A Walking Tour of Santa Fe

by Katherine Aaron

In the heart of Santa Fe is The Plaza. Like most early Spanish settlements, life in Santa Fe centered around a patch of grass and trees where people could graze their flocks, relax, conduct business and meet with friends. By the time the city was established in the early 1600’s, many businesses were built near The Plaza and residences had sprung up along the burrow paths leading up to The Plaza. Although its less than half the size it was originally, The Plaza continues to be the heart of Santa Fe.

This article will take you on a walking tour of the highlights in and around The Plaza. We’ll begin on Palace Avenue where Native American Indians from local Pueblos spread out wool blankets to sell their fine handmade jewelry in front of the Palace of the Governors. You’ll find some of the best prices for Native American jewelry when you purchase your treasures directly from the artist. Please be respectful and ask before taking photographs as many Native American beliefs prohibit them from being photographed.

Housed in the Palace of Governors are an assortment of historical artifacts and beautiful works of art. Be sure to take the tour while you’re there, it will increase your understanding and appreciation for everything else you visit in Santa Fe. Although they begin the history of Santa Fe with the Spanish Explorers, you can catch up on the Native American history and culture when you visit the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture on Camino Lejo where you must also visit the Wheelwright, The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and the Folk Art Museums. But, they’re located Southeast of The Plaza too far for walking, so lets get back to The Plaza.

For more Native American experiences, walk one block east to the Institute of American Indian Arts. Although the history of the local Native Americans isn’t presented here, you will experience the Native American culture through the exhibits and items for sale from the latest up and coming artists as well as works by well-known artists. The Institute is right across the street from St. Francis Cathedral.

The Cathedral is an historical landmark and is open to the public when they aren’t having services. Here you’ll find lots of wonderful works of religious folk art as well as enjoy the beauty of the Cathedral. Across the street from St. Francis Cathedral, on the Southeast corner of The Plaza you’ll find the historical La Fonda Hotel.

The original hotel was built before 1607 and has kept its traditional bearings throughout its renovations. In addition to enjoying the award winning architecture, the La Fonda houses a multitude of artwork through out the lobby and areas that are open to the public. There’s an assortment of shops along the outer edges downstairs. While you’re there, you might want to kick off your shoes and enjoy a Margarita while you listen to one of the local artists play.

Head south on Old Santa Fe Trail and you’ll run into The Loretto Chapel. Legend has it that after the nuns petitioned St. Joseph to provide someone to build the stairs in the Gothic-styled church, a mysterious carpenter appeared and built the staircase using non-local wood held together without glue or nails. Then he vanished before he could be paid. The staircase makes two 360-degree turns and has no center supports. This is several blocks away and you may choose to visit the Chapel by car later. If this is the case, then just head southwest when you leave La Fonda and catch up with this tour on San Francisco Street and Water Street in the next paragraph.

When you leave the chapel head northwest to enjoy strolls down San Francisco Street and Water Street for more shopping and wonderful dining. Shops carry many one-of-a-kind items from around the world. If you’re at the corner of Don Gaspar and Water Street around breakfast time, don’t pass up the opportunity to eat at Café Pasqual’s. Although they serve all day, breakfast there is such a treat that the locals are willing to fight the tourist traffic on The Plaza to enjoy it. There’s a large community table in the center of Pasqual’s where you’re sure to meet some interesting people while you enjoy your meal.

Headed back northwest of The Plaza you can browse through a number of galleries and The Georgia O’Keefe Museum on Johnson Street. Although Miss O’Keefe wasn’t born in New Mexico, we claim her as one of our own. This fearless and trend setting artist lived in Abiquiu, New Mexico (approximately 50 miles northwest of Santa Fe) for several decades and many of her important pieces of art are housed in the museum. Heading east, back toward The Plaza on Palace Avenue you’ll want to stop at The Museum of Fine Arts where you’ll enjoy works from most of the famous Southwest artists.

If you plan your visit during August, the Plaza is host to the Santa Fe Indian Market held by the Southwest Association for Indian Arts. During the holidays, the Plaza is host to various traditional and modern exhibits and holiday related events. Year round the Plaza hums with galleries and shops selling everything from wearable art to mouth-watering fare from around the world.