Santa Fe in the Sangre de Cristo Foothills

Santa Fe the capital of the US state of New Mexico sits in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. It was founded as a Spanish colony in 1610.

Once a trade route, Canyon Road led to the community of Pecos on the eastern slope of the mountains. Today this is home to more than 100 art studios, galleries, and craft workshops. You can find all kinds of different art here like sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and pottery. There are also restaurants, cafes, and tea houses.

The Museum of New Mexico Complex has four museums exploring the state's heritage.

The New Mexico History Museum includes the history of the state from the 16th century to the present. The museum is housed in The Palace of the Governors the former 17th-century seat of the Spanish government and is a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can tour the adobe palace and see the rooms.

Also at the complex, the Fray Angelico Chavez History Library has archival materials and historic documents. The Photo Archives have over 750,000 images dating back to the mid-19th century.

The Santa Fe Opera House offers a wide variety of different operas like the traditional Madame Butterfly and contemporary Doctor Atomic. An interesting site in Santa Fe is tailgating where theatergoers in formal wear mingle and enjoy finger food in the parking lot. The opera also offers apprenticeship programs and backstage tours are available.

The Plaza is a market square built by Spaniards at the spot where the Santa Fe Trail ended. It is a lively place with shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. Visitors will find that this is a great place to find Native American Arts and Crafts. Cultural celebrations are held here.

The Museum of International Folk Art was established in 1953 and has the largest collection of international folk art in the world including baskets, textiles, wood carvings, and ceramics. The collections go by geographical area - Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Contemporary Hispano and Latino, European and North American, and Latin American. Sections also cover Spanish Colonial and Textiles & Costumes. There are also temporary exhibits and events.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is an impressive example of Romanesque Revival architecture. There are Corinthian columns, rounded arches, and square towers. The cathedral was built between 1869 and 1886. The last remaining piece of the original church has a statue of the Virgin Mary knowns as Our Lady La Conquistadora. It is the oldest of its kind in the US and was brought to the site in 1626 from Spain.

The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum has the world's largest collection of O'Keefe artwork with over 3,000 of her paintings, drawings, and assorted works. Her former home in Abiqulu, a National Historic Landmark can be toured by appointment.

Every Saturday morning at the refurbished Santa Fe Railyard you'll find the Santa Fe Farmers' Market with over 150 local growers and vendors. You'll find a wide array of products from dried beans to vegetables to fruit and even breakfast burritos and coffee. Local musicians and other artists perform.

Loretto Chapel is a Gothic Revival-style chapel, It was designed by French architect Antoine Mouly. The chapel has spires, buttresses, and stained glass windows. It has a unique spiral staircase made entirely of wood and supported by a hidden central column giving the appearance that it is hanging free in the air.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is located 10 minutes south of Santa Fe and is a living history museum. It is located on a former Spanish ranch dating back to 1710. There are 33 historic buildings among them homes, barns, a general store, a schoolhouse, and a mill. Interpreters give demonstrations of everyday life. The ranch has traditional corrals and hosts special events.

The Randall Davey Audubon Center has bird-watching tours and nature walks. It is set in the Santa Fe River Watershed and surrounded by forest. There are about 130 different species of birds. Visitors can walk the trails or take a guided walking tour.

The historical Randall Davey House can be toured where you can see the artwork of Davey an American painter and art educator.