Top 5 Museums in Santa Fe

The history of the American southwest is one that predates our culture by thousands of years. Even before the English settled their first western colony, Santa Fe was an established and bustling Spanish capital city. With its unique and long history, it’s no surprise that the Santa Fe area has more than a few museums for travelers to visit, with everything from artifacts to art to show the diverse history of the area.

From folk art to Native American art, from the works of Georgia O’Keeffe to the history of the Southwest, Santa Fe’s museums offer something for everyone. Here are the top 5 best museums in Santa Fe that are a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the city’s rich cultural offerings:

Top 5 Best Museums in Santa Fe

1. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
2. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
3. Loretto Chapel
4. Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
5. El Rancho de las Golondrinas

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Georgia O’Keeffe is an American artist who is famous for her renditions of various places in New Mexico, namely the Ghost Ranch and Abiquiú. Her museum in Santa Fe houses over 150 of her works, as well as over 700 sketches available for the public. From paintings of flowers and animal skulls, to landscape portraits of the southwest, her art showcases the best of New Mexico and the surrounding area, and shouldn’t be missed.

Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

Another museum important to the area’s history is the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. Even before the Spanish arrived here, the indigenous Pueblo and Navajo people dominated the area we now know as Santa Fe. The museum of Indian Arts & Culture includes more than 80,000 different archeological and fine art artifacts from these societies. The museum also does a great job of interpreting the history and contemporary life of indigenous people today, as well as telling their history of yesterday.

Loretto Chapel

In 1878, the Archbishop brought in two french designers to build a chapel in Santa Fe. Those designers brought Santa Fe the Loretto Chapel, which stands as the highlight of the city’s historical district today. Aside from standing tall and beautiful downtown, the Chapel also operates as a wedding venue, and museum for the supposedly ‘miraculous’ spiral staircase leading to the upper levels, which is suspended without a center column for support.

Museum of Spanish Colonial Art

Santa Fe is a town bursting with Hispanic influence, and no other museum provides as valuable insight into that cultural history as the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. The museum shows artifacts from New Mexico and southern Colorado with other contemporary art and devotional pieces from around the Spanish colonial area. The museum also regularly hosts educational programs and art-making workshops, for those who like a hands-on approach to their experience.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

Spanish for ‘the ranch of the swallows’, this historic ranch was a stopping point along the royal road to Santa Fe-the camino royale-and provides visitors with a look into the frontier past of Santa Fe. Opened in 1972, the ranch hosts 10 annual festivals, and its irrigation system is a part of the National Register of Historic places. Visitors can meet guides dressed in period-accurate clothing, who show them many skills those on the frontier would have used, from blacksmithing to hide tanning to weaving. This experience is very in-depth, and for lovers of the frontier, it is the place to see in Santa Fe.

Looking for an adventure?

Looking for an adventure after exploring the many museums in Santa Fe? Consider an epic whitewater rafting trip! Here at New Mexico River Adventures, we’re proud to offer five-star guided rafting trips on the Rio Grande and the Rio Chama. These rivers wind through beautiful canyons and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rafter, there are trips available for all skill levels. Along with the thrill of the rapids, you’ll have the opportunity to spot wildlife, learn about the area’s history, and take in the beauty of this iconic area. So, if you’re up for a little adventure, consider adding a Santa Fe white water rafting trip to your itinerary!