Santa Fe

Experiencing Santa Fe’s history is made easy thanks to the many walking tours available in the city’s numerous historic districts, like the Don Gaspar or Guadalupe Area Historic Districts. The fascinating history of conflict between empires and native inhabitants is evident at nearly every historic site, none more so than the city’s many churches. The San Miguel Mission Church is one of the country’s oldest, and is built on the site of an even older building burnt down in the 15th century Pueblo Indian Revolt. The impressive St. Francis Cathedral, built by Bishop Lamy during the turbulent period between New Mexico’s independence from Mexican rule and its annexation into the United States, is notable for its totally non-Spanish architecture. The Lorretto Chapel is a popular venue for weddings, and is famous for the legend behind its “miracle staircase”.

Want to see a show in Santa Fe? The Santa Fe Opera house is a well-respected opera venue. For a little theater the Santa Fe Playhouse is just the ticket. There are a variety of things to see and hear at the wonderful Lensic Santa Fe Performing Arts Center, including concerts and films.

Taking into account volume, variety and quality, Santa Fe is simply one of the best cities for museums and galleries west of the Mississippi. The Museum of Fine Arts, located just west of the Santa Fe Plaza has an extensive collection of South Western artists and features major works by Georgia O’Keefe. If you enjoy the O’Keefe works you find there you can head over to Johnson St. and see more at the Georgia O’Keefe Museum. The Palace of the Palace of the Governors, constructed as a home for Spanish Colonial governors in 1610, is now a Southwestern history museum and is the nations oldest building that is still in public use.

Museum Hill is the location of four of the city’s most interesting museums. The museum of International Folk Art is the largest folk art museum in the world, with exhibitions representing 100’s of cultures from around the world. The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology exhibits classic and contemporary Southwestern Indian Art and features the oral history presentation “Here Now & Always”. The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art is the most comprehensive museum of its kind in the world, following the evolution of Hispanic culture from its beginnings in the Middle Ages up to today.

Gallery hoppers will rejoice in the options they have in Santa Fe. The Klebau Gallery houses an exceptional collection of fine photography exhibits by James Klebau and others. The world famous Andreeva Portrait Gallery in the O’Keefe-Lensic Art District is the only gallery dedicated to portraiture and commissions in Santa Fe. The Farrell Fischoff Gallery is the place for up-and-coming New Mexican artists, which works with them exclusively.

Naturally there’s more to Santa Fe than history and high-culture. Don’t let the name fool you at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum; the exhibits are very much hands-on and lots of fun for all ages. The Astronomy Adventures Guided Night Sky Tour takes advantage of the star gazing opportunities provided by the uncommonly dark New Mexican sky. Outdoor adventurers will want to explore the hiking trails in Santa Fe’s beautiful forest trails. For a relaxing floating massage there’s nowhere better than the Warm Pool water spa.

Shoppers will make a b-line for Santa Fe Premium Outlets just southwest of downtown, but visitors who arrive in August can swing by the Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest southwestern Native American market in the world. Anyone looking for the whole southwestern ensemble can pick up some handmade boots at Back on the Ranch, get some new duds at Coyote Casual Wear and top it off with some headwear from Montecristi Hats.

Visitors to Santa Fe New Mexico can expect to eat, drink and be merry in its countless restaurants, bars and clubs. The Blue Corn Café & Brewery offers Native American, Spanish and pub fare along with their award-winning micro-brews. Blues and folk music is a staple at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Or you could get food, drinks and live entertainment all in one place at El Meson Restaurant & Tapas bar in the historic Eastside District.

There are lots of options for accommodations in Santa Fe. Besides the abundance of chain hotels and motels there are a number of B&B’s, Inns and campsites. The Best Western Lamplighter has reasonable rates and a heated pool. Alexander’s Bed and Breakfast, located near the Santa Fe Plaza, offers rooms with full kitchens and hot tubs. For campers there’s no better place in town than Rancheros de Santa Fe Camping Park. There are cabins, tent grounds and RV hookups, and there’s plenty of family fun to be had at the playgrounds, hiking trail and camp movie night.

Visitors interested in Native American Culture can visit one of several Pueblo Villages, though it is important for guests to observe proper etiquette while they are there. The Santa Fe Municipal is a small, non-hub airport that doesn’t handle regular flights by planes with more than 30 seats, so service there is limited. Visitors may have to get a connecting flight. Santa Fe’s city buses are descent for travel around the heart of the city, but are somewhat less useful further out of the city’s center.