Santa Fe, New Mexico — Activities
Santa Fe Culture
The most famous of all Santa Fe’s attractions is the world-renowned Santa Fe Opera (tel: (505) 986 5900; website: www.santafeopera.org). Situated across rolling, hilly landscape just north of town, with spectacular views of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountains on either side, the dramatic architecture of the amphitheater is almost a show in itself. The season extends from late June through August and features music, performances, set design and productions of the highest order.
From early July through late August, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (tel: (505) 983 2075; website: www.santafechambermusic.org) brings a bill of recognized performers, groups and ensembles to play traditional chamber music as well as modern, jazz, world music and other pieces. In June, July, August and December, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale (tel: (505) 988 2282; website: www.desertchorale.org) performs at various venues including the Lensic Theater, Loretto Chapel, St Francis Cathedral and the Eldorado Hotel Pavilion.
Santa Fe Tours
Among several good guided walking tours of Santa Fe is the one offered by Santa Fe Detours (tel: 1 800 338 6877 or (505) 983 6565; website: www.sfdetours.com); the company offers ballooning, horseback, and train tours, as well. The most popular walk is a two and a half hour stroll beginning at the Plaza. Historic Walks of Santa Fe (tel: (505) 986 8388; website: www.historicwalksofsantafe.com) is an alternative, offering numerous different themed walking tours, such as a half-day shopping tour with lunch, a Friday night ghost tour, a Friday afternoon gallery tour and a daily historic sites tour.
For a guided tour aboard an open-air tram, take the Loretto Line, sponsored by Afoot in Santa Fe Tours (tel: (505) 983 3701; www.toursofsantafe.com). Mellow Velo, 638 Old Santa Fe Trail (tel: (505) 995 8356/VELO; website: www.mellowvelo.com), organizes bike tours and New Wave Rafting Co. (tel: 1 800 984 1444; website: www.newwaverafting.com) and Santa Fe Rafting Co. (tel: 1 888 988 4914 or (505) 988 4914; website: www.santaferafting.com) take rafting trips down the Rio Grande and Rio Chama.
