Albuquerque Old Town Reviews

A miserable plaza that would make any Latino in an Andean province rain with sadness
a few vintage houses on not even a block, gangrene by trade

If I knew, I wouldn't have come

The raspberry tarts at the old town cafe are so yummy and just being able to walk around and visit the unique shops and sit in the park and relax a while worked so well for myself with back issues and my hubby with knee problems. With bit enjoyed it

Although we've been Albuquerque locals for over a year now, we keep coming back to Old Town for all the reasons mentioned in this review title. Lots of options for tourists and locals alike and the place never loses its charm.

Definately a tourist trap but worth visiting. Jewelry stores, art, food sidewalk vendors and amazing architecture and buildings. Some just for the tourist but very neat to see anyway.

The shops that were open were nice. Seemed to be a lot of empty shops. Enjoyed walking around the square.

This was a little gem near Old Town Albuquerque. For a very reasonable price, we got a clean, quiet, comfortable room near old town. I hadn't been to Old Town Albq. in many years and wanted to show my husband as we returned home to California. The staff were very pleasant and helpful, and the breakfast area super clean and nicely stocked with multiple choices for a simple, but adequate meal. As a bonus, there was a gas station next door, so we could gas up and grab a bag of ice when we left to go home.

I've always loved old town. unfortunatley a lot of stores have closed down due to covid. The stores that are open are still amazing!

When the sun goes down, the sidewalks are rolled up. 6:30, Saturday night, and it's dark and empty. Seriously, been to graveyards more lively. Not a soul or sound, but couldn't find parking regardless. We had one night in ABQ, wasted.

Great for shopping for souvenirs, blankets and sightseeing. I loved the traditional buildings and the square.

Lots of shops, plenty to munch on, plenty to see!! We all found something we liked as far as souvenirs, each got some kind of a tasty treat, and got lots of walking and family time in.

We stayed on the edge of Old Town. While my wife had suffered an accident that kept her close to the room, I found the sights and restaurants very beautiful. One night there was a singing group in the plaza, another night there were old cars surrounding the plaza. Restaurants featuring New Mexican cuisine are easy to find.

I walked around the entirety of this historical district, starting with the controversial statue of Juan De Onate, around the Church of San Felipe de Neri and taking in several small shops. The district has been faithfully preserved in its Spanish colonial style.

Loved shopping in Old Town . . .so much to do ! The plaza was a great place to take a break and watch the shows

While looking for the Albuquerque Museum, found this place. It's ok, a few stores with locally made souvenirs. Was not my favorite spot, maybe the time/day was not the best (weekday).

Such a cute area. Everyone we encountered was extremely nice. Shops were cute , bars were fun and wine tasting was delicious

Old Town Albuquerque is easygoing and unpretentious. The plaza is relaxing, and there are several quaint passageways between some of the buildings. Many of the shops are on the touristy side, but there are still some cool finds. There is easy and cheap parking on Central Ave and Romero St.

The old plaza is rich in shops, places and great views for photography. You can see several location closed (possibly the COVID hit hard this place) but the plaza is vibrant and definitely nice to stroll. Several shops are worth a visit and the merchandise is various.
Museums,and other activities are located really close.

What a quant and beautiful old town. You could easily spend a couple days checking everything out. We spent a fun morning exploring the many stores and alleys. Be sure to check out the San Felipe de Neri church and La Placita restaurant that was the original governor's palace. The hostess Kelly gave us an amazing little tour and history of the first governor and his family long before it ever became part of the US!

It is not every day that you meet a nationally acclaimed artist but that is exactly what happened the early days of June. I stepped into David Behrens Gallery and there behind the counter was the artist himself. We had a very interesting conversation and my impression of David is that he is a person of great Spirituality and Faith. We both agreed that God the Almighty Father knows everything and is Master of all and that we know very little, almost nothing in comparison. I was honored to meet David and he personally autographed a card to me and the way he signed it spoke volumes. I now appreciate his Native American artistry with the utmost esteem as I purchased one of his works which was a painting of 4 of the greatest Indian leaders of the 19th Century against a background of Mt Rushmore, it just makes you think about the past...

Is this where Lil Nas X got the song "Old Town Road" from? Lol. No but seriously, walking around the plaza was probably the highlight of my overall visit to ABQ... cute shops, laid back. There wasn't much activity at the time, because pandemic, but an enjoyable afternoon stroll nonetheless.

Lots of Shops to buy souvenirs. They had a Breaking Bad museum. I found out the series was filmed in Albuquerque.

Nice walking around and seeing the old buildings. Many different kinds of shops and great food at Church St. Cafe

I visited here 4 years ago. Then again yesterday, March 7. Sad to see the ridiculous restrictions on NM which will cause many places to close forever. Sad ;(

If you are in Albuquerque make sure you allow time to spend at least half a day (a full day or more is better) in the Old Town section. The stores, restaurants and people make it time well spent.

We spent a few hours around the plaza before and after our trolly tour (recommended taking it). Beautiful area, clean and so vibrant in color. The beautiful church sits along side of the park as well. The Gazebo hold entertainment, at least on Saturday when we were there. Loved walking around and looking at all the stores and crafts. Make sure to see the hand painted tree stump on the corner by the church.

We were there at Christmas so many places were closed but there were a couple places open and we bought some beautiful items. The building were beautiful and we walked around and enjoyed our time there!

Lovely views, lots of culture and history to boast. Why does everything have to shutdown at 5:00 PM? Pretty let down considering how great it should be to unwind around the plaza, maybe have a drink and shop around. Instead, we got a ghost town.

Great shops to walk through & restaurants. Nearly all dog friendly! What a fun day & my 5yr golden doodle had the best day!

Old Town is a great place to visit to get a sense of what Albuquerque has to offer. You'll get the touristy shops and restaurants, but you'll also get to to see the local flavor and a lot of history. The church alone is worth going for. I recommend checking out the more out of the way gift shops for better selections. There is a small walking path with a fountain and courtyard with a few shops that are really cool to visit.

Tourist trap of shops selling all the same stuff (overpriced touristy items) PLUS a parking ticket SCAM!! Paid for parking, placed ticket on the dashboard and returned to a citation for “paid parking stub not properly displayed on dashboard”. We have an out of state license … search on the internet and you’ll find that they do this all the time to out of state plates.

It was nice to see businesses reopening after the pandemic, but it was obvious to see closures, too. Clean, walkable area during day and evening.
Best of luck to the businesses.

Sadly did not find Old town til an hour or so before they were closing and were leaving the next day to go back home. It is a cute little area to walk around if you're looking for some souvenir shops with ABQ apparel and trinkets. It reminded me of the Santa Fe Plaza for anyone who has been there before. Nice little park in the middle if you like to sit outside and eat lunch or just rest in between walking from store to store.

There is a nice plaza here with many tourist shops around the square. When we were there many things were closed. The plaza is great and there are signs attesting to its history but the area is just less vibrant now and appears to have seen better days. We spent about 30 minutes here visiting and walking about the plaza.

Yes, it's a little kitchy but I make my way to Old Town everytime I visit Albuquerque.

It's a fun to wander truly historic sights, beautiful classic adobe buildings and shops. They have a number of small eateries, most with courtyard seating.

If you're looking for gifts, this is the place - packaged New Mexican foods, fine jewelry and art, tourist wares like t-shirts.

The location is between Downtown and the zoo and aquarium. It is adjacent to the Albuquerque Museum and Natural History Museum.

Highly recommend you at least go once.

We loved walking around Old Town. Lots of fun shops and restaurants. Not crowded at all on a weekday afternoon. Parking is somewhat limited but we found a lot for $5.

Great place to visit with so many restaurants and shops to shop at. There are so many shops. You can find something you want.

This was a fun area to walk around in. There are tons of tourist shops and after a while, if you’ve seen a few, you are good. The square had a small wedding going on, then the New Mexico Gunfighters put on a free show and finally, live music by a great band in the gazebo all afternoon. There seems to be a drought of good restaurants that are actually open. Many appear to have remained shuttered because of COVID. Overall, vibrant and fun afternoon.

Start early, shops close at 5 and 6 o'clock. Reasonable prices compared to Sante Fe and Taos. Best prices in NM are buying direct from natives that set up stands.

So much fun walking through old town. So many yummy restaurants to choose from. Lots of shops. People friendly.

Was a joy to be back in old town Albuquerque had been a couple years and was glad that it was still lookin good ! Unfortunately we arrived a bit late and most stores we hurried through were getting ready to close but still glad we came. Restaurants in the area all closed early as well it seems. Next time will come earlier in the day : o )

We were staying overnight after a trip to northern New Mexico. The area was recommended to us. We were less than impressed. Many of the shops were closed which may have been secondary to Covid. Beyond that excuse, many were in poor repair and looked to have been closed for a long time. Streets and side walks were in poor repair. Quality of shops was quite limited overall. So many seemed to be struggling with poor quality and dated merchandise often made elsewhere, like China. I know that there are many native New Mexicans who make wonderfully crafted art who might like an opportunity to sell their works.
This is a place that if maintained and cultivated could be a draw for visitors, I think the city fathers just need to give it some encouragement, incentives, love and financial assistance.

