City: Albuquerque, NM

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (505) 242-6569

Address: 202 San Felipe NW

Description: In the back rooms behind a shop front in Old Town, you’ll find 34 different varieties of rattlesnake in what is said to be the largest collection of different species of live rattlesnakes in the world. The museum also educates visitors with plenty of myth-busting facts and tidbits about rattlesnakes, reminding us of their value in the ecosystem and their influence in Native American culture and the arts. Besides rattlesnakes, you can see other snakes and creatures such as vipers, pythons, scorpions, salamander, tortoise, poisonous Mexican beaded lizard, and tropical spiders. You’re in quite close quarters with the critters behind glass, so you see them up close and personal. There is often the opportunity to touch a nonvenomous snake. A collection of snakey memorabilia includes rattler-inspired auto license plates, beers, and other products; an exhibit of clippings showing reptiles in the news; and a 1910 snake-skull opium casket. On the way out you’ll receive a certificate of bravery. The gift store up front sells T-shirts, jewelry, pottery, and shed rattlesnake fangs and skin. Open seven days.