If you’re looking for things to do in Albuquerque that work for both adults and kids, ABQ BioPark is one of the city’s biggest and most well-rounded attractions. Made up of the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, and nearby Tingley Beach, this expansive complex is designed to connect visitors with nature while supporting meaningful conservation work in New Mexico and beyond. It’s also AZA-accredited and American Humane Certified, which was a big reason it landed on our must-visit list- we’re pretty selective when it comes to zoos and animal-focused attractions.
We spent a full day exploring the Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden, and quickly realized this isn’t just a quick stop- it’s a true family activity in Albuquerque that can easily fill your schedule. From endangered animals and immersive habitats to themed gardens, hands-on kids’ areas, and seasonal displays, there’s a lot packed into one visit.
In this post, we’re sharing our honest ABQ BioPark zoo review, along with an overview of what there is to see, what surprised us, and what we’d do differently next time.
First Things First: Planning Your Visit to the ABQ BioPark
Before you’re watching penguins waddle, sharks glide overhead, or wandering through lush garden paths, it helps to know the basics. The ABQ BioPark (short for Albuquerque Biological Park) is made up of the Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, and Tingley Beach, and it’s one of those places that’s easy to love- but even easier to enjoy when you go in with a plan.
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
Hours & Entry Info
- Address
- Zoo: 903 10th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Botanic Garden/Aquarium: 2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
- Website: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark
- Daily hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Last entry: 30 minutes before closing for each park
- Winter hours: Closed Mondays between Veterans Day and Presidents’ Day
- Tickets: Online tickets are encouraged (and honestly, way easier)
Ticket Prices
You can visit parks individually or grab a combo ticket if you want more bang for your buck.
Single Park Ticket (Zoo OR Aquarium/Botanic Garden):
- Adult NM resident: $10
- Adult non-resident: $19.50
- Kids (3–12) NM resident: $5
- Kids (3–12) non-resident: $11
- Kids 2 & under: Free
Combo Ticket (Zoo AND Aquarium/Botanic Garden):
- Adult resident: $16
- Adult non-resident: $27
- Senior resident: $9
- Senior non-resident: $17
- Youth resident: $7
- Youth non-resident: $13
Discounts available for:
- Military
- SNAP EBT
- Reciprocal museum memberships
Accessibility & Sensory-Friendly Visiting
The ABQ BioPark is thoughtfully designed with accessibility in mind, making it a welcoming experience for guests with mobility needs or sensory sensitivities. Shuttle services can accommodate wheelchairs, and manual wheelchairs are available at both the zoo and the aquarium/botanic garden areas, along with electronic scooter rentals.
The BioPark is also a Certified Autism Center™, meaning staff are trained in best practices for assisting autistic and sensory-sensitive guests. Low-sensory events are hosted throughout the year, and guests can call ahead to arrange a low-sensory entrance. Sensory guides for each park are also available online, which is especially helpful for families planning ahead.
Food, Shops & Helpful Amenities
The ABQ BioPark is set up well for families and longer visits, with plenty of amenities scattered throughout the parks. Stroller rentals are available if you don’t want to lug your own, and there are wheelchair rentals and electronic scooter rentals for guests who need them. You’ll also find two gift shops on-site, one near the zoo entrance and another near the aquarium exit, both stocked with souvenirs, toys, and nature-themed goodies that are hard to say no to.
When it comes to food, there are several convenient spots to grab a meal or snack without leaving the park. Inside the Zoo, you’ll find Matunda Café and Cottonwood Café, which offer casual, family-friendly meals, along with Cones, an ice cream stand that’s especially tempting on warm Albuquerque afternoons. Over in the Botanic Garden, Wildflower Café is a quieter stop and a nice place to take a break mid-walk. The Aquarium is home to Shark Reef Café, a solid option if you need to refuel before or after exploring the exhibits.
What to See at ABQ BioPark
ABQ BioPark isn’t just a zoo- it’s a full-day (or multi-day) experience made up of several distinct attractions. Between the Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, and kid-friendly play areas, there’s a lot more here than most people expect.
ABQ BioPark Zoo
The 64-acre zoo is the heart of the BioPark and home to hundreds of animals from around the world, including several endangered species.