We stopped here to walk around the shops, see the rattlesnake museum, and have some ice cream. After seeing reviews about safety, we came here during the day - paid parking lot available right off of the square. There were people driving through, revving their engines and others playing music, but I never felt unsafe in the afternoon.

So many things to see, so many shops to browse! You can definitely spend an afternoon here! The War Path silver shop has some amazing silver and turquoise!!

We purchased some unique gifts for ourselves and family. In addition, we found the staff in all of the shops to be very friendly and helpful.

It's good for a day of walking around. If your a fan of breaking bad you can check out there store. There's alot of the same old tourist souvenir stuff, but there's also some nice local stuff.

If you have the time, please do explore Albuquerque's Old Town. It's a nice area to walk around, window-shop, have some good coffee, and enjoy the people and cool vibes. A lot of the stores have interesting, locally-made products (like jewelry and pottery). It's not an upscale or fancy environment, but you can get those in NYC or San Francisco. Albuquerque's a lot more laidback.

A cute little area with lovely little shops. I would recommend taking one of the available tours, which give you some great historical information and great recommendations on other things to do!

I've been to Santa Fe old town plaza and now Albuquerque old Town. I think I like Albuquerque Old town a lot better due to it having a more quaint and quieter feel than Santa Fe, along with really friendly local people. We attended Sunday morning mass at the plaza's Catholic church (St Felipe De Neri). What a beautiful church, and the greeters were wonderful! So great to have a local flavor and meet new people. We found parking on the street near the plaza (free for 2 hours) and walked the shops. Got a beer at Downshift Tap room (sit upstairs and people watch) and ate lunch at the High Noon Saloon (very yummy). We wanted to take the trolley tour but it wasn't operating. It is fun to walk the plaza and learn the area's history. The only negative is they have many restaurants not operating, so you may have to wait at the ones that are open. Nice park (Tiguex park) near Old Town where we brought a picnic lunch on another day.

We loved walking around the square and checking out the shops. There was a great soap and lotion shop that had amazing products.

I loved Old Town! So fun so unique! There were buskers of many variety and all were amazing. The shops were so fun to stroll through. The car show and Halloween decor in the square were fabulous! LOVED the vibe!

Was somewhat disappointed after all the hype. Walked around for perhaps an hour and visited many of the shops and the old church. The park in the middle (with a gazebo), would have been more pleasant without the couple of bums.

Shops are interesting, but uber touristy - we found MUCH better pricing at a local market for local spices and seasonings.

Nice area to walk around. Some interesting shops. Breaking Bad Shop a must for fans. Also saw some entertainment in the centrally located gazebo.

Historic Old Town Albuquerque is back!

The beautiful historic church, the court yard, the shops, and restaurants. I parked on a public lot on the edge of town and walked into the center green. There were so many stores to choose from. Many stores do seem to close by 5 pm on a weekday. The restaurants may stay open later. It's just a wonderful place to wander around. I felt very safe being a lone female shopper. The historic buildings are amazing.

Maybe it was due to Covid, but this area lacked any energy. Several of the shops and restaurants were actually closed. It was somewhat disappointing.

It's worth walking around - especially if you go beyond the shops and see the wonderful sculptures outside the art museum and the local park.

Love the vibe and the selection of shops. The architecture is pretty cool and there are a lot of restaurant choices that are actually good.

Old Town never changes. It is quaint, serene and slow paced. A comfortable view of our beautiful town.

Extremely disturbing experience.

We visited Old Town today, April 14. While my husband was sitting with our toddler on his lap near the candy shop across from the church, a woman approached him and said he should be shot in the head—for having a toddler on his lap. This was said loudly and aggressively, right in front of our 5- and 12-year-old children.

My kids were visibly upset and scared. We were shocked there was no security presence anywhere. Old Town used to feel like a safe, family-friendly space—but after this, we left shaken and heartbroken.

Would not recommend for anyone.

Such a wonderful historic place to explore, lots of shops and arts & crafts, food drink. The plaza has live music on the weekend. Really cool jive!

Visiting the old town area of Albuquerque is the highlight of this city for me. There were lots of shops and restaurants and it was fun to just wander this area of the city.

If you don't do much on your visit, please take some time to stroll around the Old City -- ANY time of day -- morning, afternoon or evening, are ALL good times of day. We did all 3! And if you're lucky to catch free live music at the Plaza, that's even better! To learn more about what you're looking at, there are TOUR companies. We did 2 kinds.

Don’t come here looking for charm or interesting history, especially if you have already been to the Plaza in Santa Fe, which is a far superior experience.

The only thing historical about the old town is the fact that some of the buildings are old. There is a church and a small park/plaza which was mostly devoid of life when I visited. There is a pair of replica howitzers in the square that are representative of the artillery used by the Confederacy when it attacked Albuquerque in 1862. Otherwise, I couldn’t find much worth mentioning and I was ready to leave in about ten minutes.

Everything else feels like a tourist trap. Lots of businesses selling cheap junk, T-shirts, and other kitschy nonsense. It has all the charm of a strip mall and you should not waste your valuable time here when there are other, much better sights, stores, restaurants, and experiences in Albuquerque.

The only redeeming thing about Old Town is its proximity to the Albuquerque Museum, which was actually quite a nice experience and I would recommend visiting if you want to learn about local history, while also seeing some notable artwork.

For one hour and 45 minutes we had a great time, going to the usual tourist shops. Most shopkeepers were friendly and welcoming. Our only problem was that we parked on the east side of the town square. We came back to our car before the two hour time limit only to find we had received a ticket. Apparently there is a rule that you can not be parked more than 18 inches from the curb. We were approximately 23 inches from the curb. So 5 inches got us a $30 fine. We changed our mind about eating at a local restaurant. I feel we were targeted for a fine because of our out of state plates. It’s a slap in the face to be a tourist spending $$ only to get a ridiculous fine.

This is the architecture you come to know about New Mexico. It was beautiful and charming. Every building had a unique design. And the church is amazing. But a lot of places weren't even open on a Tuesday. So it was pretty dead, which is great for keeping distance, but not if you want to see it all. Many stores are your typical gimmicky, nic-nak joints. Kind of a turn-off. But still nice to roam around and enjoy the culture.

seems to be plenty of parking. jEasy to walk around,
Nice shops and good prices on souvenirs.
I liked it better than Nob Hill.

Tons of great shops and a few restaurants too. If you are looking for a souvenir, this is a great place to check out. Things closed earlier than I would personally prefer, but great place to check out.

Thanks to the fact that the railroad came to town 1.5 miles east of colonial Albuquerque allows us the unique opportunity to see architecturally and culturally what the Old Town looked and felt like. Between the Rio Grande and downtown, you have around 16 blocks of historic adobe style buildings with the center being the Spanish square where the town began. In addition to numerous shops, restaurants and galleries, this quarter has the beautiful San Felipe Church and a grand statue to the Duke, the founder and namesake of the city. Here you have some great trees in the square and along the roads that have seen the community for decades if not centuries. It is a truly unique glimpse into a colonial Spanish city and something you have to see when you come to Albuquerque.

Lots of restaurants and shops. Some have quite nice local art.

Good food.

Nice square.

Great old church.

Bundles of history.

Easy parking and walking.

Great way to spend a day.

Beautiful little town. Old town Albuquerque has many shops to buy souvenirs. We walked and bought until we were all bought out. So much fun! The places weren’t very crowded, so you could take your time looking around which made it a pleasure shopping. This is a great town for souvenirs. The church in the square was beautiful. Of course, you have to go through their gift shop to get in it. Nice town!

This is a great space very similar to Santa Fe. Had a nice time walking through all the shops and restaurants, town square, etc. Good place to spend about half a day.

This for the Black Bird Coffe House not listed here. A little hole in the wall full of exotic flavors; one needs to be patient, very busy but worth the wait.

Every larger city in America has the equivalent of an Old town. Touristy, expensive and kitschy. Do some research. Locate the authentic Albuquerque. Old Town is pleasant, overpriced and not particularly representative of the real city. The restaurants for the most part are ridiculously overpriced, understaffed and the food is usually pretty unspectacular.

Old Town was really great to walk around. We got ice cream, wandered into shops! Got some jewelry. Would have loved to spend more time here.

Great area only draw back is the shops open mid day and seem to close fairly early in my opinion go!

