Landmarks in Santa Fe

In a city as historic as Santa Fe, you could argue that all of it is a landmark. But there are definitely specific places that you have to visit, touch, photograph and contemplate to truly say you've been to the City Different.

Topping our list is the Loretto Chapel, and specifically, the Miraculous Staircase inside. It's so cool it's been depicted in made-for-TV movies ("The Staircase") and "Unsolved Mysteries." At the least it's a historic engineering marvel, a perfectly balanced spring of a staircase; at most, a miracle to some. The attached Inn at Loretto isn't old, but its distinctive architecture mirroring Taos Pueblo makes it a well-photographed landmark in its own right. St. Francis Cathedral is a gothic anchor and the heart of Santa Fe's spirituality.

San Miguel Mission has the honor of being the oldest still-in-use mission in the United States; the New Mexico Museum of Art is distinctive for its pueblo mission-style architecture, let alone the historic artistic treasures found within. The Palace of the Governors is the oldest government building in the U.S.; don't miss shopping direct from the Native American artists who sell under the portal daily.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas is a drive south of town, but the historic buildings at this living-history museum are well-worth the excursion. The Cross of the Martyrs can be seen from vantage points near the Plaza, but the hike up to it affords sweeping views of Santa Fe and the surrounding mountains.

Loretto Chapel

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207 Old Santa Fe Trail
Between Alameda and Water Sts

Miracles in the High Desert...
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St. Francis Cathedral

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131 Cathedral Pl
Cathedral Place at San Francisco St

Historic Landmark...
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Santa Fe Plaza

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100 Old Santa Fe Trail
At the corner of San Francisco St. and Lincoln Ave

Historic Downtown Area...
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San Miguel Mission

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401 Old Santa Fe Trail
At E. De Vargas St

Oldest Church In The United States...
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Lensic Theater

211 West San Francisco Street

The nonprofit Lensic Performing Arts Center enriches lives by bringing diverse art and people together in the historic Lensic Theater, a cornerstone of downtown Santa Fe since 1931. The Lensic presents and supports local and national artists and serves as a center for education, community and youth events through its accessible and affordable programming...
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New Mexico Museum of Art

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107 West Palace Ave
At Lincoln Ave

New Mexico's Oldest Art Museum...
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Palace of the Governors

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105 W Palace Ave
North Plaza

400 years of history...
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Canyon Road

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100 Canyon Road

Galleries, studios, shops and dining...
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El Rancho De Las Golondrinas

334 Los Pinos Rd

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Cross of the Martyrs

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600 Paseo de Peralta

A brief climb to a cross overlooking the city, site of religious gatherings, especially during Fiestas de Santa Fe...
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