Bask in the New Mexico sun with a hike, or enjoy a little healthy competition with a friendly game of mini golf. Visit Albuquerque’s unique museums, say hello to its many species of animals and learn about the history of the city and its people. Wake up to hot air balloons floating above and get ready to enjoy some family fun in the, “Land of Enchantment”.
Sunscreen Required
Albuquerque’s sunshine beckons—get outdoors and get active with your family. Rent a paddle boat, try your hand at fishing or go for a hike at Tingley Beach, part of the ABQ BioPark. Drive about 16 miles north of the city and ride the Sandia Tram 2.7 miles up to the Sandia Peak Observation Deck at a 10,378-foot elevation. Visit the Hinkle Family Fun Center on the corner of Tramway and Indian School Road, where you can challenge each other to races on bumper boats or go karts. Gear up for a laser tag war, bounce on the bungee jump trampoline or discover the family’s most talented putter on the mini golf green.
Slithering, Soaring and Souvenir Shopping
Albuquerque has tons of museums, but a few are truly unique. The American International Rattlesnake Museum pays homage to a slithery creature you might not be keen to embrace. Meet the largest collection of live rattlesnakes in the world, and learn why these snakes are a vital part of the environment. Once you’ve had your fill of reptiles, visit the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, where you’ll learn how hot air balloons work. Admission to either museum is nominal, so you’ll have plenty of cash left over for a tasty snack or a unique souvenir at the gift shop.
Time Travel Albuquerque-Style
At the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, you can learn and have fun at the same time. Discover the intrinsic role the Pueblo people play in New Mexico’s culture through the museum’s Our Land, Our Culture, Our Story exhibit, then visit 19 pueblos to see the culture firsthand. Wander through the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, where you’ll visit indigenous dinosaurs, gaze at the night sky in the Hall of the Stars and show your kids what life was like before laptops at the START-UP exhibit, which honors the invention of the micro-computer.
View the Zoos
Take your family to the Rio Grande Zoo, stretching across 64 acres on the banks of the Rio Grande River. Chat with toucans, watch zookeepers feed the lions and marvel at the grandeur of the elephants. Next, visit the Albuquerque Aquarium. Learn about the many different environments of aquatic creatures, from salt marshes to coral reefs. Check out the shark tank, see tiny models of ships and find out what it’s like to work on a shrimp boat. Visit the zoo in the morning; the animals are most likely to be active when it's cooler. Enjoy a picnic lunch; then head for the aquarium where you can keep cool in the afternoon.
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