Three Great Santa Fe Bookstores
If you can't resist a good bookstore when you travel, Santa Fe has several independent bookstores that will grab your attention.
If you're looking for a bookstore that carries plenty of books on Santa Fe, it's culture, history and general background, then Collected Works is the store for you. Located about a block and a half West off the Plaza almost across from The Lensic and Burro Alley at 208 San Francisco Street Collected Works is a small store but offers great regional books and more, some of which can be hard to find elsewhere. They have a friendly staff who are very happy to assist you in finding the perfect book as a souvenir of your trip.
Then there's the Ark. It's located at 133 Romero Street in the Railyard district off Guadalupe. A bit off the beaten path, they offer books, music and gifts to "nourish your soul". Depending on the state of construction you can usually reach the Ark by parking in the lot across the railroad tracks and looking for the sign that indicates the cut-through path through a wooden fence. Otherwise you may have to drive through the railyard, across the tracks and over to a West. Manhattan Avenue (going west) where you'll see Romero almost immediately on your right. Turn right and find the Ark on your right about a half block up. Or, if you're on St. Francis Drive, turn East on West Manhattan, proceed about two and a half blocks and turn left on Romero. Lots of books on spirituality, cultures, UFO's, unusual gifts, calendars and cards and a selection of periodicals. Be prepared to spend some time there, it's really worth exploring and one frequently discovers unexpected treasures.
The third bookstore worth a visit is Garcia Street Books on, yes, Garcia Street. Canyon Road is on the East side of Santa Fe, proceeding in that direction from Paseo de Peralta. Turn East onto Canyon Road off Paseo de Peralta, then about a block up, the first street on the right is Garcia Street. About another block further up Garcia street is the Bookstore. Locally owned, Garcia Street Books was voted the best bookstore in Santa Fe. They're open 9:30 to 6:30 seven days a week and carry a wide variety of books. Regional, best sellers and bargain books. It's not overly large, but it's definitely worth the trip.
