Santa Fe is a world unto itself. While nature lovers will be drawn to the rugged countryside, the unique quality of light and the myriad of colors that are part of the land itself, cultural buffs will thrive on the abundance of museums, one-of-a-kind events, and off-the-beaten-path sights. Santa Fe hosts a number of interesting attractions. The Plaza is the central focus of Santa Fe, and there are a number of shops and restaurants surrounding the plaza and nearby streets. It's one of four sites in Santa Fe listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you'll find many of Santa Fe's local events, like the annual Indian Market, taking place there.
If you enjoy history, you won’t want to miss The San Miguel Mission, the oldest church in Santa Fe. It was built in 1626 for the servants brought to Santa Fe by the Spanish, and though it was damaged during the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, it was rebuilt in 1710. The Sanctuario de Guadalupe, from the late 1700s, is the oldest church in the country dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The lovely sanctuary offers a wonderful example of local 18th Century architecture. The "Oldest House" in Santa Fe dates back to around 1766. It was originally built with two stories, but the original second floor was removed in 1902. The floor was later replaced in 1926. Inside the house are the remains of a Spanish warrior, and you can also view a display of traditional weavings.
There are a number of wonderful museums in Santa Fe that are must-sees. The Georgia O’Keefe Museum, founded in 1997, includes more than 100 pieces by the world-renowned artist including paintings, drawings and sculptures. The Museum of International Folk Art, founded by Florence Debell Bartlett and opened to the public in 1953, has four wings exhibiting some 125,000 objects from over 100 countries, making it larger than any other museum in the world. The Institute of American Indian Arts Museum displays a varied array of artwork by artists who have attended or taught at the College of Santa Fe's Institute of American Indian Arts. The museum, whose mission is "Indian art through Indian eyes," houses some 6,500 pieces by 3,000 different artists.
For outdoor fun, try Bandelier National Monument. It is a beautiful canyon 45 miles west of Santa Fe, and the home of ancient Pueblos. The best-known archeological sites, in Frijoles Canyon near the Visitor Center, were inhabited from the 1100s into the mid-1500s, and earlier groups had used the area for thousands of years. Standing at 12,000-feet, Santa Fe Mountain provides over 1,650 vertical feet of choice skiing for both experienced and beginning skiers, on some 44 trails. Equipment rentals are available, including skis, boots and poles, as well as snow blading and snow boarding equipment. The Santa Fe National Forest offers exquisite alpine wilderness and first-class fishing, hiking, and biking. Elevations rise from 5,300 to 13,103 feet at the summit of Truchas Peak, located within the Pecos Wilderness. Its 1.5 million acres include landscapes ranging from the high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Range to the active volcanic lands of the Jemez Mountains. |
