The city of Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by Fransisco Cuervo Valdes. It was initially known as La Villa de Albuquerque before changing its name to Albuquerque after a few years. It was established in the former kingdom of Santa Fe de Nuevo México, which was within Mexican territory. Albuquerque is named after Fransisco Fernandez de la Cueva, the 10th duke of Albuquerque. The city started as a shepherding and farming community before becoming an established military outpost and trading center along the Camino Real. The town was built in the then-popular Spanish villa pattern — one central plaza space surrounded by homes, government buildings, and a church. Albuquerque's former central plaza has been preserved to date and is open to the public as a historical site. It is also a center of commerce and a cultural area. This area is referred to as "Old Town" or "Old Town Albuquerque." During the Civil War, Confederate troops led by Gen. Henry Hopkins occupied the city of Albuquerque for a month in February 1862. The general later advanced into the northern part of New Mexico, where he captured several towns and cities. By 1900, Albuquerque had a massive population of 8,000 and a wide range of modern amenities. Some of the amenities included an electric railway that connected New Town, Old Town, and the then newly-established University of New Mexico. The campus was one of the major attractions in Albuquerque, with many people visiting the city to study there. In early 1902, the famous Alvarado Hotel was constructed near the passenger depot. The hotel building remained the city's principal landmark until it was demolished in 1970 to create room for a parking lot.

Despite the fact that Albuquerque is the second-largest city behind Santa Fe, it is well worth visiting and exploring what it has to offer. It has several magnificent museums and an elegant Old Town full of historical buildings. This means that there is plenty you can do in Albuquerque. The city showcases a delightful mix of Native American and Spanish influences and has a rich heritage and history to explore for anyone visiting. While here, you will have plenty of attractions to explore and learn more about the region's history.

One of the best places to visit in Albuquerque is the superb Turquoise Museum. Located within walking distance from downtown Albuquerque, this museum teaches all you need to know about gem mining. With the museum's special focus on crafting turquoise and its mining history, it has plenty of exciting jewelry, artwork, and shiny specimens to explore. All of these artifacts are made out of glittering and colorful gemstones.

Old Town Albuquerque is the most popular tourist attraction in Albuquerque. This is the original site the Spanish settled in the early 1700s. With up to ten blocks making up this site, Old Town Albuquerque boasts several historical buildings you can explore. There are also several historical museums and landmarks to tour in Albuquerque.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is another top attraction in the city. Set around a magnificent central plaza and numerous art galleries and shops surrounding it, this facility attracts thousands of visitors annually. The surrounding art galleries and shops sell Native American artworks and Southwestern souvenirs that are popular among locals. If you fancy exploring the rich history of the city, this is the place to be.

The cultural center also promotes and preserves the Pueblo people's culture, history, and traditions. Owned and managed by the state of New Mexico, this facility offers an exciting insight into the past. Its numerous exhibitions paint a picture of how the early inhabitants lived and operated. The state-of-the-art facility now occupies a site just within a short drive from Old Town Albuquerque. The presence of many tourist attractions in the city is one of the reasons why there is high demand for real estate for sale in Albuquerque, New Mexico.