Three Free Things to Do in or Around Santa Fe

You can end up spending all of your money in Santa Fe if you're not careful. The restaurants themselves could bleed you dry and then there'e the temptation of every beautiful piece of art available around town.

But what if you want to protect your pocket book and still have a great time in Santa Fe? Is that even possible? I've been to Santa Fe plenty of times and I've gone both routes. I've spent like a king and I've lived like a pauper. Both times, I loved every minute of my stay. It's the latter you're here for and it's the latter I'll give you. Here are three things you can do in and around Santa Fe that are free (the add-ons are cheap too!)

1. Madrid, NM

Most ghost towns are nothing but a few ramshackle clapboard buildings and the ghosts of their inhabitants. But Madrid, NM is a still living ghost town. And unlike places in the remote desert, Madrid is still a healthy economy for the tourist trade.

If you've ever seen the film "Wild Hogs," you'll recognize one of the restaurants in Madrid. It's an old diner that still attracts bikers as they cruise along old Route 66.

But the town is definitely more than just a film studio's backdrop. You can shop and you can even get a bit of history as well.

Madrid was once a mining town. The old steam train that transported coal still sits in the center of Madrid on the property of the Madrid Museum. Learn all about the fascinating history of Madrid from the coal days to the ghost days to it's renovation and revamping.

If you're in Madrid near the end of September, catch the Steampunk Spectacular. You can join in the fun if you're a steampunk or just watch the festivities from afar. The small festival includes a kid friendly show during the day and a risque cabaret in the evening.

If you're into the Blues, the Crawdaddy Blues festival happens every May in Madrid.

2. Audubon Sanctuary

If you're hoping to stow away that credit card and not be tempted one iota, there's always nature. The Randall Davey Audubon Sanctuary is 135 acres of incredible foliage. It sits at the top of Upper Canyon and you can see the entire valley from the center.

You'll also catch over 200 species of birds that nest in the various native plants showcased there. You can even check out the native plant and pollinator gardens and see the bee houses. Just be respectful. Bees are our future.

3. La Cienequilla Petroglyph Site

Santa Fe is the oldest city in the United States. But native populations were there long before the Spanish invaded the region. You can find petroglyph sites all over the state of New Mexico, but one of the most remarkable ones sits right outside Santa Fe.

La Cienequilla contains over 5,000 glyphs. And each glyph conveys a different meaning. The message prove that all cultures and people want to be heard. It's the kind of thing that haunts your dreams.

The site is easy to access and free. You'll park at a gravel parking lot and hike up to the glyphs. The Bureau of Land Management runs the site.