper floor, with the Big Bang, and progressed through the origin of life, migration of organisms from the sea to the land, rise of the dinosaurs, the asteroid that triggered the mass extinction, and the rise of the mammals, to present-day environments and challenges. All the exhibits were very informative and user-friendly; in addition, there were plenty of interactive stations for younger visitors to learn more about the content in the exhibits. We spent about 90 minutes touring the Walk Through Time and could easily have stayed longer if we'd visited the other galleries. (We unfortunately had an engagement in the afternoon and had to leave.) But even a short visit was enchanting, and we absolutely enjoyed ourselves!
google avatar

Rebecca H.

Yelp
If you love dinosaurs this place is the best! The planetarium show was ok, the docent talking was far better than the video. And he's awesome with string tricks! Free parking, fun gift store. Thanks for selling crickets. Yuck. It's ridiculously inexpensive for how amazing and beautiful it is. Great staff too.
google avatar

Ayiden M.

Yelp
I went there for there for spring break and I thigh it was really cool. Stilly when you could touch the bones and all that overall amazing and fabulous. The place was clean and it even had elevators to go the 2nd story. Even though it was a short museum and it nice. Al thought there wasn't very much to see but still very nice.
google avatar

Virginia G.

Yelp
I had such a blast here. While visiting, I brought my Mother here for a couple hours It's full of all kinds of exhibits, animatronic dinosaurs , history facts I never knew and I grew up in NM Very easy to get around, nice friendly people at the admission area. It made for a nice afternoon. Lots of benches so mom could take breaks, handicap friendly all the way too!
google avatar

Laura B.

Yelp
The grandkids wanted to go see the dinosaur museum. It is always a hit. Dinosaurs are fun for all ages. The skeletons are massive. Also enjoyed the lava walk and walking through the lava tube. The crystal collection is always beautiful. We sprang extra for the IMAX showing of the Dinosaurs of Antarctica. It was interesting, but not really kid friendly, so we did not finish the movie, and left early. Last time we went, they had the 3 D glasses. Not this time, and watching a 3 D movie without them leaves out the excitement. Just get disposable ones. The cost should be included in the movie price! Through the gift shop is the only way out, and you cannot avoid buying some expensive souvenirs. The museum is a great asset to the city, but please provide those 3D glasses again.
google avatar

Erica G.

Yelp
Nice museum to enjoy with kids or somebody that likes dinosaurs/history! It would be nice if they added new stuff.
google avatar

Lisa B.

Yelp
Friendly staff and nice they share reciprocal benefits with other museums. It does seem like a bit of a hodge podge of things - planets and dinosaurs and rocks in a pretty small space. Lots of great kids exhibits and very hands on. As adults I wouldn't short list this one though.
google avatar

John D.

Yelp
I enjoy a good museum. Especially when it's in my backyard. Until this point I wasn't aware of the diversity of prehistoric life that inhabited what is now New Mexico millions of years ago. Some displayed species were only found here. Lots of reconstructed dinosaurs, and dioramas. I like the dioramas because they put things in perspective and help to make sense of what is presented. There are plenty of fossils to show smaller examples. On display is a space area commemorating the lunar landing and Mars rover project. One thing I did learn is that Pluto had a NM beginning - it was identified by an NM astronomer. There's a lot to see and do - plenty of hands-on displays. There's plenty there for everyone.
google avatar

Devry A.

Yelp
A must see for those who love natural history and are in Albuquerque! They have great info about the lands of New Mexico and our kids loved it. Be aware of the movie/planetarium times as the show selections are not all ones kids will find interesting. Baby changing area on first floor was clean in women's bathroom. Planetarium seating was so comfortable and a perfect place to nurse and get the kids to nap while holding them. It's within walking distance to other museums and old town. The staff were not overly friendly and seemed to be bothered by any questions we asked and didn't go out of their way from a customer service perspective. I didn't take anything away from the rating as we went on a holiday so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they were just a little unhappy to work a holiday. The gift shop was closed due to the holiday so I can't review that. We did take our stroller and had no problem maneuvering.
google avatar

Nhi H.

Yelp
This place was outstanding!!! Ticket price was very reasonable and cheap. It was our first time in New Mexico and I'm glad we stop to experience this place. Just everything you learn and see was great. It's all about Dinosaurs, space, planets, stars, even the history of chocolate. My son loved this place so much and he wished it was closer to home because he wants to bring his friends here. Staff was very kind and helpful when we had questions. They also had show time for educational screen which lasted about 30-40mins. There is also a doom that is amazing, which talks about the galaxy and stars. There is a gentleman that talks and educate you about how the stars and etc. I won't lie being in a dark room and watching the stars move around makes you zen into a calm state which makes you very sleepy but in a good way! I will definitely come back in the future.
google avatar

Kelly H.

