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Santa Fe, or "the City of Holy Faith," is located in the foothills at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains 7,000 feet above sea level, and is surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest and wilderness. Santa Fe has represented a seat of government under the flags of Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, and the United States. Visitors to Santa Fe will see a city heavily influenced by the history of three distinct cultures: Native American, Hispanic and Anglo-Saxon.

Santa Fe is America's oldest capital city and claims a long history that's supported by a state flag, which combines the ancient sun symbol of the Zia Pueblo Indians with the red and gold colors carried into New Mexico by the Spanish conquistadors. In 1610, having previously housed several different civilizations, the city officially became the capital of New Mexico. In 1846, it was ceded by the Mexican Federation to the U.S. In 1912, the New Mexico Territory became a state.

Known as the "City Different" for a diverse community to compliment a diverse infrastructure, Santa Fe is home to some 65,000 people and is famous for its art and architecture, much of it preserved in the design of historic buildings and the continual usage of the city's distinctive Spanish-Pueblo style. This architecture is based on the adobe (mud and straw) and wood construction of the past. Also preserved are the traditions of the city's varied cultural heritage, which helps make Santa Fe one of the country's most unique and interesting places to visit.

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Weather

Santa Fe is located in a high mountain valley that is subject to four distinct seasons and an average of 300 sunny days per year and generally less than 40% humidity. Warm days and cool evenings are the norm for spring, summer and fall. Daily temperatures in Santa Fe reach an average high of 91 degrees F during the summer and a low of 40 F during the winter. The winter months have a dry cold, which makes the snow typically light and quick to melt. Nights are cool year-round and the city receives some six to eight snowfalls per year between November and April.

Current Weather

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Attractions

The Plaza in Santa Fe is the historical and cultural center of the city. Considered to be the gateway to the community from its downtown location, the plaza embodies both a park bound in Southwestern style art and architecture, and communal gathering place for locals and tourists to enjoy. With origins dating back nearly 400 years from the native Pueblo Indian communities, the park was fortress-like in design and considerably larger than today's version, which currently houses many shops and museums, monuments and outdoor festivals. Stretching beyond its center, visitors can navigate the plaza by foot and discover many area highlights that include the Palace of the Governors, The Guadalupe Street Railyard District, the State Capitol Building, and the famous Santa Fe Trail, located in the southeast corner of the Plaza.

First established by the early Spaniard settlers for its convenient and strategic location, Canyon Road (100 Canyon Road) features nearly a mile's worth of Spanish Colonial, Pueblo and American architecture housing shops rooted in residential arts and crafts. Known as the oldest street in Santa Fe, its narrow width is crowded by tourists eager to visit its cluster of galleries strewn with Native American and traditional Spanish paintings, crafts and antiques. Most shops are housed in old adobes, some more than 200 years old, and sprinkled between, open gates lead to courtyards and gardens that flourish in the spring.

A popular stopping point during any downtown Santa Fe tour lies just north of East Marcy Street on the hilltop of Paseo de La Loma where the white Cross of the Martyrs sits overlooking the city. Standing 25 feet tall and weighing 76 tons, this towering concrete structure was erected to commemorate the death of 21 Franciscan friars and numerous Spanish colonists during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. It was dedicated during the Fiesta de Santa Fe in 1920 and was the site of candlelight processions for many years since, attracting thousands of gatherers paying homage amid hillside bonfires and ceremonial masses. The tradition continues to this day, taking place the first week in September and culminating at the nearby St. Francis Cathedral. From its hilltop location, visitors are also rewarded with a scenic view of the city and the nearby mountains.

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Family Fun

For a fun way to skim through the scenic Santa Fe backdrop, hop on board the day train. Santa Fe Southern Railway (410 S. Guadalupe St.; 505-989-8600; http://sfsr.com) offers a variety of trips departing from the century-old, mission-style Santa Fe Depot traveling through to the quiet village of Lamy and back in vintage cars ranging from 50 to nearly 90 years old. The scenic day train operates year-round on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and from April to October, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Guests are welcome to enjoy a two- to four-hour day trip or a dinner ride, or choose from among the many special seasonal event themes taking place throughout the year. Departure times vary.

