Albuquerque is known for its sunny climate: it boasts 310 days of sunshine each year. Although the climate is mild and dry, there are four seasons in Albuquerque. Most people agree that the best time to visit Albuquerque is between September and November. This fall season has warm temperatures and there are many festivals that take place during these months.
During the winter months, skiers visit Albuquerque to enjoy the slopes of the Sandia Mountains. This is a popular time to visit Albuquerque, so room rates are usually higher than at other times of the year. There are many hotel deals during the spring and summer.
Read more: 25 Best Things to Do in Albuquerque, NM. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
Best Time to Visit Albuquerque, New Mexico, Weather & Other Travel Tips
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Attraction Spotlight: University of New Mexico Art Museum
The University of New Mexico Art Museum in Albuquerque is a teaching museum dedicated to the preservation, collection and exhibition of art with collections in photography, painting, sculpture, prints and more. The museum houses the largest fine arts collection in the New Mexico.
About
The UNM Art Museum was founded in 1963 and includes collections in painting, sculpture, prints, American Art, and the Transcendental Painting Group. Admission to the museum located within the Center for the Arts complex at the University of New Mexico is always free; however, donations are encouraged. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and closed on all major holidays. Onsite parking is not available but there is a parking garage east of the Arts building.
Collections
The collection at the UNM Art Museum are made up of modern, contemporary and historic world art. Not all works in the collection are available for viewing always as pieces are rotated through exhibits. The Museum also highlights certain pieces in special exhibitions and regularly hosts traveling and temporary exhibitions.
Painting and Sculpture-This collection is comprised of significant works in modern, contemporary and history painting and sculpture. Many of the artists featured in exhibits have ties to New Mexico such as Georgia O’Keefe as well as world renowned artists like Joan Brown and Bruce Connor. Historic Paintings from the 15th through 19th centuries showcase works by Juan Correa, Jan van de Velde III and many other European and Spanish Colonial artists. African sculpture and contemporary bronze and metalwork is also highlighted in this collection.
Photography- More than 1,000 different photographers and roughly 10,000 photographs are held in the photography collection of the UNM Art Museum. Works span the history of photography as an art medium and is the foundation of the museum’s reputation as the largest fine art photography collection in New Mexico. Included in this collection are works by Ansel Adams, August Sander, Laura Gilpin, Cindy Sherman, and Nadar.
Prints- The Print Collection contains more than 10,000 works including rare books and prints from 1493 to present. Master prints from Albrecht Durer, Lucas Cranach, and Rembrandt are included in this collection. Lithographs from Pablo Picasso and relief images from Francisco de Goya, as well as screenprints from Andy Warhol are showcased in many exhibits throughout the museum.
The Raymond Jonson Collection- This collection features over 2,400 works by Raymond Jonson including 600 paintings and drawings that Jonson selected himself as the most representative of his career. Jonson was a cofounder of the Transcendental Painting Group and many works by other artists in the group including Agnes Martin and Richard Diebenkorn are featured in the collection as well. The UNM Art museum owns the copyright on all Jonson works with the archive featuring letters, articles and other documentation on the life and career of Jonson, Chicago Little Theater, and the Transcendental Painting Group.
The Tamarind Archive- Founded in the 1960’s the Tamarind Institute collected and preserved impression of lithographs that were completed at the institute. This collection showcases these works as well as the Clinton Adams estate which features paintings and graphic oeuvre from Adams and June Wayne.
Education Opportunities
The UNM Art Museum is a teaching museum where scholars, students, and educators can access multitudes of works and archives to study and interpret. There are also several programs available for all ages as well as community programs and events that highlight art and art education. The community and public programs change regularly and are listed on the UNM Art Museum website.
Beaumont Newhall Study Room-This room is available by appointment only and provides access to prints, works on paper, small sculptures and paintings and other holdings from the collection. Classes are held in this room Tuesdays through Thursdays with accommodations for up to 20 students.
Enyeart/Malone Library and Archive- The library is home to 20th century monographs and printed materials related to photography, including rare first editions books and manuscripts. The archive features the collection of James Enyeart who was the arts administrator at Center for Creative Photography. The library is open by appointment only with resources available listed on the website.
