-
San Miguel Mission
Enter through the gift shop to experience what's probably not quite the oldest church in the USA, as the folks down in Acoma will explain. Still, the adobe walls of San Miguel Mission have watched Santa Fe grow since 1610. Tlaxcalan Indian servants brought here by Fray Alonso de Benavidez constructed the church atop even older Native structures; this is also where, according to legend, the 1680 Pueblo Revolt began with the burning of the mission's original patron saint, San Miguel. Artistic treasures abound, including the 17th-century statue of St Michael, but the most famous artifact is the almost 800-pound San Jose Bell, cast in the 14th century in Andalusia, Spain.
-
Santa Fe Children's Museum
The Santa Fe Children's Museum is filled with hands-on exhibits that seem to keep adults enthralled as much as children. Parents will appreciate this attraction, which is designed specifically to stimulate, educate and entertain young children.
-
Santa Fe Community College Planetarium
The stars shine brightly in Santa Fe, thanks to the high altitude and arid climate, so take advantage at the Santa Fe Community College Planetarium , which offers indoor programs and outdoor tours of the skies outside after dark. Programs and times vary, so call ahead. Between June and November, reservations are required for various presentations, many linking ancient Native American cultures with modern astronomy.
-
Santuario de Guadalupe
The humble adobe chapel of Santuario de Guadalupe looks much as it did when it was built between 1776 and 1796 but has actually gone through several transformations since then. You can see photos of its previous and very different facades, as well as what remains of the original, 200-year-old adobe walls, in the tiny museum. The oldest shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe in the USA, the santuario sometimes is closed for weddings and funerals. The star attraction is the amazing altar piece, brought here from Mexico City by José de Alzíbar in 1783.
-
St Francis Auditorium
The Museum of Fine Arts hosts free concerts by the Santa Fe Community Orchestra (%466-2516; www.sfco.org) and others from July through August in St Francis Auditorium , an elegant venue designed to look like the interior of a Spanish mission, where you can enjoy classical music and new works by New Mexico composers.
-
St Francis Cathedral
Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy had a dream to build a French Romanesque cathedral worthy of any archdiocese back in Europe, right here in Santa Fe. From 1869 to 1886, imported artists and architects (Lamy wasn't too fond of local retablo-style decor) erected one of the city's most enduring symbol, St Francis Cathedral. The archbishop, buried beneath the altar, didn't survive to see its completion; indeed, original plans called for spires that have yet to be added.
-
Ventana Fine Art
Stroll the sculpture garden and then step inside for contemporary American painting, including the color-saturated work of Native American artist John Nieto, available in poster form as well.
-
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Another Museum Hill entry, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian is an eight-sided hogan-style structure that houses three galleries packed with rotating exhibitions of Native American art, both historic and modern. Many events are geared toward kids, including free storytelling by area elders and the annual All Children's Powwow, held in October, designed to introduce kids to Native culture. Docent-led free tours ( Mon-Fri, Sat) will send you away much wiser.
-
Advertisement