For an educational and exciting family outing head about an hour south to visit the Wildlife West Nature Park (Edgewood; 505-281-7655; www.wildlifewest.org), a 122-acre wildlife refuge and enhanced zoo. The park features some 25 different kinds of animals, which include such endangered varieties as the Mexican Gray Wolves, Rare Black Tailed Prairie Dogs, Rocky Mountain Elk, and many more. Informative field trips and special events take place throughout the year. The park is open daily with summer hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and noon to 4 p.m. during the winter; closed on major holidays. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students and children under five are admitted free.

The Santa Fe Children's Museum (1050 Old Pecos Trail; 505-989-8359; www.santafechildrensmuseum.org) offers a fun place for families to explore and a learning environment for kids through a number of on-site programs and interactive exhibits. The collection of exhibits rotates throughout the year and includes activities where participants may create art from recycled materials, study giant bubble shapes and colors, observe the behavior of various small animals, learn about "Pulley Power," "Waterworks" and more. On-site programs provide for daily outdoor activities, creative art through hands-on participation and special entertainment with musicians, puppeteers, magicians, and storytellers. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults and children.

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Cultural Arts

Present-day Santa Fe is a living link to its past. Travelers can easily trace the city's history traversing the nearly 400-year-old New Mexican capital street by street amidst its abundance of Native American and Hispanic art, multiple museums and historic artifacts.

For a true taste of Southwestern culture and New Mexican heritage, the Palace of the Governors (105 W. Palace; 505-827-6474; www.palaceofthegovernors.org) is a must-see destination. Now a Southwestern history museum, the Palace was constructed as a government building by the Spanish in 1610 and remains the nation's oldest public building still in continuous use. In 1960 it was designated a registered National Historic Landmark. Its adobe structure houses the state's history with featured collections covering the Spanish Colonial, Mexican, U.S. Territorial, and statehood periods with more than 15,000 catalogued objects, as well as some Precolumbian artifacts dating from 1500 B.C. The building faces Santa Fe's downtown Plaza, and American Indian artists can be found selling pottery and jewelry under its historic portal. The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tours available Monday through Saturday, 10:15 a.m. to noon.

One of the most important artists of the 20th century, Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) was devoted to creating imagery that expressed what she called "the wideness and wonder of the world as I live in it." And it's only fitting that the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum (217 Johnson St.; 505-946-1000; www.okeeffemuseum.org) is dedicated to the art of its namesake, a leading member of one of the avant-garde art movements that flourished in New York City in the early 20th century. Located two blocks from the historic Santa Fe Plaza, the Pueblo Revival-style building is home to a collection of more than 139 O'Keeffe paintings, drawings and sculpture plus special exhibits devoted to American Modernism by her contemporaries. From July through October, the museum is open seven days a week, and from November through June it's closed on Wednesdays. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and to 8 p.m. on Fridays.

For those interested in Southwestern culture and want a more in-depth look into the area's history, El Rancho de las Golondrinas (334 Los Pinos Rd.; 505-471-2261; www.golondrinas.org) offers visitors a 200-acre time warp back to the early 18th century within a rural farming valley 15 miles south of the Plaza in Santa Fe. The museum is dedicated to the heritage and culture of Spanish Colonial New Mexico and features original Colonial buildings on the site dating to the early 1700s, as well as new reconstructions of historic buildings from other areas. Reconstructions of the past are also presented by way of "villagers" clothed in early New Mexican styles, as well as special festivals and theme weekend celebrations, which offer visitors a further look into this period of Spanish/Mexican influence. The museum's regular season runs from June through September, every Wednesday to Sunday, with self-guided and guided tours available. During the months of April, May and October, special arrangements can be made for guided tours only.

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Sports/Recreation

Year-round sunshine and majestic views make Santa Fe a favorite destination for all kinds of outdoor activities. Santa Fe is supplied with more than 1.5 million acres of National Forest and public land--from its long stretches of flat desert to raised mountainous terrain. Combined with plenty of seasonal variety, visitors don't need to look far for summer and winter sports.

Santa Fe has a number of golf courses, from public to exclusive, suited to golfers at every level. While you vacation in Santa Fe, make some time to play a round or two at the popular Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe (205 Caja del Rio Rd.; 505-955-4400; www.linksdesantafe.com). Named in memory of the prolific young championship-caliber golfer, Links de Santa Fe offers inspiring views of the surrounding mountains and lush landscape to go with a challenging test to golfers of all skill levels.

