The Parks Of Santa Fe New Mexico

Nature is never too far away when discovering New Mexico, even when in the city. In fact, without paying attention to the landscape, there cannot be real understanding of the people, history or culture of New Mexico. If time is cut short, the parks in and around Santa Fe are a good place to start to understand the nature of New Mexico.

1. Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve

Natural Feature

A 25-minute drive 15mi (24km) outside of the city center of Santa Fe, this natural preservation area is a great place to find out about indigenous plants, trees, birds and various animals living in marshy areas of the Southwest. Take a guided tour to get an exciting, in-depth view of nature and the preservation work. Visits are possible in all seasons, but make sure to check opening times before you go.

2. Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary

Natural Feature

A great diversity of wildlife lives in this 135-acre (55ha) park of natural wonders, including over 190 species of bird. By visiting this site, you also pay homage to two outstanding individuals of the Southwest. Randall Davey, a painter and art educator, had his studio in Santa Fe (fitted with early 20th-century furnishings, murals and a prohibition-era secret bar), which you can visit. The other of course is James John Audubon, an early American ornithologist and author of the 19th-century color-plate book called The Birds of America (1827).

3. Railyard Park Conservancy

Natural Feature

What used to be a giant rail yard belonging to the Santa Fe Southern Railways is today an urban space offering gardens, playgrounds, public art and performance space. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, there is a lively farmers’ market here with local produce, and the Railyard Artisan Market sets up tents on Sundays offering jewelry, pottery, herbal products, paintings and a lot more. It is relaxed, kid-friendly and a great chance to engage with the local art community.

5. Cathedral Park

Park

For those who would like to see green, yet don’t wish to wander too far from the Plaza, right behind the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi there is the quaint little Cathedral Park. It is a great place to sit and people watch, ponder the long history of the place and admire the view of the cathedral. There are a number of plaques describing and commemorating historical events connected with Santa Fe.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.