Palace of the Governors
Palace of the Governors
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,020 reviews
Excellent
545
Very good
350
Average
96
Poor
21
Terrible
8
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Oct 2021
On a good day (probably a weekend), the long, covered entry front to the historic building will be awash in blankets claiming the sales-front territory upon which vendors will display their wares. This is the real-deal. Everything is made by the artisans who have licenses to display their native works.
Primarily jewelry but not limited to metal works, vendors will display their pottery works, and any/every artistic rendering a human mind can dream. All vendors must be licensed. The gentleman from whom we bought some impressive earrings displayed his license. Look him up, his work impressed us.
I don't believe this is a barter situation, their prices are pretty fair and not open to haggling.
Do stroll up and down the promenade and take in all the excellent hand-crafts for sale. These are some mighty talented artists!
Primarily jewelry but not limited to metal works, vendors will display their pottery works, and any/every artistic rendering a human mind can dream. All vendors must be licensed. The gentleman from whom we bought some impressive earrings displayed his license. Look him up, his work impressed us.
I don't believe this is a barter situation, their prices are pretty fair and not open to haggling.
Do stroll up and down the promenade and take in all the excellent hand-crafts for sale. These are some mighty talented artists!
Written October 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SusanR
7 contributions
Sep 2021
We went on a weekday in September and there were about 8 artists there. The best part, besides seeing their wares, was talking with them. One of the artists was part of the San Ildefonso pueblo, and made beautiful black on black pottery. His work was out of my financial box, but we talked with him about his craft and the pueblo.
There were ware ranging from around $10 to the upper hundreds.
There were ware ranging from around $10 to the upper hundreds.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arcee_CO
Wheat Ridge, CO1,040 contributions
Apr 2021
The interior is still closed as of April 26, 2021, because of small rooms. The historic 1610 exterior is available 24/7, no charge or tickets. However, the indigenous arts vendors are not allowed to display on the porch. The adjoining state History Museum is fully open, with a $12 ticket price.
Written April 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frederick G
Weatherford, OK171 contributions
Aug 2021
No trip to Santa Fe is complete without a day on the plaza and no day on the plaza is complete without going to the Palace of the Governors. I highly recommend going to the Museum of New Mexico History which allows you access to the Palace. It is very well restored and gives great insight into colonial New Mexico under the Spanish.
The wall of vendors is also very interesting--all Native American artists selling their wares of beautiful hand made jewelry at very reasonable prices and many will talk to you about what inspired this or that piece. So cool!
The wall of vendors is also very interesting--all Native American artists selling their wares of beautiful hand made jewelry at very reasonable prices and many will talk to you about what inspired this or that piece. So cool!
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vwc20841
Boyds, MD189 contributions
Oct 2019
We went to the Palace of the Governors twice to visit the natives who were selling their jewelry and crafts. It is wonderful but the prices are not any better than the stores. The natives make their living from selling their home crafted jewelry and that is important to know.
Written March 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy S
Austin, TX854 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
I lovef chatting with the Artists about their work. I found some jewelry and Christmas ornaments. None of it was cheap, but all of it was well crafted. I liked the artistry and uniqueness of the work here far more thsn anything I'd seen in the nearby shops.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beverly W
Lakeland, FL30 contributions
Mar 2020
If you are looking for beautiful jewelry and pottery done by local artist this is the place to go. In this market style pavilion you will also get to meet and talk with the artist. It was a great opportunity to find out their process for creating the artwork as well as the meaning behind the symbolisms in their work. Everyone was so friendly and talkative. All vendors are licensed by the city to sell their artwork so I felt I was buying authentic traditional Indian artwork.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ANNIEPG
Pittsburgh574 contributions
Sep 2021
We did not visit the interior of the building but enjoyed the Native American artist vendors outside. Their work was beautiful and every one of them were friendly and willing to talk about their craft. I bought a few gifts and a treat or two for myself. I would have given 5 stars but there weren't as many of them as I saw on a previous visit and they did begin to pack up early on this weekday.
