With over 50 year's experience guiding Tours, we know Old Town!

Old Town Julie Brown

Julia is a true tourist at heart. Having traveled extensively across the US and abroad, Julia will stop for all curious roadside attractions (like the biggest ball of twine, fainting goats, etc.) and she thrives on recounting the tales of miscellaneous trivia acquired during her journeys. Julia arrived in Albuquerque in February 1997, from Seattle, Washington and has embraced the unique lifestyle of the Land of Enchantment. Julia is a Docent with the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History and serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Old Town Merchant's Association. Well known as "The Ghost Lady", Julia has been guiding Tours of Old Town for eight years and is the President of Tours of Old Town. Julia enjoys helping visitors to discover and experience both the past history and the current vitality of Old Town, Albuquerque.

 

Pat Ward

Pat was born in Colorado and grew up along the banks of the Rio Grande River. An experienced outdoorsman, Pat enjoys all that the great outdoors of the Land of Enchantment has to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and treasure hunting! A Veteran of the US Marine Corps, Pat served during the Gulf War and was stationed overseas, in Japan. Pat is a Docent with the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History and has been guiding Tours of Old Town for over seven years. Pat has worked extensively researching the history, legends and lore of Old Town. He is especially well versed in the brutal hangings, lynchings and gunfights from the wild days gone by.

David

David is originally from New Orleans and can't quite get the southern mystique of years (and people) gone by out of his system. Having grown up with a fascination with the realm of the paranormal, David took his passion to Ghost Hunting in 2004 and spent the next five years leading or assisting the group on over 100 investigations throughout the American Southwest. With a focus on the scientific aspects and approaches to ghost hunting, David brings a breath of realistic fresh air to all things that go bump in the night. Before the sun sets on the Duke City, David is co-host of "The Sportsbar" on Sports Radio 610-AM The Sports Animal in Albuquerque and is also interested in weather and geology. David has been Guiding Tours of Old Town for seven years.

Vince

Vince is a favorite among our Tour Guests with his vivid accounts and details of Old Town's legends and lore. Vince has assisted on several ongoing paranormal investigations in addition to his personal interest in the paranormal and has been guiding Tours of Old Town for over seven years. Vince was featured on the hit show, "Dead Famous", where he searched for the Ghost of Billy the Kid. Vince is the founder of the paranormal investigation team, The Ghost Hunters of the 505.

Meredith

Meredith has lived in Albuquerque since 1976. She has guided Tours of Old Town for over five years. She has traveled extensively and, while growing up, lived for a time in Brazil and Moscow, USSR. After getting a BA in Geography and Art from the University of New Mexico, she worked as a technical illustrator, cartoonist, and cartographer. During that time she was a regular winner of Halloween costume contests, and was inspired to start her own business, ODD-JECTS d’ART, in the late 80’s. This award-winning artist sold her work at juried art fairs throughout the southwest, and has fabricated props and sculptural costumes for film, theater, performance, and photography. She performed as her own stilt-walking character, The TOOTHLESS FAIRY, at many public events and fairs. She was even the inspiration for the main “wacky artist” character in a book, THE MOMMY CLUB, by Sarah Bird. In the last few years she has changed her style and has been taking her unique handmade toys to doll-toy-teddy bear shows. She collects and repairs vintage dolls and toys (especially MONKEYS), and is currently working on a book about old toy monkeys.

Lin

Lin is a native New Mexican who enjoys music and swimming. He is an avid Frank Zappa connoisseur with an extensive collection of music and memorabilia. Lin earns his living as a credit counselor for the largest money management agency in the world. He is the only son in a family of three who all reside in Albuquerque. Lin has been with Tours of Old Town for five years and enjoys the evening stroll and ghost stories.

Jen

Jennifer is a native New Mexican who has a B.A. in Graphic Design and currently works for the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. When she is not stuck on the computer, she holds a paint brush and dives into the world of being a local artist working in mostly acrylic paint and sticking to macabre subjects. Recently she's uncovered the Ghost Tours of Old Town and wanted join this wild bunch quickly. Hobbies include reading anything on History, listening to music, saving the world and most importantly the Paranormal! Although she is a ghost hunter in her mind, nothing can keep her away from Ghosts in general, even knowing they haunt her through her lactose intolerance.

