Located near downtown Albuquerque along the Rio Grande River, Albuquerque Biological Park or ABQ BioPark is New Mexico's top tourist destination that welcomes over 1.5 million visitors annually and one of the country's most spectacular environmental education centers. Originally containing only the Rio Grande Zoo, the environmental museum which is now a four-part complex also houses Tingley Beach, a botanic garden, and an aquarium.
In contrast to the rather expansive botanic gardens and zoo, the ABQ BioPark Aquarium is a fairly modest affair. Opened in 1996, the aquarium has displayed a kaleidoscope of varicolored fish native to various ecosystems discovered throughout the United States. It mostly focuses on the Rio Grande's aquatic life and the ocean it flows into. Visitors of the aquarium are introduced to the river by the array of small aquarium tanks which showcases the Rio Grande's fish upon entering the area. Close by, a small movie theater portrays a brief documentary on the life of the Rio Grande River. Outside the movie theater, An open-top, shallow tank is roamed by huge stingrays.
Down the hall, a sequence of tanks exhibits an assortment of aquatic invertebrates and fish. Among them are seahorses, cuttlefish, jellyfish, clownfish, and nautilus. A touch tank that features bamboo sharks and rays is located in a mini side chamber. The aquarium's famous Shark Reef Café provides an unforgettable dining experience with its spectacular views of the 285,000-gallon shark/ocean tank which consists of various marine life and shark species including black-tip reef sharks, zebra sharks, and sand tiger sharks.
Outside, the ABQ BioPark Aquarium opens up towards the stunningly charming botanic gardens. Amidst the several themed gardens are greenhouses, pools, a butterfly pavilion, a New Mexican homestead farm topped with domestic animals, and a fantasy garden with a giant dragon statue and maze for children. The exceptional BUGarium is the gardens' crown jewel that flaunts one of the coolest assemblages and one of the country's most elaborate exhibits of insects and their family and relations.
It also includes an enormous variation of tarantulas, a neat nocturnal gallery, a fascinating desert bug series that is set within an artificial rock face in the surrounding landscapes, and a beehive. The Botanic Garden has expanded to more than 30 acres of exhibits and displays plants from around the world.
Formerly identified as the Rio Grande Zoo, ABQ BioPark Zoo offers visitors a close encounter with more than 250 native and exotic animals across the globe. From elephants and lions to koalas and kangaroos, the Albuquerque Zoo provides a naturally magnificent experience thanks to its educational exhibits. Guests can learn more about the conservation of wildlife while viewing animals in their naturalistic habitats.
Some of the most famous species in the zoo are sea lions, seals, polar bears, hippos, giraffes, Mexican wolves, camels, rhinos, zebras, jaguars, and cougars. Sections of the 64-acre Albuquerque Biological Park Zoo include an Australia/Oceana exhibit area, an Africa exhibit area, a herpetology area, Lemurs and Night watch, Tropical Trail, Penguin Chill, and The Cat Walk.
Tingley Beach, located next to the Rio Grande Bosque is consists of fishing ponds that are free of charge and open to the public. A New Mexico fishing license is required for all anglers. Tingley Beach also offers model boating opportunities, wildlife watching, and paths for walking and running. Visitors can relax, boat, and explore on a first-come, first-serve basis with no required timed-entry tickets or reservations. Tingley Beach features a children's pond, central pond, catch and release pond, boating at the beach, watching the waterfowl, Tingley Train Station, grilling station, and Tingley Beach Cafe.
Albuquerque Biological Park features annual events such as Harvest Festival, Summer Concerts, River of Lights, and Boo at the Zoo. ABQ BioPark also offers various classes and day camps throughout the year. To make your next event special and memorable, guests can also rent the Zoo, Aquarium, or Botanic Garden for ceremonies or weddings, birthday parties, or corporate events.