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Since the founding of Albuquerque in 1706, Historic Old Town has been the heart of Albuquerque. Today it serves as the doorway to New Mexico arts and culture with lots to see and do. Within the meandering streets and alleyways, visitors will find over 300 galleries, shops and restaurants as well as seven museums.

The area’s first neighborhood was settled near the Rio Grande in 1706. The town was organized in similar fashion to that of a traditional Spanish community with a large church anchoring the town plaza. Homes and shops sprung up around the plaza as the area continued to grow. Heavy rains in the summer of 1792 collapsed the church but a year later the San Felipe de Neri church was complete. Built to stand the test of time, the church is still open today, its five foot thick walls and white towers make it one of Albuquerque’s oldest and most popular landmarks.

Pueblo-Spanish style architecture remains the most common style seen in Old Town for many years. These flat roof structures with stuccoed walls, rounded edges and giant beams know as vigas, remained the dominating style until the late 1800s when the arrival of the railroad ushered in a new architectural style. Soon, Victorian style buildings and homes began popping up, often featuring tall vaulted roofs and wooden exteriors.

Those interested in learning more about the history of the area, or just history in general, will enjoy exploring the many museums in the Old Town area. Showcasing New Mexico’s cultural heritage, the recently renovated Albuquerque Museum of Art & History is located just off the town’s plaza. The Museum features both extensive collections and traveling exhibitions and is one of only 10 museums in the entire state accredited by the American Association of Museums.

Located just across the street and difficult to miss due to its massive planetarium dome, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science features is an innovative and hands-on museum exploring geology, botany, computer science and of course dinosaurs. Not to be out done, the Lodestar Astronomy Center boasts a world-class planetarium theater with the largest viewing screen in the state.

As the country’s only Congressionally charted museum of nuclear science and history, the National Atomic Museum was established in 1969 as a resource for residents and visitors to learn about the story of the Atomic Age from begin to now!  The museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and is a place where visitors can learn and experience how nuclear science continues to shape our world through permanent and changing exhibits and displays.

You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy all the interesting and exciting art, interactive science and technology exhibits at Explora. Exhibits are intended to engage visitors off all ages with hands-on activities and exhibits ranging from arts and crafts to a robotics lab.

View rare and spectacular Turquoise from around the world at the Turquoise Museum. There, visitors can experience the depths of a turquoise mine, discover the stone’s mystery and rich history as well as learn about the many different types of mines.

Think you have what it takes to stand in a room full of live rattlesnakes? Find out at the American International Rattlesnake Museum! Located in the center of Old Town, the museum features the largest collection of live rattlesnakes in the world. The museum is a great learning experience for those not familiar with the snake but who are interested in learning about the many myths associated with rattlesnakes or looking to cure your fear of snakes. Explore one of the most misunderstood corners of the animal kingdom.

If you are looking to shop for some unique New Mexico art, there are over 100 boutiques, galleries and shops offering everything from fun souvenirs and original southwest jewelry to clothing and world-class art.

All that shopping and museum exploring is bound to work up an appetite and there is no shortage of places to enjoy traditional New Mexican food in Old Town. Try a large plate of chicken or cheese enchiladas smothered in melted cheese and red or green chile sauce, or dive into a stuffed sopaipilla filled with chicken or ground beef and chile. Of course you can always get a traditional hamburger, salad, sandwich or steak at one of the contemporary restaurants in the area.

There are also many full-service hotels and unique bed and breakfasts in the Old Town area, most within a short distance of the attractions.

Old Town is also close to the many attractions of the Albuquerque Biological Park which features the Botanic Garden, the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Zoo and Tingley Beach.

Things to see and do in Albuquerque
Sandia Peak Tramway / Albuquerque Biological Park / Old Town Albuquerque / Indian Pueblo Cultural Center / Balloon Museum

Other Albuquerque links
History / Hotels / Maps / Contact the Albuquerque CVB