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Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the “City Different” and filled with history, art, and culture dating back to over 400 years under Mexico’s rule. The city has preserved its historical heritage everywhere you turn especially in the downtown plaza. On my recent visit, I discovered the highest concentration of “Art” I’ve ever seen in a US city.

Colour greets you everywhere from murals, public art to colorful jewelry,  native rugs, and blankets.

The city is not lacking for things to do and much of its creative atmosphere comes from the mingling of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American cultures.

Here is a look at Santa Fe from a Photographers Perspective:

Sante Fe Shopping

This old  Spanish courtyard to houses a number of shops but also held a secret door where all civilians of the Manhattan project checked in over half a century ago.

Santa Fe Trail

Journey’s End public art sculpture by sculptor Reynaldo Rivera

Georgia Okeeffe Museum

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum features the works of this famous artist and local resident.

Santa Fe Worrell Gallery Sculpture_

The Worrell Gallery

Canyon Road Gallery sculpture

Over a hundred plus galleries line the streets of Canyon Road. Many of the galleries feature stunning art installations outside in their gardens like this one.

Santa Fe Vintage Belts

Shiprock Sante Fe Vintage belts

Native Blankets Shiprock Santa Fe

Shiprock Santa Fe’s curated collection of historic and contemporary Navajo rugs and blankets.

Four Seasons Rancho Encanto dining room

Four Seasons Rancho Encantado private dining room.  The resort is located just 10 minutes from downtown Santa Fe on 57 rolling acres in the Sangre de Cristo foothills.

La Fonda Santa Fe

La Fonda, Santa Fe

La Fonda Room

La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza is the city’s oldest hotel.  It offers a classic New Mexican experience in a distinctive pueblo-style building filled with Native American and Southwestern art.

La Fonda Hotel Santa Fe

La Fonda Santa Fe

Santa Fe La Posada

Santa Fe La Posada

La Posada Hotel 

Santa Fe Cooking School

Santa Fe Cooking School 

Santa Fe Farmers Market

Santa Fe Farmers Market 

Santa Fe Burro Alley

Burro Alley

Santa Fe Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

Santa Fe Settlers Monument

Settlers monument is located in Cathedral Park, adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. The monument commemorates the first European settlers of New Mexico–the Spanish colonists of 1598.

Santa Fe Sazon Restaurant interior

Sazon Restaurant in Santa Fe run by chef Fernando Olea features upscale Mexican infused flavours.  The dishes are the chef’s interpretation of contemporary and traditional Mexican dishes, he is famous for standout Mole and use of chile.

Santa Fe Sazon Restaurant

Sazon Restaurant

Santa Fe Kakawa Chocolate House

Kakawa Chocolate House  All chocolates are made in-house and the drinking chocolate elixirs include traditional Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican, Mayan, and Aztec drinking chocolate.

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Santa Fe Pinterest

If you go: 

  • Visit Santa Fe tourism for more information.
  • The city is at an elevation of 7000 feet which means its very dry. Drink lots of water and bring saline spray as the sinuses may be irritated by the dry air.

* Note:  I was a guest of Santa Fe Tourism but all opinions expressed here are my own.