Route 66Trip Guide

See it on the map

University of New Mexico Art Museum in Albuquerque, NM
Photo: Wikimedia Commons — see author and license on the file page.

University of New Mexico Art Museum

DirectionsOpenStreetMap

The UNM Art Museum, on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque, NM, looks after nearly 30,000 objects, the biggest collection of fine art anywhere in the state. It dates from 1963 and is free to visit. It sits right by Central Avenue, the old Route 66, so it makes an easy cultural stop between the motels and diners of Albuquerque's stretch of the road.

What is University of New Mexico Art Museum?

This is the university's own art museum, also called the University Art Museum. Its permanent collection runs to nearly 30,000 objects, which makes it the largest fine art holding in New Mexico.

Because it is a campus museum, the setting is calm and unhurried. For road trippers, the appeal is simple: a large, serious art collection that costs nothing to see, a few steps from the old highway. After long stretches of open desert, an hour in quiet galleries makes a welcome change of pace.

History of University of New Mexico Art Museum

The museum was founded in 1963 as a part of UNM, and it has been part of campus life for more than six decades. Over that time its collection has grown to the size that now puts it ahead of any other fine art collection in the state. It is known by several names, including the University Art Museum and the UNM Art Museum, so all three may turn up on signs and maps.

Visiting University of New Mexico Art Museum: tips

Entry is free, and the building is wheelchair accessible. Allow an hour, or longer if a special show catches your eye. The museum sits right by the old road, and two other campus stops are within a few minutes' walk: the University of New Mexico Arboretum is about 0.2 miles away and the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology about 0.3 miles. The Lobo Theater is about 0.5 miles off. Together they make a good half day on campus.

Practical info

Address
203 Cornell Drive Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Phone
+1 505-277-4001
Website
artmuseum.unm.edu
Hours
Tue–Sat 10–4
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near University of New Mexico Art Museum

All diners on Route 66 →
  • Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque, NM
    Diner & restaurant

    Frontier Restaurant

    Albuquerque, NM · 0.2 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

    A big New Mexican restaurant near UNM on Central Avenue, hung with portraits of John Wayne.

  • El Modelo in Albuquerque, NM
    Diner & restaurant

    El Modelo

    Albuquerque, NM · 2.0 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

    A Barelas restaurant in Albuquerque that began in 1929 as the El Modelo Tortilla Factory.

  • Diner & restaurant

    Mac's La Sierra

    Albuquerque, NM · 4.9 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

    A New Mexican restaurant on Albuquerque's West Central Avenue, the city's Route 66, dating from 1952.

On the map

Full map

University of New Mexico Art Museum with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

Tap a dot to see that stop here.

Stops near University of New Mexico Art Museum

All of New Mexico
Pig & Calf Lunch in Albuquerque, NM

Pig & Calf Lunch

Albuquerque, New Mexico · on Route 66

A mid-1930s Moderne lunch stand in Albuquerque, listed on the National Register in 1994.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

0.2 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

University of New Mexico Arboretum in Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Arboretum

Albuquerque, New Mexico · 0.2 mi from Route 66

The whole UNM campus doubles as an accredited arboretum, with some 235 kinds of trees and shrubs.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

0.2 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

Maxwell Museum of Anthropology in Albuquerque, NM

Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

Albuquerque, New Mexico · 0.2 mi from Route 66

Albuquerque's first public museum, an anthropology collection on the UNM campus near Central Avenue.

MuseumPhoto credit

0.3 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, NM

Lobo Theater

Albuquerque, New Mexico · on Route 66

A 1938 movie house on Central Avenue named for UNM's Lobos, back in business as an event venue.

Route 66 sitePhoto credit

0.5 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

Modern Auto Court in Albuquerque, NM

Modern Auto Court

Albuquerque, New Mexico · on Route 66

A 1937 tourist court on Central Avenue, now the Nob Hill Motel, and a rare pre-war survivor in New Mexico.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

1.0 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

Huning Highlands Conoco Service Station in Albuquerque, NM

Huning Highlands Conoco Service Station

Albuquerque, New Mexico · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A 1937 cottage-style Conoco station of white glazed brick, now home to an Albuquerque preservation group.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

1.2 mi from University of New Mexico Art Museum

Questions about University of New Mexico Art Museum

Is the UNM Art Museum free?

Yes, it is free to visit.

How big is the collection?

The permanent collection holds nearly 30,000 objects, more fine art than any other collection in New Mexico.

Where is the UNM Art Museum?

On the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque, right by Central Avenue, the old Route 66.

Own or run University of New Mexico Art Museum? Send us a photo or a correction.

See it on the map