By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate

Native American Pottery found in Santa Fe’s El Museo Cultural De Santa Fe (Native American Cultural Museum) located on Museum Hill. Photo courtesy Linda Ballou.

Sheltered in the foothills of Sangre de Christo Mountains, Santa Fe has served as a resting place for travelers for centuries. It has become a cradle of creativity for artists of all stripes. With over 250 art galleries representing art from around the globe, the most ardent collectors will find the perfect piece to take home.

The Spanish conquistadors who arrived in Santa Fe in the 1600s were quick to seize this prime northern New Mexico haven. They subjugated the native Pueblo people and used them to build their churches and government buildings. They siphoned off the people’s crops, leaving them malnourished. The Pueblo Revolt in 1680 was a rare victory for the Indigenous People over the invading European colonizers. The Native Americans burned the churches built of wood and replaced structures with traditional adobe Pueblo architecture prevalent today.

The Palace of the Governors built in 1610 survived and is the oldest standing structure built by the Europeans. It has been lovingly maintained and can be accessed through the New Mexico History Museum in the historic district. If you are seeking authentic Native American jewelry, pottery, and other creations, visit the unique marketplace under the portal of the Palace of Governors across from the Central Plaza where artisans from numerous communities display their wares.

Sculpture in Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy Linda Ballou

The people of Santa Fe are proud of their history and share it in 20 museums sprinkled throughout the community. A good place to begin your exploration is on Museum Hill where the state-of-the-art plaza enjoys views of the mountains and a cooling breeze. It is home to the Native American Cultural Museum and the Native America Folk Art collection. A spectacular display of pottery, weavings, and sculptures provide insights to the Native People’s creativity and spirituality. Stop for a delicious lunch at the charming patio Museum Café on the plaza. Steps away, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, scented with lavender and sage, is enhanced with sculptures by Native Americans. On a leisurely stroll through the garden learn more about the endemic plants and animals of the Southwest.

A sculptor in the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens. Photo courtesy Linda Ballou

Guide giving a walking tour of Historic District Santa Fe. Photo courtesy Linda Ballou

Roll downhill on the Old Santé Fe Trail and land in the historic district of Santa Fe. Meander through the shops with high-end wares and galleries tucked into the traditional alleyways lined with colorful wares. Each morning at 10 o’clock, visitors gather in front of La Fonda Hotel or the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis to meet up with historic walking tour guides. Make arrangements for a tour here.

No visit to Old Town Santa Fe is complete without lunch at the Shed which boasts authentic New Mexican food spiced with chiles. Outside Old Town, their sister restaurant La Choza, splashed with colors of the Southwest, is a favorite of locals.

Georgia O’Keeffe’s impressionistic paintings of the purple mountains, orange sandstone cliffs, and the vast open spaces are loved around the world. Don’t miss her gallery in downtown Santa Fe with a fine collection of her work and a video that brings the artist alive. Advance tickets are recommended.

There are only about a hundred thousand people who call Santa Fe home, but there are millions of visitors each year. The city is host to a vast array of festivals. The literary festival takes place in May. The Wine and Chile fest was in full swing when I visited in September. Celebrations take place in the Plaza across from the Governor’s Palace with music and dancing. The event I would most like to attend is the Burning of Zozobra. In August of each year people write their worries, woes, regrets, and sorrows on slips of paper that are thrown into a 50-foot wood and paper mâché statue of Zozobra. After three days of collecting the troubles of the attendees, the figure is set on fire and life begins anew. I love this concept of letting go of tears and fears and moving on to a New Year!

One of the Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort’s soaking tubs. Photo Courtesy of Tourism Santa Fe.

Soaking in hot springs has long been a tradition in the Southwest. For the perfect ending to your stay, I suggest you overnight at Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort. Find serenity in one of the seven pools overlooking a lake shaded by towering cottonwood trees. Watch as the setting sun casts an autumnal glow while you sink into total relaxation. When you reach “par boil,” listen to the chatter of the creek tumbling into the lake as you rock in your hammock. Enjoy gourmet dining and a deep sleep. Take in a yoga class before setting out for our busy world and take a piece of serenity home with you. Day passes are available, but why not get the full effect of this very special place and stay a night or two.

There are numerous hiking trails for those who want to get up close and personal with the landscape. The Aspen Trail located on the road to the Santa Fe Ski Basin is a popular moderate option.

Before you go, check the event calendar on the Santa Fe website to make certain there will be lodging available. There are a plethora of options, but I can recommend two moderately priced hotels located close to Old Town and Country Road where a row of galleries line two city blocks.

Statue in Cathedral Park Historic District of Santa Fe. Photo courtesy Linda-Ballou

Recently updated, The Mystic has a Zen, minimalist feel. Rooms are clean, comfortable, and quiet. At dusk a fire is lit in a cozy conversation pit where travelers trade tales. The waiter takes your order in the cantina for delicious breakfast choices included in the price of admission.

The Sage Hotel is a larger, busier complex with a pool, buffet breakfast, and restaurant. The rooms are well-appointed with all the comforts of home. You may run into live music in the patio by the firepit. The hotel is pet friendly. There are no elevators so you may want to ask to be on the ground floor.

For more information on events, lodging, and activities in Santa Fe and surrounds, go to www.santafe.org.

Linda Ballou Freelance Writer

Linda's mission is to experience as many beautiful places on our planet as she can before they are no more. Travel tales relating her experiences while kayaking, horseback riding, sailing, birding and hiking about the globe have appeared in numerous national magazines. She had great fun collecting travel stories, and profiles of people she met in “naturally high places” for her book, Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales. Her latest book Lost Angel Unleashed is the third book in her Lost Angel Trilogy

Go to LostAngelAdventures.com for more adventures.

For more about Linda’s novels and media offerings go to. www.LindaBallouAuthor.com