Santa Fe, New Mexico — Plastered in adobe and art
The climate itself may be dry, but Santa Fe (which means “Holy Faith” in Spanish) is undoubtedly dripping in heritage and culture. The capital is a fusion of Spanish, Native American and Mexican traditions, hence the iconic adobe pueblos, turquoise bracelets, mariachi bands and clay pots. More than 200 galleries and more than a dozen major museums solidify the city as a major arts center. After shopping for handcrafted pieces of art, pour over the ancient Indian ruins and savor the New Mexican fare, such as green chile stew and breakfast burritos.
Day 1: Both the Inn of the Governors and the Old Santa Fe Inn are highly rated and within walking distance of the Santa Fe Plaza, the epicenter of downtown. This park will host the city’s biggest event, the Santa Fe Indian Market, on the weekend of Aug. 21-22. Every year, around 1,200 artists from 100 Native American tribes sell their artistic wares: jewelry, pottery, textiles and baskets. There’s also the annual Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts and Crafts show on July 18 and the Santo Domingo Arts and Crafts Market on Labor Day weekend. And don’t miss Canyon Road, the city’s popular mile-long stretch of galleries and boutiques. Craving more culture? End the day with a moving performance by the famous Santa Fe Opera. The open-air theater reveals a panoramic view of the surrounding mountain ranges and dramatic sunsets. This year’s season ends Aug. 28.
Day 2: Head north of Santa Fe and ride the Rio Grande. A number of rafting companies, such as Kokopelli Rafting Adventures, offer trips ranging from a wild whitewater rapid to a peaceful canyon float. Nearby are the towns of Taos (known for its artist colony and the multi-storied Taos Pueblo inhabited for more than a thousand years) and Chimayo (a Spanish Colonial village known for its weaving galleries and the El Santuario adobe church). While in Chimayo, dine at the well-known New Mexican restaurant Rancho de Chimayo located in a century-old adobe home. Diners rave about their Chimayo cocktails.
Day 3: Gear up for a final day of museum hopping on Santa Fe’s Museum Hill. First, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art preserves santos (painted, sculpted images of saints), tinwork, straw appliqué and other works of art made in region since Spain’s colonization in 1598. Second, there’s the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology showcasing more than 70,000 works of Southwest Art. Third, the Museum of International Folk Art features an unparalleled collection of toys, textiles, household goods and religious art. And fourth, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian displays Navajo folk art, Pueblo jewelry and southwestern baskets. If you have time, visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum near the Plaza; it’s the only museum in the country devoted to a female artist.
