The KiMo Theatre is Albuquerque's most distinctive building, a 1927 movie palace in a style that could only exist in New Mexico: Pueblo Deco, blending Art Deco geometry with Native American and Pueblo Revival imagery. The facade is a riot of terracotta tiles, Pueblo geometric patterns, and decorative bison skulls. Inside, the auditorium ceiling is painted with Native American motifs, and the walls incorporate traditional design elements throughout.
Restored by the city and reopened in 1999, the KiMo now operates as a performing arts venue for theatre, film screenings, and concerts. Even if you're not attending a performance, the exterior on Central Avenue is worth a stop — it's the most vivid expression of New Mexico's attempt to create an architectural identity distinct from the rest of the country. Free building tours are sometimes available.