Plan Your Visit

There are lots of ways to explore the New Mexico History Museum! Leisurely discover stories and treasures on your own as you wander through the museum or take a docent guided tour. Our docents help bring the history of New Mexico alive with interesting facts and stories.

Docent Tours for the General Public

Docent guided tours for the public are offered free with admission upon availability of guides. These tours last for about an hour and provide a general overview of the museum and our current exhibitions. Please call 505-476-5200 to confirm that a volunteer docent is scheduled for the day of your visit.

Private Group Tours

If you would like to schedule a private docent-guided tour for your group, please fill out this form at least one month prior to the date of your visit.

• Docent tours are 1 hour long.
• If your group is larger than 15 people, we will divide it into smaller groups providing as many docents as possible. Ideally, docents prefer groups of 10-15 people.
• Once a docent has signed up to give your tour, you will be introduced via e-mail.

Payment Information

• If there are more than 10 people in your group the cost is $8 per person, otherwise it is $12 per person. Note: If your group is from New Mexico, the fee is always $7 for NM residents.
• Please plan to pay when you arrive. To receive the discount, you need to pay with one card.
• Our docents are volunteers and do not accept payment or tips. If you are so inclined, you can support the museum by contributing to our cash donation box in the lobby.

Student Field Trips

The museum welcomes student groups of all ages free of charge with advanced notice. This includes public, private, home-schools; preschools through universities, youth clubs, camps, and similar organizations.

Historic Downtown Walking Tours

Explore 400 years of history, culture, and architecture in the nation's oldest capital city. From ancient Pueblos to the birth of the atomic age, museum-trained docents bring to life the true stories, colorful characters, and unique places that make Santa Fe "The City Different."

The Historic Downtown Walking Tours is a program of Friends of History, a volunteer support group for the New Mexico History Museum.

For more information and to purchase tickets for this two hour tour, visit the Friends of History website: Friends of History Walking Tours.

The New Mexico History Museum invites visitors of all abilities to experience New Mexico history and culture in an inclusive, welcoming environment.

Entrance and Galleries

The accessible entrance to the museum is at 113 Lincoln Ave. All levels of the museum are accessible by elevator.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available on all three floors of the New Mexico History Museum and in the courtyard of the Palace of the Governors.

Wheelchair Availability

Manual wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the admissions desk. (Secured with an ID)

Service Animals

The New Mexico History Museum welcomes service animals.

Services Available Upon Request

Please contact the museum in advance of your visit to discuss any other needed accommodations.

For more information, please visit our Accessibility page. 

To ensure protection of the museum collection and the safety of all visitors, the museum asks that you adhere to the following policies.

Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the New Mexico History Museum campus, in the museum lobby spaces, classrooms, or in the courtyard of the Palace of the Governors.

Photography is permitted inside exhibitions unless otherwise stated. No flash is allowed in exhibitions, as items on display may be light sensitive. In changing exhibitions, artifacts or artwork may be on loan to the museum with agreements that do not allow for photographs to be taken.

For information about permits for commercial photography and film, contact the museum at (505) 476-5200.

Food and Drink

The history museum does not have food concessions or eating areas. However, a number of restaurants are located in the surrounding area.

Food and beverages are prohibited in all gallery spaces. Water bottles are permitted throughout the museum.

Subject to conditions outlined in our rental agreements, provisions can be made for service of food and beverages at private gatherings in a limited number of areas within the museum.

Coats and Bags

We offer unsecured coat closets and cubbies. Lockers are available on the Washington side of the museum for .25 cents.