My heart will always live in Santa Fe.
Picture this: Turquoise-speckled sidewalk displays, modern-art galleries, dive bars featuring hundreds of different tequilas, and hiking to native hot-spring saunas…all the while breathing-in the faint scent of slow-roasting pork and green chile. Sound dreamy? You bet.
To put it lightly, Santa Fe is the gem of the Southwest, and a must-see on anyone’s bucket list. While I will dedicate a separate post on the restaurants you should visit, here are a few of my favorite spots to frequent should you ever make it to the capital city of New Mexico!
The Plaza
Loretto Chapel, Ortegas, Georgia O’Keefe Museum + more
A visit to The Plaza (the quaint downtown area) is one of the reasons I dub this city to be one of the most charming and authentic destinations in the United States. This city center has been inhabited since 1610, and is still thriving as a premier cultural and political center. Follow the Old Santa Fe Trail to the heart of The Plaza, where you will discover the iconic Loretto Chapel (known for its mysterious spiral staircase, who some believe was built by St. Joseph himself!), the handcrafted jewelry of award-winning local artists at Ortega’s on the Plaza, or discover the famous avant-garde artistry displayed in the Georgia O’Keefe Museum.
Jackalope Mercato
Pottery, Antiques + Craftsmanship at its finest!
This outdoor market features the best of Southwest culture; from Prairie dogs, clay pottery, antiques dating back to the 1800’s, hand-painted beads (and so much more), this is potentially my favorite spot in all of Santa Fe. Oh, and you’ll want to accustom yourself to the name behind this outdoor mercantile (it is actually an animal with a legendary combination of a male jackrabbit and a female antelope).
Bandelier National Monument
hiking + ceremonial caves galore!
Situated outside of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Bandelier National Monument is a staple for outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience a unique taste of nature. Carved by the Rio Grande River and protected by intricately marbled volcanic rock, the hiking trails at Bandelier are both breathtaking and historic. Petroglyphs and pictographs are common, as are cave dwellings, vita holes and ancient ceremonial caves. Cerro Grande Trail and the Frijoles Canyon Trail are my two favorite shorter hikes, as both are 2 miles long or less and offer immediate gratification. I’d suggest doing several hikes in one day, as they can take over an hour to complete due to the picturesque settings (make sure to check out the Tyuonyi Ruins) and picnic spots that are offered along the way.
Ten Thousand Waves Spa
A traditional Japanese spa in the Southwest!
Wind and weave your way through the desert to one of the most luxurious spas in New Mexico: Ten Thousand Waves. Nestled amongst juniper trees and situated on a scenic hill overlooking the National Forest, this spa has some of the best massage therapists I have ever encountered. A must-visit after a long day of hiking, for sure!
Santa Fe School of Cooking
Agave nectar and green chiles, anyone?
Specializing in New Mexican, Native American, Mexican, Spanish, vegetarian and contemporary Southwestern cuisine, the culinary masters at the Santa Fe School of Cooking are excellent at teaching the ins and outs of Southwest cooking. I’d recommend taking the “Rellenos” or “Tacos” class, but you really can’t go wrong with this place. Plus, you get to taste the food and shop for the Cooking’s Schools unique ingredients after the class is over, which is a MUST!
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