Meow Wolfs House Of Eternal Return
Courtesy of Meow Wolf
The House of Eternal Return is the most unorthodox museum youll ever visit. While it’s technically an art installation, the first permanent installation at Meow Wolf, this tourism darling on the citys Southside is much more. Its an interactive art experience that takes visitors on a psychedelic trip through the multiverse. The creation of Santa Fe art-collective-turned-experiential-company Meow Wolf , The House of Eternal Return begins in a Victorian mansion and leads guests through room after room of fantastical environments, from a larger-than-life neon fish tank, to the glowing interior of a mammoth skeleton. Book your tickets ahead for a guaranteed entrance time as the lines get long here, especially during peak tourism seasons.
Museum Of Contemporary Native Arts
Set on Museum Hill, the Museum of International Folk Art is a menagerie of global folk art with some 130,000 items in its permanent collection. “Multiple Visions: A Common Bond,” which is on long-term view,features more than 10,000 pieces by itself. Plus, it mounts traveling exhibitions that have spotlighted everything from the kites of Japan to the Hispano folk music of northern New Mexico. The museum is connected to citys International Folk Art Market, a festival that takes over Museum Hill for three days in July with wares from more than 100 artists from around the world.
The Most Interesting Things To See At Museum Hill In Santa Fe
Thousands of years before we walked this Earth, Southwestern Native Americans began creating the rich culture and traditions that we can still experience today. Santa Fe is a city steeped in this history. The locals are proud of their age-old traditions and values that their ancestors once held so dear. If youd like to take a journey back in time and experience the colorful history and culture of New Mexicos capital city, then a visit to the Museum Hill in Santa Fe is in order. A trip to this attraction is a great way to see how the art and culture of the Southwest Indians shaped city we know and love. Read on to learn more about Museum Hill in Santa Fe and the best things to see during your visit!
Museum Hill in Santa Fe is just one of the many places to visit during your stay with us! Request your free copy of our Chimayo Vacation Guide to find all of the best local museums, attractions, activities, and more.
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Take A Tour At El Rancho De Las Golondrinas
About a twenty minute drive south of Santa Fe is El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, or the Ranch of the Swallows. This is a living history museum, situated on a 200 acre ranch, which is dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of 18th and 19th century New Mexico.
They offer both self-guided tours and free guided tours, and we would definitely recommend doing the latter if you can. We learnt all about the history of life in this area thanks to our well informed and entertaining guide, who showed us around a number of the key buildings on site. Then we were able to explore the rest of the property by ourselves.
You definitely want to set aside a few hours for exploring. As well as the guide, there are costumed âvillagersâ to find and interact with, a hacienda, water mill, schoolhouse and more buildings to explore, plus there are events throughout the year to attend.
Visit The Museum Of International Folk Art
In the same part of town as the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is the fun Museum of International Folk Art. With a collection of over 130,000 objects from 100 nations, itâs the largest collection of folk art of its kind in the world.
Exhibits rotate so what you see will vary, with the exception of the long term Girard Collection, which was one of our favourite parts of the museum. Consisting of hundreds of miniatures, which range from bull fighting rings through to depictions of life in US towns across the years through to, well, pretty much everything you can imagine. Thereâs a lot to see and we guarantee youâll spend more time here than you were planning!
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The Best Museums In Santa Fe New Mexico
A trip to the City Different requires visitors to experience some of the incredible history and culture that makes this one of the most fascinating towns in the country. One of the best ways to explore this side of our city is to visit at least a handful of the top museums in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Whether you want to gaze at Native American art or uncover an interactive mystery, youll find an incredible collection of museums here!
For more things to do and places to see in the City Different, request our complimentary Vacation Guide!
Museum Of Indian Arts & Culture
The small but excellent Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, also on Museum Hill, spotlights the devotional and decorative art, furniture, and textiles of the Spanish colonial era. Youll learn about typical arts of the time period, including retablos and bultos , punched tin work, and colcha . You’ll also learn how New Mexico’s artists are continuing these heritage arts today. Plan ahead for the citys Traditional Spanish Market, held on a weekend in July, when modern-day artists sell traditional arts.
