Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Santa Fe Plaza The Plaza is the place to be for hip happenings, galleries, shops and eateries. There is always something going on in the plaza, where even the people watching can keep you fascinated for hours. From upscale boutiques to folk art street vendors, you are bound to find a unique memento of your trip to Santa Fe. The arts are truly a focus of the entire city. Some of the finest local galleries are small and discreet, so make sure that you duck down each narrow alleyway to find the best of the best. Evening entertainment abounds in and around the Plaza. There are so many restaurants and clubs to choose from that you may have trouble deciding. While in Santa Fe, it is a must that you try New Mexican style cuisine at least once. If you are near the Plaza, you can’t go wrong with The Shed. Get into the local spirit and order your enchiladas "Christmas" which is slang for dishes topped with both red and green chili. The Santa Fe Plaza is also host to many festivals throughout the year. Some of the best include the Indian Market and the Spanish Market. Like most other things in Santa Fe, these festivals revolve around the arts. The Indian Market showcases the wares of over 1000 Native American artisans. This juried show is one of the foremost in the country and gives well deserved recognition to the artistic skill of the best Native American artists. The Spanish market is the largest showcase of Spanish Colonial arts in the world and happens twice each year. This event takes over the Plaza in July and again in December. Both are don’t miss events that celebrate the diverse heritage of the region. Make reservations early if you plan to attend one of these markets. :: Top The City of Many Museums Museums abound in Santa Fe and encompass everything from historic colonial villages to modern art. If you have limited time for taking in the museums, you can head to Museum Hill and take in several at once. Museum Hill houses the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, and the Wheelright Museum of the American Indian. Each of these museums is world-renowned for their individual collections. Together they allow for an in-depth look at the cultures that combined to define the unique culture of Santa Fe. If you have more time for museum investigations, head into the city center to the New Mexico Museum of Art for it’s world-class permanent collection and traveling exhibits. Then, head around town to the many galleries to continue your tour of the arts. If the kids are along for the trip, try heading a few miles south to the Rancho de las Golondrinas. This Living History Museum allows you to explore a colonial village set in the 1800’s. The children will enjoy the freely roaming village animals, while learning some local history. Special events such as Civil War reenactments and harvest celebrations, take place the first weekend of each month, May through October. :: Top Famous Churches and Chimayo Santa Fe is known to be a very spiritual town that celebrates the diversity of beliefs in the region. True to this ideal, it is home to some very famous churches. An interesting tour of churches will take you among the oldest and most mysterious in the nation. Within walking distance of the Santa Fe Plaza, you will find the Lorretto Chapel and Saint Francis Cathedral. The Lorretto Chapel houses the Miraculous Staircase with an unusual history from which its name arises. As the church was being built in 1882, it became evident that a staircase to the choir loft had been overlooked. Due to the limited space and excessive height, local builders called it an impossible task. The nuns of the chapel prayed that an answer would come, and it did. A mysterious craftsman appeared, built the Miraculous Staircase, and disappeared again before payment could be made. To this day, the beautiful, double-spiral staircase defies explanation. Even modern architects have been unable to explain how the staircase is able to bear weight without toppling. Saint Francis Cathedral is also located downtown and houses magnificent stained glass windows imported from France in the late 1800’s. This church is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Santa Fe. It is actually made up of three structures combined over time. The oldest of these is the adobe walled Conquistadora Chapel built in 1714. This part of the chapel houses a Madonna carved in 1625, making it the oldest in the United States. While Saint Francis Cathedral holds the oldest Madonna in the US, Santa Fe’s San Miguel Mission is the oldest church in the United States, built in 1626. Venture there for a tour of 16th century animal hide paintings and to see the 18th century carved wooden altar screen. Both are recognized as local treasures. :: Top If you have time for a half-day trip, head north along the High Road to Chimayo to see the famous Santuario de Chimayo. In the back of this tiny chapel, fill a small baggie with blessed sand dug out of the floor of the chapel. This sand is purported to have healing qualities as it is the sight where a miraculous crucifix was found via a burst of light radiating from the hillside. The small room where the "sacred sand pit" lies also houses a montage of photos and stories of the miraculously healed. :: Top Kasha-Katuwe National Monument (Tent Rocks) In addition to being a cultural Mecca, Santa Fe is also known for its incredible natural beauty. Nowhere is this more evident than at Kasha-Katuwe. The trails within this National Monument are not long, but prepare to spend several hours reveling in their splendor. Entering the canyon makes it immediately evident why this site is sacred to local Native American tribes. The banded, volcanic cliffs and tent-like conical formations were carved out by erosion and leave a picturesque gap in the high desert landscape. Being only 35 minutes south of Santa Fe, the short drive is more than worth the view. :: Top Cliff Dwellings — Tsankawi and Bandelier The Tsankawi and Bandelier Cliff Dwellings are located within an hour’s drive from Santa Fe. Stop at the Tsankawi dwellings first and take the 1.5 mile self guided hike of unexcavated ruins and caves, and view numerous petroglyphs. Both sites are believed to have been inhabited throughout the 12th — 16th centuries. Bandelier National Monument encompasses over 32,000 acres, most of which is designated as wilderness area. While at Bandelier, be sure to tour Frijoles Canyon that holds the ruins of many restored dwellings and kivas, as well as petroglyphs and rock paintings. Be sure to take some time to explore this area filled with cave dwellings carved into the volcanic tuff and rock structures built throughout the canyon. If you have the time and are prepared for more strenuous hiking, head out into the backcountry in search of the unrestored ruins that dot the landscape. Wherever you end up, be sure to have a camera with plenty of memory (or film for the purists) along for the trip! :: Top