Chimayo

El Santuario de Chimayo was built back in 1816 and is a famous Roman Catholic church in Chimayo, New Mexico. The church draws more than 300,000 visitors each year, which makes it one of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites. Part of what makes El Santuario de Chimayo famous is its founding story. According to the story, a friar spotted a light on a hillside, at which he found a crucifix. The friar brought the crucifix to the Santa Cruz church, however, it kept returning to the original spot. It was decided to build a church at this site.

15 Santuario Dr, Chimayo, NM 87522, Phone: 505-351-9961

Ortega's Weaving Shop is full of unique and beautiful souvenirs for travelers to bring home from their time in the tiny town of Chimayo. The items found in this locally owned and operated shop have been continuously perfected across nine generations of weavers, passing the skill down through the Ortega family. Along with already made woven products, customers can also order personalized blankets, rugs, accessories, and more from five signature colors. Every piece at Ortega's Weaving Shop is original, with rugs durable enough for floor use and blankets comfortable and soft enough to be used as a throw.

53 Plaza Del Cerro, Chimayo, NM 87522, Phone: 505-351-4215

El Potrero Trading Post, also known as The Vigil Store, is a family-owned and operated store in Chimayo specializing in local produce and New Mexico folk art, situated adjacent to the famed El Santuario de Chimayo. The El Potrero Trading Post carries New Mexican folk art, red and green chile, and high quality religious articles, such as tin crosses, carved saints, saints painted on wood. The trading post was first opened by Alfonsa Vigil in 1921 as a grocery store to service the El Potrero community, and has now been passed down to the next generation of the family.

17 Santuario Dr, Chimayo, NM 87522, Phone: 505-351-4112

The Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area is one of the Chimayo area’s natural attractions, located at the foot of the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Santa Cruz Lake itself provides opportunities for several outdoor recreation activities for visitors of all ages, such as water sports, fishing, and swimming. The recreation area also offers a chance for camping, picnicking, and hiking. Two campgrounds in the Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area feature restroom facilities, grills, and picnic shelters. The North Lake Campground offers drinking water between the months of April and October. The terrain here is made up of canyons, mesas, and foothills.

County Road 98A, Espanola, NM 87532, Phone: 505-351-1438

Rancho de Chimayo in the village of Chimayo, New Mexico is a place to get a true taste of the local region. Arturo and Florence Jaramillo have cultivated a menu based on ancestral, local, and personal influences. Over the more than fifty years, Rancho de Chimayo has become famous for its signature dishes of chile rellenos, carne adovada, blue corn enchiladas, hand rolled tamales, spicy guacamole, and fluffy sopapillas. Open Tuesday to Sunday, the restaurant also offers a full bar, complete with fine wine and their signature tequila, which is used to make the signature prickly pear margarita.

300 Juan Medina Rd, Chimayo, NM 87522, Phone: 505-351-4444