A Comprehensive Guide to Santa Fe, New Mexico For You

If you love good food, amazing rich culture, lots of sunshine, and stunning spas, you will fall in love with Santa Fe. So here is a guide for you to visit the city.

Mexico has always been a traveler’s paradise. The country in North America is the world’s 13th-largest country by area and has so many attractions to offer to tourists. Santa Fe is a city of such attractions in New Mexico that is the perfect place for travelers who are looking for rich culture and good food plus amazing and relaxing spas. A short 5.5-hour drive from Denver, if you are planning to visit there anytime soon, you will need a guide. You would need to know where to visit, where to eat, and where to stay. Let’s get going.

Where to eat in Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is surprising in the food scene as people would have no idea the food would be this tasty and comes in a wide range of flavors. So here are some of the most delicious food joints and restaurants that should be on your list when you are visiting the town.

1. La Choza – Several locals would vote for this place to be their favorite go-to place. The food at La Choza is authentic, and everything you would find on their menu is delicious. This is also a great place to go with a large group of friends or with your family as the menu will offer something for everyone to enjoy. Surely keep this on the list of places you want to eat from in Santa Fe!
2. Paper Dosa – This is probably the most recommended place in the town that should be a must-visit for you. If you are a fan of rare, authentic, and genuine Indian cuisine, this one hits the spot every time. The entire menu spread is a gem, especially its Mysore Chutney Dosa, Classic Masala Dosa, and Chile and Cilantro Uttapam. This place is a first come first service restaurant, so making reservations will not work here.
3. Plaza Cafe – This place is all about the experience. The food might not be overwhelming for you, however, the place is rich in history. Plaza Cafe also has amazing staff who will make you feel at home. This is Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant dates back to 1905 and is situated on the Plaza in Downtown Santa Fe.
4. Zacatlan – This is basically what you call a hidden gem! This family-owned place is small yet carries authenticity in every food item it serves. The entire process of ordering and picking up the food would be like picking up amazing food from the table at your best friend’s house that her mother cooked with love.
5. Chaine – This is another restaurant that is a must-visit for people traveling to Santa Fe. Rated 5 stars on Google, Chaine will offer you arguably the best macarons you would have ever eaten! One of the best-selling items from this gourmet bakery is the creme brûlée cookies which are filled with a creme center and its rich taste will make you think you are tasting heaven.
6. Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Catina – This is another cafe that is recommended by the locals of Sanat Fe who swear by its taste and quality. As this is a rooftop cafe, you would absolutely enjoy overlooking downtown with the very delicious spread that this place has to offer.
7. La Plazuela at La Fonda – Setting foot into this place will take you to a 5-star restaurant that is full of character. This will feel a little more upscale than the other food places and joints of Sanat Fe, and the food will be a little pricier. However, the service and the overall experience will be worth it.

Where to stay in Santa Fe?

1. La Plazuela at La Fonda – This is a place that will feel like absolute heaven for you. Situated in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, on 57 acres, the Four Seasons Resort is the perfect place for a relaxing getaway with your loved ones. The location is a big convenience for tourists as it is located just 10 minutes from downtown. Another reason for booking this resort right away is that it is super pet friendly apart from being just a gorgeous place to stay.
2. El Rey Court – the only word to describe the place is just the ultimate vibe! This motel is pretty famous on Instagram and for all the right reasons. Its uniquely designed rooms give off the perfect Western vibes that will make your stay a pleasant and enjoyable one. Not just a great stay for tourists, but every square foot of this place is absolutely Instagrammable.
3. Santa Fe Skies RV Resort – Imagine staying at a super nice place with a panoramic view of the entire Santa Fe area!!! Well, this Skies RV Resort is a place exactly like that which will add another layer of excitement to your holiday to Santa Fe.
4. OJO Santa Fe Resort and Spa – Probably the best experience in the area that OJO Santa Fe Resort and Spa could offer you. It is situated on 77 acres, twenty minutes from downtown Santa Fe. This is the kind of place where you can leave your worries at the door and enter the place just to enjoy and relax. This Resort and Spa is built to reconnect you to nature and this will be by far the best experience you can ever have.

What can you do in Santa Fe?

1. Art Galleries, museums, and a walk downtown – Santa Fe has a wide variety of art galleries that range from contemporary to traditional, from print to sculptural. In this city, you will find the infamous Georgia O’Keeffe museum with many others. There is also an art district that you can walk through along with the downtown galleries. You will find that bright colors and Western history have bled through many works. Depending on which time you are visiting the city, there will be different artists’ setup throughout the city as well.

2. Gruet Winery – One of the most famous go-to pre-ski champagnes is Gruet Champagne and if you have a special love for this, you will enjoy visiting Gruet in person finally. The winery is located out of town, however, the tasting room is located in the heart of Santa Fe and is attached to Hotel St. Francis. Since the space is small, it might be better to make a reservation beforehand. If the day is sunny and warm, you can opt to sit outside in the courtyard and enjoy the vibe.

3. Hike – In Santa Fe you will find Arroyos wind through the neighborhoods of the town. These make great running, and even walking paths. However, be aware of wildlife as it is pretty common to spot numerous coyotes on the way.
4. Historic buildings – The downtown of the city also offers plenty of architecture that you can admire besides their long and legendary history. One of them is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, offering a breathtaking event venue that is truly a showstopper. The recommendation would be to take your time and stroll through these buildings to admire all the hard work, planning, and art that went into them.

5. Spas – The city is known for its spas that attract a good number of tourists every year. The perfect place to leave behind all of your tensions and worries and just enjoy the relaxation. Some of the most famous spas of the city are Ojo Santa Fe and Ojo Caliente which offer truly unique experiences for tourists.

6. Ski Taos – This valley is located only an hour away from Santa Fe and offers the best skiing experience in New Mexico. This is a must-visit if you are ever visiting the city to gain memories you will never be able to forget.

So plan your next vacation in Santa Fe and make memories for a lifetime.