Wild Earth Llama Adventures (54 Ron's Road; 800-758-5262; www.llamaadventures.com) allows visitors to explore New Mexico's scenic, unspoiled wilderness at their leisure with the benefit of an experienced tour guide and accommodating llamas that perform the physical labor. Wild Earth Llama Adventures offers "Take a Llama to Lunch!" day hikes in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and guided multi-day wilderness treks for all ages and fitness levels. Guides share knowledge of local ecology and regional history.

While the world-class resort of Taos Ski Valley garners most of the acclaim among skiers, Ski Santa Fe (505-982-4429; www.skisantafe.com) offers plenty of adventurous alternatives for winter sports enthusiasts visiting between November and April. Located 20 miles from Santa Fe's centrally located Plaza, Ski Santa Fe features 39 downhill ski trails to accommodate all skill levels, seven lifts and a summit elevation of just more than 12,000 feet-higher than Taos. Skiers (downhill and cross-country) and snowboarders are welcome throughout the season and lessons are offered for both.

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Accommodations

Santa Fe's unique mix of Native American, Southwestern and Spanish influences prominently displayed throughout the city are also reflected in its many lodging options. Aside from the expected modest to luxury price structure, Santa Fe accommodates guests by pairing modern vibrancy with age-old culture that combine to produce a relaxing retreat amid picture perfect landscapes.

The Madeleine (106 Faithway St.; 505-982-3465; www.madeleineinn.com) is a romantic Santa Fe Bed and Breakfast tucked away on a quiet street near the Santa Fe Plaza and Canyon Road. Originally built in 1886, it was Santa Fe's first bed and breakfast. The inn is surrounded by peaceful gardens to accentuate its cultural details that include stained glass windows and ornate fireplaces. Recently, the inn inaugurated the Absolute Nirvana Spa & Tea Room where guests can experience an exotic Indonesian spa treatment and therapeutic Thai massage. Standing as an architectural reminder of the frontier days of the Wild West, and a few steps away from its siblings, Hacienda Nicholas and Alexander's Inn, the Madeleine offers a uniqueness of style to go with convenience and affordability. Its seven rooms range in price from $110 to $210 per night.

At the end of the historic Santa Fe Trail against the enchanted backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rests the Inn and Spa at Loretto (211 Old Santa Fe Trail; 505-988-5531; www.innatloretto.com), a resort infused with the richness of the Southwest. Located in the heart of Santa Fe, the Inn is a short stroll to the city's galleries and museums, and with its Pueblo-based building block style exterior, indoor murals and painted ceilings, captures the spirit of the area's artistic community and early heritage. The Inn offers 134 guestrooms and includes five suites that feature hand-carved furnishings and Native American décor. Room rates begin at $179 per night, or visit the website for specially priced packages.

A landmark on Santa Fe's historic Plaza, La Fonda (100 E. San Francisco St.; 505-982-5511; www.lafondasantafe.com) is located close to area attractions and combines traditional Spanish architecture with the latest in state-of-art services and amenities. La Fonda has 167 guest rooms and suites, including 14 luxury accommodations on the La Terraza concierge level, which offers guests an upscale retreat that includes facilities such as The Gathering Room for reading, an outdoor hot tub and fitness room and special concierge services. La Fonda is known to have been the first inn established in the early 17th century shortly after the founding of Santa Fe, and it still occupies the southeast corner of the Plaza where travelers have visited for nearly four centuries. Room rates begin at $219 per night, $349 for suites and $389 for the La Terraza level.

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Shopping

Santa Fe is a shopper's paradise with more than 500 shops and galleries including unique retail stores and boutiques, a factory outlet mall, flea market, farmer's market, and more including specialty stores with offerings unique to Santa Fe and its Southwestern heritage.

Located next to the historic Plaza in downtown, Moxie (205 W. San Francisco St.; 877-986-9265; http://santafemoxie.com) offers visitors an exquisite shopping experience with its selection of uniquely Southwestern items. Shoppers can choose from casual clothing that features a variety of New Mexican motifs, handcrafted gifts such as inlaid knives and personal accessories designed and created by local artisans, luxurious pillows, or locally inspired and designed fashions and jewelry.

Santa Fe Outlets (8380 Cerrillos Rd.; 505-474-4000; www.santafeoutlets.com) is New Mexico's only outlet center and offer visitors discounted shopping at more than 40 designer brand outlets such as Coach, Donna Karan, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Liz Claiborne, Eddie Bauer and more. Locally inspired gift and specialty shops including Sissel's Indian Jewelry and Woodworkers Guild Gallery add a little adventure. Look for seasonal specials and family-oriented events taking place throughout the year.

