The Santa Fe Sage Inn has created itineraries to guide guests of the hotel around Santa Fe. Enjoy a one, two or three day walking or driving tour around the Santa Fe Plaza, Guadalupe District, and surrounding New Mexico areas.
FEATURED ITINERARY
Exploring Santa Fe’s Native American Culture
Discover the rich art and history of New Mexico’s Native Americans on this self guided walking tour through Santa Fe. Start by enjoying the plentiful buffet breakfast at the Santa Fe Sage Inn. You will not want to miss the fresh made doughnuts from locally owned, Kips.
Walk downtown to the Institute of American Arts Museum. The exhibits at the IAIA Museum focus on contemporary Native American artists and it is the only Museum in the United States devoted solely to the exhibition of contemporary American Indian art. The museum has a wonderful gift shop with an extensive collection of books, CDs and DVDs. Step across the street to the front courtyard of St. Francis Cathedral to visit the statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint.
Head over to the Casa Sena Plaza for a lunch break. The Shed has been a local favorite since 1953, offering reasonably priced New Mexican cuisine. For a splurge, try La Casa Sena known for their delicious blue corn muffin baskets and award winning wine list.
Native American artists are well represented in Santa Fe. Stop into Bahti Indian Arts on East Palace to discover their wide collection of Hopi Katsinas. Continue your walk to the Palace of the Governors on the Santa Fe Plaza. Here under the portal, New Mexican Native Americans sell silver and turquoise jewelry, small clay pots, and fetishes. These vendors are the artists themselves or directly related to the artist. Around the corner, enjoy the New Mexico History Museum’s gift shop, a one stop shop for acclaimed artists’ pottery, jewelry and books. Across the plaza, you will find the Santa Fe Indian Trading Company, This shop features hand carved flutes, drums and Zuni carving fetishes.
Stroll down to San Francisco Street to participate in an education retail experience at Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery. The expert staff has years of museum experience and shoppers will find over 250 artists represented at every price point. The Indian Arts and Crafts Board recommends that when purchasing authentic Indian Art, you request this guaranty in writing. Many of the recommended retailers will provide certificates of authenticity, information and pictures of the artist.
Finish your day by eating close to the earth at Vinaigrette, just one block from the Santa Fe Sage Inn on Cerrillos. This bright, casual restaurant serves fresh green salads, seasonal soups and hearty sandwiches.
If you have an additional day, take a short drive to Museum Hill to the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, visit the active Taos Pueblo, or take a hike through Native American ruins in Bandelier National Monument.