You’ll find:
- Birds, including endangered species like the Socorro dove, which is extinct in the wild
- Big cats such as tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, leopards, and more
- Primates, including chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, and others
- Large mammals like Asian elephants, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, polar bears, and Australian mammals
- Reptiles and amphibians including alligators, snakes, frogs, lizards, and turtles
One of the more unique features is the endangered species carousel, with hand-carved animals from around the world instead of the usual horses.
Throughout the day, the zoo also offers daily demonstrations, keeper chats, guided tours, storytimes, and other educational programs, making it easy to learn more without feeling overwhelmed.
ABQ BioPark Aquarium
The Aquarium is compact but surprisingly dense, with exhibits that move from local ecosystems to oceans around the world.
Highlights include:
- Fish, sea turtles, birds, river otters, sharks, and stingrays
- Major exhibits like Atlantic Coral Reef, Pacific Coral Reef, Shark Tank, Jellies: Aliens from the Sea, Inside the Wreck, Gulf Coast Gallery, South Pacific Gallery, and more
- Regional exhibits such as Rio Grande at Central Bridge, Salt Marsh, Shallows & Shores, and River Otters
One of the coolest things to catch here is watching the scuba divers during daily feeding and cleaning times- it adds an unexpected layer of energy to the visit.
Just outside the Aquarium, Tadpole Springs Spray Pad offers two separate zones scaled for different ages, with one area designed specifically for toddlers and another for older kids.
ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
If you need a slower pace after the zoo and aquarium, the 32-acre Botanic Garden is the perfect reset.
The gardens feature:
- Plants from the American Southwest alongside species from around the world
- Seasonal blooms, meaning every visit looks a little different depending on the time of year
Standout exhibits include:
- BUGarium (one of the most elaborate bug and arthropod exhibits in the country)
- Old World Walled Gardens
- Mediterranean and Desert Conservatories
- Sasebo Japanese Garden
- Heritage Farm
- Children’s Fantasy Garden
- Pollinator Pavilion
- Railroad Garden
- Dragonfly Sanctuary Pond
- Curandera Garden
- Camino de Colores
- Cottonwood Gallery
The Botanic Garden also hosts live demonstrations and activities, including knitters, quilters, rug hookers, and woodcarvers at the Heritage Farm, along with storytimes in the garden, which are especially great for younger visitors.
Our Review & Experience at ABQ BioPark
We purchased a combo ticket so we could see all three parts of ABQ BioPark- the Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden. Just know going in that you’ll need to drive between the Zoo and the Aquarium/Botanic Garden. There is a shuttle, but it wasn’t running the day we visited, so plan accordingly.
The Zoo itself is on the smaller side, but it’s AZA-accredited, which really matters to us. We’re pretty picky about zoos and try to only visit accredited ones, and the exhibits here felt well-designed and thoughtfully done. While you won’t spend all day at the zoo alone, it’s a solid experience with quality habitats.
The Botanic Garden ended up being one of our favorite parts of the visit. The themed gardens were especially impressive, and the Old World Walled Gardens genuinely felt transportive- like stepping into a completely different place. The BUGarium was also really neat, though part of it was under construction during our visit.
The Aquarium was enjoyable, but very small. It’s compact enough that it almost feels like it could be part of the zoo itself. That said, we don’t know the full history of why it’s paired with the Botanic Garden instead, so it may make more sense behind the scenes.
One thing we liked was that the Botanic Garden includes the Heritage Farm, complete with animals, so no matter which section you visit, you’re likely to see animals somewhere along the way.
The children’s area in the Botanic Garden was especially magical. It truly felt like you were shrunk down into another world, completely separate from the rest of the park. You could easily lose track of time here, especially with kids. The Railroad Garden was another highlight and reminded us of the one we saw at Gabis Arboretum in Indiana.
We ate at Cottonwood Café, and while the prices were definitely “attraction pricing,” the food was genuinely good, which made it easier to justify.
We visited in October, and everything was decorated for fall and Halloween. The gardens had seasonal displays throughout, and some animal enclosures were decorated with pumpkins, which added a really fun, festive touch.
Overall, we’d absolutely recommend doing all parts of ABQ BioPark. That said, tackling everything in one day with little kids might feel like too much. For adults, or older kids, it’s a great experience, just be prepared for a lot of walking.