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Museum Of Spanish Colonial Art
The Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts, opened in 2002, is the only museum in the world dedicated to Spanish Colonial art. What defines Spanish colonial art? It’s the art that arose in Spain’s New World colonies. Passed down through generations, there are still artists working in these original forms thanks to the support of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society who first conceived the idea for the museum in 1929. It took almost a quarter of a century to bring to fruition. The museum, housed in a former home designed by John Gaw Meem, often called the “father of pueblo revival architecture,” has a mission. It “collects, preserves, and exhibits the Spanish colonial art of New Mexico and beyond.” They mount about six new exhibitions a year. Ongoing exhibits include the Beltrán-Kropp Art Collection from Peru and A World of Art Filigree and Finery: The Art of Adornment in New Mexico.
Recommended for Museums because: Spanish Colonial art is indelibly woven into the fabric of Santa Fe and New Mexico.
Billie’s expert tip: If you want to see Spanish colonial art at its finest, come to the annual Spanish Market held in the Santa Fe Plaza at the end of July. Accomplished artists show their wares. There’s a separate section for young artists who will perpetuate these artistic traditions.
Recommended for Museums because: Its uniqueness. The Pablita Velarde Museum of Indian Women in the Arts is the only museum in America dedicated to Native women artists.
Tour The Art On Canyon Road
As I mentioned at the start of the post, Santa Fe is well known as an artistic community. One of the best places to explore this in on Canyon Road, home to multiple galleries showcasing all sorts of art, from Native American pieces through to sculpture, pieces that move in the wind â everything really!
We really enjoyed wandering the street and popping into various galleries to see what was on display, although many of these are fairly serious places so the prices were somewhat out of our budget! But itâs definitely worth exploring, you might find something you love!
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Watch A Sunset From La Fonda Hotel
After a lot of exploring, youâre going to want to relax with a cocktail. Or a beer. Or a nice chilled glass of wine. Or something entirely non-alcoholic. Whatever your choice, a wonderful place to enjoy it is going to be the rooftop bar at the La Fonda hotel.
There has been some kind of travellers lodging on this site for over 400 years, although todayâs hotel is a little younger, dating from 1922. Itâs certainly one of the premiere hotels in the city, with a fantastic central location, and multiple dining options.
Itâs the fifth floor rooftop bar that Iâm suggesting you visit. From here you get panoramic views over the whole city, and far off into the distance. Itâs particularly popular for sunset, when you can have a drink and a few nibbles. It does get busy, so arrive early if you want to sit down!
Music Dance And Opera
Performance Santa Fe, formerly the Santa Fe Concert Association, is the oldest presenting organization in Santa Fe. Founded in 1937, Performance Santa Fe brings celebrated and legendary musicians as well as some of the world’s greatest dancers and actors to the city year-round. The Santa Fe Opera stages its productions between late June and late August each year. The city also hosts the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival which is held at about the same time, mostly in the St. Francis Auditorium and in the Lensic Theater. Also in July and August, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale holds its summer festival. Santa Fe has its own professional ballet company, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, which performs in both cities and tours nationally and internationally. Santa Fe is also home to internationally acclaimed Flamenco dancer’s Institute for Spanish Arts which offers programs and performance in Flamenco, Spanish Guitar and similar arts year round. Other notable local figures include the National Dance Institute of New Mexico and German New Age musician Deuter.
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Immerse In The Rich History Of Santa Fe During Your Stay With Casa Escondida
Unlike generic Santa Fe and Chimayo hotels, we incorporate the New Mexican culture and traditions into your accommodation experience. Our beautiful rooms are adorned with Southwest charm while still maintaining the modern amenities that you desire. We even serve a daily breakfast sprinkled with authentic New Mexican tastes and flavors. Our bed & breakfast is located in the historic town of Chimayo, one of the states cultural icons. Youre invited to escape to our countryside paradise!
An Incredible Trip To Santa Fe
People visit Santa Fe for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the incredible natural beauty found in northern New Mexico. As beautiful as it is outdoors, youll find just as much waiting for you indoors at the incredible variety of Santa Fe museums.
Santa Fe truly is a city like no other, filled with undeniable charm, plenty of rich arts and cultural attractions, an award-winning foodie paradise, and an eclectic and diverse range of experiences that never cease to amaze. Its long been a cultural and artistic hub in the southwest, with influences from Native American Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos, through its days as a Spanish colony in the 1600s, and into the modern era.
In 2005, Santa Fe was named a Unesco Creative City, which is reflective of the creativity that flows in this part of the world. Artists first began to migrate to the city in the 1800s, often coming for the natural beauty and unique blend of culture. Santa Fes establishment as a powerhouse in the artistic world was cemented in 1917 with the establishment of one of the most significant Santa Fe museums, the New Mexico Museum of Art.
