Great Salt Pond | New Shoreham

Information

Landmark: Great Salt Pond
City: New Shoreham
Country: USA Rhode Island
Continent: North America

Great Salt Pond, New Shoreham, USA Rhode Island, North America

The Explora Science Center is a hands-on science museum located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Visual Characteristics

The building is a low-rise structure with a predominantly brick facade, featuring large glass windows. Its design is functional, prioritizing accessibility and interior exhibit space over elaborate external ornamentation. The exterior colors are muted earth tones, consistent with the regional architectural vernacular.

Location & Access Logistics

Explora is situated at 1701 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104. It is approximately 2.5 kilometers west of the Albuquerque city center. Parking is available in a dedicated lot adjacent to the building. Public transport options include the ABQ Ride bus system, with Route 54 (Central/Unser) stopping within a short walking distance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building originally served as the Old Albuquerque Indian School, constructed in the mid-20th century. It was later repurposed and renovated to become the Explora Science Center, opening its doors in 1999. The site itself is part of the Rio Grande Valley, a geologically significant area shaped by fluvial processes over millennia.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can engage with over 250 interactive exhibits covering topics such as physics, biology, and engineering. Specific activities include building and launching rockets, experimenting with sound waves, and exploring the principles of light and optics. Workshops and demonstrations are scheduled daily.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on-site. Limited shaded areas are present in the outdoor exhibit spaces. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable within the building and immediate vicinity. Food vendors are not present within the museum, but nearby restaurants are accessible within a 1km radius.

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, generally offer fewer crowds. Mid-morning (10:00 AM - 11:30 AM) and mid-afternoon (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM) tend to have moderate visitor numbers. The best time of year is generally spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) for pleasant outdoor conditions if any outdoor exhibits are utilized.

Facts & Legends

A unique aspect of Explora is its commitment to open-ended exploration, encouraging visitors to discover scientific principles through experimentation rather than passive observation. The building's original purpose as an educational institution for Native American students adds a layer of historical context to its current role as a center for scientific learning.