Yelp
My son and I had a mom and son day at the museum today and it was awesome. We were very impressed with how they had updated many exhibits and added several as well! Everything is touch free and they keep head count to a minute by asking everyone to pre-purchase tickets on their website. Seeing so many families enjoying g a wonderful morning at a place my family has visited for decades was refreshing! We will certainly be making plans to return!!! As a side note make sure you really take time to read through the exhibits as there have been some really cool new discoveries and updates!!!
google avatar

Wayne B.

Yelp
This above-average museum is a great stop for locals and tourists - if you're into museums of course. This one has a wide variety of historical artifacts, facts, and other bits of interesting information about New Mexico. The more interesting attraction would be the animatronic T-Rex that becomes rather animated and vocal about every hour or so. There are also plenty of other kid-friendly interactions. The 3-D IMAX showing was also interesting - just don't expect Hollywood blockbuster effects or anything. Also be sure to ask what the show is, as there are multiple showings, and they don't really tell you much about them. Some are meant for children, for example. Otherwise, the place looked nice, and clean, and would certainly recommend it to other visitors.
google avatar

Marcus F.

Yelp
Coelophysis (New Mexico's state fossil) is proudly on exhibit here. This was our primary reason for visiting the New Mexico museum of natural history and science. Should you visit this museum if you're visiting Albuquerque? If you're into Paleontology than most certainly yes. Overall we enjoyed our time here. Just be aware that this museum is quite dated and many of the hands-on space science displays are using 1980s/1990s technology. Most of the space displays seemed to be repurposed classic arcade video games. Several were out of order or just too clunky and slow to be useful. That being said most everything else is well done and fun. The best - Obviously the dinosaur reproductions and most of their other exhibits. The dinosaur paintings by students were incredible. Nice display of gems and minerals. And the hands-on Naturalist Center was a huge hit with the kids. Tips - This Museum is affordable and a good overall value IF you skip the planetarium and the 3D theater. - Parking lot is pretty small. - Solid gift shop with plenty of Coelophysis shirts and toys to select from.
google avatar

Melissa K.

Yelp
We were looking for a way to fill some rainy time on our trip through ABQ. We are from Denver and are now able to see that we're spoiled when it comes to our history museum. This museum was less than expected and we weren't very impressed generally. Their dinosaur exhibits seemed to be where most of their efforts were placed, and everything else just seemed a little, meh. We were done here in about an hour. We did not see an IMAX film because when we finished touring the museum we would've had to wait another hour and we were out of things to tour.

Karina B.

Yelp
Was a lot smaller than expected, but the "caves" were great! The part that was really disappointing was the Planetarium show. It was 45 minutes of talking only about constellations. I had asked the front desk beforehand and they said they show a variety of stars. I was hoping for closer views of nebulas or seeing the sky from various locations on the planet, for example. It was very underwhelming. The title should at least be changed to suggest the topic would be only about constellations. I can't say how the other showings are, but I will say the screen would change about every 7 minutes and a guy is talking the entire time.
google avatar

Selina G.

Yelp
Only $8 a ticket!! We spent hours walking around! It's such a fun and exciting museum filled with so many different exhibits, definitely something for everyone.
google avatar

Ken O.

Yelp
Being from Chicago and have visited the Natural History Museum and the Planetarium many times, I was generally surprised how great this museum is. After paying the fee for both the Planetarium and the Natural History & Science which is very minimal, which I would suggest to check them both out. The Planetarium had many hands on exhibits, videos and machinery from some of the space walks. Great displays and photos. Unfortunately, I was not able to see any of the movies that were being offered. The balance of the museum had exhibits regarding the history of New Mexico from the dinosaurs to modern era. Of course, the museum had several dinosaurs displays and videos regarding the volcano that created the area. Very well planned out and displayed. I had found this museum to be very interesting and I would highly recommend this gem.
google avatar

Ashley L.

Yelp
I LOVE this museum! My dad first visited it when it was built the year before I was born and it is a family favorite. My mom came into town to visit because my health hasn't been good and it was refreshing to have somewhere to get out of the house that is so handicap friendly. One of their elevators was closed for preparations for the Da Vinci exhibit coming but they had another elevator available and plenty of ramps to access the exhibits. No matter how many times you have been to the museum, you simply cannot see it all! There is so much to see and do! They always bring in fun new exhibits. We also love the gift shop and they have a delicious cafe that also gives back to the community. They have a lot of staff constantly providing enrichment to adults and children alike as well as a STEM center. Don't forget about the Dynatheater and the planetarium!
google avatar

Kevin C.

Yelp
It was 45 minutes before the museum closed. Did not get to see much as I want it. I did have a great time. The new mechanical dinosaur roars and moves a lot every half hour on the half hour. Do you want to learn a lot about the brain there is a information on it. I don't know when the display goes away this month in June but it will be leaving in June. There is a lot to see here so make sure you allow enough time more than I did.
google avatar

Ishani T.

