Santa Fe offers a broad range of art, from very traditional Native American crafts and Hispanic folk art to extremely innovative contemporary work. Some locals call Santa Fe one of the top art markets in the world. Galleries speckle the downtown area, and as an artists' thoroughfare, Canyon Road is preeminent. The greatest concentration of Native American crafts is displayed beneath the portal of the Palace of the Governors.
Any serious arts aficionado should try to attend one or more of the city's great arts festivals -- the Spring Festival of the Arts in May, the Spanish Market in July, The Indian Market in August, and the Fall Festival of the Arts in October.
Arcade Shopping on the Plaza -- Opened in 2004, the Santa Fe Arcade, 60 E. San Francisco St. (tel. 505/988-5792), on the south side of the plaza, offers three stories of shops in a sleek, glassy European-style space. It's a far cry from the Woolworth's that once lived there. Showy Western wear, fine Indian jewelry, and hip clothing fill the display windows of some 60 spaces in the mall. If you like to pamper yourself with natural products, many made in northern New Mexico, step into Sombria (suite 222; tel. 888/480-5554 or 505/982-7383). Look for their margarita salt glow, made with salt from Utah's Great Salt Lake. Prima Fine Jewelry's Oro Fino (suite 218; tel. 505/983-9699) sells contemporary and Southwestern inlaid jewelry in silver, gold, and platinum. After all the shopping, if you find yourself hungry, head to the Rooftop Pizzeria (top floor; tel. 505/984-0008) for some of the city's best pizza. Two types of crust, an "artisan" or a blue corn, are topped with imaginative concoctions such as smoked duck and roasted garlic or wild mushroom and Alfredo sauce. Salads and pasta dishes, and beer and wine are also available. It's open Sunday through Thursday 11am to 10pm and Friday and Saturday 11am to 11pm.
Gypsy Time -- Even if you don't shop, you'll want to wander down Gypsy Alley, one of Canyon Road's older artist enclaves. Though the once-crooked shops and studios have been replaced by sleek galleries, it still retains a row of whimsically painted mail boxes -- a great photo op. Gypsy Baby, 708 Canyon Rd. no. 4. (tel. 505/992-0865), sells bright clothes, beaded slippers, and mustang rocking horses, all mindful of the slogan "Born to be spoiled." There is another outpost of this store on Guadalupe Street (tel. 505/820-1898). Chiaroscuro Gallery, 708 Canyon Rd. (tel. 505/986-9197), presents contemporary fine art and photography. Especially look for Willy Heeks's lovely textured paintings. Emilia Poochie, 708 Canyon Rd. no. 3, (tel. 505/438-9663) likes to "pamper your pooch," and they're not kidding. If you take your doggie in with you, he or she will get treats and water, and can choose from an array of designer beds, dog houses, and games. Monopoly fans should check out the Dog-opoly.
