Santa Fe in New Mexico

Santa Fe is one of the oldest colonial cities in the United States and is currently the oldest state capital, having been founded in 1608. It was the capital of the region back when it was under the rule of Spain, and it remained the capital when the newly-formed nation of Mexico took over in 1824. Later, when the United States claimed the New Mexico territory after the Mexican-American War, Santa Fe continued to represent the true spirit of the region even as other cities surpassed it in size. The area’s rich history is apparent everywhere in Santa Fe, from the old Spanish colonial buildings to the colorful collections of modern art. Santa Fe is famous for its commitment to design, blending the traditional architecture of the Pueblo Indians and the Spanish with a kind of quirky modernity. The city purposely encourages architecture and monuments that fit this style, creating a vibrant look that is replicated nowhere else. Santa Fe is smaller and more spread-out than America’s congested coastal cities, and like most old Spanish towns was built with a central Plaza that remains a major hub of commerce and activity. Santa Fe’s prized Barrio de Analco Historic District contains some of the oldest buildings in the United States, such as the colonial Palace of the Governors and the centuries-old San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe’s original inhabitants, the Pueblo people, are still a powerful presence in the area. Native American artwork and culture is one of the city’s huge draws, and a treasure trove of items are on display in a number of museums such as the Institute of American Indian Arts, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. You can even take a day trip up to the northern town of Taos and visit the historic Taos Pueblo, a millennium-old adobe village in which the residents still live in their ancestral dwellings and practice their indigenous religion (and keep in mind that they will immediately eject you for showing any disrespect). Santa Fe is a haven for artists–so many art galleries line the streets that it’s possible to spend day after day just browsing their impressive collections of paintings. Everywhere you turn, there are sculptures of animals or saints on display for the public. Those with an interest in literature can find monuments and museums dedicated to the many famous writers that have lived in the area, including such figures as D.H. Lawrence and Cormac McCarthy. A fan of modern art certainly shouldn’t miss one of the biennial exhibits put on by SITE Santa Fe, which are some of the best-known modern art shows in the country. The city is also home to the world’s largest collection of pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, perhaps the most famous artist to have fallen in love with New Mexico. Anybody with even a passing interest in her work owes it to themselves to drop by the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum at least once during their stay. New Mexico’s dry weather has always been appealing to those with certain health problems. Despite being located in the middle of a desert, Santa Fe sits at a high enough altitude that plenty of snowfalls in the nearby mountains, supporting a strong skiing industry in the winter. During the rest of the year, the beautiful natural landscapes of New Mexico are the perfect backdrop for sports like hiking, horseback riding, and hot air ballooning. For those who prefer the pursuits of the mind, the famous Los Alamos National Laboratory is less than an hour away from Santa Fe, and the city hosts numerous public science lectures and conferences throughout the year. Of course, you haven’t had the real New Mexico experience until you try the food. The most important ingredient is always the red or green chile (not to be confused with the “chili” you’ll find in Texas or Arizona). New Mexicans love green chile so much that they put it on just about everything, so you’re bound to run into it at some point when staying in Santa Fe. You can find five-star food at two-star prices in many places around the city if you know where to look, so try asking some of the locals instead of relying on newspapers or the Internet. You’ll definitely thank yourself later when you’re enjoying that freshly-made green chile sopapilla!