Marcy Street Card Shop (75 W. Marcy St.; 505-982-5160), located downtown, one block from the historic Plaza, is recognized as an area tradition for the past 20 years. While the shop's trademark is to sell cards, with thousands to choose from, it also features a variety of gift items that include fresh flowers, balloons, candy, adult novelties, jewelry, and more. Designed as more of an all-purpose shop to serve a variety of local needs, it's worth a look to see why it is the place to go, as they put it, "For everything you thought you could never find."

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Nightlife

One of Santa Fe's most popular restaurants and piano bars, Vanessie (434 W. San Francisco St; 505-982-9966; www.nmrestaurants.com/vanessie) combines Continental American fare with Art Deco, spacious ceilings and plenty of musical entertainment via a highly acclaimed local duo armed with a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach to Billy Joel. The musical fun takes place nightly to closing, and there's even an extra microphone set up for those who dare. A celebrity or two have also been known to make an impromptu appearance.

A pleasant meeting place for dinner and drinks is the Pink Adobe (406 Old Santa Fe Trail; 505-983-7712; www.thepinkadobe.com), a long-standing landmark for better than 50 years. True to its name, the pink-colored adobe-style building features several dining rooms adorned with works by area artists, and a menu that includes Southwestern, Creole and New Mexican dishes. Adjoining the restaurant is the popular post-meal hang out, The Dragon Room (www.thepinkadobe.com/dragonroom.php), with its tree-lined interior, offers a true outdoorsy feel to go with magnificent drink specials and a menu of live musical guests.

While Santa Fe isn't known for the breadth of nightlife offered in places like Dallas or Miami, it does offer plenty of its own uniquely styled entertainment. For those looking for an out of the ordinary evening activity and want to avoid noise and crowds, an entertaining and educational night sky tour might be just the thing. Astronomy Adventures: Guided Night Sky Tours (1710 W. Alameda St., Unit 8; 505-577-7141; www.cosmonut.org) offers visitors the advantage of nighttime viewing of the unusually dark New Mexico sky where shining star clusters replace the clouded clutter overlooking the industrial center. Experienced guides narrate tours for groups numbering from two to 200 people, and binoculars and telescopes are provided. Weekend reservations are encouraged well in advance.

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Travel

Access Santa Fe (624 Galisteo #32; 866-614-8404; www.accesssantafe.com) offers visitors a variety of activities and tours. Heading the list is the Santa Fe Original Walking Tour, the perfect pedestrian vehicle to traverse the many meandering lanes and narrow one-way streets of this city. Well versed guides lead a leisurely stroll through all of Santa Fe's major historic sites-the visual and living history as seen through its art-laden blocks and cultural beauty. Flexible departure and return times are available.

A convenient way to navigate through the city is via Santa Fe Trails (2931 Rufina St.; 505-955-2001; www.santafe.com/services/transportation.html), the city's public transit system. The Santa Fe Trails system map and bus schedules serve as the guide to see all of Santa Fe and its surrounding areas without need for a rental car or cab. Most routes originate from the downtown Transit Center on Sheridan Street one block west of the Plaza. Fares for adults are $1 per trip or $2 for a one-day pass, seniors (60+) and children (five to 17) travel for half-price, and children under age five travel free with a paying adult. Trip planning assistance and additional information is also available.

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Fast Facts

Santa Fe was originally named "La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis." Fortunately, that has been shortened to Santa Fe, or the "City of Holy Faith."

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Links

Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau

Frommer's: Santa Fe

Visit Santa Fe

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Eldorado Hotel & Spa $10.5M Renovation

The Eldorado Hotel & Spa is set to re-emerge in November 2007 after completion of a $10.5 million renovation. The revitalized four-diamond rated property highlights the hotel’s authentic southwestern spirit while infusing innovative design techniques and amenities. The lobby, guestrooms, fitness center, and meeting space were all upgraded in this latest renovation designed to enhance the guest experience. The lobby welcomes with Old-World Santa Fe charm, adorned with custom chandeliers and sconces reminiscent of the Spanish Colonial style and part of New Mexico’s rich cultural history. Eldorado is located next to the historic Santa Fe Plaza and features 219 lavish guestrooms fitted with luxury furnishings, modern work and entertainment stations, and is home to The Old House, New Mexico’s original four-diamond restaurant. For additional information and reservations, visit www.eldoradohotel.com or call (800) 955-4455.

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