{"id":15978,"date":"2026-08-31T14:41:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hakesbrothers.com\/blog\/?p=15978"},"modified":"2026-08-31T14:41:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:41:41","slug":"a-locals-guide-to-old-town-albuquerque","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hakesbrothers.com\/blog\/a-locals-guide-to-old-town-albuquerque\/","title":{"rendered":"A Local’s Guide to Old Town Albuquerque"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every good guide to Old Town Albuquerque<\/a> starts where the city itself started. Founded in 1706 by Spanish settlers along the banks of the Rio Grande, Old Town is Albuquerque’s original neighborhood. And more than 300 years later, it’s still the cultural heart of the city. Narrow adobe streets, a historic plaza, and more than 150 independently owned shops, galleries, restaurants, and museums make this walkable district an easy way to spend a morning, an afternoon, or a full day. Here’s a local’s rundown of how to see it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Start at the Plaza<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every visit to Old Town begins the same way: at the Plaza. This shaded central square has anchored the neighborhood since its founding, and it’s still where locals gather for weekend art shows, live music, and the occasional impromptu car show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the north side of the Plaza sits San Felipe de Neri Church, Albuquerque’s oldest church. The original adobe structure collapsed after a particularly rainy summer in 1792, and the church was rebuilt the following year with walls five feet thick. It’s still an active parish today, and its whitewashed twin towers are one of the most recognizable sights in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo credit: Albuquerque Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Must-See Museums<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Old Town has a surprising mix of museums packed into just a few walkable blocks. A few worth building time for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n