Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau

Customized Tours and Excursions, Business Events and Weddings in New Mexico and throughout the American Southwest. We gladly serve people of all faiths and sexual orientations. Travelers who are seeking a high degree of service are guided through the attractions, arts and special architecture of Santa Fe on some unique explorations. A personal shopper can guide you to the exceptional variety of boutiques, galleries and second-hand stores.
Our journeys can bring out the natural wonders, the richness of Native cultures, the Hispanic heritage, the Old West atmosphere, and the history of archaeological sites.

International travelers can ask for Italian, French, English, and Spanish guides.

The new "Adventures with an Expert" is about short hiking excursions in stunningly beautiful natural and cultural areas including the newly designated El Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. The cultural history of the area combines with rare wildlife and unmatched landscapes that make this adventure a gem you won't want to miss. Creative one and two days agritourism experiences are now available.

We also create unique and intimate special events for corporate programs and incentive trips highly sophisticated and out-of-the-ordinary wedding ceremonies, receptions and honeymoons.

This is the quintessential Santa Fe home. All of the flavors and décor of Santa Fe and just a short stroll to the Historic Santa Fe Plaza or artsy Canyon Road. This intimate two bedroom, two bath casita is professionally decorated with eclectic appointments, art and accessories. The captivating sitting room adjoins the inviting kitchen which has everything you will need for a romantic dinner or breakfast on the patio. The sophisticated taste continues into both bedrooms which are equipped with comfortable and beautiful bedding and linens. The outdoor gardens are inviting and filled with art as well. The home offers refrigerated air conditioning for the occasional warm evening. Standard Rate: $125 - $180/night. For more information or to make a reservation, please go to: http://santafepropertysearch.com/site/Overview/PropertyID__40501/7139/default.aspx

In the late 1930's the eastside of Santa fe did not have a church. Canyon Road was getting wider and there were about 283 families populating the alfalfa and corn fields up the valley to the mountains. On Sundays, there would be a procession of people walking down the paths to go to the Cathedral for mass, only to be relinquished to the back of the church, due to social and economic status. This situation got very old for the folks on the eastside and they decided to build their own church. Some of residents were related to officials in the city and state government and that set the tone for their actions. The Rodriguez, Sena and Catanach families donated some land for the purpose of building their own church, a church that would reflect the indigenous people not some structure from France. The pressure was on. They started to make their requests but did not get the answers they wanted. The archdiocese in Albuquerque was headed by the archbishop R. A. Gerkin. For almost two years, the answer was no. Finally, the archbishop after being pressured by every politician in northern New Mexico, gave permission for a small church to be built and he asked for a architect. John Gaw Meem was acquired, who was the designer of the La Fonda Hotel. A contractor from Albuquerque was hired on to oversee the project to satisfy the archbishop's concerns about the project. Everything was well until another request was made.

The people in the eastside asked for more. They wanted to be the ones to build their church. So, The archbishop granted them his permission.

Another request came about from the parish, (the archbishop was getting very tired of their requests by now), they wanted a retablo that was in storage in the back of the Cathedral. The archbishop was tired by this time and he said yes, fine, go ahead. He did not realize the size of the retablo or alter screen would constitute the size of the church. The retablo was carved in 1760 by unknown Mexican artisans for Governor Francisco Marin del Valle. The stone was quarried northeast of Santa Fe and was made for the military chaped on the plaza for the governor. This retablo was 20ft by 40 ft tall. After Archbishop Lamy built the Cathedral, the retablo was put in storage, collecting dust in crates, since 1888 .

The new contractor was less then knowledgeable and insensitive to the workers, he hired them and their first task was making adobes. He questioned them about the straw. They all stopped. He did not know about adding straw to the adobes, they exclaimed, "Its like a man without a soul!" This proved he had a lot to learn from the men. With 100 men to do the work 150,000 to 180,000 adobes were made in the hot summer sun, and it only took 12 to 14 months to complete the church. The vigas were brought from the mountains in the east and peeled on site. They average weight of each viga is 2000 lbs. The corbels were made on site and all the wooden pews and confessionals were made by the boys at the diocesan Lourdes Trades School in Albuquerque. The church, on its longest side, measures 350 ft. Which make this church, the largest, single construction, adobe structure in the southwest. The walls vary from 2ft. to 9ft. thick in some areas.