I love my adopted state, but Old Town shopping has taken a step backwards. At the same time if you like old architecture the 300 year old church and most of the buildings are interesting

We make a point of going here whenever we're in town. There are great shops with local items, interesting restaurants and friendly people!

I expected more. It is a space absolutely taken over by commerce, with the sale of products, some local and others from abroad. The architecture and indigenous craftsmanship are beautiful. There is a breaking bad museum that apparently generates interest (not to me at least). I was there for 2 hours and I left since the type of experience was really only commercial.

Lots of shops. Too many to see in one day but prices seemed high. We would like to go back again to see more shops in Old Town.

The town square itself is very pretty. A lot of the shops sell similar or the same items. A lot of handicraft items, pottery and mats/rugs etc. Be sure to shop around. The shop next door may have the same item for half the price! We had a lovely lunch at Church Street cafe. The park has three gunfight shows during the day. The kids enjoyed this. The local traders sell their original goods as well, they can be pricey, negotiate.

We enjoyed looking around but most of the shops were not opening until after 10 even though they had 9 on their signs. But then it gave you some great photos without the traffic and people. Something you don't always get. The Church was open and that was a treat.

So much to see with shops, restaurants, history, music, art, etc. The Cathedral is beautiful and square is a great place to relax and watch the world go by.

Great varied shopping and dining. Old town provides a fun place to shop and/or dine. Great variety of food and shop types.

This place is so awesome. I love that the people will sit on the sidewalks and sell their handmade jewelry. Very beautiful jewelry as I may add and very inexpensive and well worth the money. I will definitely be going back too this place again.

Easy walking distance from airbnb, plenty of wine and ber bars with friendly service. Limited restaurant options, but Church Street offers very sweet agave margaritas, and monster size burritos.

We came here on two separate weekends during an intense heat wave. There was nothing open! Things picked up slightly on a Saturday morning, but for the most part, the place was shuttered. Sad to see it so closed down.

Went to Old Town while visiting Albuquerque and it was my favorite part of the trip. There are various restaurants and shops to visit and there was musicians playing in the park. This is a definite must see if in Albuquerque.

This New Mexico town has pleasant scenery, a colorful history and a wealth of great attractions. During our visit we met several Indians very helpful to take some pictures with them.

There are some nice stores with pleasant shop owners/workers. However, the Covid pandemic really hurt the area. Hopefully in time Old Town will improve. More historical attention should be given or it will just remain a shopping/eating place.

Have visited 3x. 1969.1987.2015. In 2015 I noticed the star of David in the church. Love historical sites...life was hard but far less complicated than now. Wish I had a time machine..maybe Amazon will sell one soon. Hopefully will be returning this winter to enjoy the serenity. Will also revisit Bandelier National Monument if accessible.

This was a compact Old Town area and unfortunately for us most of the shops closed around 5pm. Only one souvenir shop was still open and it was easy to spot as kids beat the drums out in front for awhile.

Even the church, San Felipe de Neri, was closed to visitors.

Any restaurants that were open hardly had any diners. Most of the action was in the plaza where a bunch of high school students were out taking their prom photos.

Some good historical information:

1. Historical Marker about the founding of Albuquerque in the plaza.
2. The statue of Don Francisco Cuervo Y Vades, the founder of Albuquerque, was located at the edge of downtown.

Street parking was free.

We finished our walk around within 15 minutes

Rather than a historic upkept and clearly valued area of town, this was just plain old. The buildings are falling apart and so are the roads or pathways. The whole place is very unfriendly to the handicapped. Was willing to pay for dinner at one of the overpriced restaurants but they wouldn't serve the tables that were clearly there outside for sitting. Most of it is the same supposedly "hand crafted" jewelry and knick knacks with a couple of actual unique stores. Overall mostly a waste of time.

This is primarily a shopping area with lots of local color. There’s also plenty of history sprinkled throughout. We visited in the early evening and had great conversations with shop keepers and enjoyed the vibe. As for safety, it felt quite normal to me. Lots of people walking around. If you never want to encounter working poor folks, go to Disney.

Love this part of town. Lots to see, art, good food, lots of shops. Nice to walk around and enjoy the ambiance. The church is beautiful too. Nice place to spend couple of hours.

When in the area, we always visit Old Town. We love the old buildings, plaza, church, browsing to see what Native American vendors are selling, like to visit certain shops, and to have lunch at Monica's or Duran Central Pharmacy (both have authentic regional food). There a few shops that sell 'tourist' junk, so you just have to ignore it and move on.

Enjoyed our time here and took the Ghost Tour in the evening. Plenty of shops and interesting things to see.

Really neat shops...HOWEVER...if you are driving an out of state vehicle, plan on getting a parking ticket. I got two of them, both times I went to Old Town. The first one the city waited to cash my check until the maximum amount was charged and then had my rental company charge me AGAIN....it was $200 for a $20 dollar ticket. The second day got a second ticket and this time they gave me a ticket and my parking meter wasn't even empty of time!!! I looked around the parking lot and ALL out of state license tags had parking tickets. Hummmm, think there's a scam going on here??? I will never visit New Mexico again.

This super cool shopping area has the best of Southwest art, jewelry, pottery and clothing. Quant little shops and restaurants are tucked into little courtyards with something for everyone.

An amazing treasure of history hidden inside of regular Albuquerque. Old Town is a fascinating labyrinth of tiny streets, alleys, cozy nooks,and surprises around every corner! The history there goes back over three hundred years with countless tales to be told. The shops are fun and beautiful with that special New Mexico flavor. And the food! Restaurants and saloons are tucked away with inviting fireplaces and art inside. While strolling, look for amazing, unique, colorful doorways that invite exploration beyond the threshold...

I had been to Albuquerque many times but never to the Old Town. We had a lot of fun walking around the area & really enjoyed taking the tour of the church next to the plaza. I would go again.

Needing a break from the long drive and wanting ice cream we found Old Town filled with wonderful artisan shops, eateries and galleries. We parked our RV curbside and the first place we found was Steve's ice cream........oh, so delicious milkshakes were enough to make this stop worthwhile. But we marched on and found a fabulous gallery called Romeo Street Gallery. The staff was very welcoming and filled with info. The artisans' displays were magnificent and it was easy to appreciate the high quality of the works of art. We were happy to make a purchase.
Back out to the square we found it an absolutely charming area enhanced by the beautiful church and its surroundings.

Spent the day wondering with my Sister, husband and brother in law. we had a great time wondering in and out of the shops. So many different shops to wonder around in. Gifts, food, culture.
You can also just spend the day people watching

With the church closed for covid, just walking the streets here is pretty uninteresting. I came years ago and this is my last time.

Several people said “You have to go to Old Town”, so we did. But we left with the “huh? What’s the draw?” feeling and wondering why the hype. The sidewalks were littered, the shops were mostly closed or appeared abandoned. No restaurants beckoning us into them.

Lots of shops and food places, but not a ton to do. It’s got a lot of history and character, of course, but it’s not somewhere I’d plan to spend an entire day at. I had coffee, did a fantastic history tour, bought a couple of souvenirs, and had some lunch. Great to see how much history is still there several hundred years later, but a museum wouldn’t hurt!

Pray, eat, shop and relax all within a few blocks. If you are looking for authentic Native American jewelry, buy directly from vendors outside establishments round the plaza.

This is quite a place to visit. We could not see the entire area in one afternoon and went back a second day. Just about every type of store you might want is there. We stopped for ice cream and spent time in several store and the Catholic Church. It’s worth the stop.

Lots of fun shops and restaurants! Also great history. Highly recommend the History and Ghost tour to learn about the area.

It’s a must-see while you’re in town. You’ll find a beautiful 300 year old church called San Felipe, the town square surrounded by plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and cafés, and it’s got a real old-world feel that you won’t find anywhere else.

We visited Albuquerque in October when many but not all things were closed for Covid. This downtown square was pretty, with free parking pretty easy to find not far off of it. We spent several hours strolling around, visiting nearby museums, and browsing in the various shops. We also enjoyed buying ice cream and enjoying it in a small courtyard just across from the main square. The Old Town is the heart of old Albuquerque and is definitely worth a visit.

We went on a walking food tour in Old Town, it was great. The area has such character. Definitely a must do. The tour guide was fun and informative. The food was great and had a lot of history.

Visit the old town for shopping. Mexican and native Indian themes here. Plus Breaking Bad museum and excellent Pueblo Cultural Centre nearby.

Old Town is beautiful. Nice place to walk and enjoy the atmosphere. You can feel the rich culture. Many shops offered the same items with comparable prices. There weren’t many restaurants open. There is a post office so that was helpful.

Stayed jyst across the road. It's lovely to wander around the Plaza and shoos. Loved the chilli peopers hanging up. Shops all different selling their wares. Great for memorabilia.

