Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
170
almost 3-feet thick, and the deep-red plaster wall behind the altar was dyed with oxblood
in traditional fashion when the church was restored early in the 20th century.
It is well worth a visit to see photographs of the transformation of the building over
time; its styles have ranged from flat-topped pueblo to New England town meeting and
today's northern New Mexico style. On one wall hangs a famous oil painting,
Our Lady
of Guadalupe,
created in 1783 by the renowned Mexican artist José de Alzibar. Painted
expressly for this church, it was brought from Mexico City by mule caravan.
100 S. Guadalupe St.
&
505/983-8868.
Donations appreciated. Mon-Sat 9am-4pm; Labor Day-Memo-
rial Day till 6pm. Mass held Mon-Fri 6:30am, Sat 8am, Sun noon.
Other Attractions
El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Kids
This 200-acre ranch, about 15 miles
south of the plaza via I-25, was once the last stopping place on the 1,000-mile El Camino
Real from Mexico City to Santa Fe. Today, it's a living 18th- and 19th-century Spanish
village, composed of a hacienda, a village store, a schoolhouse, and several chapels and
kitchens. There's also a working molasses mill, wheelwright and blacksmith shops, shear-
ing and weaving rooms, a threshing ground, a winery and vineyard, and four water mills,
as well as dozens of farm animals. A walk around the entire property is 1
3
/
4
miles in
length, with amazing scenery and plenty of room for the kids to romp.
334 Los Pinos Rd.
&
505/471-2261.
www.golondrinas.org. Admission $5 adults, $4 seniors and teens,
$2 children 5-12, free for children 4 and under. Festival weekends $7 adults, $5 seniors and teens, $3
children 5-12. June-Sept Wed-Sun 10am-4pm; Apr-May and Oct by advance arrangement. Closed
Nov-Mar. From Santa Fe, drive south on I-25, taking exit 276; this will lead to NM 599 going north; turn
left on W. Frontage Rd.; drive
1
/
2
mile; turn right on Los Pinos Rd.; travel 3 miles to the museum.
New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse)
Some are surprised to learn that this
is the only round capitol building in the U.S. Built in 1966, it's designed in the shape of
a Zia Pueblo emblem (or sun sign, which is also the state symbol). It symbolizes the
Circle of Life: four winds, four seasons, four directions, and four sacred obligations. Sur-
rounding the capitol is a lush 6
1
/
2
-acre garden boasting more than 100 varieties of plants,
including roses, plums, almonds, nectarines, Russian olive trees, and sequoias. Inside
you'll find standard functional offices, with New Mexican art hanging on the walls.
Check out the Governor's Gallery and the Capitol Art Collection. Self-guided tours are
available 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday year-round; Memorial Day to Labor Day
guided tours are available Monday through Saturday at 10am and 2pm. All tours and
self-guided brochures are free to the public.
Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail.
&
505/986-4589.
www.legis.state.nm.us. Free admission. Mon-
Sat 8am-5pm. Free parking.
7
Santa Fe Southern Railway
“Riding the old Santa Fe” always referred to riding
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad. Ironically, the main route of the AT&SF
bypassed Santa Fe, which probably forestalled some development for the capital city. A
spur was run off the main line to Santa Fe in 1880, and today, an 18-mile ride along that
spur offers views of some of New Mexico's most spectacular scenery.
Inside the restored coach, passengers enjoy aged mahogany paneling and faded velvet
seats. The train snakes through Santa Fe and into the Galisteo Basin, broad landscapes
spotted with piñon and chamisa, with views of the Sandia and Ortiz mountains. Arriving
in the small track town of Lamy, you get another glimpse of a Mission-style station, this
one surrounded by spacious lawns where passengers picnic. Check out the sunset rides
on weekends and specialty trains throughout the year.
