Trippin' Again: Travel back at history museum

Editor's note: As we begin to see COVID-19 in our rear-view mirrors, travelers are cautiously returning to the roads. This series offers destination options for eastern New Mexico-area residents looking to get away for a few days.

If you like time travel, then you won't want to miss this stop in Albuquerque. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science takes you on a journey through New Mexico's past, past the formation of the universe, and walks through the present.

The museum aims to advance the cultural and scientific programs within the state. It opened in 1986 and operates as a public facility of the New Mexico Department of Public Affairs.

The museum travels through many areas of history with eight permanent exhibits.

Time Tracks: A Walk Through Time is one of the core exhibits. It offers a journey through billions of years of New Mexico's natural history. Emergence explores how and why life on Earth emerged. The exhibit also includes new research around the world. The Bisti Beast exhibit is full of various dinosaur fossils found in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico. The Hall of the Stars encourages visitors to explore the sky at their own pace. This exhibit aims to explain how the night sky is organized. It was also the winner of the 2014 Gold MUSE Award for Interpretive Interactive Installations.

The entrance exhibit helps welcome visitors with two life-sized dinosaurs sculpted by Dave Thomas. Kiwanis Learning Garden was built in 1998 by Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque to inspire a love of nature. It has since become a picnic space where families gather to be its caretakers, to explore the space, as well as learning how to plant and create a garden. The Fossil Works and Naturalist Center exhibits are closed until further notice.

On top of the eight permanent exhibits, the museum houses three temporary exhibits.

Tiny Titans is a traveling exhibit in which visitors are able to learn about dinosaur eggs, feathers, and fossils. Back to Bones displays some of the recent discoveries and iconic fossils that were collected by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and scones from the "Land of Enchantment." Many Inspired Steps commemorates the landmark of Apollo 11's 50th anniversary. This exhibit features a variety of popular memorabilia, official NASA science publications, and lunar maps that were used for landings. The museum also offers online exhibits.

What do they offer:

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Sciences allows visitors to explore history through 11 exhibits. From fossils to stars, visitors have the opportunity to jump through science and history. The museum also allows history to come to life with its Dynatheater. The system features the world's first 2D/3D digital 4K dual projection system, two new projectors, new digital surround sound, and a new five-story white screen.

For any gifts or souvenirs, visitors can visit the Naturworks Discovery Store. The store is open during museum hours. The museum also offers a range of education programs from youth and family, to science at home.

Where is it:

The museum is a 3 1/2-hour drive west of Clovis. It is one hour southwest of Santa Fe. The address is 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque 87104.

Hours and admission:

For ages 13-59 it is $8, 60-plus is $7, 13-17 is $7, 3-12 is $5, and children 2 and under get in free. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Relaxed Nights:

For any visitors who might get overwhelmed by crowds, or maybe just prefer smaller groups, Relaxed Nights at the museum is a perfect fit. These evenings are sensory friendly for guests of all ages. Special features are offered in the museum on the second Tuesday of March, June, September, and December from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are limited in order to keep the event small and relaxed.

For more information:

The museum website is at: nmnaturalhistory.org

You can call them at 505-841-2800, or email: [email protected]