Hi fellow travelers! I hope you are all exploring! Has there ever been a place that you have traveled to that continues to draw you to it? A location so unique, that you absolutely must make a trip there every year? Well, for me, Santa Fe, NM is that place, I love bringing my kids here too, it’s so cultural for them. I have been to Santa Fe in the spring, summer and winter and it’s just an incredible place to visit. So many people have looked at me funny when I tell them that I am excited to be going back to visit, they ask me “what’s there to do in Santa Fe?”. I look at them intrigued and say “what? You have never been there?” Well, let me educate you on a wonder of the Southwest.
Santa Fe, NM is just that, a wonder, it’s magical, spiritual and the culture you become immersed in is electric. My mother would take me during my teen years, for a few days to visit and I loved it, living in Colorado we are not too far from the enchantment that New Mexico offers, (that’s why it says Land of Enchantment on their license plates… it’s true). Once you cross into New Mexico you feel like you are connected to the magic of the land and the people that inhabit it. The Native American culture in New Mexico permeates the valleys and mountains and whether you fancy history or not, you are ultimately pulled in to their spirit. There are many examples of Native American culture throughout the state, but Santa Fe is the most intense for me. The art, the music, the food, the people, the beautiful Native American jewelry, is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much to do here, that you may need at least 2-3 days (believe it or not).
While I have not even had the opportunity to explore all the amazing places that hide within Santa Fe, I have definitely found a few that I return to over and over again. Below, are the top 5 places you have to visit while in this extraordinary city.
The Loretto Chapel-
If you go anywhere, I mean anywhere in this city, you must see the Loretto Chapel, located to the right of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis Assisi, (stop in there too, while you are at it). The chapel is famous for the spiral staircase that was built by a carpenter in the 1800’s. It’s called the “Miraculous Staircase” and miraculous it is, there are no real supports to hold up the staircase, so it is a mystery as to how it was constructed and still remains in place. But, the chapel itself is beautiful and you can learn all about the history through a brief tour that they provide. The fee to tour the chapel is only $3, I mean, it’s pennies to see the amazing work of a person who may have been closer to an angel than a man.
The Shed-
This restaurant is divine, I am talking the best food in town and the decor is reminiscent of a New Mexican pueblo. The cuisine is New Mexican, which means get ready for some flavorful but powerful red chile. I, myself need a couple of margaritas to cool off my mouth, but those are delicious too, so, why not. Their prices are reasonable, with many of their plates under $15 and they even have a kids menu. But, you absolutely must get there early to put your name in, I have had to wait an hour or two at their busiest times.
La Plazuela–
If you can’t get into The Shed, then head over to La Plazuela in the La Fonda Hotel. This restaurant is a romantic alternative to the fun and festive Shed restaurant. You most likely need a reservation here as well, but if you come early enough, you may be able to wait only a few minutes. The restaurant feels like you are dining under the New Mexican sky, there is a fountain in the middle of the restaurant and there are trees laden with twinkling lights. It’s really fantastic and the food is incredible too. I know this place is a little more upscale but I bring my kids here, I love it and I have to eat there when I am in town. The prices are in the upper $20-30 range for dinner, so maybe have breakfast or lunch with your kids here instead.
The Santa Fe Plaza-
You will walk through this plaza at some point as you mosey in to town, but you must stop and listen to the live music they have in the late spring and summer. It’s a beautiful, flower filled plaza, that invites the whole town to enjoy. There are shops all around the plaza, that house beautiful turquoise and jeweled treasures and some of the fanciest cowboy boots around. But you must stop and browse the unique crafts, created by some of the Native Americans that live around the area. They have beautiful items to sell and often are willing to bargain with you. This is where you get the most culture in the city, you really start to feel like you are enveloped in the Native American civilization, what it may have been like hundreds of years ago, as you walk the old plaza streets.
Canyon Road-
If you are an art lover, and a lover of Southwestern art, then you must peruse the galleries and boutiques on Canyon Road. What makes Santa Fe so unique is the creativity, that has been inspired by the landscape, the natural resources and the people. There are galleries filled to the brim with jewelry, paintings, sculptures and restaurants that offer local cuisine. It’s a visual and emotional experience, as you understand what moves people to create. My mother has bought several pieces from here and it’s why we love to go back. There are always new artists and restaurants, providing a different experience every time. It can be expensive to buy art, but even just walking through, gives you a new perspective on this dynamic city.
So, what are you waiting for? Santa Fe, NM is such an amazing spot to spend a few days, especially since the weather is warming up. Want a tip? Check travel sites, like http://Trivago.com or http://expedia.com for some of their best hotels lowest fares, (my faves are Hotel Santa Fe and La Fonda on the Plaza).