New Mexico Reimagined
at Star Ranch, Chimayo, NM
Attractions
Chimayó is located in Northern
New Mexico, approximately 30
miles north of Santa Fe. Native
peoples have inhabited this area
for over a thousand year.
Spanish colonists arrived 400
years ago. These cultures are
still vibrant in this region.
Santo Nino de Atocha Chapel
in Chimayó is dedicated to
children. Its whimsical décor is
reminiscent of childhood, with
carved trees, birds, flowers and
fanciful sculptures. A nearby
shrine holds hundreds of pairs of
tiny shoes, thank you tokens for
miracles received.
The 56-mile High Road to Taos
is a scenic, winding road through
the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
between Santa Fe and Taos. It
traverses high desert, mountains,
forests, small farms, tiny Spanish
Land Grant villages and Pueblo
Indian villages. Scattered along
the way are many the galleries
and studios.
The best route when driving from
Santa Fe to Chimayó is to turn
east off of 84/285 onto Highway
503 in Nambe. Take 503 east
and then turn left on Juan
Medina road to Chimayo. The
scenery is a vast expanse of red
sandstone cliffs with mountains
in the background.
The wonderful restaurant,
Rancho de Chimayó,was
honored as one of New Mexico’s
Culinary Treasures in March
2014. They serve excellent food
in a casual atmosphere - in a
historic adobe building. The
James Beard Foundation
anointed this locally owned
restaurant with a James
Beard Foundation Award and
designate them as one of
America’s Classics.
Santa Fe is only 30 minutes
south of Chimayó and offers
historical sites, galleries, casual
and fine dining, shopping and
world-class museums.
The New Mexico History
Museum at the Palace of the
Governors in Santa Fe The
Palace of the Governors was built
in 1610 and is the oldest
continuously occupied public
building in the United States.
Enjoy the museum and meet
Native artists on the building’s
long porch.
The Miraculous Staircase in
the Chapel of Loretto, said to
have been build by St. Joseph
himself.
Visit a few other famous sites in
Santa Fe, such as the La Fonda
Hotel, once a Harvey House
providing comfortable lodging and
satisfying food to travelers on the
Santa Fe Railroad.
If you love galleries and quaint
cafes, wander down Canyon
Road.
Albuquerque is the largest city
in New Mexico and it’s only a 90
minute drive from Chimayó. The
Sandia Peak Tramway is a must!
As is the Pueblo Indian Cultural
Center. Annual events such as
the Balloon Fiesta and the State
Fair draw thousands of visitors.
The drive north from Chimayó to
the AbIquiu area is one of the
most scenic in the state. Ghost
Ranch, where Georgia O'Keeffe
found so much inspiration,is in
this region, as is the Rio Chama,
Echo Amphitheater, AbIquiu Lake
and much more!
Click Image to Enlarge
The El Santuario de Chimayó
is a Roman Catholic church in
Chimayó built in 1810. This
shrine, is a National Historic
Landmark. It receives almost
300,000 visitors per year and has
been called the most important
Catholic pilgrimage site in the
United States.
Things to Do in
Northern NM
Los Alamos and Bandelier The
famous town of Los Alamos is less
than an hour’s drive from Chimayo.
The drive up and out of the Rio
Grande valley is spectacular! There is
an Atomic Museum in Los Alamos.
Bandelier is only a few miles from Los
Alamos and features ancient native
ruins that you can visit by hiking.