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.
Shidoni Arts creates art while being a work of art in and of itself. This stunning sculpture gallery is worth the ten-minute drive north on Bishop's Lodge Road to Tesuque Valley where the Shidoni Gallery is located. The expertly manicured grounds of the gallery are something truly amazing to behold, and you can stroll around to take in the amazing sculptures displayed there that lead to a calming, babbling brook. Depending on the time of your visit, you can actually see sculptures being poured in the working foundry.
Loretto Line Tour Company makes exploring Santa Fe more like an adventure than a difficult chore. The tour is an excellent way to learn more about the area as well as absorbing some detailed but highly interesting history in the process. You'll dig deep and go "beyond the plaza" to some of the city's most historically and culturally rich locations. Your guides will make seeing and learning about it all even more fun than you could imagine, and by the time your tour is done, you'll possess a level of knowledge about Santa Fe that will make you appreciate the city even more.
Santa Fe's highly appealing outdoor amenities are celebrated year-round at Hyde Memorial State Park. You'll find several excellent spots to enjoy a picnic or just relax as you toss the frisbee around with the kids and enjoy the scenery. There's also more fun to be had on the hiking trails that offer still another chance to get closer to the amazing natural beauty of the park. Camping is another attraction, as the park offers 350 acres of woods and meadows. Plus, the park is located just three miles south of the Santa Fe Ski area which makes it a great stop during ski season.