Yelp
This museum is definitely very educational and overall very enjoyable for a day in of sightseeing! We are a group of three adults traveling together and we love natural history, so it was a nice activity. The planetarium is great, too, and we recommend watching Phantom of the Universe, which is about dark matter. The visuals are super fun and it's an IMAX theater which is always a treat! They had a little live visual presentation of the night sky before the main movie, which was a nice surprise as they actually charge separately for that if you only choose to see the live night sky presentation. The fact that they added this on for us was lovely, but im not sure if it's a regular thing for them to do it (I assume so). 10/10!! Children will love it, ofc, and it's also a great date spot! So adults and kids and teens will all be able to have a good time! The only thing is that their lil food/cafe area wasnt in service when we visited this week due to covid I think, so I'd recommend eating a large meal beforehand and then having the meal afterward planned! Or at least snacks prepped in the car for when you're finished at the museum.
google avatar

Emari H.

Yelp
This place is cool as far as the dinosaurs and learning about fossils and all but most people come here with kids and kids love the play/hands on room with bones, fossils, microscopes, bugs, etc. The good stuff they have: Lots of touch and see stuff like magnifying glass to see fossils, telescope to see the moon, touchscreen info "cards" of history, test operate the mars rover, etc. The time machine thing that takes you back 37 million years or so is also a cool experience. I love the underground cave and experience. It's like a mini Carlsbad Cavern. The problem: The play room attendants are SUPER strict with the rules about touching sands that they take the fun out of it. One guy started brushing the sand back in as soon as my daughter touched one thing. Then the other lady frequently came back... about every two minutes to say "I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP HERE...YOU SEE WHERE MY HAND IS? THATS AS HIGH AS YOU CAN GO WITH THE SAND SO IT DOESN'T GET IN SOMEONE'S EYES!" And says so with such disgust I wonder why they volunteer where there's mostly kids... I thought it was just me but as I watched other parents' reactions, it confirmed it wasn't. Too bad now my daughter is in sour mood and says she's scared of that mean lady. Great.
google avatar

David S.

Yelp
Great to go take the family to look around, the dinosaurs display is amazing, they have a showroom of volcanoes with glass floor pretend lava under made the kids not wanna head in the room thinking it was real , it's amazing go if you have the opi
google avatar

Vaughn F.

Yelp
I've been visiting this museum since field trips in elementary school. There's a sense of nostalgia returning here: many of the exhibits have remained the same, though T. Rex no longer seems as enormous at my current height. The Museum has made great efforts to attract locals, such as free entry for NM residents the first Sunday of each month. I returned this weekend to enjoy the pay-what-you-can admission, a nice way to kick off the Labor Day weekend. The exhibits are a treat for young and old. The museum has a fabulous collection of fossils, bones, and other genuine products of the past. All of the exhibits have interactive components: some light up, some make sounds, others challenge you to think critically about history. There is a butterfly lab and other areas where you can watch through the windows as scientists do science! Today, my girlfriend and I took in a viewing at the planetarium, also on a donation basis. We took in the 3:00 showing, Earth, Moon, and Sun. Our astronomy science guide started off with a tour of our skyscape and facts about the constellations. Then, the video played, presenting information about the celestial bodies previously mentioned. I was impressed by the inclusive and accessible presentation. It's kid-friendly, but with lots for the grown-ups to appreciate also. I know I learned a few new things about orbits and eclipses! Albuquerque is fortunate to have this museum. Science is exciting, and there's plenty on display here. Bring the kids, bring some friends, or look into some of the many events the museum hosts outside normal hours.
google avatar

Eva D.

Yelp
Comparing to other museums, there isn't much here. However, focusing on the uniqueness of the fossils, it is actually a very neat place. My dinosaur and museum lover 9 year old girl was thrilled to spend time here. She enjoyed every second of it. We spent most of the time on the second floor admiring all the fossils native to the New Mexico area. Many of the museums have fossils from all over the place and rarely do they have items found locally. The place is small, but well put together. Prices are surprisingly reasonable. There is a large gift shop and a restaurant/cafe area as well. We were able to see everything in less than 2 hours. Which wasn't bad at all.
google avatar

Erika V.

Yelp
AWESOME museum! You're welcomed by a T-Rex right off the bat, then pick a direction for whatever exhibit your heart desires. My husband and I came to check out Da Vinci and definitely didn't leave disappointed. The entire layout was done very well, great interactive pieces and wonderful presentation of war machine replicas that've been built from the Renaissance man's sketches. If he isn't your thing, there's a fun Dino section set up that kiddos seem to really love. Go check it out! I know the Da Vinci exhibit is ending soon, but you should check out the other awesome stuff they got going on over there!
google avatar

Jaime C.

