Santa Fe, New Mexico: Travel Guide
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Travel Guide
I absolutely loved our recent trip to Santa Fe. It is such a colorful, walkable city filled with amazing cuisine, art galleries galore, and vintage shops that can’t be missed. Below is a robust travel guide of all of our favorite things we did while there on our four-day trip. Note: we took our 7-month-old baby girl and 65-year-old parents, all of whom loved it!
Breakfast / Brunch:
Modern General Feed and Seed — This is an adorable walk-up counter eatery with healthier options – their menu spans from smoothies, health shots, coffees, baked goods, and sandwiches. They also have great items to buy – such as cookware, books, food finds…and not to mention, it’s baby friendly!
Dolina Bakery & Café — Eastern European…and delicious!
Café Pasqual’s – a Santa Fe institution with a New Mexican influence & an eclectic menu. Get here early as it gets crowded!
Tesuque Village Market – A must! About 15 minutes from downtown Santa Fe. They offer New Mexican Cuisine & a hard-to-pass brick oven pizza. Terrific breakfast, but also good lunch and dinner, and killer blood orange margaritas!
The Tea House – a cute spot on Canyon Road with good brunch/lunch. I suggest gallery hopping on Canyon Road and then stopping here!
Upscale dining:
Sazon — Amazing restaurant with Old Mexico cuisine, known for their moles. You MUST get the Sopa de Amor – Will claims it was the best soup he’s ever had (and not to mention, they had one of my favorite margaritas on the trip!).
The Compound — my parents voted this as their favorite restaurant! Great outdoor patio and fresh food located off of Canyon Road.
Radish & Rye — great restaurant with an inventive farm-to-table menu, known for their bourbons & whiskeys.
Geronimo — we were unable to make it to Geronimo this visit, but it came highly recommended by many people. It is considered one of the best (and most expensive) in Santa Fe.
La Casa Sena — we had a wonderful brunch here in their beautiful outdoor courtyard. It is surrounded by adorable clothing & home decor shops to pop into before or after your meal!
New Mexico Cuisine:
The Shed — A Santa Fe institution. Get here early to get on the list and have a margarita while you wait & people-watch!
La Choza — this is the sister restaurant to The Shed, and more of a local hot spot.
Tomasitas – Very family-friendly, but also great Sangrias. One of my personal favorites. Lunch & Dinner. In the Railyard District
Tia Sophias – Really terrific food near the plaza. Side note: they don’t serve alcohol.
Favorite Happy Hours / Bars:
Four Seasons Rancho Encantado – The absolute best place to watch a sunset outside of Tesuque (we went here before dinner at the Tesuque Village Market)!
The Bell Tower at La Fonda – Also a great sunset, but better in the summer, because it is outside (may not be open in inclement weather).
The Bar at the Compound – very intimate, limited seating surrounding the bartender, so that everyone ends up conversing, and the bartender is always entertaining! Great drinks and wine
Dinner for Two —great, casual happy hour spot.
Galleries to Visit:
Santa Fe has a plethora of art galleries with wonderful art everywhere you look, & listed below are some of my favorite spots to visit. The Railyard District has mainly contemporary art, while Canyon Road is more of a mix. It is fun to wander in as many as you have time for, and be sure to check out the beautiful sculpture gardens and landscaping throughout your escapade. The locals definitely have a passion for making their surroundings inviting and enticing and this was one of my favorite cities to gallery hop!
Nedra Matteucci Galleries – on Paseo de Peralta. Personally my favorite! Don’t miss the sculpture gardens.
Zaplin Lampert Gallery – on Canyon Road, famous Taos artists and new artists including Joe Anna Arnett. By appointment only.
Lew Allen Gallery – Contemporary & modern art located in the Railyard District. By far one of my favorites!
Evoke Contemporary – in the Railyard Disctrict. The gallerists are extremely knowledgable here!
Blue Rain Gallery – Contemporary, in Railyard, check out Rimi Yang
Where to Shop:
Santa Maria Provisions — in the Casa Sena courtyard off Palace Street. My favorite gift store with fun, eclectic finds. Love the owner, Julie.
Chocolate & Cashmere – just as the name says! Multiple locations and also has jewelry!
Shiprock Santa Fe— located on the Plaza on the second floor. A feast for your eyes!
Sign of the Pampered Maiden – great clothing boutique.
The Raven – arguably the best furniture consignment store! My mom and I could’ve spent hours here. If vintage/antique shopping is your jam, it is worth stopping in.
Double Take – great consignment shop with tons of vintage boots and vintage Mexican jewelry.
La Casa Fina — European imports as well as beautiful consignment furniture.
Activities:
Dorothy Stewart Trail — about a one-hour loop with great views of Santa Fe (we wore June & had no trouble). Parking is scarce, so plan to walk extra or get there early!
Dale Balls Trail — great views of the wilderness and city! For the beginner or advanced hiker.
Meow Wolf — this was quite the whimsical experience! It was neat - but probably would’ve skipped out on had it not been a great rainy day activity. If you have young children, this is worthwhile!
Black Mesa Golf Club — Will loves to play golf when we travel, and this was a course he absolutely loved playing. It is definitely a recommended activity for any fellow golf lovers!
If you’ve been to Santa Fe, I’d love to hear where your favorite spots are. And if you try out any of the spots above, please do share!
Want to know what I’m up to on the reg? Follow along on Instagram at @cocozentner_art or on my Pinterest page. I love to post what inspires me, behind the scenes of my painting process, and my pup, Maudie!
Until next time,
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To see more about what inspires CoCo, check-out her Instagram page at @cocozentner_art!
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