Sandia Peak Tramway is a popular aerial tramway attraction of Albuquerque. It stretches to 10,378 foot crest of the Sandia Mountains. The tramway is the longest aerial tram in United States. The peak offers 11,000 square mile panoramic view and many recreational activities. There are over 100 hiking trails, Gift Shop, Sandia Peak Ski Area, and Dining options at peak of the mountain.
The 64 acre ABQ BioPark Zoo is located in the Albuquerque Biological Park. The zoo features over 200 species of animals from around the world. The exhibits of the zoo include Africa, Amphibians: Life on a Limb, Apes, Australia, Birds of the Americas, Carnivores, Elephants, Mexican Gray Wolves, Polar Bears, Reptile House, and Zoo Babies. Other attractions of the zoo include endangered species carousel and railroad rides.
The 36 acre ABQ Biopark Botanic Garden is located beside the Rio Grande river. The botanical garden features plants of the Southwest and other arid climates. It has 10,000 square foot glass conservatory that houses plants native to the Mediterranean climates zones. It also features xeric plants from North American deserts. The botanic garden exhibits include Old World Walled Gardens, Mediterranean Conservatory, Desert Conservatory, Camino de Colores, Rio Grande Heritage Farm, Sasebo Japanese Garden, Curandera Garden, Butterfly Pavilion, Railroad Garden, Children's Fantasy Garden, Dragonfly Sanctuary Pond, Cottonwood Gallery, and BUGarium.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) preserves history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico. Located on 80 acres of land owned by the 19 Pueblos, the museum is dedicated to perpetuating Pueblo culture. IPCC features collection of murals and other Native arts and artifacts, a library, archives, cultural programming, and events.
Petroglyph National Monument is a 17 miles park protecting 5 volcanic cones and over 25,000 petroglyph images carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. The monument offers four major sites to see petroglyph: Volcanoes Day Use Area, Rinconada Canyon, Boca Negra Canyon, and Piedras Marcadas Canyon. Boca Negra Canyon offers view of about 100 petroglyphs along three paved trails. Rinconada Canyon is 2.2 miles round trip that has about 300 petroglyphs. Piedras Marcadas Canyon is 1.5 miles round trip with about 500 petroglyphs. Volcanoes Day Use Area does not have any petroglyphs.
Explora Science Center & Children's Museum is located in the heart of Old Town Albuquerque. The museum features over 250 interactive exhibits that offers broad range of science, technology, engineering, math, and art activities. Permanent exhibits of the museum include Engineering Gravity, Life of Water, Math Moves, Electricity Charges, Currents, and Circuits, Bubbles, Moving Air, Light and shadow, The Rotary Pavilion, Knee-Hi Sci, and Studio Inventivo.
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is a national repository of nuclear science information. The museum offers exhibits and educational programs for nuclear history and science. The exhibits at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History include Pioneers of the Atom, Decision to Drop, Little Albert's Lab, Atomic Culture/ Pop Culture, Cold War, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Radiation 101, Uranium; Enriching Your Future, Energy Encounter, Nuclear Waste Transportation, and Nuclear Medicine. The 9 acre outdoor Heritage Park is one of the most popular attractions that exhibits planes, rockets, missiles, cannons and nuclear sub sail.
Albuquerque Museum of Art and History located in Old Town Albuquerque preserves the art of the American Southwest and the history of Albuquerque and the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. The museum permanent art and history collection include 10,000 works of art, 35,000 historical objects, and 130,000+ items in photo archives. The museum has art galleries and outdoor sculpture garden on the grounds.
La Luz Trail located on the west face of the Sandia Mountains is a popular hiking trail. The 8 miles trail begins at the La Luz Trailhead and ends at Sandia Crest and Sandia Peak Tramway. It offers views of Albuquerque Volcanoes, and Mount Taylor. The trail is also home to the La Luz Trail Run. Hikers can access tram to return instead of round trip. A scenic overlook is located at about 4.35 miles. In Winter, trail above 5 miles is snowy and require snowshoes.
Paseo del Bosque Trail is a popular walking and biking trail parallel to the Rio Grande. The 16 mile paved trail runs between the north and south edges of the Albuquerque metro area. It connected Rio Grande Valley State Park, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, the Albuquerque Biological Park, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The trail is known as the best bike trails in the West.