How to Tour the State Capital of New Mexico

Established as the capital of New Spain in 1610, the settlement of Santa Fe was used as a link to Mexico City by Don Pedro de Peralta, New Mexico's Governor and Captain-General. In 1846, during the beginning of the Mexican American War, Stephen Watts Kearny claimed Santa Fe on behalf of the United States and soon after, Mexico signed over New Mexico and California to the United States. New Mexico was named a state and Santa Fe its capital in 1912.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Spend some time at the Capitol Building, the only capitol building in the United States built in a circle, representative of New Mexico's state symbol, the sun sign. The capitol is on six and a half acres of land with 100 species of plant life and trees. Call [phone] for more information or to arrange a guided tour.
2. Enjoy a day at the Bandelier National Monument, an archaeological wonder including thousands of Pueblo dwellings. The monument has museums documenting the rich history of the Pueblo culture and over 23,000 acres of wildlife to explore. The park is located just out of Santa Fe in Los Alamos. Call [phone] for more information.
3. Take a ride on the Santa Fe Southern Railway. Start at the Santa Fe Depot and end in Lamy, a small village that is a representative of the Wild West. The railway cars are vintage and were manufactured between 1919 and 1950. Call [phone] for more information.
4. Tour the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, housing native artifacts and depicting the culture the Native Americans from prehistoric times to the present.
5. Visit the Nambé Lake Falls, formerly the center for religion and culture for the Pueblo community. Nambé Pueblo is located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. There are 19,000 acres that include waterfalls, lakes and mountains. The Nambé Lake Recreation Area is a popular place for outdoor sports including hiking and fishing, and is often used by organizations for picnics and parties.