Santa Fe Weekend on a Budget

There's so much to do around Santa Fe that doesn't cost a lot of money. Spending an afternoon in the Santa Fe Plaza is one activity that can give you hours of enjoyment without breaking the bank. Do what Santa Feans have done for the last 400 years, by spending a leisurely afternoon soaking up the sun in the town hub. Siit and watch as Native American vendors create stunning handmade artwork while tourists peruse their wares, or sit on a park bench and listen to locals chat about their morning psychic healing workshop. Nowhere else in the country can you experience such a marvelous blending of culture and history, all in one small spot.

Even if you're not religious, El Sanctuario de Chimayo will captivate you with its spellbinding powers unlike anywhere else in the U.S. Originally constructed sometime around 1814, this hand fabricated chapel and Catholic shrine is known throughout the world for the many reported miracles which often take place on the sacred grounds. Handmade saints and delicate, ornate shrines grace the walls of this stunning little chapel, and the stories of thousands of believers who have been healed by the miraculous powers within the chapel line the walls inside. Read their prayers, sit and meditate, and be captivated by the powers of love, belief and artistry. The chapel and surrounding grounds are free to visit but donations are greatly appreciated. Step outside the property and wander into the town of Chimayo itself, where you can meet local artists whose families have resided here for hundreds of years. Be sure to ask for "The Chile Man," Charles Medina, who will mesmerize you with his art and magic chile powders.