A Walking Tour of Santa Fe
In the heart of Santa Fe is The Plaza. Like most
early Spanish settlements, life in Santa Fe centered around a patch
of grass and trees where people
could graze their flocks, relax, conduct business and meet with friends.
By the time the city was established in the early 1600’s, many businesses
were built near The Plaza and residences had sprung up along the burrow
paths leading up to The Plaza. Although its less than half the size it
was originally,
The Plaza continues to be the heart of Santa Fe.
This article will take you on a walking tour of the
highlights in and around The Plaza. We’ll begin on Palace Avenue where Native American Indians
from local Pueblos spread out wool blankets to sell their fine handmade jewelry
in front of the Palace of the Governors. You’ll find some of the best
prices for Native American jewelry when you purchase your treasures directly
from the artist. Please be respectful and ask before taking photographs
as many Native American beliefs prohibit them from being photographed.
Housed in the Palace of Governors are an assortment
of historical artifacts and beautiful works of art. Be sure to take
the tour while you’re there,
it will increase your understanding and appreciation for everything else
you visit in Santa Fe. Although they begin the history of Santa Fe with the
Spanish Explorers, you can catch up on the Native American history and culture
when you visit the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture on Camino Lejo where
you must also visit the Wheelwright, The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and
the Folk Art Museums. But, they’re located Southeast of The Plaza too
far for walking, so lets get back to The Plaza.
For more Native American experiences, walk one block
east to the Institute of American Indian Arts. Although the history
of the local Native Americans
isn’t presented here, you will experience the Native American culture
through the exhibits and items for sale from the latest up and coming
artists as well as works by well-known artists. The Institute is right
across the
street from St. Francis Cathedral.
The Cathedral is an historical landmark and is open
to the public when they aren’t having services. Here you’ll find lots of wonderful works
of religious folk art as well as enjoy the beauty of the Cathedral. Across
the street from St. Francis Cathedral, on the Southeast corner of The Plaza
you’ll find the historical La Fonda Hotel.
The original hotel was built before 1607 and has
kept its traditional bearings throughout its renovations. In addition
to enjoying the award winning architecture,
the La Fonda houses a multitude of artwork through out the lobby and areas
that are open to the public. There’s an assortment of shops along the
outer edges downstairs. While you’re there, you might want to kick
off your shoes and enjoy a Margarita while you listen to one of the local
artists play.
Head south on Old Santa Fe Trail and you’ll
run into The Loretto Chapel. Legend has it that after the nuns petitioned
St. Joseph to provide someone
to build the stairs in the Gothic-styled church, a mysterious carpenter
appeared and built the staircase using non-local wood held together
without glue or
nails. Then he vanished before he could be paid. The staircase makes two
360-degree turns and has no center supports. This is several blocks away
and you may choose to visit the Chapel by car later. If this is the case,
then just head southwest when you leave La Fonda and catch up with this
tour on San Francisco Street and Water Street in the next paragraph.
When you leave the chapel head northwest to enjoy strolls down San Francisco
Street and Water Street for more shopping and wonderful dining. Shops
carry many one-of-a-kind items from around the world. If you’re
at the corner of Don Gaspar and Water Street around breakfast time,
don’t pass up the opportunity to eat at Café Pasqual’s.
Although they serve all day, breakfast there is such a treat that the
locals are willing to fight the tourist traffic on The Plaza to enjoy
it. There’s a large community table in the center of Pasqual’s
where you’re sure to meet some interesting people while you enjoy
your meal.
Headed back northwest of The Plaza you can browse
through a number of galleries and The Georgia O’Keefe Museum on Johnson Street. Although Miss O’Keefe
wasn’t born in New Mexico, we claim her as one of our own. This fearless
and trendsetting artist lived in Abiquiu, New Mexico (approximately 50 miles
northwest of Santa Fe) for several decades and many of her important pieces
of art are housed in the museum. Heading east, back toward The Plaza on Palace
Avenue you’ll want to stop at The Museum of Fine Arts where you’ll
enjoy works from most of the famous Southwest artists.
If you plan your visit during August, the Plaza is host to the Santa Fe
Indian Market held by the Southwest Association for Indian Arts. During the
holidays, the Plaza is host to various traditional and modern exhibits and
holiday related events. Year round the Plaza hums with galleries and shops
selling everything from wearable art to mouth-watering fare from around the
world.
All Copyrights Reserved © The Santa
Fe Store Dot Com
