While you’re soaking up the Ol’ West, check out the Welty Building which saw its fair share of action back in its day. It was built by R.J. Welty in the 1890s and used as a general store, though there were rooms upstairs for rent. Joe Winkels operated the “Ramona Inn” here, and from 1908 until 1933 while most of Riverside County was dry, Winkels offered “refreshments”, pool tables, card games and even slot machines! While over at the First National Bank of Temecula the historical hubbub was kept down to only one robbery in its lifetime (the bank was eventually replaced by a Mexican restaurant). If all the history surrounding you during your visit gets your curiosity going and you’d like to know the real scoop on the town’s past – stop into the Temecula Museum – it’s fun and informative and even has a great little area outside for family picnics.

This is the Welty Building then and now – what a difference!

If your unbelievably energetic kids are wearing you out, take them down to Pennypickle’s Imagination Workshop Children’s Museum – this award-winning space will keep pace with even the most enthusiastic young ‘researcher’ in an interactive wonderland that blends fun with learning science. If your kids love Bill Nye the Science Guy and Nickelodeon, they will go crazy for Pennypickle’s. And depending on when you visit you might be able to drop them off – go have a relaxing afternoon to yourself – and pick them up happy, bursting with new things they’ve learned and completely tuckered out.

While the majority of Temecula tourism centers around wineries and special events, there are actually many visitors that come to town just for the first rate shopping. If you take the time to step into some of the city’s and browse the incredible selection of quality antiques, art, gift items and home decorations – it’s a good bet you’ll come across an something special that simply must have a spot in your home. Specialty boutiques throughout the city are chock-a-block with unique offerings, while the Promenade Mall has all the latest fashions waiting within its wide selection of well known department stores.

Temecula Old Town is especially known for its high-caliber antiques shops – if you’re in the market for a little piece of the past to accent your home furnishings, give Fourth Street Antiques, House of Antiques and Nana’s Antiques & Collectibles a look-see. You never know what you might find, no matter that you might be specifically looking for portrait photos of pioneers and Native Americans, in Temecula, you are likely to enter looking for one thing and then walk away with a precious Victorian lamp or other Old West collectible that announced itself as that finishing touch to your living room you didn’t even know was needed. Other home furnishings and décor are waiting to be discovered at Old Town Pots ‘N Things and at Harmony, where a mind-bending selection of gifts will test your powers of resistance – especially around the Christmas season.

If you love ‘old’ threads that just can’t be found anywhere anymore, check out the supergroovy vintage clothing in Old Town – they have a great inventory of unique clothes and accessories. And if you have a more contemporary style – or just like to mix and match different eras – don’t worry, just take a walk over to Up Your Alley where you will find such an assortment of fantastically feminine attire delivered daily from the L.A. fashion district that it will make you head spin – this fun store in Temecula Old Town is guaranteed to tickle your fancy. In fact, your poor head will be spinning quite a bit with all of the collectors’ coins,  jewelry, quilts, beaded materials, stamps and Native American items decorating the shelves of local shops.

This is a wonderful town for art collectors as well with businesses like Art Diaspora, Wine Country Photographic Art and Taos Territorial Traders, which draw passersby into the shops and keeps them there with stunning oil paintings, lithographs, posters and ethnic art selections. And, if you want to have a little fun with photography don’t forget to stop into Remember When? Media where you can have old time portraits made of you and your family.

Looking for beautiful plants and garden décor? Then, pop into the Painted Garden by Lorena – now, also open in the evenings for Private Garden Parties when this whimsical garden transforms into a truly magical setting enhanced by candlelight, flowers and crisp linen covered tables…

The Painted Garden by Lorena
28659-B Old Town Front Street
Temecula, CA 92590
Ph: 951-676-6494
(Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Shopping is hard work and you might find yourself craving a little pick-me-up as the afternoon marches on, if the thing you’re craving is sweet then you can probably find it at the Temecula Country Store, which supplies locals and visitors with irresistable fresh fudge and other sweet treats – you can find it easily enough by looking for the English flag flying outside the store and, if you want a real “British Country Tea Presented in a Victorian Package” then you’re in luck! It’s being served in a quaint tea house hidden behind the wood storefront. Raid the shelves of the Temecula House of Wine and you have a perfect combination for an indulgent snack break.

If you don’t want to stop your window shopping just for a quick sweet treat, Cafe’ Daniel has just what you need – some smooth, creamy gelato, it’s heaven on a hot summer afternoon!

If you are in need of some energy packed snacks and sweets aren’t your thing just step into Evelyn Honea’s Temecula House of Jerky (28657 Old Town Front St) where you will find an astonishing array of savory beef jerkey – you’ll want to load up for picnics, school snacks and even just for the drive home.

As the sun sets and the evening settles in, Temecula doesn’t slow down for a moment! There is plenty to do, how about a trip to the Old Town Temecula Community Theater for a night full of performing arts? There is always something cool happening there, whether  the stirring sounds of orchestra music or high-energy concerts, dance (ballet, jazz and modern), musical theater, operas, music (bluegrass, country, folk, blues and more) and even hilarious comedy shows that will have you rolling in the aisles.

Check out the show times, get your tickets and then dig in at one of  the local restaurants – there are choices for every taste and budget and you can bet you will fall in love with more than one. Whether you’re a devotee of steak and potatoes or prefer the sauces and spices of Asia, you are sure to find what you’re looking for in one of Old Town’s fantastic locales. For example, if you love barbecue – head for Sweet Lumpy’s or consider rustling up a seat at Texas Lil’s Mesquite Broiler (where, so they say, the biggest steaks in town are served).

Another excellent spot for drinks and an delicious evening meal is Penfolds Cattle Company, which offers top class food and service (not to be confused with the Penfolds Cafe).

And cocktails at the Front Street Bar & Grill are a must for anyone passing an evening in Temecula. Why? Find out for yourself! Mexican food comes alive at Rosa’s Cantina with Fish Tacos and Quesadillas Especial, and tempting tropical dishes are the order of the day at the Arriba Grill – a Caribbean vacation right in Old Town!

After a night out you’ll want a hearty breakfast before getting started on a brand new day of sightseeing,  and we’ve got just the place – check out the historic Swing In Cafe (Originally Mother’s Cafe 1927.)

If it’s fresh flowers, unique foods and one-of-a-kind crafts you seek – you won’t want to miss the very popular Farmer’s Markets, they are perfect for stocking up on picnic supplies as well as fresh, healthy local fruits and veggies. There are two Farmer’s Markets in Temecula, one in Old Town Temecula and the Wednesday Morning Farmers Market at the Promenade Mall. Each Saturday morning the Old Town Farmers Market gets going and runs between 8am and 12:20pm,  on 6th and Front Streets in Old Town Temecula, it’s a real treat and well worth going even just to browse.

There is so much to keep you coming back to Old Town, time and time again, and you’ll find you discover something new each time – for the lowdown on what’s out there keep checking in with best-temecula-guide.com – we update our site constantly and are quick to integrate suggestions from our loyal readers. Thank you for visiting our page on Old Town Temecula.

Do you have a great story to tell about your experiences at Old Town’s stores, restaurants or wine bars?

What events or entertainment have exceeded your expectations?

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