Written November 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JHughes50
Naperville, IL181 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
There is a museum inside the Palace of Governors explaining its long, long history. With your admission you also go inside the History Museum of New Mexico. There is so much interesting information to take in. Everyone talks about Santa Fe’s galleries and art, while still exceptional, I never hear about the very old history even prehistoric of the city and state. Older than Jamestown and St. Augustine. Some of the oldest in the US. Loved learning so much here….I highly recommend.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob J
Southport, NC926 contributions
Jul 2021
While the interior of the Palace remains closed, the real draw is the Native American market that continues in front of the building. Be aware that most of them are still wearing masks because Covid has devastated some of the tribes. Handmade jewelry, pottery and some other items can be found. I saw some excellent copper and silver work. Just be aware of the crowds.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you visit the vendors without taking a museum tour?
Written July 5, 2022
Is the Palace if Governors still closed for renovations?
Written August 20, 2019
Yes it is but the true Native American vendors are there on weekends. Their work is amazing.
Written August 22, 2019
Can you and is it respectful to bargain prices at the shops here? Thanks
Written February 20, 2018
Bargaining is a bit of a lost art.
Negotiating a price that you are willing to pay and one that the seller is willing to accept needs to be done respectfully. The potential buy never knows for sure what price the seller might be willing to accept. Many of the sellers are the artisans that made the items and what they are willing to sell it for may vary with the day of the week and even the time of day.
It all depends on the sellers desire to sell the the the price the buyer's willing to pay...
Written February 20, 2018
Hi,
Can't remember what time the vendors are there and what days???????
Do you know?
Thanks,
Gigi
Written July 17, 2017
Daily, they are fully licensed, vetted, true their pueblo, artform and family heritage.
Many have inherited their location undervthe portal from their parents and grandparents.
This is highly coveted and respected and for purchaser the real real thing.
Also, stop my friends, going on 4 generations at tne Shop of the Rainbow Man. Tell them Kate sent you. They, too, are the real thing, their history representin Native families and their artforms are respectable and beyond.
Written July 18, 2017
What days and times are the vendors at the Palace?
Written January 5, 2017
The space is packed every day with the local vendors selling a wide variety of items. They are very friendly and it is fun to talk with them about their histories and knowledge of the area.
Written January 23, 2017
Will it be open on Christmas Day?
Written December 25, 2016
So sorry, I doubt it would be open Christmas Day as all of downtown is closed up except the hotels and some of the restaurants.
Written December 27, 2016
Are the Palace of the Governors and the New Mexico Museum open on Memorial Day weekend (Sat-Monday)? Will the vendors be set up to sell their crafts in the portal on those days?
Written March 24, 2016
Hi Jeffrey Your review was posted as 4 days ago. The Palace of Governors is listed as open May onwards. Is the Plaza open? Are there vendors there? We will be in Santa Fe in mid April and the reviews of the Palace and the crafts sound really interesting. I'm disappointed not to be able to see the museum.
Written March 24, 2016
Hola Canadian visitor!
We are not the "Jeffrey" to whom you address your question, but we are regular visitors to Santa Fe and we can almost 100% assure you that there will be "vendors" (i.e. Indian craftspeople) with a wide and amazing array of rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. on display for sale at any time you visit. They roll their blankets out, display their wares, and barter with the interested seekers.
If you google for "palace of the governors" (hint for you: put three letters on the front of the search, and follow it up with and ending of "org" and you will get access to the official website with times they are open. This site has some particular rules about not providing the official websites for things (they will edit the answers out) but you are more than welcome to send us a "pm" private message for more info.
Do some exploring of the very special places near downtown. We found the Loretto Chapel and also an original church where Indians waged an arrow assault on the church. There are some truly amazing and historically important places here.
Written March 25, 2016
Rhonda S
Watkins, Colorado
On what days do they set up the jewelry for sale in early April?
Written March 1, 2015
Are you referring to the sales under the portal of the Governor's Palace? If so, it's pretty much a daily thing, although fewer vendors will show up if they think business will be slow. Mostly that would be on rainy or snowy days outside of the tourist season.
Written March 3, 2015
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