Canyon Road Gallery

Canyon Road was once an important trade route that led to the community of Pecos, on the eastern slopes of the mountains. A half-mile long stretch of Canyon Road has been transformed into Santa Fe’s heartland of arts. It is home to more than 80 galleries, as well as a variety of boutiques and artisan jewelry shops. Many of these businesses offer workshops that include traditional Native American crafts.

Enjoy a day browsing the shops and admiring the architecture and public art that make this stretch of half-mile so stunning. You’ll find plenty to choose from, such as light meals at Cafe Greco, gourmet dining at Geronimo and delicious treats at Kawaka Chocolate House. There is even a Tea Room.

Canyon Road’s arts community hosts many special events throughout the year. These include the Spring Arts Festival, an Edible Arts Tour, and seasonal events like Halloween and Christmas.

Tourists can make their visit even easier by using the Santa Fe Pick Up shuttle. This free service takes tourists to and from Canyon Road shops with stops throughout the area. It connects to most of the city’s top tourist attractions including museums and other neighborhoods

The Museum of New Mexico Complex offers a variety of historical exhibits.

Four museums are housed in the Museum of New Mexico Complex. They explore New Mexico’s history. The New Mexico History Museum documents the state’s history starting in the 16th century. It features exhibits that focus on colonization and native populations.

The Palace of the Governors is the museum’s home. It was the Spanish government’s 17-century seat. The Palace of the Governors is a National Historic Landmark. This adobe palace can be toured by visitors. It has rooms furnished with period furniture that were set up in the 1600s. Palace Press is a rare opportunity to witness live demonstrations of New Mexico’s first printing press.

The complex also hosts the Fray Angelico Chavez History Library. This library contains historical documents and archival materials. There is also the Photo Archives. Here you can find over 750,000 images dating back to the mid-19th Century. A Native American arts market is also available at the complex, which operates every day.

Santa Fe Opera House

Santa Fe Opera House is considered the state’s most important performing arts center. It presents a variety of operatic works, from classics like Madame Butterfly to modern performances like Doctor Atomic. Tailgating is a very popular tradition in Santa Fe. This is a great sight to see as crowds of theatregoers in formal wear mix in the parking lot while enjoying fine finger food.

The opera house offers apprenticeship programs in all aspects of production. Backstage tours are also available year round.

Go Skiing, Southwest Style

There are many good ski areas in New Mexico for winter visitors, many of which are located within driving distance from Santa Fe. Taos Ski Valley is well-known for its advanced terrain. However, there are many nearby resorts that offer family-friendly skiing.

Ski Santa Fe is only 15 miles away from the city. Tourists who don’t own a car can also take a shuttle from downtown. The popular ski area boasts more than 650 acres and over 80 trails with a wide range of terrain.

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, which covers 750 acres and has 45 trails, is less than an hour from Santa Fe. This is a popular ski area for beginners and families, with fewer trails and more space.

Sipapu Ski and Sommer Resort is another excellent small ski area, just a little more than an hour from the city. Tourists will find 3 terrain parks, 40 trails, and recreational facilities.

Visit the Plaza & Downtown

The Plaza is the bustling hub of town’s life. It was constructed by the Spaniards on the site where the Santa Fe Trail ended. The Plaza is a beautiful, tree-shaded park located in front of the Palace of the Governors. This central point is close to many of the top tourist attractions.

The Plaza’s busy streets are bustling today. They are filled with many shops, galleries and restaurants. It is the best spot in the city for Native American art and crafts, including jewelry.

The Plaza is equally popular with locals and tourists. It is a great spot to watch people. Here are many of the city’s special events.

Museum of International Folk Art

The Museum of International Folk Art was established in 1953 and has the largest collection of international folk arts in the world. It includes baskets, wood carving, and ceramics.

The collections can be divided by geographic region, such as Africa, Asia and Middle East, Contemporary Hispano and Latino and European and North American. You will also find sections on Spanish Colonial and Textiles & Costumes.

Florence Dibell Bartlett founded the museum and laid the foundation for the collection. The museum has received significant donations from many other people, and the collection has grown tremendously over the years.

There are a variety of temporary exhibitions and events at the museum each year. You can check the calendar for information about upcoming events that will include music, films and lectures.

Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisii

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisii is a beautiful example of Romanesque Revival architecture. It’s distinguished by its Corinthian columns and rounded arches as well as square towers. It was built between 1869-1886 and took over an older adobe chapel.

One of the last pieces of the original church is home to a statue known as Our Lady La Conquistadora of the Virgin Mary. It was originally brought from Spain in 1626 and is the oldest statue of its type in America.

The interior of the cathedral is simple and impressive. It features a Brazilian granite baptismal font, French stained glass, and delicate woodwork. The keystone, which bears a Hebrew Tetragrammaton carving, is one of the most striking features of the cathedral.

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Santa Fe’s Georgia O’Keeffe Museum has more than 3,000 O’Keeffe paintings, drawings and other works. Every visit to the museum is unique because different parts of the collection can be accessed throughout the year.

Special exhibitions are also held at the museum, including O’Keeffe’s and other modernists’ work. There are lectures, workshops, as well as activities for children all year. It also maintains O’Keeffe’s Abiquiu home, which is a National Historic Landmark and can be toured upon appointment.

Santa Fe Farmers Market

Every Saturday morning, more than 150 local growers gather at the Santa Fe Railyard to sell their products at the Santa Fe Farmers Market. Market has been operating since 2002 and offers a wide range of products including dried beans, peas, squashes and corn as well as breads, coffee, tea, and breakfast burritos.

The market also hosts local musicians and other artists, adding to the fun. All items must be grown locally by the market’s parent organization. The market expects that 80 percent of the ingredients and other materials used in processed goods will also be from northern New Mexico.

Loretto Chapel

Jean-Baptiste Lamy, Archbishop of New Mexico, requested that seven Sisters of Loretto members be sent from Kentucky to Santa Fe in 1850 to assist him with the development of the New Mexico education system. The Academy of Our Lady of Light was opened by the sisters in 1853 for 300 girls. Lamy then rewarded them with the construction of this beautiful Gothic Revival-style chapel.

The chapel was designed by French architect Antoine Mouly. Its spires and buttresses are adorned with stained-glass windows. A unique spiral staircase is found in the chapel, made entirely from wood and supported by hidden central columns that give the structure the illusion of floating free in the air.