36 Hours in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico is having a moment. It’s always been a popular destination for travelers who love history, nature, and Native American culture, but now its dreamy sunsets, “Christmas” chiles, and artistic vibe have made it THE destination to visit. I spent a week in New Mexico, exploring Santa Fe and Taos, and I have to say… I’m smitten!
What I thoroughly enjoyed about Santa Fe is that Southwestern hospitality is very similar to Southern hospitality, the dry air does wonders for your allergies, and it’s so picturesque that pictures truly don’t do it justice. Not to mention that Santa Fe is an a dream for anyone who likes to stay busy, there are too many museums to count and the outdoor activities include everything from hiking, mountain biking, skiing, to horseback riding, tubing, and hot air balloon rides.
Where to start: Check in to your room at The Rosewood Inn of the Anazari and be greeted by a Kiva fireplace and a room so cozy, you’ll be tempted not to leave. If you don’t want to go too far then the head to The Anasazi Restaurant for lunch and the signature Silver Coin Margarita. This is also an excellent time to start collecting stamps on your Margarita passport. And yes, it’s a real thing! Santa Fe has a Margarita Trail with over 45 stops on it so that you can sample some of the best Margs in the Southwest.
Next up: Head out on a walking tour with Santa Fe Discovery Walking Tours to learn more about Santa Fe’s history. I take a lot of tours when I travel, and I’m a fan of any tour that tells the stories of all of the people in a destination. And if you’re lucky enough to get an amazing spa treatment at the Rosewood and get invited to a traditional hoop performance by Lightning Boy Foundation, run don’t walk to the Santa Fe Plaza.
I always recommend doing a tour during your first day so that you can get familiar with your destination and bookmark places that you want to return to. It was during my tour that Tom my guide, mentioned to Seret and Sons, the Hotel St. Francis and the Gruet tasting room, and San Miguel Church, which are all locations that I went back to visit during my stay.
And last but not least: Day trip to Taos, and if it’s during ski season, plan to visit the Taos Ski Valley. Not only will you be able to see where the New Mexico art scene really flourished, but you get to venture there via the extremely cool and picturesque High Road. Make a pit stop at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and if you’re feeling adventurous, head over to the Earthship Biotecture, just a few miles from the bridge.
Contact me when you’re ready to plan your next Santa Fe getaway!