The museum is located in the heart of Old Town and features art of the Southwest with exhibits highlighting 400 years of Albuquerque history including the Rio Grande Valley. A 40,000 square foot addition was recently added featuring a grand hall, special events hall, an expanded Sculpture Garden, Gallery Store and Museum Café. Old Town Walking Tours are held Tuesdays through Sundays at 11 am from March through November.

Information: (505) 243.7255 www.cabq.gov/museum

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2005. A home to the International Balloon Festival, Albuquerque now features the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. This 60,000 square foot museum houses exhibits and informative programs about the history, science and art of hot-air ballooning. The north side of the building provides awesome views of the massive number of balloons that lift-off during the nine-day Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held the first week in October each year.

Information: www.balloonmuseum.com and www.cabq.gov/balloon

Located within walking distance of Old Town. Step back into time in its “Evolator”, walk through a simulated volcano and experience the Ice Age. The Dyna Theatre is a high-tech theatre experience in-action on a 65 ft. x 49 ft. screen of prehistoric times. See the Jurassic Super Giants portraying two dinosaurs locked in mortal combat. Recent discoveries of fossilized dinosaur skin and a dinosaur egg are on display.

Information: (505) 841.2800 www.nmnaturalhistory,org

Just north of Old Town is the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Visitors can explore and learn the story of the Atomic Age from early research of nuclear development through today’s peaceful uses of nuclear technology such as nuclear medicine and power. The biggest attraction is the Manhattan Project exhibit, the project that developed, produced and tested the first atomic bomb. Also see an array of weapons, thermo nuclear bombs, ballistic missiles, warheads and artillery rounds. You can view the documentary film “Ten Seconds That Shook The World”, including newsreel clips from World War II era and the dawn of the atomic age.

Information: (505) 245.2137 www.atomicmuseum.com

The whole family will have a great time at this hands-on museum of science, technology and art. Explora offers over 250 interactive exhibits, programs and activities that stimulate creativity and encourage investigating, questioning and experiencing science and technology. Located in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town it’s just a short distance from the zoo and other great museums and activities.

Information: (505) 224.8300 www.explora.mus.nm.us

Located on the campus of UNM, this museum is world renown and covers the entire history of mankind with an emphasis on the 11,000 years cultural heritage of the Southwest. Explore a reconstructed cave complete with ice age drawings, sculptures and prehistoric pottery.

Information: (505) 277.4405 www.unm.edu/~maxwell/index.html

Enter thru the replica mine tunnel and see turquoise formed in the rock. A spectacular exhibit with specimens from around the world. Be sure to visit the gift shop and see the beautiful turquoise for view and sale.

Information: (505) 247.8650

Tinkertown is wonderful and whimsical. Created by Ross Ward who spent more than 40 years carving miniature figures and collecting eclectic collections of Americana. More than 50,000 glass bottles form walls around this 22-room museum. Old-fashioned storefronts and wacky western memorabilia make Tinkertown’s exterior as much of a museum as the wonders within. Inside an animated rowdy little western town and a diminutive circus with miniature carved performers challenging tigers and walking the tightrope. Tinkertown will be sure to entertain and inspire your imagination.

Information: m (505) 281.5233 www.tinkertown.com

The LodeStar Center is located in the Albuquerque Museum of Natural History and Science and presents a multi-media domed theatre, a motion simulation theatre and exhibit galleries along with the observatory. Enjoy “Passport to the Universe” a dazzling cinematic, full-dome production. This is a 20-minute grand tour of the observable universe. You can also experience a virtual voyage, a motion-simulation ride that moves in six different directions. The 20,000 sq. ft. astronomy center is a “must see” on your visit to Albuquerque.

Information: (505) 841.2800 www.lodestar.unm.edu/index.html