Old Town Cafe was a great lunch stop (recommend the green chile cheese burger and the Dole soft serve frozen concoction). Great spice store nearby, too! Lots of shopping but not what I was in to...I'd thought Old Town would be bigger.

Fabulous Old Town! It’s a plaza with interesting local shops, delicious New Mexican food and the Albuquerque Art Museum with its treasured shows. Love the place!

A very interesting trek through tourist shops high and low end. Lots of artist galleries and several restaurants. Placed around and old central town square and church. If you stop for a moment and really look, you can almost take yourself back a hundred years plus and see it as it was then. Lots of ongoing entertainment in the square during pime tourist time including singers, dancers, bands, etc.public bathrooms are located nearby.

Great place to visit when visiting Albuquerque. Should not miss visiting this place. The location has many shops and cafes that you visit. They also has some shops that sell traditional souvenirs. Overall worth visiting.

Albuquerque has a central area that is known as "Old Town". It is lined with cute little shops. Many are "touristy" in nature. Similar goods and art. However, amongst these little stores are a few gems - art galleries and specialty wine/ tea shops.

Of all the places we visited, one of the standouts was the Land of Enchantment Photo and Art Gallery. Here the shop owner was not trying to sell you his art or photography but give you a history lesson of the area through his creations. I really appreciated the mini-lesson about the town and photography for the area night sky.

Also noteworthy were the great little alleys filled with local artisans. If the town didn't close so early, we would have had more time to visit and enjoy!

Please know that much of this area close on weeknights EARLY. Some stores were closed at 4 pm.

Went on a weekend. It is easy walking around. Had quite a few shops and the shops were generally pretty diverse. Friendly shop owners. One place we went to you could haggle for an expensive item. Some shade.

at 6 pm the old town looks like a ghost town. besides that the main plaza looks nice mainly because the traditional mexican architectural.

We were lucky enough to be the only couple in this walking tour with Craig, and he tailored the tour to our liking. Lots of history, peppered with anecdotes and fun facts made for an enjoyable visit. But, PAY ATTENTION! There’s an exam at the end!

Absolutely beautiful and a lot of fun wondering around seeing all the shops and interesting things. We went every day while in Albuquerque. It’s quiet, peaceful and safe. We would love to go back again soon and just walk around.

I have been to Albuquerque seven years in a row and I never miss going to Old Town to eat, shop, and experience the vibrant art/artisan scene.

Great place to stroll and take in the history. The old Parrish church is fascinating.
Lots of shops and restaurants.

Great place to walk around and see the sights. A few "tourist traps" here and there, but there are quaint shops within the area.

We didn't see any of the performances like other reviews have mentioned, except for one man playing Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen on the flute beautifully.

Not sure it's somewhere I'd visit more than once in a visit to Albuquerque but it's great for a first timer.

Great shopping area. Not very touristy and had many nice stores. Especially like the local products. Will return for sure.

Very nice shopping area. Many southwest and unique finds. Lots of art work, pottery and jewelry. Easy walking and mostly clean.
We saw a couple getting married in the town square.

We visited on a Thursday from about noon until 3 PM. We took a guided walking tour which was very informative. The walk was relatively level (some dips in the brick sidewalks) and short (about half a mile) with plenty of shade. There were lots of folks in the plaza enjoying the live music. Parking was a bit of an issue; we finally (after driving through 2 other public lots) found a space in a public lot a little off the main path. Finding a parking space took us about 20 minutes. The parking fee was only $5.

We didn't know where to go specifically but knew we wanted to see the Old Town. We parked (which was hard to find a spot) and walked around the shops. Being the Balloon Fiesta was in full swing, it was pretty busy! Couldn't find a bar to go to for a margarita...disappointed and the restaurants were small and too busy so we left.

I wouldn't go out of my way to come here unless I knew there's a festival going on or something. At 5-6pm, all of the shops are closing, a few people lingering, but no lively feeling at all. The architecture outside of the church was uninteresting. I thought this was a bust

A ton of shops. Crafts, arts, lots of jewelry stores. We didn’t walk the whole area, but I’m sure there are restaurants throughout the area too. We paid for parking (3 hours for $3.00) but after walking around you can find lots of free parking (2 hour parking).

Nice place
But nothing really to see unless you like to see tourist traps or shops.
Visited this area for work purposes…..

Really lovely old town area. It was very hot when we visited but we still enjoyed it. Not much for kids to do but it's nice for a short while. We went to the candy shop that made candy for Breaking Bad.

I am from Albuquerque and I love Old Town. I go there often during the summer months to have lunch or to shop. The atmosphere is relaxed and it attracts a lot of tourists. There are several good restaurants and I would definitely refer people from out of town to visit.

A bunch of trinket shops. Some restaurants closed. A little underwhelming. Not much parking. Disappointing

It was great had my own private tour guide. Kristy was a wealth of knowledge. Learned facts on new Mexico history I did not know

The different shops are affordable and very inviting. Covid has taken its toll on this wonderful little shopping area. I hope that it comes back soon!!

Unfortunately this place is rundown and not very attractive. It is similar to the Santa Fe plaza but a much poorer cousin. Not worth visiting unless you are not going to Santa Fe.
The shops are uninteresting and very few good restaurants.

Could not believe souvenir prices. A cap with NM zia symbol...$20.00. The hiking store NM caps were $36.00. Every shop all souvenir prices wers unbelievably high, on everything. This made the Old Town trip a big waste of our time.

We heard this was a must and Old Town was well worth it. Very old architecture and the neighborhood is lined with gift shops, local artisan shops/galleries and quaint cafes! San Felipe church is also there. You can easily spend an entire morning or afternoon here. Perfect for photography! I can write for quite a while but I’ll let the pictures do the talking!

A few large "pay lots" are on the outside of the town square. $1/hr. Then you can walk everywhere within 4 block radios around the town square that offers everything from high end art to cheap souvenir shops with fun stuff. Restaurants, sweet shops, rattle snake museum. There was a nice band playing music in the town square where locals brought lawn chairs and listened in a nice park setting.

Gift shops have much of the same thing, jewelry, ceramic pots, t-shirts. Blankets.. Art galleries were interesting and there are several. A few coffee shops and candy stores open and maybe 1 restaurant. Nice to walk around but nothing stood out. Lots of closed or empty stores too.

My wife and I were last in Old Town in 2014 and we were glad to see on this return trip that it has retained it's charm and fun places to shop at. We had two productive shopping trips and enjoyed the friendly nature of the people.

Old Town is the cultural and historical heart of Albuquerque.
It is a charming square with trees and surrounded by small houses in which you can find souvenirs, trinkets, quite a few decorative things and many related to the famous Route 66. We go from one to the other and we let's try some purchases

Be sure to check out Old Town while in ABQ. There are a lot of cute little shops and the plaza is really nice as well. On a Sunday afternoon, it was very crowded. There was a live Hispanic band playing, which was lovely. I was told at the winery that there is often music in plaza, as well as other events, so be sure to check the website in advance if you are interested in that. Most of the shops close around 5:00, maybe some at 6:00 each day, so be sure to plan your day around that.

I’m giving this only 3 stars. We paid to park and I thought we would be there all afternoon. If you are not into shopping and/or eating, there is not a lot there to do. There is a small, historic church and other than being the original town site, there was very little else. I felt like most of the shops were not great quality (there were a few that were). If you are going to pay to park and see nice shops and history, go to Santa Fe.

Lots of shops and great walking around. It’s some what smaller then Santa Fe old towns, but great history and many places to stop for a snack or a full meal.

Spent parts of two days here. Had been here a couple years ago on our first visit to Albuquerque, and really enjoyed the tourist traps. Everything's overpriced, but fun.

A brilliant experience of authentic New Mexican culture. The many little shops were so great to visit with so much to look at and plenty of tempting things to buy. I wish I could have purchased a lot more, but we don't have room in our luggage.

A fun walk!

Fun, outdoor activities, go in the daytime for the best experience. Art galleries, shops, Native American historical places and it’s a must see

Enjoyable area to wander round. Some good shops to experience. Great wine bar and also ice cream shop. The church is beautiful with a lovely garden.

Absolutely amazing and beautiful, i love it, everything was beautiful, i was there 3 days, we are traveling and knowing different places. This is beautiful, I recommend

Not far from the hotel I was staying in, you could walk or the hotel had a shuttle bus to take you there. If you rang the hotel they would also pick you up and take you back to the hotel. Lovely place lots of craft and gift shops, also places to eat and drink. Nice way to spend a couple of hours

A friend recommended that we check out Old Town when we were in town. It is a cool place with plenty of shops, friendly people and a great atmosphere. Grab a bite, taste some wine, plenty to do. Most of the shops carry the same tourist type stuff but there were some good finds.