Ned

Ned is a recently transplant to Albuquerque, having moved here from Chicago in Summer 2011. In chicago, Ned worked as a tour guide with Untouchables Tours, and was the artistic director for Chicago dell'Arte. Ned olds a Masters Degree in Classical Acting from Central School of Speech and Drama in London, and he has been involved int he theater worlds for almost 20 years now. When Ned is not working tours or rehearsing, he is probably in school at UTMI where he is training to become a Massage Therapist...you know, in case your feet hurt after one of our walking tours.

Emily

Emily is a native New Mexican who is an elementary school music teacher for Albuquerque Public Schools. She received her BA from Hanover College in Indiana in 2003 where she majored in History and minored in Music. She received her MA's in Music and her Music Education Teaching Certification from the University of New Mexico in 2008. Emily loves learning about the history of the Wild West and riding horses. When Emily is not teaching, she is dancing!!!! She also loves jazz, singing, and learning German in her free time.

Blake

Blake’s many years as an award winning entertainer has taken him all over the United States as a stage and walk around performance artist, performing in many venues ranging from private engagements to television. Blake has been guiding Tours of Old Town for over seven years; to increase the level of professionalism of the nightly Ghost Tour, he became a certified Ghost Hunter. He currently leads the Ghost Hunting Tour of Old Town. He has been involved in the motion picture industry as an actor, extra and film crew member in here in New Mexico for several years. The Outlaw Lawman and Ghost Magic Show is his current project. Playing the character of Milton J. Yarberry, Albuquerque’s first elected sheriff, hanged for murder February 9, 1883, he wrote and directs the “one ghost show.” Yarberry premiered inLas Vegas, Nevada in February 2011. As an experienced story teller, he combines life experiences with legends and lore to enhance the performance experience. Blake has served as a creative consultant to other professional performers, organizations and corporations.

Milton J. Yarberry

Born sometime during the 1850’s, Milt migrated to the territory of New Mexico from Texas, where it is rumored his name was formerly Johnson. As a gun slinger and former dance hall entrepreneur, he was elected Marshal of Albuquerque in 1880. After being indicted for murder twice, he met his end at the end of a hangman’s noose on February 9, 1883. Back to “visit”, you’ll find him almost as quick with his remarks, as he was with his six shooter. A bit short tempered, we don’t let him wear his hardware, but that won’t stop him from occasionally shooting off his mouth. Yarberry is available for hire for your special event!

 

Our Mission:

To provide an exciting Tour experience and quality entertainment which shares the past History and Current Vitality of Old Town.

Our Guarantee:

Tours of Old Town will treat you as a valued guest by providing consistent professional customer service. We will strive to personally answer the phone when you call or will return your call at the earliest opportunity. We will personally reply to every email received. Every inquiry will be responded to within 24 hours or less. We will staff and maintain a physical location for you to visit us during regular business hours. We will have a Tour professional ready to serve you. We will present a professional appearance and demeanor. Tours will be held on a daily basis. Tours will start at scheduled times. Tours of Old Town will provide you with historically accurate and thought provoking quality entertainment.

Our History:

Folklorist, Julia Brown, thrived as the General Manager for New Mexico Ghost Tours from December 2003 through March 2007. During that time, Julia’s dedication to deliver quality entertainment for both residents and visitors to the Land of Enchantment was achieved by creating several new products and haunted adventures for guest’s enjoyment. Julia planned, organized, staffed, lead, directed, controlled and was responsible for several exciting tour products including: “Ghost Walk of Old Town Albuquerque”; “Ghosts and Legends of Historic Santa Fe”; “Dinner with a Ghost in Old Town” (at the Church Street Café, High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, Café au Lait, Julia’s New Mexican and Vegetarian Café and Casa de Fiesta); “Friday the 13th at the Old New Mexico State Penitentiary in Santa Fe”, “Night of the Dead in Old Town”; “The Ghosts of Christmas Past”; “Old Town Ghost Hunting Tour” and the “Haunted Albuquerque VIP Driving Tour”.

