My husband and I will be traveling through New Mexico and have an opportunity to stop for a day in Santa Fe. How do you recommend we spend our time?

If its a first time trip with only a couple hours, I would park near the main plaza/square. Check out the Native American jewelry/art from the artist in front of the Palace of Govenors, check out all the little shops surrounding the square. Maybe do the Georgia O'Keefe museum a couple blocks away or one of the other Native museums, have a great Southwestern meal. With more time, check out the Gallery Mile.

Oh course, my perfect day would be a light breakfast on a deck,a little shopping, a facial, massage and the tubs at 10,000 Waves spa with lunch, dinner a Cafe Pasquals, crawl into bed!

I agree--park near the Plaza, head straight for the jewelry vendors at the Palace of Governors. They all have to meet strict quality assurance guidelines in order to sell there, and prices are fair. Even if you're not shopping, it's a must-see. Then, I second BLYVAIL's ideas re: the nearby shops, restaurants and museums, as well as the galleries. And I hope you'll want to return someday for a longer stay!

Hi Moon63,

The Plaza and Governor's Palace are great. Parking can be problematic. There are meters on Water Street, or I sometimes park at the bottom of Canyon Road, then walk.

If you love art work, Nedra Matteucci's Fenn Gallery is fabulous: Very fine western art - both living and deceased artists. http://www.matteucci.com/ Behind the gallery is a lovely sculpture garden with pond and fountain. 1075 Paseo de Peralta. There is parking at this gallery for the gallery's visitors and it opens earlier than many of the other galleries in town (8:30 am rather than 10:00 am like most of the others). Nedra Matteucci owns other excellent Galleries in Santa Fe and links to them are on the site I posted here.

A walk up Canyon Road to poke in and out of the multitude of galleries is also a great way to enjoy part of the day. There are some terrific places to stop in to see (maybe purchase) all kinds of artwork: painting, sculpure, sculpture gardens, weaving, Native American arts - (pottery, jewelry, weaving), Tibetan arts, South American arts, there is even a tremendous Mola Gallery at the top of Canyon Road!

For a guide to Santa Fe's galleries, check out: http://www.collectorsguide.com/sf/sfall.html

If you love flea markets, Santa Fe boasts one of the largest flea markets just north of town.

There is the Santa Fe Opera.

It's also tremendous to arrive at the Plaza early, like 7:30 am and watch the activities begin.

San Miguel Mission - the oldest Spanish Mission in the US.

omigosh... you will have to make many more trips.

- Sharon

Post what you like to do and I'll see if I can add some more suggestions.

Have you contacted the New Mexico Tourism for information? They'll send you a nice packet.

There's a good parking garage on San Franciso St., which will allow you quick and easy access to the plaza area. I suggest the Plaza Cafe (right on the square) for lunch. If you are there on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the flea market mentioned above is definitely a must see. Nothing like it. It's on the road to Taos, which I believe it 285.

The largest folk art museum in the world is a short drive from the plaza and very much worth a visit. The great thing about Santa Fe is that everything is very close together and you can do many things in one day. You could easily do this museum and have time for other things as well.