If you’ve ever read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett or seen the movie, you probably associate this phrase with a hidden oasis. If so, we found a version of “The Secret Garden” in New Mexico that doesn’t disappoint. Behind the walls of the Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe lies a peaceful paradise that you’ll want to discover. It’s one of the prettiest gardens to visit in New Mexico, and we bet you’ll love it too.

Santa Fe is filled with galleries but Nedra Matteucci is special, not only for housing a collection that features some truly recognizable names, but also for its sculpture garden.

The gallery concentrates on 19th and 20th-century American artwork and it’s worth exploring the sprawling rooms of this adobe building – even if the price tags on the items within are way beyond your budget.

Venture out back, where you’ll find a garden that shows how landscaping can be a form of art.

Sculptures are integrated into the natural setting in a thoughtful – sometimes playful - way.

Admire the strength of Don Ostermiller’s bears. This wildlife sculptor learned how to depict the essence of an animal from his father, a taxidermist.

Mosey along gently curving paths…

…to a tranquil pond, where ducks coast across the still waters...

...and an elephant is poised on the banks!

In a high desert environment, it’s unusual to encounter a spot that feels so lush and rich with foliage.

Relax on a bench and let this peaceful place erase your stress.

You could walk right past this walled garden for years, without ever guessing it was here. And that’s part of the charm of this magical place.

You can escape the world and spend time with sculptures that wouldn’t be out of place in the pages of beloved children’s stories, all in the middle of Santa Fe.

Since it’s part of a gallery, there’s no fee to enter the sculpture garden, which is open during normal business hours every day except Sunday.

The Nedra Matteucci Galleries are located at 1075 Paseo de Peralta, a short stroll away from Canyon Road, where many of the city’s other galleries are clustered. For more information about this secret garden in New Mexico, visit the website for Nedra Matteucci Galleries.

Once you've found your Zen, amble over to nearby Kakawa Chocolate House, for a cup of drinking chocolate that will complete a perfect experience.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-mexico/kakawa-chocolate-house-santa-fe/

Or consider making unique pieces of art by taking the stained glass making class in Sante Fe. It could be a fun activity for everyone!