A Santa Fe travel guide for a weekend exploring the art and food scene in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe restaurants, shopping, and historic churches. Plus small hikes in and around the Santa Fe area.
BREAKFAST IN SANTA FE
The right way to start any travel post about Sante Fe, New Mexico is to drool over a burrito. A breakfast burrito.
I spent time {probably too much time} trying to determine which one was best. A quick glance at these photos and it’s obvious that this burrito did not disappoint.
It’s the breakfast burrito from Palacio Cafe. Tucked right off the main square serving delicious horchata and jamaica to wash down the spicy sauce – red or green – or choose both – making it Christmas style. I ate every bit of this burrito and didn’t feel stuffed – it was a magical breakfast burrito.
And next time I’ll try these. Let me know if you get there first!
Tia Sophia’s, Tune Up Café, The Pantry, and Café Pasqual’s
There will be a point when you just need a break from red and green sauce. This moment will be short-lived, but it will happen. This is when Santa Fe’s amazing French bakeries tempt your sweet tooth.
Clafoutis, Santa Fe
If you love baked goods, this is the place.
HUGE glass cases displaying delicate pastries that are not overly sweet.
Good coffee.
A full breakfast menu to balance your pastry selection, baskets full of addictive French bread slices and butter.
My suggestion is to select a couple pastries and share a tomato and avocado omelette. It’s breakfast perfection.
Did you know Santa Fe is the third oldest city in the U.S.?!
LUNCH / DINNER IN SANTE FE
Pretty much any place that has delicious New Mexican breakfast, also has delicious lunch and dinner. Santa Fe has restaurants of all genres – this trip we stuck to New Mexican fare.
For lunch we waited the ridiculous wait for a table at The Shed.
I ordered a vegetarian tamale and margarita. Both were good, but I’m not sure I’d deal with crowd next time.
Simply knowing how many good restaurants there are in Santa Fe.
I have La Choza on my list to try next trip.
We ate at two places that were not New Mexican fare – The Teahouse – teas and varied menu – and Dr. Field Goods – a gastropub recently visited by Guy Fieri. Both are solid choices.
For a dinner, try La Paloma. With tortillas handmade from local nixtamalized corn, the attention to detail and quality ingredients is spot on.
SANTA FE ART GALLERIES
There are several art districts in Santa Fe. Canyon Road is the most condensed area with a wide variety of sculpture, fine art, modern art and even some yard art. It’s true, the average person can’t afford most of it. But it’s really fun to look! Plan at least 1 full day.
Where to eat on Canyon Road, Santa Fe?
There is a nice little teahouse at the end of the road that has a great lunch menu. The Teahouse
As a gardener, I really enjoy outdoor sculpture art. This installation below was my absolute favorite piece. The gallery sold mini versions, but they were still out of my price range.
Later I discovered that there is a sculpture park, called Origami in the Garden, filled with pieces from this artists – Jennifer and Kevin Box – on the Turquoise Trail – the National Scenic Byway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Unfortunately, it was closed on Sunday when we drove the Turquoise Trail.
History of the Turquoise Trail
Named after the turquoise mined by the Pueblo peoples in 900 A.D. that once mined this area, today the trail is home to small towns with a few shops and restaurants – the biggest town is Madrid.
How long does it take to drive the Turquoise Trail? The drive from Sante Fe to Albuquerque on the Turquoise Trail doesn’t take much more time than driving the highway. So if you like 2 lane roads that wind through small towns, this is a nice route.
Santa Fe Railyard Arts District + Saturday Farmers Market
The Santa Fe Saturday Farmers Market is the perfect time to grab some locally made items – food, jewelry, housewares, plants and produce. There is a little of everything.
My favorite find was Heidi’s raspberry chili jam.
After shopping, you can spend another hour or two exploring the galleries in the Santa Fe Railyard Arts District.
Or just grab a blue corn lavender donut and chill out in a TV.
Meow Wolf
No trip to Santa Fe would be complete without a visit to Meow Wolf. With all the hype and buzz surrounding this bizarre art installation, we booked our tickets in advance. With timed entry, you can plan your day around it.
It’s creativity gone haywire. I still don’t know what to say about it.
Where to eat near Meow Wolf? Tortilla Flats.
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HISTORIC CHURCHES IN SANTA FE
Downtown Santa Fe has three main churches that you should visit while you are walking around the shops near the main square.
The Cathedral Basilica St. Francis of Assisi
In front of the Cathedral, you will find a meditation labyrinth. This installation was constructed in the Chartres style – a style found throughout Europe. If you enjoy meditation or just need a few moments of calm, a walk through the labyrinth is a nice break during the vacation hustle. There are many installation in Santa Fe and you may be surprised to find a few installations near your own home (worldwide labyrinth finder). It’s very common to find these in church gardens and wellness centers. I found one in Flagstaff on a trail I frequent – had been walking right on by it all this time!
Loretto Chapel + San Miguel Mission
The Loretto Chapel is famous for it’s miraculous wooden staircase and the San Miguel Chapel is the oldest church in the United States, believed to have been constructed around 1610.
HIKING NEAR SANTA FE
KASHA-KATUWE TENT ROCKS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Just a bit off the main route from Albuquerque to Santa Fe there is a National Monument called Tent Rocks. It’s a short hike (3.0 mi roundtrip), but there is some climbing involved if you want to get to the overlook. It was a hot day and I was surprised how many hikers were willing to brave the scorching sun.
Can you use your National Parks Pass at Tent Rocks? Yes!
There are lots of hikes in Santa Fe proper. The most popular being the Dale Ball Trail System – https://sfct.org/dale-ball-trails/ – 22 miles of interconnecting trails that weave through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. We wanted to do the Picacho Peak Trail, but it was just too hot for a July afternoon.
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA FE
I can only suggest where we stayed – El Parador. A 200-year-old farmhouse that acts as an Airbnb, right in the center of town. Walking distance to the Farmer’s Market, downtown and most importantly the Santa Fe Brewing Company tap room is right next door! It’s out of the crowded touristy area and I love their lavender soaps from Los Poblanos, Albuquerque.
If you are driving through Albuquerque – Los Poblanos – organic inn and farm – is well worth a visit. If just to smell some lavender and shop in their gift shop. We stopped for breakfast and it was amazing.
Los Poblanos is kind of like the Magnolia Farms of New Mexico.
Probably better.
Did I mention they have llamas?
Hope you enjoyed this Santa Fe Travel Guide! Get exploring!
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