New Mexico is filled with stunning views and tasty food but did you know it’s also home to some pretty wacky places as well? Whether you’re looking for evidence of aliens, strange-looking homes, or strange collections, you’re sure to some weird sights all around. Today, we’re going to check out one museum near Albuquerque that manages to balance strange and charming for a unique experience. Let’s take a look!

This is Tinkertown Museum, a fascinating little place located in Sandia Park on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. It can be difficult to pin down what this museum is like but think of it as a conglomerate of folk art, a love of the Old West, and faint qualities of New Mexico’s Earthships.
Jim Legans Jr/Flickr
Your journey will begin here, at the entrance of the museum, which opens on March 23, 2018, after being closed for the winter.
Jennifer C/TripAdvisor
The museum primarily houses handmade dioramas sitting behind glass windows; each item was intricately carved and delicately placed into a handmade setting.
Jennifer C/TripAdvisor
These dioramas depict scenes from the Old West, jam-packed with little details, tons of figures, and hand-painted settings. We especially love that all the details force you to inch as close as possible to each display, absorbing you into the scene and awakening the imaginative side of your brain.
Francis Storr/Flickr

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The dioramas displayed here were actually created as a hobby by Ross Ward in 1962, who spent 40 years painstakingly creating each one. According to the museum’s website, the dioramas were part of a traveling exhibit before eventually finding a permanent home here.
Francis Storr/Flickr
As for the museum’s building, it is situated in a 22-room building that rambles with winding hallways. Some of the walls are constructed of concrete and glass with windows made from wagon wheels plus other odds and ends strewn throughout.
Pam Falcioni/Flickr
Betsy Weber/Flickr
And don’t forget to stop by the museum’s gift shop before leaving! Keeping with the theme of the museum, you’ll find a wide assortment of whimsical items to stimulate your imagination and remind you of your trip to Tinkertown.
Jim Legans Jr/Flickr

Tinkertown Museum is located at 121 Sandia Crest Road in Sandia Park, about 30 minutes from Albuquerque via the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. The museum is open daily from March 23 to November 1. You can find details about admission, hours, and more by visiting their website or Facebook page.

Looking for more oddities to visit in New Mexico? Read about some of our favorite places in These 9 Weird Places In New Mexico Are As Strange As It Gets.

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