Española is a town with an intriguing Pueblo Indian history and picturesque parks that feature dense woodland and undulating meadows. The quiet town is an ideal base for travel to the popular towns of Taos and Santa Fe and the countryside that sprawls between them.
The highlight of the area is the Puye Cliff Dwellings, the caves of an abandoned town of American Indians. Capture photos of the two levels of cliff dwellings that are carved into a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) stretch of rock face of the Jemez Mountains, Schedule a guided tour at the Puye Cliff Welcome Center to learn the comprehensive history of the caves, which were inhabited from the 10th to the 16th century.
A little to the east is the El Santuario de Chimayo Historic Site, a stunning shrine that has become a pilgrim destination. Climb to the peak of the hilltop shrine beside a tall white cross and admire the view of the mountainous terrain. Examine the adobe façade and two towers that flank the church, where families lived in the 1800s.
Meander through the scenic terrain of the Santa Fe National Forest immediately east of the town. The forest contains sprawling meadows and undulating mountains that form a scenic backdrop. Gaze up at Truchas Peak, which reaches a height of 13,103 feet (4,000 meters).
Further north is Carson National Forest, where you’ll see New Mexico’s highest mountain, Wheeler Peak. Reaching a height of 13,161 feet (4,011 meters), the snow-capped gem makes for excellent photos.
Learn about the Spanish origins of the settlement as you explore the town. Española was declared a capital for Spain at the end of the 16th century. It was known as Vigil’s Meadow before the arrival of the railroads, when locals named the city after a restaurant that paid tribute to the influx of Spanish women.
The city is in the Santa Fe area in central New Mexico. Get around the region by car after arriving at Albuquerque International Airport, just 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of the town.