Nice place to walk around. The old church and museum are great - you are allowed in the church. Some cute shops. We ate at a pizza place they was good. Plenty of parking.

Old Town Albuquerque is a fun place to dine, shop and stroll. Lots of interesting shops, art boutiques and restaurants.

A quaint little plaza with a lot of shops. A number of them all were selling similar things but there were a few unique places, one that caught my eye, a photography place, Albuquerque Photographers Collective I believe. That place was the highlight of Old Town for me!

Second time visiting old own and it never disappoints! (Well I guess I was so sad to see the little chapel closed due to vandalism - so sad since I was excited to show my daughter!)
The Breaking Bad museum is great for fans of the show. I am not but my daughter is and it was worth the 5.00 entry fee.
I love all the little shops displaying local art!
Take the walking tour! It’s SO good! My husband I took it on our first visit and I was trying to tell my daughter all the cool things but I couldn’t remember and I could not do it justice. We were on a time crunch or I would have done it again! ;)

what a great little town! its filled with cute shops and restaurants, if youre looking for gifts, you will definitely find something here
there are some great authentic native american jewelry stores, cheesy touristy shops, decor and more

Nicer than expected. Many of the reviews say it is run-down and lots of abandoned shops. I did not experience that at all (Oct 2021), and found it to be lively and beautiful. Lots of great artisan shops (the tea and plant shops are amazing), but also touristy souvenir stuff too (which is fun in it's own way). The church on the plaza is lovely and adds to the historical vibe. Shop clerks were all friendly and no-pressure sales.

There’s tons of stores here. They all start looking the same at some point. But all the galleries were fantastic. The old church is very cool too. It’s basically like a cheaper, smaller-scale Santa Fe square. It’s totally worth a few hours of your time.

Stroll around the plaza and see history. Narrow streets, beautiful church and plaza. Lots of places to eat and shop. Close to museums and some nightlife.

This is a cool spot to stroll, shop, eat, chill, and enjoy the atmosphere. We needed an extra rest in our busy trip schedule, so we hit this spot a couple of days and it filled the bill. (Note: Our bio-clocks were still operating on east coast time, so it seemed forever til shops, etc. opened.) Take your time and savor the scenery and drink in the atmosphere.

Old Town was easy to get to and very pleasant to stroll in and along the center square. Loved the shops with a wide variety of unique gifts and souvenirs. My favorite shop was the Plant Store (next to the Breaking Bad store). The owner was a delight to chat with and was extremely knowledgeable about all things plant related. I bought a cactus that the best way to care for is neglect!

We of course did the tourist thing and came to Old Town to spend money! We loved seeing all the local art and talking to a few of the shop owners. We loved the Blackbird coffeehouse as well, the Roadrunner Latte was delicious! There’s so much to see (and buy!) Just make sure you pay for your parking before hand if you’re in the paid parking lot area.

Every time I'm in ABQ, I try to make my way down to Old Town. The place never ceases to amaze me. It's the kind of place that can take you back in time to see what things were like way back when. Old Town ABQ's Plaza is rich with history, culture, and entertainment. You can find everything you need during a visit, there is the Plaza, the center of Old Town with shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, bars, cafes, and other services. The San Felipe de Niri Church for instance is located right on the Plaza. You will also find many of New Mexicos indigenous peoples with art, jewelry, clothing, blankets and traditional items like sage, sweetgrass, or really cool things like antelope jerky for sale. Whatever your interest is you will find it in Old Town.

On this visit, I had the chance to check out many of the gift shops and 'Trading Posts' where one can find the usual touristy trinkets like pottery or one of the famous Kachina Dolls. There are hundreds of pieces of turquoise and silver fashioned into necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other types of jewelry. My goal was to find local hot sauces, BBQ rubs and maybe some unique spices, and wouldn't you know it, I found a whole wall of hot sauces in one of the trading posts. I also found an old favorite, New Mexico Pinion Coffee. I was able to get some really cool shirts for my kids too. One of the most featured items I came across was the blankets, keep in mind these are high-end and hand-woven blankets with intricate Southwest designs and they can set you back hundreds of dollars. You could literally spend hours in the gift shops.

Old Town ABQ has a thriving food culture as well, you will find a smorgasbord of dining options right in the Plaza area. The food tends to focus on local cuisine as you will find, Southwest, TexMex, Mexican, Grilled foods, Cafes, Coffee Shops, Pizza Parlours, etc. You will not go hungry if you visit Old Town. The food prices vary from budget level to fine dining, please budget accordingly. There are also a host of other restaurants in Old Town and nearby to serve you as well.

Old Town also has an abundance of Galleries, showcasing art and artists from all across the southwest. These galleries showcase paintings, sculptures, saddles, ornaments, Kachinas, Pueblo art, and so much more. Be sure to check out the many galleries in Old Town, and as I mentioned before, budget accordingly as I witnessed someone buying a piece of art that was thousands of dollars in value.

The heart of Albuquerque has a host of other options as well. There are a few buildings for tourist info, museums, services as there are a host of businesses in Old Town. Need a hair cut? Massage? Dentist? Yes there are several services on-site to choose from. This is a historical mecca and if you guessed it, there are several tours you can choose from, some for the Plaza itself, tours of Old Town, haunted house and ghost tours, a trolley tour of Albuquerque and the Famous Breaking Bad tours that take you to many of the sites where Breaking Bad was filmed.

I could go on and on, but I will wrap this up. Old Town is a must if you're ever in ABQ. You will find every amenity you need for your stay, as there are malls and grocery stores nearby. There are plenty of places to stay including boutique hotels and motels, chain hotels, and value hotels as well. Old Town Albuquerque is truly a national treasure and a must for any explorer.

Albuquerque Trip
Went last week in April to first week in May. All sunshine and warm except one evening. Attended Pow Wow and it was spectacular. Best food at the Cultural Centre. Great good and experience at the Pharmacy, Frontier Restaurant and Church Street Cafe. Went on the tram. Super high. Restaurant was way over priced. Great trip.

This little town has something for everyone. Shops of souvenirs as well as local restaurants all in one place.
Very neat to walk through just to window shop as well!

A really quaint sector of Albuquerque, nice restaurants and sights. A very walkable experience which is a bit of a blessing as the altitude can be a bit of a restriction. Nice to be able to see so much in a short distance.

We stopped here for an afternoon and evening to explore the atmosphere, architecture and shops. Nice stores and galleries, as well as more typical tourist shops that had nice souvenirs. Tons of pubs and restaurants. We parked in the central lot and just wandered through town, which was nice.

Great place to visit. Especially if you’re into Southwest history, nostalgia and great people. Lots of things to see, do and experience. From the historic zone with the incredible San Felipe de Neri Church, the beautiful Old Town Park with its incredible Gazebo (which is a highlight for community music) and the Old Town Plaza. By the way, the Alburquerque Museum is just a few blocks away! There are more eats and drinks than you can shake a stick at, like the incredible Church Street Café, the Antiquity Restaurant, the really, really good Sheehan Old Town Tasting Room and more. If you’re into shopping, they have shops galore, but the two shops you don’t want to miss are the Zapotec House and the Christmas Shop – they are must do’s! There’re street vendors, music ongoing, plenty of Tequila shops, beer joints, and most of all, plenty of fun to be had!

We were excited to visit Old Town. It was ok but really could have been so much better. There was no where to eat a meal. We went around the entire place and found d nothing. We were very disappointed. We did not even feel like shopping we were so upset with the place. Not really worth the trip off the highway.

We were told we needed to go there - so we did. We are not into the artistic aspects of NM. But we did find a great restaurant.

Albuquerque is wonderful.
Full of awesome history. Great food !
So much to do outside. Hiking, biking , many pools to swim in,
lots of art, music, crafts . Awesome Balloon Fiesta in Oct. of each year.

This looks like it could have been a pretty cool place to visit before COVID. There aren't many shops or restaurants open and the ones that are open close around 4 or 5.

I think this is still a place you'd want to check out if visiting but I wouldn't allocate a lot of time to spend here.

What's not to love? Albuquerque has totally exceeded my expectations. Before coming here I thought it was just another town but this place provides a mix of culture, exoticness and sunshine. This old town has so many interesting stores, museums that you most likely will need a day to fully enjoy. The only tips I can provide is that before you visit, do your homework and find out where you can go when you need to use a bathroom. Most of these stores in the old town area do not have a bathroom for public use (unless you go to a restaurant). When I was there I did not see a public restroom available.

Be sure to take a few great pictures with the transformers!! They are not in old town area but can be reached by foot in 20 minutes (or even better, drive there).

Public parking provided. Very nice square with little shops to walk. Very comfortable walking nice park with benches in the middle to rest & have ice cream.

I was here for work, so just got to Old Town as they were closing down for the day. I was able to walk into some of the shops which have very unique hand-crafted items. I also got some New Mexican food. Hopefully I can come back with more time.

