#AbqTours - History & GHOST Tours of Old Town

The Albuquerque Old Town History and Ghost Tours invite you to immerse yourself in the mysterious atmosphere of the past. This is more than just an ordinary walk; it is a full-scale immersive journey through the oldest district of Albuquerque, located in the USA. Here, among adobe walls that are over 300 years old, legends of ghosts and real historical events come to life.

The AbqTours company has been conducting these unique walking tours for over a quarter of a century, offering guests a look behind the facade of cozy plazas and narrow streets. The tours masterfully combine an educational element with captivating storytelling based on real facts, archival records, and New Mexico folklore. This is a recognized classic of local tourism, holding the highest ratings among travelers.

The program is designed for a wide audience: from families with children looking for interesting leisure activities to serious paranormal investigators. Guides use audio and video materials to complement their stories, creating an atmosphere of gentle thrill without being overly frightening. It is the perfect way to learn how the city was built and developed, and what secrets its ancient paths still hold.

For those who want to book a spot in a group in advance or clarify details about the upcoming walk, the company provides several ways to get in touch. You can visit their office in the heart of the historic quarter or use the official website.

The main reason thousands of tourists come here is the famous The Original 8pm Ghost Tour. By lantern light, you will set out to explore the most "haunted" spots in Old Town. Guides don't just tell scary stories; they also demonstrate EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings and videos filmed on location. Visitors are allowed and even encouraged to take photos—many believe you can capture mysterious glowing spheres (orbs) in the pictures.

If mysticism isn't your thing, you should choose the daytime History, Legends & Lore Tour. This walk focuses on adobe architecture, the cultural traditions of indigenous peoples and Spanish colonists, and the rapid development of Albuquerque. It is a great opportunity to see building details that often go unnoticed in the evening twilight and to learn how the city became an important hub on the famous Route 66.

For those seeking special experiences, seasonal events are held, such as the Dead-icated Day of the Dead Tour in November. Private tours for your own group can be booked at any time of year, allowing the guide to adapt the narrative to your interests. Don't be surprised if local street cats join the group during the walk—they have become something of a living symbol of Old Town at night.

The attraction is located in the heart of the historic district at Plaza don Luis #N120, 303 Romero St NW. It is easy to find by heading toward the central plaza. If you are staying at one of the Old Town hotels, a pleasant stroll is the best way to reach the meeting point.

For those who prefer public transportation, the ABQ RIDE bus system is a great option. Routes 11, 66, and 766 stop in the immediate vicinity of the Old Town district. It is also convenient to take a taxi or use Uber and Lyft from the downtown area, which will take no more than 10–15 minutes.

Travelers arriving from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) will need about 20–30 minutes by car. Follow I-25 N and then take the exit for Rio Grande Blvd. Both street parking and specialized garages are available around the plaza; however, it is recommended to arrive early in the evening to easily find a spot.

Old Town Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by Spanish colonists and was originally named Villa de Alburquerque. For centuries, this district has witnessed changing eras and cultural transformations. It is here that authentic adobe architecture and the majestic San Felipe de Neri church, built in 1793, have been preserved.

The "History and Ghost Tours" project has been running for 25 years, starting in 2001. Its creators set out not just to entertain the public, but to preserve and share the city's true history through the lens of urban legends. Many of the guides' stories are based on real archival data and eyewitness accounts, which makes the mystical side of the tours more grounded and compelling.

Interestingly, over decades of operation, the guides have accumulated their own database of "evidence" of paranormal activity. During the tours, they often mention the tragic fates of specific residents from past centuries whose spirits, according to legend, have never left the old adobe walls. This turns the walk into a kind of journey through time, where the boundaries between the past and present become almost invisible.

Typically, a standard tour lasts from 1.5 to 2 hours. This is plenty of time to walk through the key locations of Old Town at a leisurely pace while listening to the guide's main stories. The organizers strongly recommend arriving at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start to register and get settled.

If you want the most complete experience, many tourists suggest splitting your visit: take the history walk during the day to appreciate the architecture, and head out on a ghost hunt in the evening. In this case, you should plan for a total of about 4 hours over one or two days. Don't forget to set aside some time after the tour to discuss your impressions at one of the cozy nearby restaurants.

The tour office is open daily, providing the opportunity to choose a convenient time for your walk. The office and tours are available from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday through Sunday. This schedule allows you to plan both daytime historical excursions and atmospheric night adventures.

Please note that the main history tours usually start around noon (12:00 PM), while the legendary "ghost tours" begin at 8:00 PM. It is recommended to check the current schedule on the official website before your visit, as additional time slots may appear depending on the season and holidays.

A walk through Old Town is just the beginning of your journey into the region's cultural heritage. The area surrounding the tour meeting point is packed with interesting sites that allow you to dive deeper into the atmosphere of New Mexico.

After a mystical evening or an informative daytime excursion, you can visit local museums, the aquarium, or simply enjoy the Route 66 architecture. Below is a list of interesting locations nearby: