Santa Fe ranks among the top tourist destinations in the USA. Movie stars live in adobe mansions in the cedar-spotted hills and there are more art galleries than there are grocery stores.
When to Go
Most ceremonial dances at the Native American pueblos occur in the summer, early fall, and at Christmas and Easter. The majority of other major events - including the Santa Fe Opera, Chamber Music Festival, and Indian and Spanish markets - are geared to the traditionally heavy tourist season of July and August. The Santa Fe Fiesta and New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque are held in September, and the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is in October.
The relatively cool climate of Santa Fe is a lure in summer, as is the skiing in winter. Christmas is a wonderful time to be in New Mexico because of Native American ceremonies as well as the Hispanic religious folk plays, special foods, and musical events.
What to See
The Indian Market, on the third weekend in August, is Santa Fe's biggest event. More than a thousand Indian artists from around the country show their works in booths on and around the plaza. This is a judged show and the quality of the work presented is phenomenal.
Museum of New Mexico: The Museum of New Mexico runs four museums in Santa Fe. The Palace of the Governors displays historical objects reflecting Santa Fe's Indian, Spanish, Mexican and American heritage. The 'palace' is one of the oldest public buildings in the country. Built in 1610 by Spanish officials, it housed thousands of villages when the Indians revolted in 1680 and was home to the territorial governors after 1846. Since 1909 the building has been a museum.
The Museum of International Folk Art is arguably the best museum in town. It houses more than 100,000 objects from more than 100 countries and the exhibits are so lively and evocative that a festive feel permeates the rooms. The Hispanic Wing displays religious art, tin work, jewelry and textiles from northern New Mexico and throughout the Spanish Colonial Empire, dating from the 17th century.
The Museum of Fine Arts is New Mexico's oldest art museum. The permanent collection is dominated by regional artists, while touring exhibitions have wider scope. The 1918 building is an excellent example of the original Santa Fe-style adobe.
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture was opened in 1987 to display artifacts that have been unearthed by the Laboratory of Anthropology, which must confirm that any proposed building site in New Mexico is not historically significant. Since 1931 it has collected over 50,000 artifacts. Rotating exhibits explore the historical and contemporary lives of the Pueblo, Navajo and Apache cultures.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum: Though O'Keeffe is represented in major museums throughout the world, this is the largest exhibit of her work. Housed in a former Spanish Baptist church, its adobe walls have been renovated to form 10 skylit galleries. Some of her most recognizable paintings incorporate bleached bones she found in the desert near Santa Fe.
Institute of American Indian Arts Museum: The National Collection of Contemporary Indian Art, with more than 8000 pieces of basketry, paintings, pottery, sculpture, textiles and beadwork, is on permanent display. This is an excellent place to not only see beautiful art but also to understand its role in Native American Culture.
Canyon Road: At one time Canyon Road, on the east side of downtown, was a dusty street lined with artists' homes and studios, but today most of the artists have fled to cheaper digs and the private homes have been replaced with a flock of upscale galleries. There are about a hundred galleries and a few restaurants on this small, adobe-lined street, and despite the commercialism and packs of tourists, it's worth a stroll.
The Oldest House: More than 800 years ago, Pueblo people built this structure out of "puddled" adobe (liquid mud poured between upright wooden frames). This house, which contains a gift shop, is said to be the oldest in the United States.
