The first day in Santa Fe it is good to get an orientation to the city using Loretto Line Tours. You get all the highlights over 1 hour and 15 minutes and you will see 10 miles of the city. It is open air and shows you many historical spots, Canyon Road and the art galleries, the historic Santa Fe Plaza, the Museum Hill area and the Palace of the Governors. New Mexico is an excellent tourist city for slow travel vacations. This will give you a good idea on where you want to go back to during your stay in the city.
The tram can pick you up at two different locations in downtown Santa Fe: La Fonda Hotel and the Loretto Chapel. There are three tours daily and no reservations required.
$20 for adults.
www.toursofsantafe.com
Sante Fe Museums
There are many great Santa Fe museums and galleries to choose from that one visit won’t be enough. Just choose a couple so you can also enjoy being outdoors in New Mexico. This is a great city to walk. If you begin at the Plaza and just wander you will discover the city.
One of the must-see’s is spending some time at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. She is well known for her New Mexico landscapes. One of the most significant artists of the 20th century, Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) focused her work on the colors of architectural and landscape of northern New Mexico.
The Museum shows 140 O’Keeffe oil paintings, 700 drawings, and other works from 1901 to 1984. The Museum highlights her entire career, which went for 60 years. They feature portraits she made in her youth all the way to her final watercolor paintings in her 80’s.
Admission is $13, free for under age 18. Try to download the museum app prior to arrival to use the free self-guided tour.
217 Johnson St
www.okeeffemuseum.org
Additional Sante Fe Museums & Galleries
The oldest public building in the US holds the Governors and New Mexico History Museum. This museum covers the history of Santa Fe as well as New Mexico, and is a great place to start for people interested in the history on what you are seeing on your trip. Prepare to spend a half day there. The museum is an excellent stop for couples, friends, or even family vacations. Call in advance to check on docent-led tours at 505-476-5100.
This also may be a good spot to pick up some authentic souvenirs as well. Native American artists and craftspeople offer Indian jewelry and crafts under the portal facing the downtown Plaza. Some of the artisans travel long distances to sell there. There are only 76 spaces to sell there and it is done by lottery. Tribes from all over the state are represented there. You will find the prices are more favorable than in the galleries and stores. Another plus is that you may meet the artist directly and can ask questions about their works. This is not a place to bargain because you may be insulting them. Many of these items have been done by hand and they feel they price items fairly. If you feel something is too expensive, move on.
There are also $ 10 downtown walking tours that meet at the Blue Gate on Lincoln Ave.
Mon-Sat, 10:15am-noon
April through October
www.palaceofthegovernors.org
The New Mexico Museum of Art is another popular, cultural attraction in Santa Fe. At the New Mexico Museum of Art, you will see the works by regional artists. Check the website on what is being exhibited about New Mexico’s multi-cultural history. The museum is always adding more collections relating to the heritage of New Mexico.
107 West Palace
Want to see some Folk Art? The Museum of International Folk Art has the world’s largest collection. Take the guided tour and no reservations are required. They have three tours starting at 10:30 daily. To confirm the time of the tours for your day, call 505-476-1204.
A great museum to dive deeper into the Native American history is The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. It specifically focuses on the history of the Pueblo, Navajo and Apache populations.
If you are looking for a tour, Stefanie Beninato is one of the tour guides in Santa Fe. She provides entertaining, informative and historically accurate tours. There are many different tours to choose from. Tours start at $ 25.
She even offers a downloadable 87 minute walking tour of Santa Fe for $ 17.50. It is an introduction to New Mexico’s history, culture and architecture.
You can also visit the Spanish Colonial Arts Society. Located at 750 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505, you can access a variety of activities and public spaces. They have a museum campus that provides an exhibition display of galleries and offices for executive staff. Of course, the campus is decorated in Santa Fe Style with highlighted architectural features and furnishings. More so, there is a permanent collections center that holds about 4,000 devotional, utilitarian and decorative units. Certainly visit the Spanish Colonial Arts Society for a taste of the Santa Fe and Spanish culture.
More Historical Sites Of Santa Fe New Mexico
Even with an abundance of amazing museums and galleries to see, there are still dozens of additional must-see stops on your New Mexico travel itinerary. First, make sure to visit El Rancho de las Golondrinas. El Rancho de las Golondrinas is a historic rancho, now serving as a history museum. The museum is located on what used to be the Camino Real, which was a Royal Road extending all the way to Mexico City. At the same time, you need to visit Pecos National Historical Park on your visit to Santa Fe. The Pecos National Historical Park explores the cultural exchange, geographic features, and historic Indian pueblos that define the rich history of Pecos Valley.
Annual Historical Santa Fe Traditions
Visiting historical attractions in Santa Fe New Mexico, there are several traditional celebrations to take part in. Be sure to plan your trip accordingly so that you can partake in all Santa Fe’s yearly festivities. One of the most famous yearly events is the Burining of Zozobra. Every year, Santa Fe residents gather to watch a massive marionette be destroyed by a ritual burning. It is said that setting this massive marionette aflame rids Santa Fe of gloom, doom, and bad luck for another years to come. Dating back to 1924, the firey tradition is an amazing historical celebration still taking place every year in Santa Fe. If you are looking for more to experience in New Mexico, make the trip for the Albuquerque hot air ballooning festival.
Visit Santa Fe Historic Chapels
As you plan your vacation to Santa Fe New Mexico, you need to set time aside to visit some historic chapels. These amazing chapels provide incredible history, stories, and must-see scenic viewpoints. Santa Fe is home to some of the oldest religious institutions in the entire United States. Originally built in 1636, the San Miguel Mission Chapel is an original Adobe structured with a number of authentic statues and high alters. At the same time, be sure to visit Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. This structure is located only a block from the world famous Santa Fe Plaza. Presenting a beautiful Romanesque, breathtaking architecture, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is a must see when visiting Santa Fe.
Soak Up Some Living History
Of course, you should soak up some living history whenever possible on your visit to Santa Fe New Mexico. Take a New Mexico road trip and view history in real life. Living history provides you a live demonstration of everyday life. In Santa Fe, the best place to experience this is at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas. Located at a former Spanish ranch from the 1700’s, the living history museum features a variety of homes, barns, chicken coops, a schoolhouse, and a general store. Here, you can learn about everything from spinning, cooking, weaving, farming, and blacksmithing.
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