Albuquerque Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanic Garden

Discover aquatic habitats, including a walk-through eel cave and a 285,000-gallon shark tank. You can also see films or visit the gift shop and restaurant. The Botanic Garden showcases the natural environment of the Rio Grande Valley through specialty gardens as well as desert and Mediterranean conservatories. There is also a children's fantasy garden to explore. 2601 Central Ave NW, (505) 764-6200. Open Tue-Sun 9-5. $4.50 adults, $2.50 seniors and children 3-12. Under 3 free.

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Albuquerque Museum of Art and History

View permanent displays on the city's history along with traveling art exhibits from around the world. 2000 Mountain Road NW, (505) 243-7255. Open Tue-Sun 9-5. closed Mondays and holidays. FREE.

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Coronado State Monument and State Park

Drive through Corrales to Coronado State Monument and the remains of Kuaua Pueblo, where Spanish explorer Coronado is through to have spent the winter of 1540-1541$3 adults, children 16 and under free.

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Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum of Albuquerque

Explora, New Mexico's innovative, interactive learning center, features hands-on exhibits and activities encouraging growth in science, art, and the world's cultures. The museum welcomes visitors of all ages and is a popular destination for school groups and families alike. Explor-a-store offers a large selection of educational gifts and toys. 1701 Mountain Road. (505) 842-1537. Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. $4 13 and over, $2 2-12 and seniors, under 2 is free

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Historic Old Town Shopping

The center of the original villa of Albuquerque, Old Town's quaint streets now house a variety of southwestern shops, restaurant and art galleries. More than 130 shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants in Spanish-style plaza. Bounded by Rio Grande Blvd, Central Ave and Mountain Rd.

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Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Discover arts and crafts from New Mexico's 19 pueblos; Indian dances are held on weekends year-round at 11 am and 2 pm. 2401 12th Street NW, (505) 843-7270. Open daily as follows: museum 9-5, gift shops 9-5:30; American Indian restaurant 7:30-3:30. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 students, Pueblo Indians and children 4 and under free.

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Indian Pueblo Tours (Acoma and Jemez Pueblos)

Acoma (AH-koh-mah) Pueblo: An hour west of Albuquerque is the entrance to Acoma Pueblo- "Sky City". One of the state's most dramatic landmarks, Acoma sits atop a 376-foot-tall mesa overlooking the desert. Walking tours through the pueblo, the plaza and 17th century mission church are available on the hour. (505) 469--1052; please call in advance of your visit. Open daily in summer 8-5:30, last rough at 4:30. $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children. Still camera permit $10.

Jemez (HAY-mez) Pueblo. One hour northwest of Albuquerque, amidst dramatic red rocks, lies the Pueblo Village of Waltowa (native for Jemez). A visitor center provides information about the pueblo and Jemez Mountain Trail attractions. There's a gift shop, a small museum and interpretive tours. Picnic, fish, enjoy the great outdoors, and sample food or crafts at roadside stands. The walatowa Visitors Center is at 7413 Hwy 4, (505) 834-7235. Open daily 8-5 in summer; please arrange tours in advance.

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LodeStar Astronomy Center

Traverse time and space at the new LoadeStar Astronomy Center. Blast off to an out-of-this-world space odyssey, one of the world's most advanced digital theaters. Wrap your mind around the extraordinary cosmos in Lodestar's gallery of exhibits. Intercept a comet on a collision course with Earth inside the Virtual Voyages motion simulator. View the stars, planets, and other fascinating celestial objects through a powerful telescope. Located in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.1801 Mountain Rd NW (505) 841-2892. Open daily 9-5, $5 Adults, $4 Seniors and students, $2 ages 3-12, under 3 free.

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Los Alamos National Laboratory AND Bandelier National Monument

This monument contains some of the nation's most visited Ancestral Pueblo sites and is part of a 50-square-mile wilderness area. Miles of trails to ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs radiate from the visitor center.

Nearby Los Alamos, home of Los Alamos National Laboratory, is known as New Mexico's "secret city". Los Alamos is now a thriving community of nearly 19,000. Perched high on Pajarito (pa-ha-REE-tow) Plateau, it offers galleries, museums, restaurants and lodgings. It's also a four-season sports-man's paradise. Enjoy the scenery on the drive back to Albuquerque!

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National Atomic Museum

See displays and movies on the development of atomic energy and weapons as well as the latest advances in energy research at this fascinating museum. Located at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park (recently moved from Kirtland AFB). (505) 284-3243 Open daily 9-5. $3 adults, $2 seniors, youth 7-18 and military, 6 and under free.

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National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico

The center, now in Phase II of its construction, presents Hispanic arts and humanities in many forms: visual arts, drama, music, dance, literary arts, film, culinary arts, genology and more. There's also a gift shop, an amphitheater and an indoor/outdoor restaurant. La Fonda de Bosque. The Intel Technology & Visual Arts Complex is at 1701 4th Street SW, (505) 246-2261. Open Tue-Sun 10-5. http://www.nhccnm.org

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New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

Explore an ice cave, stand inside a "live" volcano or ride the "Evolator" back to the Age of Dinosaurs - the museum offers fun and interest for the entire family. Visit exhibits on zoology, botany, geology and paleontology. The museum also features Extreme Screen Dynatheater in exciting large-format films. 1801 Mountain Rd NW (505) 841-2892. Open daily 9-5, $5 Adults, $4 Seniors and students, $2 ages 3-12, under 3 free.

