Old Town Albuquerque - Albuquerque, United States
What is It - The long history of the city of Albuquerque and its role as a cultural and commercial center for the Southwestern United States is embodied in the Old Town district. Popular with both tourists and locals, the Old Town area has several long blocks of relaxing shops with an architectural look, feel, and personal touch rarely found in glamorous malls and chic boutiques around the world. The presence of many museums, restaurants and parks nearby adds to the relaxing ambiance of the district and makes it an excellent destination for an afternoon or full day of activities.
While settlements of various kinds existed in the region back to the 1500s, the Old Town was founded in 1706 by a group of Spanish families who petitioned the governor in Mexico for the right to name a town after a distant Duke in Europe. The city was located around a central square known as the Old Town Plaza which exists today and contains a raised gazebo, benches and shade trees. Public events held there such as concerts by mariachi bands offer visitors a break from shopping or an evening of relaxation. Close to the park is the majestic San Felipe de Neri Church erected in 1793 which features traditional adobe walls and a pleasant garden.
The streets surrounding the plaza including Romero and San Felipe are full of more than 100 specialty shops with a wide variety of goods reflecting the Spanish, Native American and Western traditions of the area. If you are interested in fine arts featuring these cultural overtones, there are numerous merchants and collectors offering a wide selection of photos, ceramics, arts and crafts, paintings, and sculptures. Jewelry is another focus of the shopping district. If you are interested in necklaces, bracelets or rings made of gold, silver, or precious gems such as the popular turquoise, or simpler handcrafted pottery and accoutrements, there are plenty of options to choose from. The selection of clothing and other apparel is also distinctive with a focus on belts, scarves, jackets, and purses featuring southwestern and Native American designs. Souvenirs reflecting the Spanish traditions and colonial weaponry can also be found.
There are three notable characteristics of shopping in Old Town Albuquerque. First, many of the shops appear to be run and staffed by owners who are quite knowledgeable as to their wares and strive to find a good fit for their customers. Second, there is plenty to do in the area surrounding Old Town for the entire family including restaurants, cafes, and period entertainment. Two popular restaurants which are touristy but still enjoyable are La Placita Dining Rooms and La Hacienda restaurant. Close by are several interesting museums worth checking out including ones focused on Natural History, Rattlesnakes, the Art and History of the Rio Grande Valley, and Turquoise mining. Third, while tourists make up a significant number of the shoppers and finding bargains requires some persistence, there is a casual and generally relaxing feeling to Old Town that makes it a pleasant stop particularly if you are traveling with your own party.
Interesting Facts - There are numerous events held in Albuquerque each year ranging from an international balloon festival to ghost tours and holiday events. Check out the schedule of events for the City and for the Old Town area to enhance your experience there.
When to Go - The temperature in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico can vary dramatically because of the desert terrain and high altitude. Summertime can be sweltering down in the valley of Old Town, so spring and fall remain the best times to visit. Winter days in Albuquerque can be pleasant for walking around if you wear layers, but temperatures can drop below freezing during any month from November to March
How to Get Here - Albuquerque airport is a major destination with direct flights from 20 locations around the United States. It is served by most major carriers. If driving in the southwest, then the city is best reached on Interstate 40 if heading east from Arizona or on Interstate 25 if heading south from Colorado. Albuquerque is a six-and-a-half-hour drive from Phoenix, a six-and-a-half-hour drive from Denver, and an 8-hour drive from Oklahoma City.
Where to Stay - There are numerous international brand hotels located in Albuquerque including several nice Hilton properties. If you want to stay in and around the Old Town, then two reasonably priced and decent quality properties are Hotel Chaco and Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town.
Cost - There is no cost to shop at Old Town but parking in the area is $1 per 30 minutes. Admission fees to the museums mentioned above range from $5 to $10 per adult although a package can be purchased for visiting multiple attractions.