Yelp
My 6 year old has a penchant for dinosaurs, so naturally, this is the place. But what's cool is there really is so much to see here, and our favorite spot is the hands on room on the bottom floor where kids (and adults alike) can make tracks with different animal foot molds, look through microscopes, touch fossils, and more! We love walking through the tunnel with lava underfoot, and the evolator is just super radness times infinity squared. They often have specialty exhibits on the top floor that change seasonally. The IMAX theatre always delivers. The computer exhibit is fascinating!!! Friendly staff and volunteers are strategically positioned and eager to help you find your way, share some knowledge, or offer assistance. And there's a great gift shop....don't forget to visit the planetarium while you're there!
google avatar

Marie S.

Yelp
As a nerdy science kid growing up, this place was like a treat to come to. I could spend hours looking at the dinosaurs and the rocks and creating my own "earthquake". I loved when they had the animatronic dinosaurs on display and literally scared the socks off my friend. Fractal nights are fun, even if you aren't interested in anything more than seeing the pretty colors. The dyna theatre is great for IMAX tornado films and movies about bugs. The cafe isn't bad either and there's always something interesting at the gift shop. Something for everyone here
google avatar

Leslie H.

Yelp
Wonderful, well thought out museum Lots of interesting information that incorporates New Mexico Dinosaurs, volcanos, bugs, space and so much more! Very clean....handicapped accessible with a number of parking spots for the handicapped...extra parking a short walk across street...nice gift shop Very reasonable price that can be easily checked on line...can even purchase tickets on line... Numerous movies that you can pay extra for Comfortable seating
google avatar

Sharon B.

Yelp
Went to celebrate Father' Day! We had a great time. Opt for the family passes so that you can see more at your own pace. The really cool thing about getting a membership is that you get half price tickets to Davinci exhibit, discounts on the planetarium, Dynamax theatre. Oh and even better you get in free at Explora and a ton of other museums. We got a student membership for our son as well and it was only $20! Every student should get one. Awesome Scorpions and tarantulas in display today!

Joaquin G.

Yelp
Went on Thursday, October 13th. The older woman with a pixie haircut at the front ticket desk was extremely rude and unhelpful. She was unfriendly and ignored some of our questions. Museum was very nice but she dampened our experience. Get her out of there!
google avatar

Azul P.

Yelp
I'm compelled to write a review after having an underwhelming experience and reading great yelp reviews. First of all, it's expensive. We paid​ $22 a piece to get in. There are a bazillion volunteers who hover around you almost to absurdity. The DaVinci exhibit is moderately interesting, but not worthy of the hype. However, the worst is the Planetarium. So bad, completely amateurish, and the moderator seems to think he's hilarious​. Go practice somewhere else. Unless you are 12...do not go to this museum.
google avatar

Vic S.

Yelp
It's not a huge museum, but their is plenty to read & see in several hours. Especially, if you are not one to spend an entire day at the museum. Their is a nice gift shop & cafe. I am not sure how the daily fee is, but the annual family pass (found on Groupon) is a great deal if you can come more often. Good for kids, and doable for small touchy kids. Most interesting to adults in our family knowing many of these creatures frolicked on the once ocean fronts of previously tropical New Mexico and volcanos of Albuquerque. No wonder most of the state looks like it was the bottom of an ocean. Just a very interesting place to learn about the local prehistoric history.
google avatar

John K.

Yelp
This museum is absolutely excellent for the price of admission. $7 to get in and they have a positively awesome collection. Their collection of dinosaur skeletons and prehistoric fossils is fantastic. I love the way they have the exhibits set up in a "walk through time" fashion. Basically you start at the Big Bang and work your way through the different eras of time in chronological order. It is such an inventive way to lay out a natural history museum. I have to admit that I ended up coming here only 2 hours before they closed so my visit was a bit rushed and I didn't get to see everything or spend as much time in some areas as I would have liked. You could easily spend a whole day at this museum. I would love to come back and spend at least several hours here going through everything again more slowly. As I said earlier their dinosaur skeletons are great. They have a full sized T-Rex on display in the main hall when you first come in. They also have several other well known dinosaurs on display including a humongous apatosaurus. They even have seismosaurus, the world's largest dinosaur. One exhibit I really found cool in the dinosaur section on the walk through time was the mini theater simulating the experience of the massive asteroid believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs. Very well done. The museum also has a large theater for viewing movies for an extra admission price. I can't stress enough how great this museum is for its amazingly low cost of admission.
google avatar

Tony M.

Yelp
I had not been here in a long time. One of the things to remember is that this museum is popular with kids. There is a great exhibit about the development of the computers in Albuquerque that is a flashback to the past. While entrance fees are not expensive there is additional fees form the different shows that you can see. Overall it is a great place for the entire family.