Van Deren and Joan Coke Library- more than 500 historical monographs were donated to the museum in 2011. The collection is also heavy in photography and print making with significant holdings in Southwest United States works. This library is open by appointment only.
Field Trips- Grades k-12 are welcome to participate in field trips to the museum where they will make connections to art through interactive tours that meet common core standards.
MSC04 2570 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, Phone: 505-277-4001
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Attraction Spotlight: Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico offers 270 acres of protected ecosystem comprised of woodlands, meadows, and farmland that visitors can enjoy by hiking, visiting the Nature Center, Visitors Center, and Candelaria Wetlands.
About
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is a day use park open from 8am to 5pm daily and closed on select holidays. The park is found on the Rio Grande flyway and offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round with trail access to the Rio Grande and several overlooking ponds.
The park was founded in 1982 and is managed by the New Mexico state Parks Division and owned by the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division. The Visitor’s Center was constructed the same year as the park establishment and was designed by Antoine Predock. An education building was added in 2011 and the Candelaria Wetlands were opened as part of the State Park in 2001.
Visitors are invited to look at, listen to, and touch the vegetation and wildlife, but are asked to stay on the marked trails and leave behind only footprints. Parking fees to access the park apply; however, the visitor’s center and trails are open to the public free of charge.
Attractions
The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of the best birdwatching preserves in New Mexico and creates a memorable outdoor, natural experience for visitors of all ages.
Visitor Center- After parking, guests should first stop by the Visitor Center where they will encounter interpretive exhibits educating on the flora, fauna, geology and history of the Rio Grande Nature Center. Exhibits featured in the Discovery Room are meant for hands on exploration by children. There is also an observation deck overlooking the 3-acre pond where visitors can view ducks, turtles, fish, butterflies, and a variety of birds. There are also educational materials available for onsite use in the resource library and trail guides with binoculars that visitors can borrow while enjoying the Nature Center.
Education Building- located at the Visitor’s Center, the Education Building opened in July 2011 and offers 5,500 square feet of educational space to accommodate the 130,000 people that visit the park annually. This building also was constructed to showcase green building techniques including photo-voltaic power panels on the rooftop and being a net-zero energy user. Cisterns are used for water collection and irrigation while all the building materials were acquired through sustainable methods and recycled parts.
Trails-There are 2 trails that are a part of the Nature Center and are considered easy hikes. The Riverwalk Trail is one mile round trip through the Bosque and open meadows while the Bosque Loop Trail is just shy of a mile long and winds through the Bosque down to the river.
Discovery Pond-This pond is used for research and educational purposes only and is accessible to scientists and school groups who want to study the aquatic life and environment at the Nature Center.
Candelaria Wetlands- The wetlands were opened as part of the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park in 2001. The 9 acre outdoor arena as once part of Candelaria Farms and was left overgrown and uncultivated. The area has been repurposed into a wetland’s habitat with 2 ponds covering 5 acres and another 4 acres of open meadow. The area has become home to snow geese and ibis, two species of birds that were not previously found in the Nature Center. The $155,000 project involved the planting of 98 species of native New Mexico plants and riparian vegetation to restore the wetlands habitats that are native to the Rio Grande and have been drastically reduced due to farming and urban development.
Bird Watching- More than 300 species of birds call the Nature Center home with 40 of these species being migratory birds. Ducks and roadrunners are the most populated birds at the Center. Visitors can obtain bird checklists, binoculars and field guides from the visitor’s center.
Educational Opportunities
The Rio Grande Nature Center supports education and provides many classes and activities for children. Wildlife observation hikes, tracking classes, and activities at Discovery Pond, among many other educational opportunities are available at the park and Education Building.
Summer Classes- Available for children age 5-12, summer classes offer week long programs designed to introduce students to the ecosystem of the state park with units on nature, owls, tracking, insects, predators, and reptiles. Classes meet Monday through Thursday mornings and registration is required.
Friday Evening Classes- Offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring, the Friday evening classes educate children and families on the various animals and plants in the Nature Center and Wetlands. Classes are taught by experience educators that have worked in the public-school system.
