A Final Hurrah

It’s been a tough season for walking tours—a rewarding, enjoyable, and well-attended season, but a tough one nonetheless.

Many people assume that running these tours is my full-time job, but that’s far from the case. I actually have a day job, one I truly enjoy, which fills my 9-to-5 and often a bit beyond.

The idea for Follow Eric Walking Tours came from my own travel experiences—from street art in Lisbon to the vibrant markets of Mexico City, and to Barcelona, where I explored Civil War-era bunkers and marveled at Gaudí's architecture. By the summer of 2023, after years of brewing, this idea finally came to life. What started with downtown Albuquerque tours grew to include the historic Rail Yards and, this year, a new tour of downtown murals.

It’s been incredible to watch this passion project evolve, but balancing it with a full-time job has had its challenges. I aimed to make this season robust, with more frequency and variety, but sometimes managing it all stretched my limits. I appreciate your understanding when I needed to scale back or struggled with promotion, and I’m grateful to everyone who still showed up.

Thanks to your enthusiasm, attendance surged this year. We broke records, including over 20 of you joining our first Albuquerque Artwalk Murals Tour.

To wrap up this season with gratitude, I’ve decided to add one more tour as a final celebration. This will truly be the last chance to join a walking tour during the regular 2024 season.

I schedule the tour season to end alongside our local markets, and this Saturday marks the final day of the Downtown Growers’ Market. So, join me for one last Downtown Century Stroll on Saturday, November 2nd, at 9 a.m.

This will be your last chance to step back in time for a tour highlighting the 1920s architecture and lifestyle of Downtown Albuquerque.

I hope you’ll join me for this final hurrah to close out the 2024 season on a high note.

Reserve your spot here.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Hasta pronto!

Eric

One Year Ago

Today marks a special milestone: one year since I led my first walking tour.

Launching on June 17th last year was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. You may have heard me say that if I had waited until I felt 100% ready, I probably never would have started. It’s true. Making the start date public by posting it on the blog was scary, but it was the best decision.

It’s fun to look back on that first tour. It was me, some family members, and a few curious individuals who gave me reason to think free walking tours in Downtown Albuquerque might have potential.

I would go on to promote the heck out of my Then & Now Downtown Walking Tour, with an invitation for guests to “get to know Downtown Albuquerque’s history—on foot and in just one hour!”

The feedback and excitement from that first tour were overwhelming, set the tone for an incredible year and eventually lead to the development this year of three all new tour offerings. If you haven’t been on one yet, check the Walking Tours page for dates, descriptions, and registration.

SIGN UP FOR A TOUR HERE>>

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm. Here's to another year of exploring Albuquerque together!

Hasta pronto!

Eric

Join me in June

The month of June holds a special place in my life.

It’s my birthday month, it’s the month to celebrate Pride, and now it marks the anniversary of Follow Eric Walking Tours.

When I launched my first tour on June 17th last year, I made a bold commitment to offer tours on a weekly basis, a promise I was able to keep through the end of the growers’ market season. This success was thanks to strategic partnerships with the Albuquerque Downtown Growers’ Market and the Rail Yards Market, as well as the overwhelmingly positive response from all of you.

This year, I’ve adjusted the schedule to strike a balance between offering regular tours and keeping some weekends free. Instead of weekly tours, I’m excited to present three distinct tours, each available once a month. This change allows me to provide more enriching and diverse experiences throughout the season.

Here’s the new schedule:

Downtown Century Stroll

• When: Every Second Saturday through October
• Description: Step back in time and explore the bustling streets of downtown Albuquerque as they were a century ago. This immersive tour offers a glimpse into the city's rich history and vibrant past.

Century of Steam Rail Yards Tour

• When: Every First Sunday through October
• Description: Delve into the vibrant history of Albuquerque's Rail Yards during the 1920s. This tour highlights the architecture, stories, and significance of these historic structures in shaping our city’s past.

Artwalk Murals Tour

• When: Every Artwalk through September (ABQ Artwalk is generally held on the First Friday of the month, but not always)
• Description: Dive into the colorful world of downtown murals during the monthly ABQ Artwalk festivities. These tours showcase the diverse array of murals adorning the streets of Downtown Albuquerque, providing insights into the artists and stories behind each masterpiece.

Make sure to mark your calendars for the specific dates each tour is offered so you don't miss out. I encourage you to book your spots early as each tour will only be available once a month.

For all the details on upcoming tours, including dates, descriptions, and registration links, visit the tour info page on my blog. Stay informed and secure your spot today!

Thank you for your continued support, and I can't wait to explore Albuquerque's fascinating history with you soon!

Hasta pronto!

Eric