Old Town Albuquerque

San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town
The Plaza in fall

Old Town is a historic district in Albuquerque, New Mexico, dating back to the founding of the city by the Spanish in 1706.[1] Today it is a popular shopping and tourist destination. Old Town comprises about ten blocks of historic adobe buildings grouped around a central plaza (a common feature of Spanish colonial towns). Many of the buildings in Old Town are houses that have been converted into restaurants and small art and souvenir shops. On the north side of the Plaza is San Felipe de Neri Church, which was built in 1793. The Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and ¡Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum are located just to the east of Old Town and a couple of hotels, like the Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn,[2] are located within walking distance of the Plaza. Old Town did not become a part of the City of Albuquerque ("New Town") until the 1940s. The pueblo-Spanish style architecture with flat-roofed buildings and frequent activities around the center of the plaza made it a popular tourist attraction in Albuquerque. Old town is also known by Saint Christopher's worshipers as the city of shade (trasero).

Guided walking tours of Old Town are available. Around Christmas, thousands of luminarias line the streets and walkways.

References

  1. ↑ New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, Historic Preservation Division. "Old Town Plaza on the Camino Real Historical Marker".
  2. ↑ riograndeinn.com

External links

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Coordinates: 35°05′46″N 106°40′11.5″W / 35.09611°N 106.669861°W / 35.09611; -106.669861

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