Things to see in Santa Fe

Part of the Museum of New Mexico, and perhaps the most visually intriguing of Santa Fe's museums, this facility holds the world’s largest collection of folk art. It encompasses an outstanding assortment of objects from around the globe, ranging from dolls, toys and masks to textiles, paintings and religious art. The highlight is the Girard Foundation Collection, a re-creation of villages from 100 nations, made with miniature buildings, streets, and marketplaces, and filled with tiny people and animals arranged in evocative scenes of everyday life and celebrations. The Spanish Colonial folk art collection occupies an entire wing. There are also regularly changing exhibitions.

Stretching for nearly a mile, Canyon Road is Santa Fe’s premier arts district, home to more than 100 top-end art galleries. Offerings range from works by early Santa Fe and Taos artists circa 1900 to Native American and Western art as well as contemporary masters. Formerly a dirt track used by Indians and early settlers, Canyon Road is a picturesque place to stroll. Many of the galleries are set in beautifully decorated adobe homes over a century old. Look out for charming gardens and courtyards, towering chestnut trees at El Zaguán, and the kinetic sculptures at Mark White Fine Art.

With a stunning location on Museum Hill, this institution focuses on traditional Native American arts and culture. The stories of Navajo, Apache and Pueblo communities in the southwest are told through the voices of tribal elders, teachers, writers and artists in an atmospheric setting that evokes the deep spirituality of the indigenous people. A superb collection of Pueblo pottery and examples of rock art and petroglyphs are complemented by changing exhibitions that highlight topics such as Native American music, photographic portraits and the significance of turquoise stone.

Built as a government house by the Spanish in 1610, this adobe landmark is the oldest American public building still in use. Beneath the long portal (arcade) facing the Plaza, local Pueblo Indian artisans sell jewellery and traditional handicrafts. Inside, period rooms and exhibits from an extensive collection highlight key events in Santa Fe and regional history. The Palace is the cornerstone of the New Mexico History Museum, which is set in a bright, contemporary building next door. Its engaging exhibits present a fresh look at south-western US history from a variety of perspectives.