Vance was an excellent quide with lots of stories. There were 6 of of us senior citizens and he was very considerate about keeping us in the shade when possible and also finding some seating.. We highly recommend Vance as a tour guide. Top notch for sure.

Very interesting Old town . Many historic buildings, old church and of course many interesting shops and restaurants.

Old Town is very cute – with old style western buildings and a park in the middle. Most of the stores in the area are souvenir shops along with some restaurants, coffee shops, etc. There is a large square with a park and the San Felipe de Niri large church. This is a must see in Albuquerque.

Quaint little plaza, as many historic Southwest town centers are. Lots of shops for souvenirs, especially if you're a Breaking Bad fan. Worth a look, but don't plan your entire day around it.

Fun place to wander around and people watch! Super cute shops and restaurants/wineries. Lots of local artists.

We were here NYE on our way through town. A fun place to shop and eat. Sad to see so many places closed—don’t know if that was due to the holiday or the pandemic. We had excellent takeout from the Backstreet Grill.

We visited the old town for a brief visit. For what we saw we loved it. Very quaint. Must see if you are traveling to Albuquerque!

This was very quiet on a January weekday when we were there. Nothing too special.
Had a nice lunch. Visited a great tea shop and the Breaking Bad store. Most the shops in the area near the plaza were touristy full of requisite hanging ceramic peppers, balloon stuff and tshirts.

We were not too impressed with Albuquerque’s Old Town…lots of people (mostly buses of tourists), lots of souvenir shops and a few interesting sights. You can probably make better use of your time.

Old Town is a great place to walk around, shop and to eat as there are many places to do so. While there are about 100 shops located here, due to COVID, many were closed. We were there on a Saturday, late morning and learned from various owners, that different stores opened on various days with shortened hours given the lack of visitors (we could not go to Sante Fe because it was basically closed due to COVID).

We still managed to support the local owners and bought a number of gifts (Whimsey Tea has great owner made tea blends and all kinds of paraphernalia for the tea lover, like my daughter); bought a beautiful leather bag at Step in Style Huaraches (the handles on mine broke during our cross country trip); and some jewelry from plaza gifts.

While I agree that there are many stores that sell touristy items or similar types of goods, we love to wander in these types of places and enjoyed looking at the art, and the handmade crafts.

We lunched at Church Cafe next to the Whimsey Tea at their recommendation and really enjoyed it.

Such a fun experience lots of stores, lots of variety, most were open which was great to see. It was a warm afternoon found some ice cream but there were many choices. Just cool place to explore.

We really enjoyed the casual atmosphere of the square. There were plenty of cute shops to visit. Albuquerque didn't seem as pretentious as Santa Fe. Looking forward to another visit 😊

This is a plaza from 1706. It is nice to learn the history and walk the old streets. There are cute little shops and places to eat along the way.

Old Town is beautiful. You can walk around, shop, eat and experience the history of New Mexico. We had great weather which made our visit that much more enjoyable.

Great place to stay, shop, explore and dine. Walkable and easily can get public transportation to other parts of Albuquerque

Plenty of shops and restaurants, the coffee shops are particularly good. Its pricey like any tourist area, but everyone was friendly and helpful.

We parked and walked around old town, especially enjoying the 1706 mother church of Alburquerque and there are a plethera of shops and great choices to stop and eat at.

The park that is the central feature of the Old Town area was the venue for a World AIDS Day candlelight vigil. I was proud to sing there with The New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus. My most recent visit to the area was with my daughter and her wife. It is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon.

It's definitely worthwhile to stay in this area as there are many shops and restaurants nearby. The architecture is beautiful.

Small but quaint area with classic Pueblo architecture on display. Most shops sell souvenir type products (jewelry, art, spices, cactus related products). Definitely a nice place for a stroll.

Lots of shops, great architecture, and a lively town square where there was live music, dancing and an impromptu classic car show on a Sunday afternoon.

This was a very fun place to spend the afternoon while in Albuquerque! We loved visiting all of the shops and enjoyed the live music in the square!

Love to visit Old Town! I can always find little gifts for friends and myself. It's a short walk to nice museums. Many food places are within and nearby.

We discovered this part of Albuquerque while looking for a coffee shop. It’s a charming historic spot with shops and restaurants. Be sure to stop at Blabkbird Coffee.

We visited on Wednesday evening so very easy to find parking that did not cost. Great Temps and shops very quaint and fun to explore. I recommend if looking for something specific shop a bit for best prices.

Many shops had sales for end of summer season. There was a brewery near the church so the guys made a stop while the gals started exploring.

Loved the tea shop very eco friendly.

We were very disappointed after all the great write ups. It is very run down many empty store fronts

This golden gem of Albuquerque is the Main Hub of enjoyment in the City. It's diversity is incredible.

Uniques array of old buildings with your typical tourist shops. People are friendly. Limited places to eat. Products in shops the same from shop to shop as were the prices

Old town seemed very deserted due to Covid. Most restaurants were closed and several businesses were also closed. The businesses that were opened ,had great items, sales, and friendly people.

A wonderful place to spend an afternoon walking around, plenty of souvenir shops, gorgeous church, small art galleries, a small wine room, the Rattlesnake "museum". Just great ambiance for a sweet little afternoon.

I had a few days to look for things to do here in kind of winter weather so one place I wanted to check out was old town. As expected it was old older, had a variety of shops and coffee places and wine tasting rooms and an old church and plenty of gift purchasing options. I did spend several hours meandering around. It was a sunny day but chilly. There is some free parking along the streets and paid parking just outside of the center of old town. Both times I went I found parking on the street. Very enjoyable.

This place sucks! Arrived around 4pm on a Wednesday and just about all of Old Town was closed down. It was like walking through a ghost town. Trying to find a place to grab a bite to eat was not fun either. If planning a trip through here, use it as a rest area to just fill up on gas and then keep driving. If I never see Albuquerque again, I will be lucky!

Spent time around dinner. Walked around for some souvenirs, took in some music in the town center, found a great place for dinner, and then some sweets for an evening treat. Most stores closed around 5pm - 6pm. Large inexpensive parking lot attached to the area that made it easy to park and start browsing.

Still a good place to stop, walk around, shop, and enjoy the New Mexican atmosphere. Fun with music playing.

It was fun walking around this area but sadly many of the stores and art galleries close at 5 pm. We had daytime plans hiking on the area so we were somewhat disappointed. We did gift and souvenirs shopping here and enjoyed dinner at Church Street Cafe.

The ambience of the old west. The shops are well worth visiting and many are maintained by the Pueblos of the area. Fine Art galore, friendly people and just well worth a visit.

We were there on a Thursday and I have no idea why we even bothered to drive through this so called historic district. What kind of history rundown houses, uneven sidewalks, closed restaurants and overall feeling of an unsafe and shady neighborhood are??? If this is history, then there is nothing to be proud of. Don’t waste your time and go to Santa Fe to understand where history is treasured, preserved and beautifully presented.

The only notable sight for me personally was the road sign pointing to historic Route 66.

If you been to the center of Santa Fe or like Hispanic cities this is the same where there’s a park at the center of the square. Surrounded by a church, restaurants and shops.

This was nice old town, but most of it did not open up until 11 am. Because it was hot we tried to get an early start on visiting the area. The church had some points of interest, but only kept our attention for 20 minutes. As with most old town areas, it had SHOPPING and FOOD.

After all the talk about Old Town, I gave it a shot! The area is full of delicious restaurants and quaint shops. After a while though, all the shops begin to look the same and carry the same items. I would allow half a day here. I’m glad I went but I don’t think I would go back unless it was to eat. Check out Church’s for lunch or dinner!

I should have checked online before visiting. Many stores and attractions are closed on Monday. COVID has really impacted this area as many businesses are closed are in need of staff. Hopefully in time businesses will return.

Lots of shops here, more than we could cover in our time, will have to come back! The streets are Old Town, the stores small and squeezed one right after another, all adobe, all welcoming.
And there are places to stop for lattes, lunch, ice cream, probably much more that I did not notice.
This is a good, friendly shopping experience, And a lovely touch of Old Albuquerque.

This fun place in the SW part of Albuquerque, NM is one of the best outdoor mall and eateries are in fact.diverse packed with culture. Old Town provides a Plethora of themed stores, restaurants, culture, history. In the summer, there are Concerts at the Gazebo of all venues. Near Christmas, it's a holiday induced park and facilities that every store exhibits. No doubt, one of the must see and a great way to spend the day.

It was very interesting to walk around town and watch the activities taking place in the plaza center. We watch flamenco dancing. Plenty of shops. Most shops close at 5.

So many things to see and do here. Get your credit card ready as you will love it too! You can get anything from paintings, jewelry, clothing, food, or pottery. Love it!

