Walking Tour of Albuquerque, New Mexico
The largest city in New Mexico makes a great base of operations for an exploration of eastern Arizona and northern New Mexico, because of the abundance of tourist services available, but the city has many attractions of its own, making it worth a several-day visit.
The compact and quaint Old Town is ideal for walking. My walking tour begins at Old Town Plaza, the main square and center of activity here, between Romero and San Felipe Streets.
On the north side of the square is the adorable San Felipe de Neri Church, which combines traditional adobe architecture with a Victorian twist.
On the west side of the Plaza, across Romero Street, is a small square, Plaza Don Luis, which contains the Tourist Information Office where you can get a map and local information.
Go out to Romero and turn right, walking down to Central Avenue (Route 66). Turn right crossing Rio Grande Boulevard to reach the Turquoise Museum, at #2107. Here you can learn all you need to know about this Southwestern gem, including how to recognize good turquoise. You might need this information later when you shop. If you are interested in either the Albuquerque Aquarium or the Rio Grande Botanic Garden, or both, continue we on Central to #2601, where they are co-located.
Return to Rio Grande Blvd where there are several choices. If you are interested in the Rio Grande Zoo, with its Komodo Dragons and Koala Bears, stay on Central Ave, continuing eastward, then turn right on 10th St SW to reach the zoo. Otherwise, continue on Central Ave but bear left at Lomas Boulevard, then left again on San Felipe. On your right is the Rattlesnake Museum, a very unusual place and worth a visit.
Continue north on San Felipe to Mountain Road and turn right. Ahead on the right is the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History which features Southwestern Art. It also contains a Sculpture Garden.
Continue eastward on Mountain Road. All ages will enjoy the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, at #1801, and for the kids, there is the Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum, at #1701.
When finished, retrace your steps on Mountain Road to San Felipe and turn left to return to the Plaza, where you began your walk.
