Stops Along The Turquoise Trail

Tinkertown Museum

It took Ross Ward over 40 years to carve, collect, and lovingly construct what is now Tinkertown Museum. His miniature wood-carved figures were first part of a traveling exhibit, driven to county fairs and carnivals in the 1960s and '70s. Today over 50,000 glass bottles form rambling walls that surround a 22-room museum. Wagon wheels, old fashioned store fronts, and wacky western memorabilia make Tinkertown's exterior as much as a museum as the wonders within.
Inside, the magic of animation takes over. The inhabitants of a raucous little western town animate to hilarious life. Under the big top, diminutive circus performers challenge tigers and defy gravity while the Fat Lady fans herself and a polar bear teeters and totters.

Throughout, eccentric collections of Americana (wedding cake couples, antique tools, bullet pencils and much, much more) fill Tinkertown's winding hallways. Otto the one-man-band and Esmerelda, the Fortune Teller, need only a quarter to play a tune or predict your future. Through a doorway and across a ramp waits a big-sized surprise: a 35' antique wooden sailboat that braved a 10 year voyage around the world.

Ever a work in progress, Tinkertown is ready to inspire your imagination and awaken your creative spirit. We look forward to seeing you soon! Open daily 9-6, April to November 1st. Last ticket sold at 5:30 pm.

Tags: Sandia Park, Gift Shops, Museums, Educational, For Kids, Shopping

Photos of Tinkertown Museum

You might also like to visit

Shugarman’s Little Chocolate Shop - Organic ingredients and exotic flavors leave you begging for more at this hidden chocolate oasis. Open Wednesday to Sunday 11 am - 5 pm.

Jezebel Soda Fountain - Experience the original soda fountain from the 1920's. Jezebel's decadent romance with food parlor.

Jezebel Gallery - Tour Jezebel's Studio & Gallery on the Boardwalk. Organic forms as Modern Art, Craft and Furnishings.

Crystal Dragon - Offering handmade onsite Gold, Silver and Gemstone Jewelry, Indian Jewelry, Pottery, Crystals, Photography since 1983.

Sacramento Mountain Weavers - We are a local NM based working weaving studio/gallery, with that touch of a boutique feel, where everything is handmade by us or other New Mexico artists.

Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site - "Living with the Land" Free tours, lectures, workshops, demos. Interpretive Center.

Cerrillos Community Church - A Bible based Christian Fellowship. Bible Study, Worship Times on the Internet.

Sandia Peak Tramway - Ride the Tramway - 2.7 miles rising to 10,378 feet with an 11,000 square mile panoramic view.

Ghost Town Trading Post & Lodging - Ghost Town Trading Post, Talavera,jewelery,pottery,clothing. GhostTown Lodging and Ghost Town Loft - 2 beautiful self catering apartments with Sat TV,wi fi. In town & very private

Sandia Peak Summer Chairlift - Enter Cibola National Forest and take a scenic chairlift ride gliding over the lush forest below. The more adventurous can take their own mountain bikes (or rent one) up the chairlift and ride down over 15 miles of trails. Enjoy specialties at the outdoor grill. Weekends & holidays, Open Memorial Day thru Labor Day.