The various aspects of the American Indian experience are sharply presented in the many pieces and exhibits that are housed in the Wheelwright Museum Of The American Indian. This museum was built in 1937 by Mary Cabot Wheelwright to study the spiritual ceremonies of the Navajo Indians. After fifteen years of careful study, Wheelwright obtained permission to perform these rituals for historical and educational purposes. The museum also frequently presents Native American art exhibitions as well as an excellent gift shop that features pottery, paintings and rugs, as well as books and other items that colorfully tell the story of the Navajo tribe.
The Plaza was once considered the "Central Park" of the city many years ago. Today, this beautiful area with its inviting trees, grass, benches and monuments is still a vital hub of activity. The Plaza is the core of old Santa Fe as it features several attractions, restaurants and shops in the plaza and in the surrounding streets. This site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is usually the site for many of the city's high-profile events.
Nature lovers love to get up close and personal with their natural surroundings, and sometimes, the best way to do that is to simply hit the trail! In Santa Fe, one of the most popular ones is the Atalaya Mountain Trail. One of the reasons that this trail is so popular is because of its easy accessibility, as visitors can take the "M" city bus to the trailhead on the campus of St. John's College. This trail is one of the area's more challenging excursions, as it heads up a 9,121-foot peak and has areas that are a challenge, even for the most seasoned outdoorsman.