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Petroglyph National Monument

Over a period of thousands of years, hunting parties chipped an estimated 17,000 petroglyphs into a dramatic lava rock escarpment. Three walking rails wind through the petroglyphs. Unser Blvd, (505) 899-0205. The visitor center is open daily 8-5. $1 per vehicle on weekdays and $2 per vehicle on weekends.

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Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

The park preserves the riverside wildlife of the bosque, the cottonwood groves that line the Rio Grande. Enjoy the visitor center, nature trails, and exhibits on local ecology, geology and history. 2901 Candelaria Blvd NW, (505) 344-7240. Open daily 10-5. $1 adults, 50 cents children, under 6 free.

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Rio Grande Zoological Park

Explore an African savannah, tropical rain forest, primate island, lobo woods, a raptor aviary, and more. 903 10th Street SW (505) 764-6200. Open Tue-Sun 9-5. $4.50 adults, $2.50 seniors and children 3-12. Children under 3 free.

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Sandia Peak Tramway

The Sandia Peak Tramway is the longest jigback passenger tramway in the world. Ride 2.7 miles up to the 10,378 foot Sandia Peak, passing through four of the Earth's seven life zones on the way. Wildlife such as bear and mule deer can sometimes be seen on the slopes below, and the view from the top is breathtaking. (505) 856-7325. Open daily 9am-10pm, except Wed 5-8. $14 adults, $10 seniors, and ages 5-12, under 5 free.

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Sandia National Laboratories

Sandia is a multiprogram engineering and science laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the US Department of EnergyÕs National Nuclear Security Administration. We design all non-nuclear components for the nationÕs nuclear weapons, perform a wide variety of energy research and development projects, and work on assignments that respond to national security threats Ñ both military and economic. We encourage and seek partnerships with appropriate U.S. industry and government groups to collaborate on emerging technologies that support our mission.Located on Kirtland Airforce Base. http://www.sandia.gov

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Santa Fe

The Plaza: Located in the center of town in front of the Palace of Governors. It's surrounded by museums, shops, and galleries and native American craftsmen selling their wares under the portal at the palace of governors.

Chapel at the Inn of Loretto - Located at the Plaza. See the miracle staircase and learn of the legend. Located at 211 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico. (505) 984-7971

St. Francis Cathedral - Built in 1886 from stone mined in local quarries. The cathedral's French Romanesque style sets it apart from Santa Fe's adobe architecture. 213 Cathedral Place. (505) 982-5619

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum - Devoted to preserving and presenting the life work of America's preeminent artists, the 13,000 square foot museum houses a permanent collection of O'Keeffe unsurpassed by any museum in the world. The museum is in an adobe building renovated by architect Richard Gluckman. 217 Johnson Street (behind the Eldorado Hotel). (505) 995-0785.

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Shopping Malls & Southwestern/Indian Arts, Crafts & Jewelry

Coronado Center - 6600 Menaul NE, (505) 881-4600. Mon-Sat. 10-9, Sun 11-7. NM's largest mall. Macy's, Foley's, JC Penney, Mervyn's, Sears, plus 160 specialty shops.

Cottonwood Mall - 10000 Coors Blvd NW, (505) 897-6571. Mon-Sat 10-9, Sun 11-7. NM's newest mall, 5 department stores, over 135 specially shops, 9-screen movie theater.

Winrock Shopping Center - 51 Winrock Center NE, (505) 888-3038. Walking distance to Marriott and uptown hotels/offices. Albuquerque's most complete and unique collection of shops and restaurants including: Dillard's Borders Books, Oshman's SuperSports USA and a Food Court. http://www.shopwinrock.com

Bien Mur Indian Market Center - 100 Bien Mur Drive NE, (505) 821-5400. Mon-Sat 9-5:30, Sun 11-5. Owned and operated by Pueblo of Sandia. http://www.bienmur.com

Gertrude Zachary Jewelry, Etc. - 1501 Lomas Blvd NW, (505) 247- 4442. Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Indian handmade jewelry, gold, southwestern gifts, pottery, inlay, fetishes and paintings.

House of the Shalako (First Plaza Galeria) - 20 First Plaza NW #65, (5050) 242-4579. Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-5. Museum-quality, authentic Native American jewelry, fetishes, weavings. http://www.collectorsguide.com/shalako.

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University of New Mexico

Founded in 1889 and is the state's largest university with some 32,000 students. The campus comprises Pueblo Revival-style architecture and relaxing ponds and gardens; it is also host to a bevy of museums, including the Museum of Geology & Meteoritic, the Fine Arts Museum and Maxwell Museum of Anthropology. Border by Central Ave, Lomas Blvd, University Blvd and Girard Blvd, (505) 277-0111.

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Albuquerque Metro Map (pdf)

About Albuquerque

- Facts About Albuquerque
- Albuquerque Attractions
- Albuquerque Attractions Map
- Planned Activities
- Restaurants
- Albuquerque Visitors Bureau
- Sandia National Laboratories