List of museums in New Mexico facts for kids
Welcome to a list of awesome museums in New Mexico! Museums are special places where cool stuff from the past, amazing art, science discoveries, and important history are kept safe. They let you explore and learn about all sorts of interesting things. This list includes real-life museums you can visit, not just ones online.
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Explore New Mexico's Cool Museums
New Mexico has many different kinds of museums. You can find places that teach you about ancient cultures, amazing art, exciting science, and even space! Here are some of the fantastic museums you can visit.
Art Museums for Young Artists
In Albuquerque, this museum shows off art from the Southwest. It also shares over 400 years of Albuquerque's history.
- Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art
Located in Roswell, this museum features modern art. It's a great place to see new and exciting art pieces.
- Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center
In Artesia, this center has many different exhibits. You can see Native American items, old kitchens, children's toys, and art.
Visit this museum in Santa Fe to see famous paintings by artist Georgia O'Keeffe. She was known for her unique style.
In Taos, this museum displays art and culture from the Taos area. It has both old and new artworks.
- Las Cruces Museum of Art
This museum in Las Cruces often has changing exhibits of modern art. It's a good spot to see what's new in the art world.
Located in Taos, this museum focuses on the art and culture of Northern New Mexico. It shows both historical and modern pieces.
In Santa Fe, this museum has folk art, toys, ceramics, and textiles from over 100 countries. It's like a trip around the world!
This Santa Fe museum is dedicated to fine art. You can see beautiful paintings and sculptures here.
In Taos, this museum shows art from the early 1900s. It's located in the home and studio of artist Nicolai Fechin.
- University of New Mexico Art Museum
Part of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, this museum has art by modernist painter Raymond Jonson and his students.
In Santa Fe, this museum features both modern and historical Native American art.
History and Culture Museums
This center in Zuni Pueblo celebrates the heritage of the Zuni people.
In Alamogordo, this museum tells the story of local history.
Near Aztec, the visitor center here has exhibits about the ancient Pueblo structures.
Near White Rock, this monument has ancestral Pueblo homes and rock paintings. Its museum shows artifacts and pottery.
- Billy the Kid Museum
In Fort Sumner, this museum has items from the famous Western outlaw Billy the Kid. You can also see old firearms and cars.
Also in Fort Sumner, this memorial teaches about the history of Fort Sumner and the Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation.
- Branigan Cultural Center
In Las Cruces, this center has local history exhibits and changing cultural displays.
- Carlsbad Museum & Art Center
In Carlsbad, this museum covers local history, Native American art, and modern art.
In Corrales, this is a recreated 19th-century ranch. It shows what life was like long ago.
Near Farmington, this park has ancient Pueblo ruins and a museum with artifacts.
- City of Las Vegas Museum
In Las Vegas, this museum shares local history, including the Santa Fe Trail and the Rough Riders.
In Bernalillo, this monument features reconstructed kiva ruins and artifacts from early Indian and Spanish settlers.
In Santa Fe, this is a living history museum. It's a recreated 18th-century Spanish Colonial ranch where you can see how people lived.
- Ernie Pyle House/Library
In Albuquerque, this was the home of famous reporter Ernie Pyle. It's now a library with items from his life.
- Farmington Museum
In Farmington, this museum focuses on local history.
- Fort Selden State Monument
Near Las Cruces, you can see the ruins of a mid-19th-century Army post here. Exhibits show frontier and military life.
Near Watrous, this monument has ruins of three old forts. The visitor center has exhibits and sometimes living history programs.
- Gallup Cultural Center
In Gallup, this center celebrates Native American art and culture. You can learn about weaving, sandpainting, and Route 66.
In Abiquiú, you can take tours of the home and studio of artist Georgia O'Keeffe.
- Geronimo Springs Museum
In Truth or Consequences, this museum covers the natural and cultural history of Sierra County. It has fossils, Apache items, and ranching displays.
Near Silver City, this monument has ancient cave dwellings. The visitor center has a museum with Apache and Mogollon artifacts.
In Taos, this was the home of New Mexico's first governor. It also has a gallery of Western art.
- Haa'ku Museum
At Acoma Pueblo, this museum shares the history, art, and customs of the Acoma people.
In Taos, this is an 1804 Spanish Colonial adobe house. It shows what a large home was like in that era.
- Harvey House Museum
In Belen, this museum tells the story of the Fred Harvey Chain and the Santa Fe Railway. It also covers Belen's history.
- Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico Museum
In Roswell, this museum is in a 1912 home. The first floor is furnished from that time, and the second floor has local history displays.
- Hubbard Museum of the American West
In Ruidoso Downs, this museum explores the arts, history, and culture of the region. It has horse gear and old wagons.
In Albuquerque, this center teaches about Pueblo Indian history, culture, and art.
Near Jemez Springs, this monument has Pueblo ruins and a visitor center.
In Taos, this was the home of frontiersman Kit Carson.
In Lincoln, this is an old Western town with 17 historic buildings. Six of them are open as museums.
- Los Alamos Historical Museum
In Los Alamos, this museum shares the local history of the area.
- Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts
In Los Lunas, this museum covers local history and art.
- McBride Museum
In Roswell, this museum is part of the New Mexico Military Institute. It tells the story of the institute and its alumni.
- Moriarty Historical Society and Museum
In Moriarty, this museum focuses on local history.
In Santa Fe, this museum showcases the art and culture of Native Americans in the Southwest.
- Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
In Santa Fe, this museum displays art forms from Hispano culture.
- National Hispanic Cultural Center
In Albuquerque, this center celebrates the art and culture of Hispanic communities.
In Cimarron, this museum has exhibits on the history of the Boy Scouts of America. It also covers local history and nature.
In Las Cruces, this museum explores New Mexico's 3,000-year history of farming and ranching.
- New Mexico History Museum
In Santa Fe, this museum highlights important events and themes from New Mexico's past.
- New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum
In Albuquerque, this museum teaches about the Holocaust, genocides, and bullying around the world.
- New Mexico Military Museum
In Santa Fe, this museum shares stories, artifacts, and art about New Mexico's military history.
- New Mexico School for the Deaf Museum
In Santa Fe, this museum tells the story of over 100 years of education at the New Mexico School for the Deaf.
In Santa Fe, this historic building focuses on important events and ideas from New Mexico's past.
Near Las Vegas, this park has ruins of the Pecos pueblo and a mission church. The visitor center has exhibits.
- Picuris Pueblo Visitor's Center and Museum
At Picuris Pueblo, this center shares the history, culture, and art of the Picuris people.
At Pojoaque Pueblo, this museum celebrates the arts and culture of the Pueblo people, especially the Tewas.
- Raton Museum
In Raton, this museum has items related to ranching, coal mining, railroads, and pioneer life. It also features New Mexican art.
- Red Rock Museum
In Church Rock, this museum has exhibits about the ancient Anasazi and the modern-day Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo people.
In Roswell, this museum covers art and history of the American Southwest. It also has a planetarium and a collection about rocket science.
In Ruidoso, this museum has artifacts related to famous figures of the Old West and the Lincoln County War.
- Sacramento Mountains Museum & Pioneer Village
In Cloudcroft, this open-air museum is operated by the Sacramento Mountains Historical Society.
Near Mountainair, the visitor center here has exhibits about the ruins of mission churches and pueblos.
Near Farmington, this site has an 11th-century Chacoan great house and a museum.
- San Ildefonso Pueblo Museum
At San Ildefonso Pueblo, this museum shares the history, culture, and art of the Pueblo people.
- Santa Fe Trail Interpretive Center
In Las Vegas, this center has photos and artifacts from the historic Santa Fe Trail.
- Silver City Museum
In Silver City, this museum focuses on local history.
- Smokey Bear Historical Park
In Capitan, this park has exhibits about forest health, wildfires, and the history of Smokey Bear.
- Tucumcari Historical Museum
In Tucumcari, this museum covers local history.
In Angel Fire, this park has a memorial and visitor center dedicated to Vietnam veterans.
- Walatowa Visitor Center
At Jemez Pueblo, this center shares the history, art, and customs of the Towa people.
In Hobbs, this museum celebrates cowboy culture and heritage.
Science and Nature Museums
In Albuquerque, this museum has live snakes, snake art, and exhibits about rattlesnakes.
In Albuquerque, this museum explores the history, science, and art of ballooning and other lighter-than-air flight.
In Los Alamos, this museum shows the history and science work done at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Near Raton, the visitor center here has exhibits about the volcano and the area's geology and history.
Near Carlsbad, the visitor center has exhibits about bats, geology, and the history of the area.
- Dr. Anthony “Tony” Gennaro Natural History Museum
In Portales, this museum has exhibits and live plants and animals from eastern New Mexico. It's part of Eastern New Mexico University.
Near Ramah, the visitor center here has exhibits about the cultural and natural history of El Morro.
In Albuquerque, this is a science museum with many interactive exhibits for everyone to enjoy.
- Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science
In Las Cruces, this museum focuses on the natural history, science, and environment of New Mexico and the Chihuahuan Desert.
In Albuquerque, this museum explores the prehistoric history of the Southwest and early humans.
- Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Laboratory
In Tucumcari, this museum has replicated and real fossils from the Mesozoic period, including dinosaurs.
- Meteorite Museum
In Albuquerque, this museum is part of the University of New Mexico. It has exhibits about meteorites.
- Miles Mineral Museum
In Portales, this museum is part of Eastern New Mexico University and features geology exhibits.
Part of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, this facility has collections of insects, reptiles, birds, and more. It's open by appointment.
In Albuquerque, this museum covers the scientific, historic, and cultural aspects of the Atomic Age.
- New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources Mineral Museum
In Socorro, this museum is at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. It has many mineral specimens.
In Albuquerque, this museum has exhibits on fossils, geology, astronomy, and the history of personal computers.
In Alamogordo, this museum has displays about space flight and the space age. It also includes the International Space Hall of Fame.
