Local Attractions

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

With more than 130 paintings, drawings and sculptures, this is the world’s largest collection of works by Georgia O’Keeffe, one of New Mexico’s most famous painters. The museum opened its doors to the public in 1997 and has received more than 1,300,000 visitors. The museum is joined to a Research Center, both of which are Pueblo Revival buildings. Only a short walk from the Eldorado Hotel and two blocks from the Santa Fe Plaza, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is one of Santa Fe’s most treasured attractions.

Santa Fe Plaza / Palace of the Governors

The Santa Fe Plaza has been the epicenter of Santa Fe since Don Pedro de Peralta established it in 1610. It marks the end of the famous Santa Fe Trail, a trade route established in 1822 with its starting point in St. Louis. For more than four centuries the Santa Fe Plaza has been the hot spot for political, social and commercial gatherings. Here you will find the nation’s oldest public building, the Palace of the Governors, today operating as the State’s history museum. Local Indians from the Pueblos sell their works of art under the porch, as they have each day for years now. The plaza plays host to a series of annual events, most notably the Indian Market, Spanish Market and Fiesta.

Museum of New Mexico

Older than the state itself, the Museum of New Mexico is renowned for its collection of art and history compiled in four museums and five monuments. It is home to the Palace of the Governors, Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Fine Arts, and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture’s Laboratory of Anthropology. This day trip features a wealth of information about the art, culture and history of New Mexico.

Loretto Chapel

Home to the famous “Miraculous Staircase,” the Loretto Chapel is one of the most adored attractions in Santa Fe. Completed in 1878, the chapel was built to spread the faith and bring education to the new territory. The stairway makes two complete 360-degree revolutions and has perplexed master craftsmen from around the world. Constructed from an extinct wood with only square wooden pegs, the staircase is without any visible means of support other than its base. The Loretto Chapel is not only one of New Mexico’s most coveted churches for weddings, it also boasts perfect acoustics, making it an ideal venue for many musical concerts throughout the year.
 

SITE Santa Fe

This private not-for-profit contemporary art space is committed to local, national and international exhibitions that stretch the mind. With its education program and the ongoing series of lectures and events, SITE Santa Fe forms a learning space dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment. You’ll find contemporary art exhibited with great skill and sophistication against the historic backdrop of Santa Fe.

Canyon Road Galleries

The second most famous street in Santa Fe, Canyon Road maintains a clear distinction in the art world. Running parallel to the Acequia Madre, this winding narrow street hosts countless galleries featuring artists from the past and present. Here you will find every medium, from contemporary paintings to antique American Indian art, garden sculpture and photography. A favorite tradition is the weekly gallery walk on Friday nights at dusk, with galleries offering food and drinks, and an opportunity to meet the artists. On Christmas Eve, Canyon Road is the place to be with a large community enjoying holiday spirits, traditional New Mexican decorations (faralitos) and the company of locals and visitors alike.