Hello there,
Do you ever long to stand out on the desert under the stars and marvel at the wonders of the universe? How about longing for some great southwestern food? Or maybe strolling along streets lined with shops and galleries. How about turquoise jewelry? Some great opera to top it all off? Well, eat your heart out. I've got it all in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Yup, Santa Fe, pardner. Envoy set me up with some fabulous places to stay. And did I fly or take the train? Guess!
Wish you were here.
Santa Fe, the capital city of the State of New Mexico, has an almost spiritual aura. Notwithstanding a touristy and pronounced commercial accent, this is arguably among the most exotic places in North America. In the early 1600's, Santa Fe began to acquire its adobe houses lining narrow streets when it was the capital of the Spanish colony of New Mexico. And before the Spanish arrived, the area was home to the Pueblo Indians, some of whom still live in villages nearby.
Thus, Santa Fe offers a wondrous balance of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. And, while not OUT in the sense of a P-Town or a Key West, the Santa Fe area also provides a very welcoming environment for lesbian and gay travelers.
Cultural treasure throve
Nestled 7,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Southern Rockies, it would be understandable if Santa Fe was something of a cultural backwater. But that it is definitely not. During the summer, thousands of visitors flock to hear the Santa Fe Opera and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. There are also a number of excellent museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of International Folk Art, the Santa Fe Children's Museum, and the Palace of the Governors are among several museums administered by the Museum of New Mexico. Native American arts and crafts. are on display at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.
A $10.00 pass allows tourists to visit up to five local museums. During a recent very concentrated four-day visit I was only able to take in four notable museums. The new Georgia O'Keefe exhibit is a must see--even the audiovisual biography narrative was intriguing. And I experienced a child-like delight while touring the enchanting exhibits at the folk art museum.
Getting out and about
To get the real feel of Santa Fe, a walking tour is in order. You can either strike out on your own or take one of the excellent organized walks.
But for extensive sightseeing in the area, a car is a must. And a favorite sight-seeing spot for gay and lesbians visitors is the artsy town of Taos.
I took the high road to Taos, stopping to spend some time in the Hispanic/Native American village of Chimayo. I was especially moved by the church sanctuary there. When I reached Taos, about an hour later, I was greeted with the looming presence of 13,000-foot Wheeler Peak. The town is very alluring, with its plaza, shops, and excellent local museums. One of the highlights for me was a visit to a Native American pueblo. If you are so inclined, you can also stop at the local casino and drop a few bucks!
Driving from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, I took the Turquoise Trail, rather than I-25. This is a scenic and historic road that passes through some remarkable, rediscovered mining towns. Madrid (pronounced (MAD-rid) is a developing artist town that is worth checking out.
Where to stay
It goes without saying that there are many and varied accommodations in this exotic area. I made my base of operations Santa Fe and stayed at the Inn of the Turquoise Bear. I found this to be a wonderful bed & breakfast, with exquisite landscaping outdoors. Indoors, the furnishings are as authentic as the gracious hospitality of the hosts, who every morning serve an extensive breakfast, and every evening put on a wine and cheese evening reception for the guests. Lesbians and gays are definitely welcome here.
Another gay and lesbian friendly place in Santa Fe is the Four Kachinas Inn. And for those who prefer to stay in Taos, the Ruby Slipper is definitely the way to go! All these inns are moderately priced, depending on the season and room type.
Getting there
The closest major airport is Albuquerque, New Mexico. There you can pick up a rental car and drive to Santa Fe. You can also take Amtrak. It is an overnight ride from Chicago to the town of Lamy, the closest train stop to Santa Fe.
And for those planning to confine their touring just to the city of Santa Fe, you do not need wheels. Walking and riding the local transport will get you around just fine. The Shuttle Jack can transfer you to and from the Albuquerque airport or from the train station in Lamy. But, no matter how you get there, your spirit will be replenished by the aura of Santa Fe and her environs.
So what are you waiting for?
E-mail
us about when you will be traveling to Santa Fe or any other
destination in the Great Southwest.