Unique and fun things to do in Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe is a city with a rich and vibrant history. The first known inhabitants settled in Santa Fe around 900 AD Since then, several different cultures have claimed the land as their own. In 1912, it was incorporated as part of New Mexico as state number 47. In an effort to preserve the history of this extraordinary place, many of the original structures have been preserved and the newer ones are subject to strict building codes. A society of cultural importance, Santa Fe was the first city in the United States to be included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). With so much history and beauty, it should come as no surprise that more than a million visitors visit this city each year. Go see for yourself what Santa Fe has in store for you.
Annual events
Often when people travel, they coordinate it with events or festivities. Cultural events throughout the year dot the calendar with unique and fun things to do. One such event is the burning of Zozobra during the Fiesta de Santa Fe in September. Said to be the oldest community event in the United States. The festival focuses on the peaceful reoccupation of Don Diego de Vargas in 1692. This September marks the 300th anniversary of this celebration. Other events worth marking on your calendar in the city are the Santa Fe Rodeo in June, the Santa Fe Wine Festival in July, and Las Posadas in December.
Enjoying the outdoors
Santa Fe offers a wonderful landscape full of color and special geographical features that make it ideal for visitors with different outdoor interests. The Rio Grande offers up to class six in the rapids. Guided tours like those offered by Santa Fe Rafting can take you down any path. Skiing, snowboarding, and other snow fun can be enjoyed atop the Sangre de Cristos Mountains from Thanksgiving through Easter. As if Santa Fe was designed by nature to impress, there are spectacular cliffs and terrain as far as the eye can see. Hiking and horse riding are popular as a result of the aesthetic charm and vast landscape. We recommend visiting Hermits Peak when in Santa Fe for a great moderate difficulty trail with endless rewards.
Historical places
Santa Fe was established long before it became part of the United States and has managed to preserve many of the structures of its history. The capital itself is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The “oldest house” or De Vargas street house is said to have been built in 1610 and is picturesque yet rich in historical significance and value. The Palace of the Governors and the Mission of San Miguel also share the “oldest” distinctions and are ideal for strolling or daydreaming back in time. Once again, community and government restrictions go to great lengths to keep the historical nuance intact so you don’t have to search far for something different from your typical box and skyscraper stores.
Museums
There are not many travel destinations in the US where you will find the quantity and quality of the museums to be top-notch. There are two places that really concentrate these efforts and that would be in the aptly named Museum Hill and in the surroundings of the Palace of the Governors. There are more museums than any one trip allows, so check back as I’m sure there are several that will appeal to every type of traveler. The Museum of International Folk Art offers the largest collection of folk art in the world. Or there’s the Museum of Indian Art, where curators take a then-and-now approach to displaying native art collections in partnership with elders, tribesmen, and scholars. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is celebrating its 15th anniversary and is the most visited museum in New Mexico. The list continues to reflect much of the art of the Southwest while having diversity and a fresh look at each subject.
Other things
If you need a drink or want to dance or both, Santa Fe has it too. Some bars have large outdoor patios like La Casa Sena Cellar Lounge and Bishops Lodge, among others. If you like a dive bar, this is Matador. There are several bars with live music, with food from the local market and others who just want to pour drinks down their throats. New Mexico is said to be the birthplace of vineyards in the US If this is true, then you can experience some of that by searching for the Estrella del Norte vineyards or the Haak vineyards. Forgetting about the Opera would be a tragedy. The stage and stage are well designed to engage guests as well as allow them to immerse themselves in the surrounding environment. Well known for its tailgating, I recommend that you at least take a moment to check out the atmosphere. When in Santa Fe, don’t be afraid to do the other things, but make time for the many things that make it different from anywhere else in the country.