Tinkertown Museum
About This Museum
People don't just stumble upon Tinkertown; they make the winding drive up the Sandia Mountains specifically to see one man's wildly imaginative, decades-long passion project. You walk in and are immediately surrounded by an entire miniature Old West town, complete with a bustling circus and a detailed frontier village, all painstakingly carved by hand. The walls themselves are made of over 50,000 glass bottles, and every nook is filled with quirky antiques and oddities that make you feel like you're inside a giant folk-art treasure chest. It’s less a formal museum and more a delightful, overwhelming peek into a brilliantly creative mind.
Collection Highlights
The star attractions are Ross Ward's intricate animated dioramas, like the detailed western town with its tiny, moving townsfolk. Don't miss the sprawling carnival scene or the fascinating collection of vintage toys and memorabilia tucked into every available space.
Visitor Information
It's perched on the scenic Turquoise Trail just outside Albuquerque, so it makes for a perfect quirky stop on a mountain drive. Just be sure to check their hours online first, as they can be seasonal.
Architecture & Building
The building is a fantastical, rambling structure built from concrete and over 50,000 glass bottles, giving it a whimsical, handmade feel that perfectly matches the folk art inside.
Contact & Location
Address: Tinkertown Museum, 121, Sandia Crest Road, Sandia Park, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, 87047, United States
Phone: +1 505-281-5233
Website: Visit Website
