Old Town Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM
A cluster of adobe buildings around a tree-shaded plaza and the San Felipe de Neri church, now holding galleries, shops and courtyard cafes. Park in the nearby lots and stroll the lanes in the morning or at dusk.
Old Town was founded in 1706 by Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdés as a Spanish colonial settlement, though the area had long been home to Indigenous peoples. At its center is Old Town Plaza, surrounded by about ten blocks of one- and two-story adobe buildings. On the north side stands San Felipe de Neri Church, built in 1793, the only building proven to date from the Spanish colonial period. When the railroad arrived in 1880, a new downtown grew up and Old Town lost importance; revival began in the 1940s.
Today it has restaurants, shops, galleries and the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. It is famous for its luminaria displays at Christmas, especially on Christmas Eve, when it gets very crowded. One to two hours is enough for a walk. Mornings or late afternoons are usually quieter.
- Nearest town
- Albuquerque, NM
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 35.0970, -106.6700
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- High Desert RV ParkMotorhome stopover7 mi from Old Town AlbuquerqueMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- American RV ResortMotorhome stopover8 mi from Old Town AlbuquerqueMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Enchanted Trails RV ParkMotorhome stopover8 mi from Old Town AlbuquerqueMotorhomesWi-Fi
- KOAMotorhome stopover16 mi from Old Town AlbuquerqueMotorhomesElectricity
- Coronado State MonumentCampsite17 mi from Old Town AlbuquerqueTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Turquoise Trail CampgroundMotorhome stopover17 mi from Old Town AlbuquerqueTentsMotorhomesWi-Fi
All campsites in New Mexico · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Old Town Albuquerque?
Old Town Albuquerque is in Albuquerque, NM, at GPS 35.0970, -106.6700. It is about 36 mi from Madrid.
Can you camp near Old Town Albuquerque?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Continental Acres, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 23 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Old Town Albuquerque?
Places worth a stop nearby: Petroglyph National Monument (5 mi), Sandia Crest (15 mi), Coronado Historic Site (17 mi) and Cerrillos Hills State Park (39 mi).
When is the best time to visit Old Town Albuquerque?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)