Through Julia’s leadership, the Ghost Walk of Old Town expanded to a NIGHTLY year-round event with the assistance of 17 Tour Guides. Julia realized that guests deserved to be hosted by Tour Professionals which could only be achieved by focusing on the Tour business full time. Julia knows that part time hobbyists can NOT provide the same level of satisfaction that comes from receiving genuine and heart felt customer service, given by people who truly love what they do - who have dedicated their lives to doing what they love! Julia left her retail career of 20 years to focus on the Tour business full time. Julia’s hard work was recognized nationally in 2004 when the Travel Channel filmed their popular show, “Weird Travels” in Albuquerque and included Old Town’s Ghost Walk on their “New Mexico Visitors” episode. The Ghost Walk of Old Town was featured in national print in “Better Homes & Garden” magazine in 2006.

Julia’s quest for additional historic background and trivia drove her to become a Docent at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. It was then that Julia realized the cultural significance that the varied historic past of Old Town plays in making Albuquerque a grand destination for both business and recreational travelers. Julia could not wait to share the historic significance of the Old Town area with others!

The Old Town Merchants Association appreciated Julia’s passion and enthusiasm for Old Town and elected her to their Board of Directors in February 2006. After just one year, Julia became the President of the Association and earned her the nickname, “Old Town Julie Brown”. Julia served on the OTMA Board for four years and still maintains a close working relationship with all Old Town Merchants, residents and property owners as well as with The City of Albuquerque, the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau and the New Mexico Department of Tourism.

In March 2007, Julia realized that the scope of New Mexico Ghost Tours was too narrow to include all of the historical tour products that she wanted to offer, thus, Julia left the company. New Mexico Ghost Tours immediately closed and went out of business. Julia purchased the Ghost Walk of Old Town and set her mind to create a tour business which included Historical Walking Tours as well as a nightly Ghost Tour. Julia formed the corporation, JCB Entertainment, Inc. featuring Tours of Old Town in April 2007.

Julia hand selected only the best Tour Guides from New Mexico Ghost Tours (based on their professionalism, story telling ability, historical knowledge, selflessness, reliability and their positive customer service attitude) to join the Tours of Old Town Team. Additional professional performers (magicians, musicians and actors) were hired to add to your entertainment value.

Tours of Old Town secured a store front location in historic Old Town’s Plaza Don Luis (303 Romero Street NW – Plaza Don Luis Space N120 – Albuquerque, NM 87104) and introduced a new selection of historical entertainment and haunted adventures for guests to enjoy.

Ghost Hunting Affiliations:

Tours of Old Town affirms that every person has the right to their own beliefs and we will never dictate what a person should think or believe. Tours of Old Town is open minded and accepting of ALL theories and methods for delving into the unknown world of the Paranormal; including the psychic method as well as the scientific.

Several renowned Ghost Hunting organizations have worked with Tours of Old Town to research and investigate reported Haunted locations. Tour materials come from investigation findings and ghost stories which have been published in numerous books. Local psychics have contribute their expertise bringing exciting new material to the Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque line up.

Tours of Old Town is proud to be the only full-time professional haunted Tour business in Albuquerque.

Call for reservations: (505) 246-TOUR (8687)

By the participation in any of our Tours or Scavenger Hunts, the participant as well as any heirs or assignees agree to hold harmless and release, both now and in perpetuity, Tours of Old Town and its agents, employees, contractors and or representatives from any and all liability, injury, accident, death, harm, financial loss or incidental damages or any other circumstance arising from or that may occur during, immediately preceding or following or is in any way related to participation in said activity, whether or not due to omission, negligence, incompetence, failure or any other reason on the part of or by Tours of Old Town. Participant understands that said activity may be physically strenuous, emotionally disturbing and potentially hazardous, and agrees that they are in adequate physical and mental condition to participate as well as adequately outfitted and clothed. Tours and Scavenger Hunts are for entertainment purposes only.