It was so neat seeing what the older styles of places were like and all the stores were very kind people.

Lots of jewelry, miscellaneous stores and restaurants. Had lunch at High Noon restaurant which was wonderful. Had blue corn enchiladas with beef and my husband had posole. Most restaurants serve pinto beans but not refried. Flavored margaritas available and good. I had prickly pear margarita. Nice bar and very good staff.

We walked around for a few hours going from shop to shop. There are many stores: art, jewelry, coffee, art galleries, sculptures, etc

Old Town is a very picturesque, interesting place to visit, with the plaza, a beautiful church, and many interesting shops featuring southwest specialties. We were fortunate enough to see some dancing in the plaza by Native Americans. A must see when visiting Albuquerque!

Great little local shops.very cute.friendly people.nice gifts.resturants,bars.we had a nice day.i would recomend

We spent a lovely afternoon/evening just wandering the streets and enjoying the colors and architecture. The pandemic/staffing issues have unfortunately hurt the town and I hope it survives, but there were a lot of closed stores/restaurants and most places weren't even open (it was a weeknight) or closed very early. We did eventually find Old Town Pizza Parlor which let us in just after they were about to close and it was wonderful! My parents had gone separately and enjoyed their dinner at Church Street Cafe.

We also enjoyed visiting San Felipe de Neri and a chocolate store (La Chaco) to get some very good truffles. Some of the stores are a little touristy but there is a lot of beautiful art/jewelry as well.

All of the museums we wanted to visit were closed. Even two that were supposed to be open at the time we were there. We looked at a few shops but they were extremely expensive. The buildings and square were interesting, but not enough to warrant a special trip here. A disappointing visit.

The cityscape with its unique history was very attractive. It was also a lot of fun to see the shops and street vendors. The greedy cheeseburger was excellent.

Beautiful preserved history and native craft in this area with historical and NM style shops and a 18th century church and plaza.
Lots of shopping, esp native American crafts, and dining + coffee options. Reminded me of Old Medulla in Las Cruces.

A good deal of history and a tour guide is a great idea to learn the details.That being said it is quite a tourist trap .It is however fun listening to the street musicians and the bands in the plaza but the real fun is the Spanish dancers with their beautiful dresses and intricate foot steps

We visited old town on a Monday afternoon. It was relatively quiet,run down and in need of renovation. Perhaps 30 or 40 years ago it may have been different. If you want a t-shirt this place may be for you. Big disappointment.

We enjoyed just relaxing on the green as well as visiting the different shops around the green. Little Anita's is a great dinner destination here. Skilled Native artisans often display their wares on blankets along a shaded walkway. The jewelry is well worth a look. We also did a Zombie Scavenger Hunt here which was a blast!

Nice little area of shops and restaurants. We went during the Covid pandemic so not all shops were open, most were. We didn't eat in any restaurants so I can't recommend any of those but we walked around and shopped. They had lots of souvinirs, home decor, jewlery etc... It looked like a slow paced old New Mexico town and I enjoyed spending a couple hours shopping down there. worth a stop.

A must see. Lots of history, shopping and eats! Several good choices of places to eat. Several good photo and art stores; interesting people.

I will need to go back to leave a more accurate review. We went on a Thursday afternoon around 5:00 PM and many of the stores were already closed. A lot of the restaurants were also closed, and looked like they had been closed for a while. I would check what the store and restaurant hours are to see when Old Town would be the most fun.

Not sure what the weekends look like but on Friday afternoon it was pretty slow in the area. Each store does have nice items of either art or souvenirs. If you like Breaking Bad, visit the Breaking Bad Store for both the merch and the tour that goes from there.

Had a great time walking around Old Town. Historical buildings, lots of photo opportunities, great food, shopping, and art galleries.

There is not much to see here. It was dead when I visited on Monday. There was no restaurants open to eat something. I was hungry after I hiked up Sandia Peak. There were some coffee shops open and coffee was good. But they closed at 4:30 PM.

This town has a Beautiful, Old & Original Vibe to it with small shops, restaurants, a town square, stores dedicated to Breaking Bad, ghost stories, a hanging tree and what pulls it all together a beautiful church. If I was to go to Albuquerque again I would head here first.

Old Town was a really enjoyable stop during our trip! We visited to take a bike tour but got there early to explore first. At first, the area looks rather small - just a few streets wide. But when we parked we found many small patios hidden between the shops that opened up to even more shops. Many of the stores were still closed when we were first there but after the tour everything was opened up and many more people were walking around. This was a great place to get New Mexican gifts to bring back home and there's even a breaking bad store that my husband liked! overall a mix of native American jewelry and pottery and modern clothing and gifts. Its cool to think this area has been around for so long and is still thriving. We will be back as I am sure we didn't see it all yet!

Our first visit was in the day time which was very neat since we got to see the cute little courtyards between the buildings. A lot of the stores had reasonable prices from local artisans which helped us indulge with our spending. We went back the next day in the evening and had an interesting time with our spirit box, especially at Church Street Cafe.

Love seeing the hand crafted merchandise. Experience the culture and the variety of items which were stunning and beautiful.

We were there on a Friday afternoon and it wasn’t that crowded. It’s a nice area to walk around. They had a parking lot close by with plenty of spots and you paid by the hour. There were a lot of shops – some touristy and some unique. There were a few restaurants too. We ate lunch at the Old Town Café and it was very good. They had sandwiches and some local dishes. It does get hot there so make sure to go early!

Not much else to see in Albuquerque so when I found this area I was happy. Shops, a couple of restaurants, a town square and a beautiful church. This area was very nice to kill some time.

I love Old Town Albuquerque and can’t wait to return each time I have to leave. I always find that something special in my fav little shops and boutiques. I really appreciate the stores being open on Sunday for travelers plus there always seems to be something fun going on in the town square.

Whether you are looking for chocolate, clothes, jewelry, music, tea, unique collectibles and more you’ll find it here and even save some money compared to pricey areas of New Mexico.

Most stores now open! Masks required! While most stores had opened up last week some have sadly boarded up and closed down again due to night time rioting a few blocks away. Nevertheless we were delighted to walk through this shopping district and find a large variety of art work, souvenirs and all things New Mexico! Mask wearing is being enforced for all patrons in these stores. Restaurants now offer dine in options as well but might have altered hours of operation based on business, I suggest calling ahead. Great destination in your Albuquerque visit and the store owners will be happy to see you! Loved the metal art, pottery, shopping and church on the square!

Few food places.. Those that are.. poor value. Cookie cutter knickknacks shops over and over. I was disappointed.

A must stop while in the city. Many old buildings and a beautiful church. Town square is a nice place to sit and relax. Shops and restaurants are easy to find, very walkable

Not really that much to do. Felt like a tourist trap and most of the shops are just tourist shops with stuff you can find anywhere. No real restaurants. When our Air BnB said it was on the edge of Old Town, I expected to find bars and restaurants where we could hang out and enjoy a few drinks. All I got told was how unsafe Old Town is after dark so we made sure we were in before the sun went down. Most shops shut down by then anyhow. The place is not worth the trip.

Many restaurants and souvenir shops for tourists. A beautiful church is in the center of the square. Parking is on the street and you may need to circle a couple of times to find a spot.

IF you love coffee and your in old
Town definitely hit this place up. The vibes are super cool and the coffee tastes awesome

Wandering around Old Town is quite rewarding. Discover the Church Street Cafe off the square. Check out the old church. If you're really lucky, stay for a concert in the square. During my stay, the bandstand was occupied by a "surfer song" band and they truly rocked it. Families gathering for fun, couples of all ages dancing, wonderful! There are great restaurants along the square, as well as shops, and coffee and pastry shops. Worth the time, take your time.

We loved the shops and the atmosphere! If you are in Albuquerque you need to take the time to explore Old Town. Great selection of shops, restaurants, art galleries and history!

We came at 530p on a Saturday to get away from the NM heat and there found few free parking spots. Have not seen performances as the others mentioned around the time we came in but there's a Quinceañera photo shoots in the plaza that are few old cars around to look at. The shops are ok with touristy prices. There were also few local vendors outdoor selling jewelry with less expensive prices. The Rattlesnake Museum is also within the old town ground if you are a reptile fan. Overall, it was an interesting place to walk around and find unique souvenirs.

The area is quaint but there were only a few eating establishments. The majority of artisan stores were beautiful but the most beautiful were expensive and rightly so. We were in Albuquerque for the balloon Fiesta so it was worth the walk through

Most everything was closed. Don’t go on a Monday or Tuesday
Lack of restuarant
Try the black crow cafe

I'm not a shopper, so this area seemed closterphic to me. What I DID enjoy was the live music in the gazebo in the afternoons, complete with a large array of free seating. It made for a very pleasant afternoon.

