June 26, 2011 - Santa Fe, NM
Today was a no fly day. We spent the day sightseeing in Santa Fe. We started out by doing a walking tour. It was a short walk from our hotel to "The Plaza".
The Palace of the Governors, the
oldest continuously occupied building in the country.
We hiked up this walkway to a scenic
overlook of the city. Placards describing the city's
history were along the way. At the top was the
site of the old U.S. Fort Marcy. Unfortunately the walkway was not very well
maintained.
The view from the
overlook.
A typical house.
After we walked around the city, we
toured the Palace of the Governors which is in good shape despite its
age. They have done an outstanding job of restoring it for
tours. The docent who was our tour guide was very
good. Behind the Palace is the brand new "New Mexico
History Museum" which was beyond outstanding. We spent a few hours
in there and could have stayed longer.
They have a package deal to see four museums in Santa
Fe: 1) the aforementioned Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History
Museum, 2) New Mexico Museum of Art, 3) Museum of International Folk Art,
and 4) Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. For twenty bucks,
you can buy a pass to see all four that is good for four days. We were able to
get through all in one day, though.
This is the Museum of Art which is across the
street from the New Mexico History Museum.
The International Folk Art and Indians Arts & Culture museums were in a complex a few miles away from the Plaza so you have to drive. They are worth the drive though.
On the way, we drove along art gallery lined Canyon Road but did not have time to walk it.
Lynnette standing in the garden
outside our hotel room. We stayed at the Los Padronos hotel which
was very nice. It was only a short walk from the hotel to the
Plaza. The Los Padronos was one of the hotels recommended
in Pilot Getaways magazine.
