Albuquerque Old Town

Old Town, once the central hub of the city, still remains a cultural hub of the Southwest. Founded in 1706, then centered around family, church and the agricultural community. Old Albuquerque was annexed by the city of Albuquerque in 1949. Homes are still scattered through the shops and galleries that make up the Old Town of today. The adobe territorial style buildings and the San Felipe Church on the Plaza are reminders of the past. Old Town has many small plazas and narrow walkways that hearken back to a slower way of life.

Old Town is roughly situated east of Rio Grande Boulevard, west of 19th Street, north of Central and south of Mountain Road. Old Town has a central plaza, much like a Mexican village, surrounded on all sides by what were once houses but are now businesses.

Old Town is a major shopping destination for tourists, but it draws locals as well. There's good reason. The small, locally owned shops have an old time feel to them that stems partly from their old architecture, but also from the wares, which have local roots. When shopping Old Town, expect to see Native American jewelry and pottery, beadwork, arts and crafts, and art alongside the moccasins and cowboy hats found at several General Stores. Visit the Christmas Shop for electric luminarias, or find unusual gifts at Casita de Kaleidoscopes. Old Town has a lot to offer.

Art galleries abound in Old Town. Visit nationally known Weems Gallery or one of the many galleries devoted to Native American arts, such as Nizhoni Gallery.

Restaurants abound in Old Town, from the simple sandwiches at Romero Street Grill to the more elegant La Crepe Michel. New Mexican restaurants are a staple, such as Church Street Cafe and La Hacienda. Coffee and ice cream go hand in hand, and can be found at shops such as Crave. Find out what restaurants are located in Old Town, with a description of each.

Since Old Town is rich with history, there are historic tours that detail its past. During the summer and fall, trolley tours give a detailed drive through the area. Since there are a number of resident ghosts, ghost tours are common, and a lot of fun.

Old Town's older homes are small and modest, though some newer infill houses are more upscale. Average prices are in the $200,000 to $300,000 range. Residents are a mix of professionals, singles, and families. There are a few apartments in the Old Town area.

Post Office: 303 Romero NW
Zip Code: 87104
Schools: San Felipe Elementary School