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!

Tags: Sandia Park, Gift Shops, Museums, Art & Theater, For Kids, Shopping

Photos of Tinkertown Museum

You might also like to visit

Indigo Gallery - Featuring works by Jill Shwaiko and other nationally known painters, sculptors & jewelers in Madrid.

Mad Antiquer Studios, LLC & Studio 808 - Step back in time; antiques, vintage, pottery, Christmas, soap, vintage toys, vinyl records, snacks and soap refill stations. Studio 808 is a recording studio, Jeremy Jones (510) 952-6268

Java Junction Coffee & Kitchenware - Locally roasted coffee and illy espresso drinks, burritos, quiche, cutting boards and kitchen accessories, 30+ years in business

Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site - Museum, self-guided interpretive trail, site tours, native garden, lectures, workshops, classroom visits, and presentations to community groups and schools.

Santa Fe County Open Space, Trails and Parks - Santa Fe County Open Space, Trails & Parks manages and conserves a vibrant network of cultural, historical, recreational and community resources and provides access to public lands for unique outdoor experiencs

The Mine Shaft Tavern and Cantina - Madrid's Historic Tavern with a deck overlooking town serving lunch & dinner with a full bar. Winner of the Santa Fe Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown! Live Music Thursday through Sunday & 12 local brews on Tap!

Calliope - A Fine Art & Fine Craft Gallery showcasing 25 New Mexican artists. All handmade in America.

Origami in the Garden - Private sculpture garden of artists Jennifer and Kevin Box. Artworks rotate annually on this outdoor walking trail. Open seasonally.

Turquoise Trail Studio Tour - Artists from Santa Fe, Cerrillos, Madrid and Cedar Crest will have their studio and gallery doors open for your visit the last two weekends of September.