The Bobcat Paw

Everyone needs a getaway every once in a while. If you’re hoping to add a dash of art and culture to your upcoming vacation, one of the best places to find this is Santa Fe, New Mexico. This family-friendly and art-filled destination is historically known as the hot spot to discover art of all shapes and sizes including art shows, performances, fiestas and more. Before you get your travel agent on the phone, check out these recurring events happening in Santa Fe to see which one sounds like the best option for you to visit. Art Festivals and Markets Native Treasures: Indian Arts Festival If you’re hoping to witness high-quality and professional art featured from a variety of artists far and wide, then this is a must-see. The Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival not only showcases art to look at but features pieces that can also be purchased. Each contributing artist has been hand-selected and invited by the members of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC). Once...

Summertime in Santa Fe is a wonderful time to enjoy the full beauty of the Southwest with mountains, valleys, rivers, and prairies. Enjoy outdoor activities before coming back into town for local attractions. Here are some of our favorite things to do in and around Santa Fe in the summertime: photo courtesy of  santafe.org Santa Fe Plaza Ever since the city's 1610 founding, the Santa Fe Plaza has served as the focal point for city life, offering shops and restaurants, bullfights and fandangos, and a gathering place for both locals and visitors. There are still many of the old buildings standing, which act as reminders of the city's rich history and you can still attend Spanish and Indian markets, just like in older times. The Plaza is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is something that should be on every summertime itinerary. Santa Fe Farmers Market Only about a mile away from Santa Fe Plaza, the Farmers Market is open all year round to offer loca...

There are so many great outdoor activities to do in Santa Fe that it's impossible to list them all in any single article. This is just a brief sampling of our favorites to get you started. Most of these activities are open all year round, thanks to our beautiful weather. image courtesy of SantaFe.org Pueblo Feast Days There are nearly 20 pueblos in the northern region of New Mexico, and each one of these communities has its own annual Feast Days and Religious Events. Most of them allow respectful visitors to observe and partake in the fun so that an understanding can be gained of traditional tribal culture and history. This is a wonderful way to learn about the area natives, and how they have lived for centuries before the arrival of others. Ski Santa Fe Our area provides challenges for experienced skiers as well as great introductions for newcomers. Offering some of the highest elevations for skiing in the United States, Ski Santa Fe has a base elevation of 10,350 f...

Whatever kind of shopping you enjoy most, you're sure to find something for you in the Santa Fe area and you'll not only come away with some terrific purchases, but you will also have loved the shopping experience you had in the process. image courtesy of Keshi - The Zuni Connection Prairie Dog Glass Come to this shop and enjoy browsing through all the wonderful hand-crafted glass creations, then take a class yourself and produce your very own glass art that will be a lifetime reminder of your experience in Santa Fe. Keshi - The Zuni Connection Keshi is the shop to go for authentic and beautifully hand-crafted Zuni crafts and the owners are extremely knowledgeable about all things to do with the Zuni peoples. The owners work very closely with the actual Zuni pueblo today, and sell their products at prices set by the artists themselves. image courtesy of Seret & Sons Origins This is one of the oldest shops in Santa Fe, NM, and it still has an atmosphe...

To help plan your Santa Fe vacation with family, the sampling of family-friendly activities described below will give you a good idea of the kinds of adventures available in the area, and at least provide the basis for your own research. Whether you're looking for laid back Santa Fe attractions or for more active participation, there are endless ideas for engaging every member of the family, so that all will be enchanted by the beauty, the excitement, and the inviting atmosphere of the Southwest. El Rancho de las Golondrinas This is one of the best family activities you'll find in the region, because it amounts to an outdoor living history museum, with numerous buildings and artifacts restored from the 18th century, and living historians dressed in period costume. Visitors can witness the daily routines of Spanish ranch inhabitants of the time, grinding corn, making leather, and even producing various objects made of metal. Santa Fe Farmer's Market The whole f...

People from all around the US and all around the world arrange Santa Fe getaways so as to restore mind, spirit, and body at one of the numerous spas in the area. The elevated atmosphere, natural springs, dry climate, sun-drenched days, and star-filled skies, all serve to enhance Santa Fe's legendary powers of healing and rejuvenation. When you're considering things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico, you won't want to overlook a stop at one of these renowned spas. You'll have the option to set up a simple hour-long massage, an entire day of pampering, or even to stay for a week at the resort of your choice. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa This is a secluded sanctuary located just north of the city, and the waters flowing into the sanctuary are considered to be sacred by Native Americans. One of the oldest natural health spas in the United States, Ojo Caliente has been rejuvenating visitors for centuries. The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado...

At the start of the new year, this is the best time to think about travel plans. Santa Fe offers events and festivals all year ‘round. Some of these festivals are related to art, some to celebrations of food and drink, some to music, and some are staged to celebrate Native culture or other ethnic cultures. In truth, there are so many Santa Fe, New Mexico activities and festivals offered, that it might be hard to choose which sounds most appealing, but a few of the most popular are described below. Santa Fe Indian Market For almost 100 years, this festival has been staged as a celebration of Native artists from around the region, from other parts of the U.S., and even from Canada. The works of more than 1,000 artists are on display at this festival, which routinely attracts at least 150,000 visitors from all around the globe. A particular highlight of this festival is that visitors have the opportunity to mingle and converse with the actual artists and make all purchases direct...