One thing that’s always struck me about New Mexico is its abundance of museums that are small, very specific, or just plain quirky. These spots often fly under the radar, but visiting them can be even more entertaining than heading to one of our state’s nationally renowned institutions. Here are 11 intriguing New Mexico museums that you didn’t know existed:

1. Sacramento Mountains Museum (Cloudcroft)

This pioneer village features a barbershop, caboose, blacksmith shop, and a lovely little chapel. The well-preserved buildings are filled with artifacts and the scenic setting makes this a joy to explore. For more info.

2. War Eagles Air Museum (Santa Teresa)

This museum, housed in a hangar, features 49 military vehicles from around the world and 36 different historic aircraft – many of them still capable of flying. There are also displays about women in aviation and a collection of old gas pumps. For more info.

3. B-Square Ranch, Farmington

Highlights of this museum include – but are not limited to – a Cadillac once owned by Elvis Presley, cans of creamed road kill possum, a pony express carriage, and a stuffed, man-eating crocodile. Seriously, these collections are fascinating. The Fish and Wildlife Museum alone contains more than 2500 specimens. The museum is free but you need to make an appointment to tour it. For more info.

4. Unser Racing Museum (Albuquerque)

Even if you don’t follow the sport of racing, this museum will get you up to speed. The Unser family has been synonymous with racing over multiple generations, and highlights of this museum include vintage racecars and classic cars. For more info.

5. Chiricahua Desert Museum (Rodeo)

Hiding in the tiny town of Rodeo is this living desert museum that boasts live reptiles, from tortoises and gila monsters to 34 species of rattlesnakes. There is a botanic garden, a large art collection, and also Native American artifacts. For more info.

6. The A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center (Zuni)

This petite museum is devoted to Zuni history and culture. Learn about the excavation of Hawikku, a Zuni pueblo from roughly 1400 A.D. and view Zuni items from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. For more info.

7. Mesalands Community College’s Dinosaur Museum, Tucumcari

At 10,000 square feet, the museum is a good size, and it needs to be to house all its replicated and original fossils from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. This place is family-friendly, interactive, and you can watch researchers at work in the lab. For more info.

8. New Mexico National Guard Museum, Santa Fe

Although this museum is obviously about the National Guard, it contains sobering but important information about the Bataan Death March as well. Many of the soldiers who endured the March, or who lost their lives during it, came from New Mexico. For more info.

9. Gadsden Museum (Mesilla)

If you like to learn about history with a personalized touch, then this private museum should appeal. There are a few truly unique items here, like the doors to Billy the Kid’s jail cell. You do need to schedule a tour by calling in advance. For more info.

10. Belen Harvey House Museum (Belen)

The railway establishments known as Harvey Houses were the first chain restaurants in the nation (they were hotels too). The museum provides information about the Fred Harvey Company – and Harvey Girls – along with railroad history. The unique part is that the exhibits are inside one of only a few remaining actual Harvey Houses. For more info.

11. Lewis Antique Auto and Toy Museum (Moriarty)

This vast, private car collection spans many decades. Inside, you’ll find vehicles polished to perfection, while outside hundreds more lie in various states of repair. Auto buffs need to visit this unique museum, which is located at 905 Highway 66, Moriarty.

Had you heard of these places? What's your favorite little-known museum in New Mexico?

You may also enjoy our past article: "Here Are 8 Museums In New Mexico That Are Just Too Weird For Words."