Discover Treasure in Santa Fe

When Forrest Fenn hid a treasure chest filled with a million dollars’ worth of gold nuggets and precious jewels, he knew exactly what he was doing. In the last several years since the chest was hidden and the first clues emerged, thousands of people have searched high and low amid the beauty of Santa Fe, looking for the treasure. What Fenn knew so well was that it didn’t matter if they found it. While they were hunting they found something much more precious—the wonders of Santa Fe.

We have all heard the term “Santa Fe style” used for architecture and furnishing or design. However, what I discovered was a much wider definition than a certain look. Santa Fe style is an entire and joyful sensory experience, from the whimsical adobes punctuated with pinks and turquoise shades to overflowing flower boxes, hanging bright- red chilies and art at every turn. What the real-life Indiana Jones Fenn knew was that Santa Fe was a spiritual journey with treasures in every corner.

Historic beauty

Situated in the foothills of the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it is easy to see why Santa Fe’s natural beauty has been an inspiration to artists and art lovers since its inception. Founded by Spanish Governor Don Pedro de Peralta, Santa Fe stands as the oldest continuous capital in the United States—and at 7,260 feet above sea level, it is also the nation’s highest elevation capital.

The heart of Santa Fe is the Plaza, the very pulse of the city with shops, art galleries, dining and outdoor vendors. It is also the place to get close to the area’s passionate history. Near the Plaza is the New Mexico History Museum that takes visitors from the state’s earliest days to the entry of the Spanish in 1540, atomic testing in 1945 and post-World War II with artifacts, interviews and more. On the Plaza’s north edge is the oldest government building in the nation—the Palace of the Governors. Now a museum, it served as the capital for Spanish, Mexican and U.S. governors.

It is all about the art

History and beauty abound, but it is all about the art in Santa Fe with galleries lining streets and art punctuating virtually every structure. In fact, the art community has become the third largest art market in the country. Not surprisingly, museums pay homage to the famous artists who have captured the Santa Fe spirit. Georgia O’Keeffe, known for her red-rock landscapes and desert flowers that said Santa Fe so well, is celebrated in a namesake museum. You can also tour O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch north of town, the locale of much of her inspiration.

There are art galleries galore in your shopping excursion in the Santa Fe Plaza area, however Canyon Road, a winding lane east of the Plaza, contains more art galleries within a square mile than any other area in the world. This is the place to stroll in peaceful wonder, passing by colorful adobes, gardens filled with statuary and sidewalk bistros.

Museum Hill is also a must destination for art lovers. You’ll find the Museum of International Folk Art, Spanish Colonial Art, Indian Arts & Culture and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. The Museum Hill Café here offers beautiful vistas for lunch and special events throughout the year. (www.museumhillcafe.net)

Anyone who has attended the Santa Fe Opera will tell you that the performing arts in Santa Fe have just as much draw as the art. The summer hilltop destination for opera aficionados for the past six decades features a unique roofline that limits rain interference but none of the surrounding beauty. Near the Plaza is the ornate, restored Lensic Performing Arts Center—a year-round venue for entertainment, from live performances to films.

No, it’s all about the Chilies

It can be about the art and the chilies—sometimes put together artistically in Santa Fe’s cuisine. With more than 450 restaurants in the area, it is not difficult to find some favorites. One restaurant that captures the essence of Santa Fe style is Geronimo Restaurant, nestled within the gallery-lined avenue on Canyon Road. Sit outside on the intimate patio or inside within the elegant “Borrego House” built by Geronimo Lopez in 1756 and hosting thick adobe walls and wooden beams. The changing menu will not disappoint; try the fiery sweet chili and honey grilled Mexican white prawns for a true New Mexico experience. (www.geronimorestaurant.com)

 

Make the Inn home

As a prime New Mexico tourism destination, Santa Fe has no shortage of places to call home. Small inns and bed & breakfasts fill the city—many walking distance to just about everything. Santa Fe is definitely a spot where you can park the car for the length of your stay. The Inn on the Alameda, owned by the same family for more than 30 years, is the closest hotel to Canyon Road and an easy walk to downtown. If you don’t want to walk, the inn offers free valet service. The 72 guest rooms are situated in a handful of buildings, but everyone joins for the bounteous morning buffet breakfast and evening wine and appetizers in the lounge and dining area. (www.innonthealameda.com)

Get more information on Santa Fe by contacting Santa Fe Tourism or New Mexico Tourism.