ABQ BioPark

The ABQ BioPark is comprised of these great attractions: The Zoo, the Aquarium, the Botanic Gardens and Tingley Beach, with its fishing lakes and cute Train Depot. The narrow gauge Rio Line conveniently takes passengers to all these stops. The Thunderbird Express train loops around the Zoo, with the conductor giving tours and answering questions. Albuquerque's 64 acre Zoo dates back to 1927. Some favorite exhibits are the Cat Walk, Gorillas, Sea Lion pool, Reptile House and Polar Bears, where you can watch them swim under water. Enjoy taking part in the daily feeding times, the World Animals Encounter Show and in the summer, the Zoo Concert series at the beautiful Amphitheatre, with its fish-filled lake surrounding it and expansive lawn among the cottonwoods available for relaxing and picnicking. Across the Rio grande, the Aquarium and Botanical Gardens were added in 1996 to the ABQ BioPark family. The nearby Tingley Beach, originally a social swimming spot in the 30's, was closed in the 1950's, renovated and reopened in 2005. Here you'll find a chilren's fishing lake, paddleboats, a cafe and gift shop and even a lake to race model sailboats. The Aquarium boasts a 285,000 gallon ocean tank filled with shark, sea turtles and other saltwater species. The Shark Reef Cafe offers lunch time fare with a great view of the sea life floating by. On the same property is the Botanic Gardens, with walking paths leading to different gardens and the 10,000 square foot glass conservatory housing plants of the Southwest in one wing and Meditterean varieties in the other. Kids will enjoy the Butterfly Pavilion and the Children's Fantasy Garden, where they'll find gigantic vegetables, pots and watering cans, castles and other structures to play in. Near Christmas time, the River of Lights show is worth doing with the family. It would be hard to see all that ABQ BioPark has to offer in one day.