You can get answers to those questions and more with Historic Walks of Santa Fe. Their tour is a pleasant, easy way to start your first day in Santa Fe, to get oriented and gain an understanding of Santa Fe's history and culture. Even if you have visited in the past, you will learn something new.
The walking tour visits many of the city's landmarks such as the Plaza, Palace of Governors and Loretto Chapel. It emphasizes the history of the nation's oldest capitol, established in 1607, and takes you past buildings older than you imagined possible in the United States. Without the insight the tour provides, your understanding of one of the nation's richest cities will be shallow at best.
Our tour guide was Maria Felt, a native New Mexican whose roots go well back into the 1700s. Maria's enthusiasm for her home and her extensive knowledge of its history are impressive, but the air of authenticity that only comes from experience makes her tours special. Anyone with the knowledge can describe how adobes were made, and how their occupants hung cloth from the ceiling to catch falling debris, but only someone with Maria's background can say "In my great-grandmother's house I remember it." With guides like Maria, it's no wonder the tour was chosen by The National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Practicalities
Historic Walks of Santa Fe tours depart daily from the La Fonda Hotel and the Plaza Galeria. Children under 16 are free with a parent, and seniors always get a discount. The walking tour price includes admission to the Loretto Chapel.Historic Walks also offers a Ghostwalker tour of the city's favorite "haunts," and other special interest tours.