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The Palace Of The Governors
The Palace of the Governors was originally constructed in the early 17th century, as Spains seat of government, for what is today the American Southwest, and chronicles the history of Santa Fe, as well as New Mexico and the region. This adobe structure, now the states history museum, was designated a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1960 and an American Treasure in 1999.
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Visit The Santa Fe Railyard
Last, but not least, on our list of things to do in Santa Fe â the Santa Fe Railyard. Once a key interchange for 19th century train traffic, today the Railyard is more focused on entertainment, shopping and dining.
Thereâs a regular farmerâs market, plus in the summers you can come by and watch a movie on the lawn. The Railyard is also where you come to catch a train down to Albuquerque â the Rail Runner service.
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Further Reading For Your Visit To Santa Fe And New Mexico
Our trip to Santa Fe was part of a much longer trip exploring the wonderful state of New Mexico. Weâve written a number of posts about out experiences and will be sharing more. In the meantime, here are a number of resources that you might find useful for planning your Santa Fe trip.
About Us
Hi there! We’re Laurence and Jessica Norah.
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Spanish And Pueblo Influences
The Spanish laid out the city according to the “Laws of the Indies“, town planning rules and ordinances which had been established in 1573 by King Philip II. The fundamental principle was that the town be laid out around a central plaza. On its north side was the Palace of the Governors, while on the east was the church that later became the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.
An important style implemented in planning the city was the radiating grid of streets centered on the central Plaza. Many were narrow and included small alley-ways, but each gradually merged into the more casual byways of the agricultural perimeter areas. As the city grew throughout the 19th century, the building styles evolved too, so that by statehood in 1912, the eclectic nature of the buildings caused it to look like “Anywhere USA”. The city government realized that the economic decline, which had started more than twenty years before with the railway moving west and the federal government closing down Fort Marcy, might be reversed by the promotion of tourism.
| City councilors | Signe Lindel, Renee Villareal, Peter Ives, Joseph Maestas, Carmichael Domiguez, Christopher Rivera, Ronald S. Trujillo, Michael Harris |
The municipal judgeship is an elected position and a requirement of the holder is that they be a member of the state bar. The judge is elected to four-year terms.:Article VII
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New Mexico Museums & Historic Sites Offer Free Admission To Active Duty Military & Their Families From Armed Forces Day Through Labor Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT
– Celebrating the tenth summer of Blue Star Museums, the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families announce that museums nationwide, including New Mexicos eight state-run museums and Historic Sites under the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs , have signed on to provide free admission to our nations active-duty military personnel and their families this summer. The 2019 program begins earlier than past years, starting Saturday, May 18, 2019, Armed Forces Day, ending Monday, September 2, 2019, Labor Day. Military families can find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
Blue Star Museums is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums nationwide.
After a decade of participation, it remains a privilege for New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs museums and historic sites to serve members of the military and their families through this National Endowment for the Arts program, said DCA Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego. Its a small token of our esteem and a way to say thank you for the sacrifices they make every day and a wonderful opportunity for military families to share a memorable experience exploring New Mexicos outstanding cultural treasures.
About Blue Star Museums
Fray Angelico Chavez History Library
The Fray Angélico Chávez History Library is the institutional successor of New Mexicos oldest library and is part of the Palace of the Governors. A non-circulating, closed stack research facility, it preserves historical materials in many formats documenting the history of the state, the Southwest, and meso-America from pre-European contact to the present.
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Learn About Georgia Okeeffe
If youâre from the US , the chances are you have heard of Georgia OâKeeffe. She was the artist who essentially put American modernism on the map, and she spent a great deal of her life living and painting in the area of New Mexico near to Santa Fe.
Visiting the Georgia OâKeeffe museum in Santa Fe is definitely a good way to get up to speed on the artist, as well as enjoy some of her many works. We particularly enjoyed visiting as we had been to a number of the locations around the Abiquiu area where she drew much of her inspiration, and it was nice to see her depiction of scenes like the white city and chimney rock.
Museum Of Indian Arts And Culture
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture provides a unique look into Southwest Native American heritage. Their extensive collection of Native art and material culture ranges from pre-historic times to contemporary works of art. You wont want to miss out on one of the top museums in Santa Fe, New Mexico!
Upcoming 2020 Exhibits: Diego Romero vs. the End of Art
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