Why Santa Fe, New Mexico?
Three words: art, food and amazing light for photography.
Well, let’s add one more. Walking.
Santa Fe tourism tells us that it’s a walking town, and they’re right. You don’t need a car. It’s a great place, one of my all-time favorites, for photowalking.
Ruth and I (check out her http://ruthtalksfood.substack.com blog) recently spent four fantastic days in Santa Fe, plus two days in Georgia O’Keefe country (Abiquiu) and the scenic art community of Taos.
ICYMI, the New Mexico episode airs Sunday on Scripps News at 4 p.m. ET.
Or, you can watch the extended Santa Fe cut right here! (Abiquiu and Taos coming in the next weeks.)
Want to visit? I’ve got some ideas for you.
Many New Mexico towns are hundreds of years old, and are centered around a town square. Santa Fe’s no different. The heart of the action is all about the Plaza. Every local I spoke to said that’s where people expected to be, for their first glimpse of the city.
Start at the Plaza
Santa Fe’s Plaza is a perfect place to begin the photowalk. Every iconic photo you want to get of Santa Fe is pretty much right here. The open-air space is surrounded by adobe buildings, some of the oldest in the United States and vibrant Native American vendors offering handcrafted jewelry and art.
Start at one end of the square, walk all four sides and explore the side streets for more shops, galleries, historical buildings and places to eat. Just let your eyes wander.
(History: The Palace of Governor’s, adjoined to the New Mexico History Museum, dates back to the 1600s and lays a claim as the oldest continuous building in the nation. (This is a town with the oldest state capital, and several more “oldest” brags.)
For instance, just a short walk from the Plaza, you’ll find the San Miguel Chapel—the oldest church in the U.S. still in use. The church dates back to 1610. Across the street: The Oldest House Museum on De Vargas Street is a tiny adobe residence dating back to the 1600s, pre-Revolutionary War days. Step inside and imagine what life was like for the early settlers.
Museums
The New Mexico History Museum (105 W Palace Ave) (which includes the Palace of Governor's) is a great look at the state history, including exhibits on great diners and road signs from the state. Plus, you can walk through the Palace and see how a 400-year-old building is holding up.
Other nearby museums are devoted to the works of New Mexico lover Georgia O'Keefe (217 Johnson Street) and the Museum of International Folk Art (706 Camino Lejo) which houses one of the largest collections of folk art in the world, with pieces from more than 100 countries.
Explore Santa Fe’s Rich History and Art
There are galleries all around the Plaza, but for an even larger concentration of over 100 of them, walk .8 miles over to Canyon Road. Santa Fe boasts the second-largest art market in the U.S. (after New York City), so art lovers who enjoy high-end art will feel like they've found their paradise.(Beyond galleries, Canyon Road is also known for jewelry shops, boutiques and eating establishments.) Galleries around the Plaza are focused on native landscapes, while Canyon Road tends to showcase contemporary.
For another twist on art, the very first Meow Wolf (1352 Rufina Circle) is an electric, wild art installation, a sort of haunted house with multiple escape rooms that your kids will love. (It began in Santa Fe and has since expanded to Denver, Houston and other cities.
Lunch
Some of the most popular eateries near the Plaza include the Plaza Cafe (54 Lincoln Avenue), Tia Sophia's (210 W. San Francisco Street,) the Shed (113 1/2 E Palace Ave) and the Burrito Co. (111 W. Washington Avenue.) The Shed is known for red and green chile enchiladas, while Tia Sophia's is said to be the place that invented the breakfast burrito. The Plaza Cafe says it's the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Santa Fe, dating back to 1905. Popular dishes include the Blue Corn Green Chile Enchiladas and the Stuffed Sopapilla.
We loved the green chili cheeseburger at the Burrito Co. It was my favorite thing I ate on the trip, but then, you know I have non-foodie tastes. This is a local specialty that blends the spicy flavor of New Mexico’s famous green chiles with a classic American favorite.
Try pairing it with a margarita from one of the many spots on the Margarita Trail—Santa Fe was the first U.S. city to export tequila from Mexico, making margaritas a must-try here. We had a fabulous BBQ lunch and drinks at the Cowgirl BBQ, (319 S. Guadalupe Street), which is a few blocks off the Plaza.
Dinner
The Amaya restaurant at the Hotel Santa Fe features Northern New Mexico and Pueblo fare--you can even have dinner in a teepee, if you want. Tomasita's at the Railyard has been at it since 1974, and is well known for its red and green hatch chiles. Casa Chimayo is a small, family run restaurant and here too--it's all about the chiles.
Santa Fe’s Beautiful Sunsets and Rooftop Views
Sunset at the Cross of the Martyrs
As evening approaches, head to Cross of the Martyrs, a hilltop park offering panoramic views of the city. It’s a perfect spot to catch the golden hour and capture the city bathed in the soft, golden glow of the sunset. After the sun sets, wait another 15 minutes—the best colors often appear after the sun dips below the horizon.
A Rooftop Toast at La Fonda
For one of the best sunset views in Santa Fe, (during spring, summer and fall) head to the rooftop bar at La Fonda Hotel. From here, you’ll have a stunning panoramic view of the city and surrounding desert. Sip a margarita and enjoy the evening as the sun sets behind the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
For a different kind of sunset adventure, book a Sunset Serenade ride with the Sky Railway. This two-hour journey through the New Mexico countryside offers sweeping desert landscapes that give you a rare vantage point. During magic hour, pull out your phone to get some stunning shots of the rugged terrain, vibrant skies, and distant mountain peaks.
Taste of Santa Fe
Santa Fe's Farmers' Market is the another great way to dive into the local food scene. The market is rich with colorful produce, and, of course, red chiles, also known as Ristras. These hanging dried chilies are an iconic part of Santa Fe’s culinary landscape, and you’ll see them hanging outside homes and shops throughout the city.
Best Time to Visit Santa Fe
Locals say the best time to visit Santa Fe is during the fall months (September and October). The crisp air, changing leaves, and clear blue skies make for some of the most vibrant photo opportunities. Fall is fantastic. We were there two weeks ago—this week, it’s snowing!
Where to Stay: Hotel Santa Fe
We loved the Hotel Santa Fe, the only Native American-owned hotel in the city. Located in the heart of town, about an eight-block walk from the Plaza, the hotel offers rooms with traditional adobe-style architecture, a million dollar Native American art collection and resort features like a full-service restaurant, Spa and complimentary shuttle service to the Plaza. (The hotel is directly across the street from Santa Fe Railyard, home to the Farmer's Market, Tomasita's restaurant and that great Santa Fe mural.)
The hotel actually has two units: the original building, and a luxury, more expensive one in the back, the Hacienda.
Other great hotels include La Fonda and Inn at Loretto, the small Santa Fe Motel & Inn (right next door to the Hotel Santa Fe) on Cerrillos Road, which is home to many small hotels.
Readers: have questions about traveling to Santa Fe? Ask away, I’d love to help.
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