Explora - Just for kids?

Howdy! My wife and I will be visiting ABQ in a few weeks, and we always like to look for nerdy museums and whatnot to keep us entertained while we travel.

I was looking at the website for Explora, and it%26#39;s not very clear whether it%26#39;s basically just a kiddie place, or if it%26#39;d be worth a stop for two adults.

We have a ';hands-on'; museum in Philly (the Please Touch museum), but it%26#39;s just somewhere for parents (or grandparents) to take their little kids, not something that lone grown-ups would be interested in.

Also, any other suggestions along this line would be appreciated. I%26#39;ve already got the Atomic, Natural History and Rattlesnake museums on my to-do list, as well as the aquarium/zoo area.

Thanks!! :-)

Explora - Just for kids?

I think you will be bored silly! I went with my son%26#39;s class and the place is geared to kids.

You may want to add the Albuquerque Museum and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Much more adult oriented. Also you may want to go out to Petroglyph Nat Monument as well as a possible tour to Acoma Pueblo.

I love the Rattlesnake Museum!!

Explora - Just for kids?

Have you done the Old Town ghost tour yet? We%26#39;ve done it a couple of times, it%26#39;s fun.

http://www.toursofoldtown.com/ghosttour.php

The Petroglyphs on the Westside are worth a trip too. especially when the weather isn%26#39;t as hot yet.

Most of the exhibits are kid-oriented, but they frequently have presentations that are much more interesting for adults. You might give them a call and see what they%26#39;ve got going on. If you%26#39;re nerdy, you%26#39;ll dig it. Don%26#39;t ask how I know this.

I%26#39;d put a tram trip on your list. Wait for a nice day and take in a gorgeous view from the top of the mountain. You might even spot some wildlife.

Also, I had a wonderful trip to the zoo recently, so I%26#39;d encourage you not to bump that off your list.

Have a great trip!

I really wanted to go on the tram, but I believe it%26#39;s going down for maintenance as soon as we get into town (3/29)...

I really wanted to go on the tram, but I believe it%26#39;s going down for maintenance as soon as we get into town (3/29)...

Yep, website says March 30-April 24.

Lo siento! I forgot about that. Well, if you%26#39;re in the mood for a drive it%26#39;s not too far to the crest. Admittedly, its not the tram, but you can still see the nice view. Sunset is a great time of day to go. In fact, if you can, try to glimpse each sunset while you%26#39;re here: they can be spectacular.

If this is your first visit to New Mexico, I would also second the recommendation you should take in the Albuquerque Museum, in fact, I always recommend it as the first stop, even before neighboring Old Town. Its historical exhibits will provide an excellent introduction to the area%26#39;s ancient history,and multi-ethnic cultures, including Anasazis, the Pueblo tribe, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo (American) contributions.

Personnaly, I would also cut the Explora for two adults, and ditto the Atomic museum, unless the latter holds some particular interest for you.

Across Rio Grande Blvd, from the SW corner of Old Town at Central/Rio Grande is a Walgreens...not unusual, but next to it in a little strip mall, is the ';Turquoise Museum.'; It features turquoise from all over the world, in it%26#39;s varying colors. They also sell turquoise jewelry here. Quite interesting, if (like Atomic Energy Museum above) you are interested in this stone which has become synonymous with New Mexico, and the Southwest.

The balloon museum (the history of ballooning) is also worth a visit, on Balloon Museum Road, just off Alameda Blvd. in Albuquerque%26#39;s North Valley. On its north side, you can also see the huge, Balloon Fiesta Park grounds.

It sounds as though you%26#39;ve planned a varied, and enjoyable list of attractions. Have fun!

Wow that is helpful, thanks! We have been to Santa Fe before, but we really just flew in/out of ABQ. This time we%26#39;re staying at Bottger near Old Town for a few days.

I am interested in the atomic stuff, we visited the Atomic Testing Museum in Vegas and thought it was great. And we will be going through whatever Los Alamos has to offer while we%26#39;re in town.

I%26#39;ll certainly look through all your suggestions while I make up my ABQ itinerary, thank you!