At A Glance: Old Town

Today, Old Town is the city's cultural center, with numerous museums and more than 100 shops, galleries and restaurants.

Distance from Airport: 8.7 miles/14 kilometers

Activities: Museums, shopping, parks, fishing, family fun, art galleries, aquarium, gardens

Highlights: History, museums, shopping, culture

Old Town was Albuquerque's first neighborhood. More than 300 years after its founding, it remains a center for culture, architecture, shopping, art and cuisine.

Old Town was established in 1706, when a group of Spanish families settled here. The plaza is anchored by the San Felipe de Neri Church, which was built in 1793 after the original structure collapsed. Surrounding the church, the city's settlers had built their homes, shops and government offices, many of which have been converted into the restaurants, art galleries and shops of Old Town. Most of the architecture in Old Town is adobe, but the arrival of the railroad brought new architectural styles. You’ll find numerous Victorian buildings as you walk around Old Town.