Santa
Fe is full of culture, history, art and gorgeous
scenery. While you visit you should definitely visit
some of the wondrous architecture found in the cathedrals and
buildings in the Santa Fe area. The beautiful scenery is
some of the best in the southwest featuring, bright colors,
beautiful mountains, and unique wildlife. Below we have
listed several of the areas attractions to help you plan your
vacation.
Attractions &
Activities
El Rancho de las
Golondrinas - Once the last stop on the
1,000-mile trail from Mexico City to Santa Fe, this 200-acre
ranch now operates as a living 18th- and 19th-century Spanish
village. Visitors can roam through the hacienda, village
store, schoolhouse, chapels, blacksmith forges, and weaving
rooms.
Loretto Chapel -
This chapel, designed by the same French architects
responsible for the Saint Francis Cathedral, was intended as a
worship space for the school for young women operated by the
Sisters of Loretto. The most remarkable feature is the spiral
staircase ascending to the choir loft, which makes two
360-degree turns and was constructed with no central support
or nails.
Roundhouse (New
Mexico State Capitol) - The only round capitol
building in the United States, this structure was inspired by
the symbol of the Zia Pueblo, a sun sign that represents the
Circle of Life. The four main doorways symbolize the four
winds, directions, seasons, and sacred obligations. The
capitol is surrounded by a beautiful six-acre garden, and the
corridor walls are adorned with New Mexican art from the
Capitol Art Foundation collection. There are guided tours
daily at 10am and 2pm.
Saint Francis
Cathedral - This Romanesque cathedral stands
out in downtown Santa Fe for its French architecture in the
midst of an adobe town. The church was built in 1869, when the
pope sent French bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy to Santa Fe to
“tame” the native population by introducing European
religion and culture. A small adobe chapel previously on this
site was incorporated into the northeastern side of the
cathedral, and still houses the oldest Madonna statue in the
United States.
San Miguel Mission
- The oldest church still in use in the United
States, this simple adobe structure is adorned with buffalo
hide and deerskin Bible paintings used by Franciscan
missionaries to teach the Native Americans about Christianity.
This is the best place for visitors to get a real feel for
colonial Catholicism.
Admission free for children six and under.
Any spot beside the
road under a cottonwood tree during chile-harvesting season -
In August through September, enterprising farmers set up
tumble dryer-like roasting machines under cottonwood trees to
roast freshly picked chilies for sale to passing motorists.
Outdoor hot tubs at
Ten Thousand Waves, Santa Fe - Come to this
Japanese-style health spa to unwind after a day's cavorting on
the slopes or in the dusty desert. 3 1/2 mi outside town on
Hyde Park Rd., tel. 505/982-9304.
Santa Fe at
Christmastime - New Mexico's capital is at its
most festive at the end of December, with incense and piñon
smoke sweetening the air and the winter darkness illuminated
by thousands farolitos (tiny lanterns).
Santa
Fe is full of culture, history, art and gorgeous
scenery. While you visit you should definitely visit
some of the wondrous architecture found in the cathedrals and
buildings in the Santa Fe area. The beautiful scenery is
some of the best in the southwest featuring, bright colors,
beautiful mountains, and unique wildlife. Below we have
listed several of the areas attractions to help you plan your
vacation.