My favorite thing to do in Santa Fe is to go to the plaza downtown.

by Rita
(Victorville, CA)

The whole family can spend a pleasant afternoon at the plaza in downtown Santa Fe.

If you just look and window shop, it will not cost you a thing. However, there are plenty of ways to spend your money if you are seriously shopping.

Native Americans display their wares on the sidewalk in front of the Palace of the Governors. Artists are there daily selling their work. All sorts of turquoise and silver jewelry can be found here including ear rings, belt buckles, bolo ties and necklaces. You can visit with the artists and they are more than willing to talk about their work. Prices for their work are negotiable, and you may be able to find a great bargain towards quitting time, or on a rainy or snowy day.

The Palace itself houses a museum dedicated to the history of the New Mexico region. On the other three sides of the plaza are shops selling everything from curios to western wear, jewelry and all sorts of artwork.

Art galleries abound. Dozens can be found walking any direction from the plaza. While many of the paintings and sculptures are done by Native Americans based upon Native American themes, almost any style and motif can be found.

A special treat is to have lunch at the La Fonda Hotel. You can dine on excellent Mexican food in an airy and beautifully decorated dining room. Any meal there should be finished off with sopapillas and honey for desert. The hundreds of brightly painted panes of glass that surround the dining room are fascinating.

The lobby shops in the hotel are fun to visit as well. There is a shop specializing in South American art work. Another shop sells artistic ceramic tile.

This is just a sampling of what the plaza has to offer. It is a very fun place to visit. I wish that I could visit there more often.

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