Santa Fe - American Southwest - page 172

172

WINE TASTINGS
If you enjoy sampling regional wines, consider visiting the wineries within easy driving
distance of Santa Fe: Santa Fe Vineyards, with a retail outlet at 235 Don Gaspar Ave.,
in Santa Fe ( & 505/982-3474 ), or the vineyard itself about 20 miles north of Santa Fe
on US 84/285 ( & 505/753-8100 ); Madison Vineyards & Winery, in Ribera ( & 505/
421-8028 ), about 45 miles east of Santa Fe on I-25 North; and the Black Mesa Winery,
1502 Hwy. 68, in Velarde ( & 800/852-6372 ), north on US 84/285 to NM 68 (about
1-hr. drive). Be sure to call in advance to find out when the wineries are open for tastings
and to get specific directions.

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS
Don't miss taking the kids to the Museum of International Folk Art (p. 168), where
they'll love the international dioramas and the toys. Also visit the tepee at the Wheel-
wright Museum of the American Indian (p. 168), where storyteller Joe Hayes spins
traditional Spanish cuentos, Native American folk tales, and Wild West tall tales on week-
end evenings. The Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa has extensive children's pro-
grams during the summer. These include horseback riding, swimming, arts-and-crafts
programs, and special activities, such as archery and tennis. Kids are sure to enjoy El
Rancho de las Golondrinas (p. 170), a living 18th- and 19th-century Spanish village
that includes a hacienda, a village store, a schoolhouse, and several chapels and kitch-
ens.
The Genoveva Chavez Community Center is a full-service family recreation center
on the south side of Santa Fe (3221 Rodeo Rd.). The complex includes a 50m pool, a
leisure pool, a therapy pool, an ice-skating rink, three gyms, a workout room, racquetball
courts, and an indoor running track, as well as a spa and sauna. For hours and more
information, call & 505/955-4001, or visit www.gccommunitycenter.com.
Santa Fe Children's Museum This museum offers interactive exhibits and
hands-on activities in the arts, humanities, and science. The most notable features
include a 16-foot climbing wall that kids—outfitted with helmets and harnesses—can
scale, and a 1-acre Southwestern horticulture garden, complete with animals, wetlands,
and a greenhouse. This fascinating area serves as an outdoor classroom for ongoing envi-
ronmental educational programs. Special performances and hands-on sessions with art-
ists and scientists are regularly scheduled. Family Life magazine named this as one of the
10 hottest children's museums in the nation.
1050 Old Pecos Trail. & 505/989-8359. www.santafechildrensmuseum.org. Admission $8 for nonresi-
dents; $4 New Mexico residents; $4 children 12 and under, must be accompanied by an adult. Wed-Sat
10am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm.
Skateboard Park Split-level ramps for daredevils, park benches for onlookers, and
climbing structures for youngsters are located at this park near downtown.
At the intersection of de Vargas and Sandoval sts. & 505/955-2100. Free admission. 24 hr.

7

6 ORGANIZED TOURS

BUS TOURS
Loretto Line For an open-air tour of the city covering history and sights, contact
this company that has been running tours for 17 years. Tours last 1 1 / 4 hours and are