Three Days in Santa Fe: A Family Friendly Itinerary

          

As we enter Santa Fe Historic Plaza, we are bombarded by surroundings that represent another country, and even another time. On one side of the square, Native American artisans display their wares in the shade of the historic Palace of the Governors, while on the other side the cobblestone streets wind through burnished adobe facades, and lead towards towering Spanish colonial churches. Elements of Native American, European, and Old West cultures are alive and well in the heart of Santa Fe, NM, and this is exactly why we have come to explore one of the oldest cities in America . Many don’t realize that much of the history of this country grew from the seeds planted here over 400 years ago.  So while the birth of America often focuses on the East Coast, there is much to be learned from the influence of the west.

~Checking out the icons (or resting from all the walking) at the Palace of the Governors~

Day One: Museums and Art in Downtown Santa Fe

Downtown Santa Fe is a delightfully walk-able area with a rich concentration of art museums and historic buildings in close proximity. The Plaza, appropriately known as the heart of Santa Fe, is filled with vendors setting up their carts for the day, while a band rocks the outdoor stage with background music. Outdoor concerts and festivals happen frequently in a city that sees over 300 days of sunshine a year, and the kids instantly latch on to the artsy and energetic vibe. Just off the Plaza is the first official stop of the day-the New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors. The Palace of the Governors has the distinction of being the oldest government building in America, and it is the perfect place to begin to understand the age of the city. With kids, it is a quick tour through the antique building, although they do pause to recognize that this building was in operation ten years before the Mayflower. After that, it’s off to the interactive exhibits inside the adjoining museum for some play time.  

~Supposed oldest house in America~

Just a few blocks from the Plaza, we explore the Chapel of San Miguel which claims to be the oldest church in the country. Adjacent to the chapel is another building listed as the oldest house in America, cementing the obvious antiquity of Santa Fe.

~Miraculous Staircase Loretto Chapel~

One more chapel, the Loretto Chapel, is last on the list before the walking tour of downtown Santa Fe comes to an end. The Loretto Chapel has a lovely Gothic exterior, but the draw of this little gem is the mystery of the staircase inside. Two mysteries surround the intricate spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel-the identity of the builder and the seeming impossibility of the architecture. The construction of the miraculous staircase still baffles architects today.  It makes over two complete 360-degree turns, stands 20’ tall and has no center support. It rests solely on its base and against the choir loft. The risers of the 33 steps are all of the same height. Made of an apparently extinct wood species, it was constructed with only square wooden pegs without glue or nails.

~Strolling amongst the whirlygigs of Canyon Road~

With a good grasp of the history of the area, we stroll down shady alleys towards famed Canyon Road for a glimpse of the art culture that is prevalent in Santa Fe. While art galleries and young children don’t often mix, the outdoor installations of over 100 galleries that line both sides of the street is an ideal way for even active children to enjoy the art scene.

After walking all morning, we are grateful to have the option to call the shuttle from our lodging at Fort Marcy Hotel Suites to take us back to the condo for lunch and a New Mexico inspired siesta. This all suite hotel makes it an ideal location for families who need the space and comfort of home, but want to be close to the action of downtown.

~A mammoth statue to consider in the courtyard of Museum Hill~

After a much needed rest, we head to Museum Hill for an afternoon of world class museums and outdoor explorations. The Museum of Folk Art has an entertaining kids area and the collection is like an I-spy of international art. The other museums in the collection leave something to be desired for a group of busy boys, but fortunately there are ways of letting off steam in the courtyard. Even more fortunately, the day is beautiful and the views from atop the hill are like a breath of fresh air to the soul.

~El Rancho de las Golondrinas~

Day Two:Exploring History and Gastronomy

El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a 200 acre living history museum, is the perfect place to start another day of exploring the history of early New Mexico. Costumed performers stroll through the original colonial buildings to show how life was lived on the frontier, and to offer kids an interactive way to explore the past.  The kids explore the adobe structures tentatively, at first, but soon they are grinding corn, and baking tortillas in the outdoor ovens. While attending a weaving demonstration, we learn that the ranch is also the setting for the stories of popular American Girl character, Josefina.

~Railyard of Santa Fe~

With hunger calling, we head to the Railyard District, a newly restored area of shopping and restaurants centered on the bustle of the train tracks. At Cowgirl BBQ the grownups indulge mouthwatering ribs on the patio while the kids scramble around on the play structure. Walking off our lunch, we are drawn into the buzz of the farmer’s market, and I quickly scrap our plans to eat dinner out in favor of trying my hand at Santa Fe cooking with the enticing fresh ingredients. Street entertainers keep the kids occupied, while I fill my sacks with vegetables and baked goods to take back to the condo for a feast.

~Sunset over Santa Fe~

Day Three: The Alure of the City Different

With plans to spend the evening in the Plaza for a concert, we stick close to the hotel for the morning to swim, and do some hiking at the adjacent Fort Marcy Park. The park is most famously known as the site of the Festival of Zozorba, a burning of a giant puppet that represents the past glooms, but it is a beautiful hike any time of year.  The end of the hiking trail leads us towards downtown where we are drawn back towards San Miguel Chapel by the echoes of clanging inside. Noticing our curiosity, the priest tells us the legend of the huge bronze bell cast in 1356 that states “Ring the bell at San Miguel, and spirits will return you to Santa Fe.” At his insistence to “ring it loud,” we all take a turn with the hammer and hope that the spirits would indeed return us to this amazing city.

~Santa Fe hosted my stay in the city, but they did not require that I express a particular viewpoint. All opinions are my own.~