Albuquerque for the Day

If you venture into Albuquerque, stop by Diner 66. They have typical diner food, burgers, etc. BUT be sure to save room for dessert. You can share a very impressive banana split with several people.

The rootbeer floats are wonderful and the shakes are creamy & delicious. It is fun to sit at the counter & watch them work. http://www.66diner.com/

Albuquerque is about an hour from Santa Fe. While you are there I suggest riding the Sandia Tram to the top of the Sandia Mountains. It costs about $20 per person, which is steep in cost and elevation but you have to do it once. The views are magnificent. Once you arrive at the crest there is a trail that runs about two miles to a little old building structure with some history, it’s worth it. The beauty is overwhelming. It is easy to see why this location is used for the famous annual Balloon Festival.

Just imagine how far you can see!

 

A Must - The Shed

The Shed - is a must for lunch or dinner for the age of the building alone. The adobe hacienda that houses this restaurant dates back to 1692. The doorways are tiny and the people must have been very small. It is family-owned for generations. It is truly a piece of history. The wait can be very long. Their green chili can be too hot, so fair warning. They grind their farm-fresh chili on the premises.

The courtyard is quite lovely. It's hidden but everyone knows where to find it, it's also right off plaza so you can put your name in & still walk around.

http://www.sfshed.com/

Traveling to Santa Fe - Your First Morning Breakfast Stop

We are road-trippers. One of my family's favorite destinations is Santa Fe, New Mexico. I am a bit partial because I am married to my own personal guide. This is his hometown. This is a twelve hour drive for us. We love to go, explore and eat! It's no fun to me to travel to some great place and then try to save money by making my own meals. The food is definitely part of the experience. I hope sharing our experiences make your trip the best!

There is so much good food in Santa Fe, be sure to check this one out:

The Famous Plaza Cafe - at the Plaza location (there is also a South location) is a must for breakfast. It's been around for over a hundred years. Santa Fe is one of two oldest cities in the US, so this really isn't that old for them. The Blue Corn Pinion (pine nuts) pancakes are AMAZING! These are worth the trip alone. I would share them & get a side of protein. Their thick bacon is excellent. I don't know where they get this stuff. Mexican mochas are wonderful but pretty sweet so you may want to share that too. Fresh-squeezed OJ? -But of course. This is a classic diner. It's very clean and sits right on the Plaza which is the center of town and a fantastic location for people watching. Be sure to peruse the dessert case before leaving, you will see delectable sweets made from family recipes.

I suggest going here early in your trip so you'll have time to re-visit. Afterwards walk around the plaza and check out the array of beautiful handmade turquoise jewelry.

Plaza Cafe website: http://santafeplazacafe.com/