Location: Santa Fe
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Things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico (NM): The Best Specialty Museums
Venture into the unspoiled beauty of 7,000-foot Rocky Mountain vistas, marvel at the contrast of ancient native culture mixed with modern arts, feast on legendary cuisine and relax in rustic sophistication. A visit to Santa Fe, Travel & Leisure's #1 Cultural Getaway, feels a lot like a visit to Europe. The Spanish Colonial charm of this historic destination has been enchanting travelers for over 400 years. And Santa Fe shows no signs of slowing down.
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1. Indian Arts Research Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Research center that houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of traditional Southwest Indian arts and artifacts, spanning the 450-year period from Spanish contact to present day.
2. Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
The museum features changing exhibitions of contemporary and iconic Native American art with an emphasis on the Southwest.
3. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 857 reviews
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, one of four museums in the Museum of New Mexico system, is a premier repository of Native art and material culture and tells the stories of the people of the Southwest from pre-history through contemporary art. The museum serves a diverse, multicultural audience through changing exhibitions, public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and other educational programs.
Reviewed By kendak999 - Durban, South Africa
Another of the NM museums on the Culture Pass, I visited mid-December, hoping to get some insight into Native American culture and history. I was not disappointed. The Here, Now and Always exhibition is quite large and beautifully curated, giving you a glimpse of the life and ways of several Native American tribes who are/were in the NM region, including day to day items as well as art. Some of the pieces date from 500 AD! On the Art side, there are several galleries exhibiting Native American pottery, again, with some pieces magnificently conserved and dating back over 1000 years. What I particularly liked, both in the culture and art exhibitions, was the curation of real-people accounts from Native Americans, their remembrances and views on many aspects of the exhibits.
4. Catholic Museum and the Archbishop Lamy Commemorative Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
This religious complex focuses on Archbishop Lamy, an important player in Santa Fe's history.
5. Museum of International Folk Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,060 reviews
Open 10am to 5pm every day. Closed Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter & Thanksgiving holidays. Current exhibitions include No Idle Hands: The Myths and Meanings of Tramp Art, Artistic Heritage: Syrian Folk Art Crafting Memory: the Art of Community in Peru, plus more than 120,000 objects are on display in the long term exhibition Multiple Visions, A Common Bond by architect and designer Alexander Girard. This international folk art collection includes miniature buildings, streets and village scenes from more than 100 different countries. There are no text panels in this exhibition, the cases are numbered. If you miss the Docent walk-in tour, pick up a multi-media tour at the front desk or a grab a printed gallery guide at either entrance. Kids 16 and under and Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members always free!
Reviewed By DiliaS - Denver, United States
The International Folk Art Museum is a destination every time I go to Santa Fe ;the Alexander Girard collection its outstanding, and even if you spend all day it would be hard to see it all with close attention ,also the changing exhibits are always interesting..a must see in Santa Fe if you like Folk Art !!
6. Poeh Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
In 1988, the Pueblo of Pojoaque established the Poeh Cultural Center as the first permanent tribally owned and operated mechanism for cultural preservation and revitalization within the Pueblo communities of the northern Rio Grande Valley. The facility itself resembles a traditional Pueblo village with its adjacent art studio buildings and outdoor gathering areas. The Center emphasizes arts and cultures of all Pueblo People with focus on the Tewa-speaking Pueblos of Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, San Juan, Santa Clara, Tesuque and Nambe. The Poeh is a place for us to share our Tewa culture with guests from other cultures through our exhibits and events, and guided interpretive tours of our exhibits, facilities and lands.
Reviewed By JimH983 - Boulder, United States
This beautiful museum, conveniently located about forty- five minutes north of Santa Fe, is first-rate. Wonderful permanent exhibits show the story of Indian culture and Pueblo life. Pottery exhibits show how the very special Pueblo pottery is made. The pieces on display are terrific. And, of course, the recently opened (and outstanding) exhibit with vintage Pueblo pottery features a hundred carefully selected pieces from the Smithsonian Institution. There are also pots by acclaimed Pueblo potters for sale in the gift shop at reasonable prices. Don’t miss this gem of a museum (located nicely on the way to the O’Keeffe Home or Ojo Caliente).
7. The Harrell House Bug Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
We are located at DeVargas Center on the Guadalupe st. side of the mall, enter through Traveler's Market. The Museum features Oliver Greer's Crawlywood Collection, a staggering assortment of 4,800 mounted insects, arachnids and other bugs from all over the world. You will also see the Harrell Houses' own collection of LIVE invertebrates including more than 150 of live arachnids, insects, reptiles, amphibians and more. Our gift shop offers a wide range of educational toys, dinosaur models, fossils, mounted insects, original art, jewelry, souvenirs and more! You can visit the gift shop without paying for the museum. Museum Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for Children 12 and under. Military and Senior discounted rate $5. New Mexico resident discount rate is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.
Reviewed By NycAbqFlVa
This museum Never disappoints. Every time I’m in the area with others of all ages, all are shocked at how interesting and fun this gem is. I never spend less than 2 hours. So much to see and learn.
8. Traveler's Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
40 Galleries of Tribal Art, Jewelry & Textiles, One-of-a-kind Jewelry, Books, Antiques,Clothing & Textiles,Furniture, Buddhist Art.
Reviewed By DeborahT1800
I've traveled to some pretty amazing places and walked some very cool markets around the world. Now I"m wondering why haven't I visited this market right in my own town? It would have saved a ton in airfare! If you are into ethnic arts, cool tapestries, beads, exotic pieces, Indonesian-style furniture, pillow covers - wow! Here you'll find it all, and absolutely unique. This ain't no Pier One or World Market my friend. This is the real thing. These vendors have traveled the world and have brought back the best of what they found. And, the prices are fair if not downright a bargain, especially on textiles and beads. Don't miss this gem in Santa Fe!
9. Palace of the Governors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 973 reviews
Reviewed By Dave_from_Texas
No trip to Santa Fe would be complete without a trip to the Palace of the Governors. There is so much history here, going back to the 1600's. Located on the North side of the Plaza in the heart of the city. Bustling activity of Native American artisans and jewelers. I found it interesting that each vendor must be licensed and certified as authentic Native Americans and that their products are genuine and hand made!! Nice! We made a couple of purchases.
10. Awakening Museum
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