New Mexico History Museum

Friday evenings between 5 and 7pm are free at the New Mexico History Museum as well as the New Mexico Museum of Art just around the corner on West Palace Avenue. These two state-run gems are part of the Museum of New Mexico along with the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art, both on Museum Hill. The history museum's permanent exhibition, "Telling New Mexico, Stories from Then and Now," is a timeline of the state's rich history starting with the indigenous peoples through the present. They also host temporary exhibitions and special programs, some free, throughout the year. While there, stop off at their gift shop which features a well-curated selection of made in New Mexico-made items, books about the area and Native American hand-crafted pottery, jewelry and kachinas. Sundays are always free for New Mexico residents as are Wednesdays for NM seniors.