What an amazing place. Love all the tourist shops. And there are lots of artists that are native to the region selling their beautiful one of a kind wares. There was a demonstration of a native dance that was quite beautiful to watch. Gotta go visit the Candy Lady! She is a very friendly lady and has amazing candies! Across the street from her shop is a little restaurant we ate at. The High Noon Restaurant. It was fantastic! Great food and great service. Such friendly people in New Mexico.

The Old Town in Albuquerque is definitely worth a visit. Many curious shops, cafes, restaurants and the Rattlesnake Museum. The smaller more interesting side of this large town we would have said. You can find most things here you'd like to take home or as gifts. Picturesque. Good food with incredible selection at Sawmill Market nearby.

We enjoyed walking around! There is plenty of parking. We bought souvenirs, enjoyed galleries, art work, icecream and lovely soap shop. We entered various shops to check out local art work. It was an enjoyable afternoon

There are certain merchants that we go to over and over because they are genuinely grateful for our business. Unlike SantaFe where people act entitled, snobby, over-inflated values, and sometimes downright racist. Back to the positive - Enjoy excellent wines from Sheehan Winery, have an incredible meal at the High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, get incredible quality and service at Old Town Olive in addition to the owner's next door two very fairly priced Native Pottery and Jewelry Stores. So many GREAT art galleries I cannot narrow down to a favorite.

We were disappointed with Old Town. Expected to see and experience Old history. Instead the area is full of jewelry stores and gift shops.

Fun place to shop and eat. Lots of local flavors and history. Tasted some local wines, too. Go early as they don't stay open very late.

If you are a local you probably should stay away from the overly priced crap they are selling. Let the Texans and other touresy pay those rip off prices. Also don't go around balloon fiesta time prices double. The street venders are the only reasonable people.

We have returned to Old Town because the shop keepers are very pleasant.But because of COVID, some places were not open.Be aware that most shops were not open on Mondays. Very pleasant shop keepers.

I've been living here since July of 1983 - born and raised in Boston area of Massachusetts. In Old Town there's lots of historic places - as are most of the buildings in pueblo-Spanish style adobe or later Victorian era. There's lots of fun shopping and art and cultural activities and lots of great places to eat. I take visitors there all the time and I still like to go on my own. Very walkable and quaint. Less commercial and less overpriced than Santa Fe's old town. Some highlights are the San Felipe de Neri church, Church Street Cafe, Rattlesnake Museum, The Albuquerque Museum, Explora (children's science museum), New Mexico Museum of Natural history, and there are often music events during the warmer months in the bandstand.

Beautiful Old Town Albuquerque is a must see. The San Felipe Church, historic buildings, great restaurants, and awesome shops.

Most of the places were closed. Only a few cars in the parking lot. The buildings and streets all looked nice - but they lacked activities and energy. I hope that was due to the combination of Covid and a Monday. So sad!

Old Town in Albuquerque is something else! It's vibrant, different, beautiful, simply perfect! My family and me are from Europe and we visited it during our southwest US road trip. We are definitely coming back some day.
Make sure to visit a store with hot souces where amazing and friendly Renata works at! Candy lady store is also a gem, and all the patios are simpy gorgeous.

I was really excited to visit Old Town but when we got there on a Tuesday around 3 pm the majority of shops were already closed and some look like they had been abandoned for quite awhile. I thought maybe things were slow because it was a weekday so we came back on a Saturday afternoon and, once again places were closing their doors between 4-5pm, on a Saturday!! I realize that Covid has slowed things down but there were tourist out and about looking to check things out and they were all leaving because places were closed or closing. Every store had a "help wanted" sign in the window and people at hotels, stores, and restaurants told me over and over again that no one had enough staff. I hope things get better, I can imagine what this place looked like when it was busy and active, bummed that I missed out.

What a beautiful place to visit. There were so many different shops to go through and every shop owner or staff member were eager to help us. There are so many different things to do here. This is a great get away for two or a family vacation.

Fun place. Public square great place to hang out, shop. Shopping seem ligitament. Prices a little on the crazy side but it is a tourist area. You must go just to wander around it fun

Small square in the original settlement with a pretty park in the center with a gazebo. Beautiful church on one side of the square. Multiple shops and restaurants surround the square. Multiple antique cars cruising the square. Some First Peoples jewelry on sale on one side of the square. Worth only a quick look unless you want to eat or be fleeced.

We enjoyed delicious latte and sweets in the courtyard near Blackbird Coffeehouse which provides patio heaters. The shops are upscale with authentic art and jewelry. The city square is lovely and definitely worth wandering about. This is the best of Albuquerque

Very nice place especially San Felipe street with a pretty square and many shops and small patios

Our GPS took us to Old Town but failed to get us to the cute shops part of it. We kept on driving. After our Breaking Bad tour we realized it was a super cute area. I would totally recommend it over Santa Fe.

I rated this a little lower, since the vendors who normally line the plaza were not there. It missed there presence and ambience. Also some of the shops were closed. It was nice to have the feeling you have the city to your self. We got some great photos, just missed all the excitement and shops being open.

Cute area with shops and restaurants. We also got to catch a mariachi band playing in the band stand area. Hidden little garden patio areas amongst the shops.

Old Town Square was an interesting place and encourage you to visit when you are in the Albuquerque area. I was there to check out a few shops for souvenirs to take home and along the way, stopped in the square to admire the foliage and leaves that fell creating what I thought to be a picturesque moment. We strolled around and visited a few shops and outside vendors. Recommend for everyone - there is something worth checking out.

Nothing special, all fake and poorly maintained and, what's more, the shops close at 5pm in the height of summer... zero tourist welcome!

There are too many shops with the same thing and not enough good restaurants to eat and/or have a drink. There are a few wine tasting rooms that are a plus.

Lots of options for immersion into New Mexican culture and plenty of choices for souvenirs and food. Walking distance to a few museums too.

Great shops and sights. Loved walking around Old Town and seeing the church and recreation of old shops and restaurants. My favorite thing had to be the peppers hanging from the balconies of shops.

We had some time to kill before our flight and found some sweet Breaking Bad souvenirs at surprisingly decent prices! Cant wait to come back for the ghost tour here in OT!!

My friend and I were in town for a friend’ wedding. We spent some time exploring Old Town. We enjoyed this charming town, did some shopping, and slowed down to take in the unique vibes of this town. Worth a visit!

Most of the shops were opened. Lots of different items to look at and purchase. Coffee shop and a couple restaurants, nice are and felt safe exploring area.

Very cool old town. Took a breaking bad tour that started down town. Went to the rattlesnake museum (as long as you like snakes ) High noon was a great place to stop in for a bite to eat and a cocktail enjoyed the mariachis in the square lots of beautiful jewelry and nice shops

We stopped by late in the day, several shops were still open, it seems to have dwindled a bit since I was last here many years ago but still a fun place to visit even if it is in a "tourist trap" sort of way. Sorry to see some of the great old restaurants closed down but such is the way of things...

I was disappointed when I visited old Town again after a few years. All merchandise is from Mexico, none is locally made. Every store carried the exact same items. After going into 4 stores around the plaza, I gave up looking for anything different and left. Too bad, it used to be a great place for unique items.

The tourist season was just ramping up after the Covid closures when I visited. So not everything was open. This didn't bother me, as I live in a tourist destination so know it's a slow journey back to the normalcy of the Before Times.

I enjoyed wandering around and imagined what life might have been like a few centuries before. The church of San Felipe de Neri is beautiful, a relic from a long ago era. The plaza is a nice spot to sit on a balmy evening. I even met a friendly black kitty during my wandering!

Not as much shopping I thought, Santa Fe is better. Lot of junk and high inflated prices to take advantage of tourists.

Great spot to check out while in ABQ. Lots of neat shops to check out and support local artists too. Great way to experience some New Mexican culture.

Several people said “You have to go to Old Town”, so we did. But we left with the “huh? What’s the draw?” feeling and wondering why the hype. The sidewalks were littered, the shops were mostly closed or appeared abandoned. No restaurants beckoning us into them.

Old Town Albuquerque is a fun place to dine, shop and stroll. Many interesting shops, art boutiques and restaurants. Also it is right next door to the museum so it's a great place to round out a midday or afternoon visit.

Really enjoyed learning about other cultures.
Was disappointed that the museum was closed.
It be closed on Monday's... Enjoy the souvenirs shops, very knowledgeable about what they were selling. Didn't get a chance to eat at any of the restaurants. Make sure to visit the church, it's creepy and unique...

The Balloon Fiesta, strolling through Old Town enjoying the atmosphere, the people and the scenery. We took a tram ride, a trolley tour, went up in a hot air balloon and throughly enjoyed even.

Great place to visit. I would recommend for all visitors of New Mexico to see. Great venue for weddings/meetings etc..