2901 Candelaria NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87107, Phone: 505-344-7240
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Attraction Spotlight: Albuquerque Museum
The Albuquerque Museum immerses visitors in the art and history of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Located in Old Town off Historic Route 66, Albuquerque Museum offers exhibits and educational programming for children and families.
About the Museum
The Albuquerque Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm with free admission offered during select times as detailed on the website. Special exhibits and events may not offer free admission. The museum is handicap accessible and special accommodations can be made with 5 days advanced notice for those needing extra assistance.
Tours are offered at 2 p.m. that are docent guided. These one hour tours are free with admission and no reservations are needed. Gallery tours are also available for school and community groups.
Walking Tours through historic Old Town are offered at 11am March through December. These tours are not available for school groups but can be done as a self-guided tour as well using a tour brochure from the admission booth.
Sculpture Garden Tours- Spring through late fall, docent guided tours of the Sculpture Garden is available at 10am. Groups tours can be accommodated with advanced reservations. Visitors are welcome to check out the tour books from the information desk and participate in a self guided tour as well. The Sculpture Garden also has an audio tour available that highlights 13 pieces in the collection.
Museum Collections
The Albuquerque Museum has five collections that are showcased through locally curated exhibitions.
· History- This collection focuses on the history of Albuquerque and the New Mexico region. There are online history exhibits available through the website that focus on 1950’s fashion, the 1914 Ingram-Foster Biplane, and the monograph series, as well as books that detail the history of Albuquerque.
· Photo Archives- Open by appointment only, the photo archives capture the history of Albuquerque back to its founded in 1706.
· Art- The art exhibited at the museum is collected from regional artists from the past and present. The Taos Society of Artists is well represented in paintings as is the Transcendental Painting group and artists such as John Marin, Lawrence Calcagno and Larry Bell. The Sculpture Garden is part of the art collection as well.
· Albuquerque Museum: Collections- These collections are historical artifacts relating to Albuquerque and New Mexico. Visitors can learn about the founding of the town as well as travel through history in the Old Town Photo Archives.
· Route 66: Radiance, Rust & Revival on the Mother Road- This new exhibit was put together for the 90th anniversary of iconic Route 66 and features art, history, and pop culture inspired by the Mother Road.
Exhibitions
Exhibits are temporary and curated from both the museum’s permanent collection, are traveling exhibits, or exhibits on loan from other institutions. Details about current exhibits including dates of installation and pieces that are features are available on the Albuquerque Museum website. Past exhibitions have included:
· Spirit of Creation: Works on Paper by Native American Artists
· The Leekya Family: Master Carvers of Zuni Pueblo
· Revolt 1680-2180: Virgil Ortiz
· When Modern was Contemporary: Selections from the Roy R. Neuberger collection
· Paul Sarkisian
· Hollywood Southwest: New Mexico in Film and Television
· Faithful Albuquerque: Twenty-Five Churches
· Common Ground: Art in New Mexico
· Objectified: Masculinity and the Male Form
· NMCCC Automobile Show
· Back to Life: The Community of Historic Fairview Cemetery
· Hard Edge Abstraction
· Making it Modern: Folk Art Collection of Eli and Viola Nadelman
· And many more….!
Educational Opportunities
The education department at the Albuquerque Museum aspires to bring art and history to the communities of New Mexico and Albuquerque specifically.
Museum School- Year-round art programs are available for children ages 3-14. Classes are led by experienced educators with registration required and class sized limited. Programs are listed seasonally on the Museum website with details on medium, age range, and cost.
Family Art Workshops- Every Saturday at 1pm, all ages workshops are available for the entire family to enjoy. These 1.5 hour classes are included with museum admission and do not require advance registration.
Field Trips- Guided tours are available for school field trips to the Museum and Casa San Ysidro. There are 3 tours designed for school trips by age—K-1, Grades 2-5, Grades 6-12, and Grades 3-8 is most appropriate for Casa San Ysidro.
Internships- College students can apply for internships and work as docents as the museum. Social events are available for interns and volunteers, as well as an Awards Banquet, and other perks such as free admission to the museum, a discount in the store, and an annual breakfast celebration.
200 Mountain NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104, Phone: 505-243-7255
Things to Do in Albuquerque, New Mexico
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