Old Town Albuquerque Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Old Town Albuquerque. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Evening Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque

• Guided High Noon History, Legends & Lore Tour of Old Town

• ABQ Trolley Co. | Best of ABQ City Tour

• Daily Guided Bicycle Nature Tour of Albuquerque

• Albuquerque Desert Shadows Rising Ghost Tour

Visiting Old Town Albuquerque is totally free, as it’s the town’s historic district. You can wander and explore at no charge, though you’ll probably want to opt for experiences to get more out of your time here. Ghost tours start at around US$25, trolley tours start at around US$35, and history tours start at around US$40.

Yes, Old Town Albuquerque is worth visiting. Not only will you get to explore the historic district's narrow streets and century-old adobe houses (the district dates back to 1706), but you can pop into authentic New Mexican eateries and cool, local-run shops and galleries—there are some 150 attractions, from restaurants to museums, in all.

Per one customer who booked the Guided High Noon History, Legends & Lore Tour of Old Town, "This was an excellent informative tour of the Old Town of Albuquerque. There is so much history packed into the Old Town area that we were not aware of. The tour was also very fun with anecdotes along the way. Our tour guide, Emily, was very knowledgeable and made the tour very enjoyable."

The picturesque Old Town—founded in the early 18th century— is Albuquerque’s central cultural hub. Unsurprisingly, given its Old Town designation, it’s also the first neighborhood settled in Albuquerque. Today, the lively area is home to museums, boutiques, art galleries, and much more, including the ABQ BioPark Aquarium.

That depends. You could easily spend a few days hitting up museums like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, or the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. You’ll also find numerous tours, including ghost tours or Breaking Bad-themed circuits.

The Portal Market, located on the east side of the Old Town Plaza, is a great spot to pick up local handicrafts purchased directly from the artisans who made them, particularly Southwest-style jewelry. Turquoise is a quintessential New Mexico memento; earrings, pendants, and rings can be found here.

Yes, the Old Town is an excellent escape from the rest of Albuquerque’s car-crazy streets. The historic district is lauded as one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods. However, if your feet tire, you can get your sightseeing fix with the ABQ Trolley Co, which offers a 100-minute narrated ride.

The Old Town was founded by Spanish settlers in 1706, and the area boasts ten blocks of Pueblo-style Spanish adobe buildings. Many former homes have now been converted into shops, galleries, and cafés or restaurants. Other buildings date from later periods—typically, the Victorian age between 1870 and around 1900.

Yes, the Old Town is a great place to find traditional New Mexican dishes. Make sure you can stand the heat, as chili peppers are a common ingredient. Visitors can also find other mostly American cuisines here, from steaks and a family-operated pizzeria to sandwiches and breakfast foods.

Yes. In fact, this is one of the most peaceful and atmospheric places to stay in Albuquerque. Options vary considerably, so do your research. The Bottger Mansion of Old Town Bed and Breakfast—a colorful 1910 home—is one stand-out. You’ll also find more traditional hotels and short-term vacation rentals in converted adobes.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Old Town Albuquerque. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Albuquerque:

• Turquoise Museum

• New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

• Sandia Peak Tramway

• Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe

• Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Albuquerque.