Located at the edge of the massive Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque’s southeast corner, and surrounded by an outdoor Heritage Park holding discarded missiles and fighter planes, this lively museum explores the fascinating – if sobering – history of nuclear energy in war and peace, from the Manhattan Project and the Cold War up to today. Retired military personnel serve as docents.
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Albuquerque
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
7.93 MILES
Formerly known as the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, this showpiece museum shouldn't be missed. With an engaging Albuquerque history gallery that's…
7.72 MILES
Collectively run by New Mexico's 19 Pueblos, this cultural center is an essential stop-off during even the shortest Albuquerque visit. Revamped in 2016,…
American International Rattlesnake Museum
7.95 MILES
Anyone charmed by snakes and all things slithery will find this museum fascinating; for ophidiophobes, it’s a complete nightmare, filled with the world’s…
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
7.78 MILES
Dinosaur-mad kids are certain to love this huge modern museum, on the northeastern fringes of Old Town. From the T. rex in the main atrium onwards, it’s…
8.49 MILES
The twin highlights in this peaceful park are the two large conservatories of Mediterranean and desert plants. You'll also find formal Japanese gardens, a…
11.31 MILES
The lava fields preserved in this large desert park, west of the Rio Grande, are adorned with more than 23,000 ancient petroglyphs (1000 BC–AD 1700)…
9.15 MILES
The United States' longest aerial tram climbs 2.7 miles from the desert floor in the northeast corner of the city to the summit of 10,378ft Sandia Crest…
7.28 MILES
Set on 60 shady acres beside the Rio Grande and home to chimpanzees, giraffes, elephants, crocodiles and more, this zoo puts on a busy schedule of events…
Nearby Albuquerque attractions
1. University of New Mexico Art Museum
5.03 MILES
Most exhibits here are drawn from the university's permanent collection, which is particularly strong on lithographs and regional artists.
5.04 MILES
There are several museums and galleries packed into the small but peaceful campus of UNM, along with abundant public art and a performing arts center. The…
3. Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
5.35 MILES
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology will satisfy the cultural anthropologist in you, and holds the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts in…
6.64 MILES
Reveling in its striking new digs, known locally as 'The Castle', this museum spotlights New Mexico's signature rock. You'll find more than 400 pieces of…
5. National Hispanic Cultural Center
6.87 MILES
In the historic Barelas neighborhood, near the river a mile south of downtown, this modern, architecturally imaginative center for Hispanic visual,…
7.28 MILES
Set on 60 shady acres beside the Rio Grande and home to chimpanzees, giraffes, elephants, crocodiles and more, this zoo puts on a busy schedule of events…
7. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
7.72 MILES
Collectively run by New Mexico's 19 Pueblos, this cultural center is an essential stop-off during even the shortest Albuquerque visit. Revamped in 2016,…
7.73 MILES
From the lofty high-wire bike to the mind-boggling Light, Shadow, Color area, this gung-ho museum offers a hands-on exhibit for every type of child (don't…