Finally, the archbishop drove up the six hour drive from Albuquerque to visit the job site and was astonished at the size and magnitude of the project. He was shocked and infuriated, then he was overcome with the beauty of the church and could not keep himself from falling in love with the creation. This church is the hidden treasure of Santa Fe, not only because of its pueblo beauty, but because of the story behind its building. A story of the love and dedication of the men and women of its parish who wanted their own church to worship in.

The first mass was on June 27, 1940, 14 months after the first adobe was made. The Archbishop said the mass, celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Spanish entry into New Mexico.

Studio Vaillancourt is the art studio and gallery of local artist Sandy Vaillancourt. Contemporary representational watercolor and oil paintings with a style similiar to fauvism are on display. Fine art prints and greeting cards are also available for purchase. The studio is open to the public. Check the website for details on art shows and events and studio hours.

We have four traditional Southwestern Casitas located just a few blocks from both The Plaza and Canyon Road. Each house is fully equipped for stays of one day to several months, and is perfectly suited for families or romantic getaways. For your utmost comfort and convenience, we provide daily maid service, luxuriously soft robes, phones, cable TV, wireless internet access, DVD & CD players and air conditioning. Also available is a guest membership for the full-service El Gancho Health Club. Each arriving guest is welcomed with a basket filled with homemade cookies, fresh fruit, coffee & teas, wine, chips & salsa. We are also happy to announce that we now offer eco-friendly lodging. See our website for more details.

Established in 1991, the Turner Carroll Gallery exhibits painting, sculpture and work on paper from Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia, and the Americas. Gallery principal Michael Carroll was a two-term President of the Santa Fe Gallery Association. Our web site features a searchable database with the complete gallery inventory. In addition, the gallery is involved in curating museum exhibitions, has active art fair participation, and provides art advisory services in the United States and Mexico.

Fine Art Photography Gallery and working Studio of award-winning photographer Teresa Neptune, featuring her extensive inventory of contemplative, black-and-white photography of the Southwest, Europe, Central America and wherever the road leads her. Her subjects cover Western landscapes, urban and rural architecture, street scenes, deserts, forests and movie sets. Neptune's color series "Flooded Desert" was called 'the best show' by the New York Times in 2007.

Many people visit Santa Fe to take a moment out of their busy lives and reflect...it's a place to refresh one's spirit, and get re-connected to one's deeper self. That is why Santa Fe the perfect place to practice healing and intuitive arts, and I have been happily based here for the last twenty-four years. In a private session by the Plaza or over the phone, I offer clarifying insights about your personal, professional and spiritual life. Even a short session can help you to understand transitions, make decisions, and take opportunities. In person appointments include the option of hands-on healing and energy release work. As well as clairvoyant reading, I use unique divination tools and the more commonly known tarot. Please visit www.elissaheyman.com for more detailed information. \nElissa Heyman is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, with professional training in psychological counseling, metaphysics, shamanism, and spiritual healing. She works with local, national, and international clientele, and has been in full-time practice since 1979. Elissa also writes a client newsletter with travel stories and psychic astrology, and at Examiner.com as the Santa Fe Spiritual Examiner. One-half hour minimum, $100; one hour, $150; 45 minutes, $125. Tax and recording of session included.

Brad Smith Gallery is the heart of the artistic world of Canyon Road, Santa Fe. Brad Smith illuminates the canvas and Canyon Road with his signature style- a blend of cutting-edge and classic Santa Fe. Visit the gallery and you will get the pleasure of observing an artist in creative action, as Brad Smith often paints right in the gallery. Enjoy the elegant yet relaxed atmosphere created by gallery director, Jessamine Narita.
In addition to the work of Brad Smith, the gallery is proud to represent the sculptures of Oscar Zamarripa, Luis Espiridion, and Toru Oba. The paintings of Thomas Christopher Haag and Kelsie Smith and jewelry by Lauren Greenfield.