In present-day Albuquerque, a rich Spanish heritage comingles with the Native American traditions of tribes who still live in the region. Bordered by the Sandia Mountains to the east and high desert to the west, Albuquerque was settled as a Spanish outpost in the early 1700s. Thousands of years prior, eight tribes settled along the Rio Grande Valley. Today, the Rio Grande River bisects the city.
Albuquerque’s vibe reflects this diversity. Tribal communities have put their creative stamp on the city, as did the Spaniards. From the architecture, boutiques and museums of Spanish-inspired Old Town to the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, visitors quickly gain the sense of place and history that makes this town unique. Add in authentic, regional dining and a lesson on chilies — a New Mexican staple — for a journey that intricately ties together the land and its people.
Old Town
In the heart of Albuquerque is the 10-block Old Town, which dates back to 1706. Adobe buildings fan out around a central plaza, which is patterned after a traditional Spanish village. Across the street under shaded walkways, Native Americans sell handmade jewelry. On the plaza’s north side, the San Felipe de Neri church remains one of the city’s oldest surviving buildings, dating to 1793.
Old Town’s winding streets are lined with more than 100 restaurants, boutiques and galleries. On the district’s edge, Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town makes a perfect hub for groups exploring the city. The ABQ Trolley Tour picks up visitors in the hotel lobby and offers a historical and entertaining insider look at Old Town, the surrounding neighborhoods, city museums and famous television and movie locations.
Turquoise Museum
The mystery of turquoise is revealed at Old Town’s family-owned Turquoise Museum. Knowledgeable guides offer groups a 45-minute talk explaining how turquoise forms, the mining process and what to look for when buying turquoise jewelry. Afterward, visitors can check out the private collection assembled from more than 80 mines worldwide; each mine produces its own distinctive turquoise.
“It’s not uncommon to hear that we should have been a first stop before shopping for jewelry because 95 percent of what’s on the market is imitation,” said Jacob Lowry, a fifth-generation family member who works at the museum. “People generally don’t know what they’re buying.”
A lapidary shop allows visitors a glimpse into jewelry-making where the family shapes and polishes the stones before off-site artists set them. The gift shop carries turquoise jewelry from 40 different mines that ranges in color from brilliant green to vivid blue and everything in between.
