Discover Immersive Colonial History at El Rancho de las Golondrinas Near Santa Fe
El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a premier living history museum just 15 miles south of downtown Santa Fe, offers authentic immersive experiences into life on the remote frontiers of the Spanish Empire. Expert historians and knowledgeable docents lead engaging, informative tours. Throughout the season, enjoy spectacular festivals and themed weekends celebrating the ranch's history, perfect for family entertainment.
Visitors step back in time with hands-on activities, from grinding corn on traditional gristmills to weaving wool from sheep raised on-site.
Dressed in authentic period attire, docents guide tours through 300 years of the ranch's history, demonstrating survival techniques used by its past inhabitants.
¡Viva México!
¡Viva México! celebrates Mexican and New Mexican traditions with food, music, art, and festivities. This year's highlight features lucha libre (Mexican-style wrestling) for added excitement. Mark your calendars for July 16 and 17.
Follow the aroma of fresh tortillas and carne asada to tents where local restaurants serve traditional dishes. Shop intricate handcrafted figurines, jewelry, and textiles unique to Mexico.
Weaver Bulmaro Perez Mendoza from Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, will showcase naturally dyed textiles and rugs, plus a lecture on weaving and dyeing at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art on Thursday, July 14.
Traditional Banda music and vibrant folklorico dancers enhance the lively atmosphere.
The RTD Blue Bus offers free service both days from the State Office Buildings lot on Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe Mall, and the 599 Rail Runner Station.
Summer Festival and Wild West Adventures
Discover why camels were brought to the Southwest.
The Wild West festival comes alive with cowboys, shootouts, and camels!
Learn the surprising history of camels in the Southwest through close encounters with these desert animals.
The ranch's expansive landscapes set the stage for commemorating early Wild West cowboys.
Reenactments feature historical figures like gunman Elfego Baca and mountain man James Ohio Pattie. Enjoy Dutch oven biscuits, leather stamping, and famous shootout recreations.
Western film fans: Attend film historian Jeff Berg's talk on Sunday, August 7 at 12:00 pm about movies filmed on-site, including The Missing, Jane Got a Gun, and Into the West. Event dates: August 6 and 7.
Santa Fe Renaissance Fair
The ranch's timeless setting evokes the grandeur and romance of the Renaissance.
Lords, ladies, kings, queens, fantasy creatures, and peasants engage in merry activities. Dress in Renaissance attire, practice Elizabethan speech, and toast with mead among fellow attendees.
Thrilling jousts shake the ground, while fairies dance in the breeze. Hands-on experiences include medieval cooking, archery, and sword fighting.
Jesters and jugglers entertain all ages with jokes and tricks, often involving shy audience members.
The fair runs September 17 and 18.
El Rancho de las Golondrinas brims with culture, history, tradition, and adventure. Plan your visit with the 2016 Santa Fe traveler's guide. Check current deals and specials in Santa Fe.
This blog was written in partnership with TOURISM Santa Fe and Santa Fe County.