- New Mexico State University Arthropod Museum
In Las Cruces, this museum is part of New Mexico State University. It has a collection of insect specimens and is open by appointment.
In Albuquerque, this monument includes volcanoes, archaeological sites, and about 20,000 carved images on rocks.
- Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology
In Abiquiú, this museum is part of Ghost Ranch. It has Triassic dinosaur fossils.
- Silver Family Geology Museum
In Albuquerque, this museum is inside Northrop Hall at the University of New Mexico. It has mineral, fossil, and rock specimens.
- Space Murals Museum
In Organ, this museum has artifacts, art, photos, and items about the space program.
- Turquoise Museum
In Albuquerque, this museum teaches about turquoise mining, specimens, and how turquoise is shaped and used.
Near Magdalena, you can take tours of this astronomical radio observatory. It has 27 large radio antennas.
In Alamogordo, the visitor center here has exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the desert.
- Zuhl Museum
In Las Cruces, this museum is part of New Mexico State University. It shows thousands of petrified wood, fossil, and mineral specimens.
Other Interesting Museums
- Bolack Electromechanical Museum
In Farmington, this museum has antique electrical, radio, communication, and agricultural items.
- Bolack Museum of Fish & Wildlife
Also in Farmington, this museum has wildlife mounts in dioramas from five continents.
- Boy Scout Museum & Westward Ho Trading Post
In Raton, this museum focuses on the history of Scouting.
- Cleveland Roller Mill Museum
In Mora, this is a three-story, water-powered flour mill. It has exhibits on local history.
In Chama, this is a heritage railroad with old train cars on display.
In Deming, this museum has many different exhibits. You can see Mimbres pottery, rocks, dolls, war items, and local history displays.
- E3 Children's Museum & Science Center
In Farmington, this museum is designed for children with interactive exhibits.
- El Camino Real Historic Trail Site
In Socorro, this site teaches about the history of people who traveled along the El Camino Real trail long ago.
- El Rincon Trading Post
In Taos, this store has a museum display of Native American and Western artifacts.
- Old Coal Mine Museum
In Madrid, this museum has mining and railroad equipment, old cars, and a vintage steam locomotive.
In Columbus, this park was once a military camp. It has examples of old vehicles and technology.
- Pioneer Store Museum
In Winston, this is an 1880s general store with original items and mining tools.
- Route 66 Auto Museum
In Santa Rosa, this museum has vintage and classic cars, plus items from the famous Route 66.
In Alamogordo, this museum features scale model and miniature railway trains.
- Telephone Museum of New Mexico
In Albuquerque, this museum shows the history of telephones and communication technology.
- Tinkertown Museum
In Cedar Crest, this museum is full of folk art creations. It has thousands of tiny, hand-carved figures, miniature towns, and old Western items.
- Unser Racing Museum
In Albuquerque, this museum celebrates the racing achievements of the famous Al Unser family.
In Moriarty, this museum tells the history of gliding in the western United States.
- War Eagles Air Museum
In Santa Teresa, this museum has historic aircraft from the World War II and Korean War eras.
- White Sands Missile Range Museum
In White Sands, this museum has exhibits on America's missile and space development. It also has an outdoor missile park.
Museums That Are No Longer Open
Sometimes museums close or move. Here are a few that are no longer open in their original locations:
- Log Cabin Museum, Las Cruces, moved to Chloride, New Mexico in 2006.
- Million Dollar Museum, White's City, near Carlsbad Caverns, closed in 2008.
- New Mexico Film Museum, Santa Fe, closed in 2010.
Images for kids
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The Amistad Museum.
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Aztec Ruins National Monument.
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The Blackwater Draw Museum logo.
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The Bond House Museum.
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The Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum.
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Inside Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
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The Explora science museum.
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Fort Union National Monument.
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The Gadsden Museum.
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A flume at El Rancho de las Golondrinas.
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The Harvey House Museum.
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The Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico Museum.
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The Hubbard Museum of the American West.
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The Institute of American Indian Arts Museum.
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The International UFO Museum and Research Center.
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The Branigan Cultural Center.
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The Las Cruces Museum of Art.
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The Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science.
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The Las Cruces Railroad Museum.
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The historic jail and courthouse in Lincoln.
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The New Mexico Mining Museum.
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The National Hispanic Cultural Center.
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The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
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The New Mexico Holocaust and Intolerance Museum.
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The New Mexico State University Art Gallery.
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The New Mexico State University Museum.
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The historic Palace of the Governors.
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Georgia O'Keeffe's home.
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The Old Coal Mine Museum.
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The Pecos Pueblo and Mission Church ruins.
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The sign for Petroglyph National Monument.
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The Roswell Museum.
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The Smokey Bear Historical Park.
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The Space Murals Museum.
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Displays at the Telephone Museum of New Mexico.
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The Toy Train Depot.
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The Center for the Arts at UNM, home to the Art Museum.
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Northrop Hall at UNM, home to the Meteorite Museum and Silver Family Geology Museum.
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Villa Philmonte.
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The Missile Park at White Sands Missile Range Museum.
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A display at the Zuhl Museum.
See also
