Santa Fe Restaurant Hit List

I’ve already shared a few special places. Here’s a few more to be sure and check out:

Marias - I would at least try a cup of the green pork chili. There's may be the best. Again, these places often have long waits, so go in off hours. If you have a late breakfast, explore during lunch and enjoy an early dinner, this will be helpful for wait times.

Cafe Pascals - Very good for breakfast and probably lunch too! Fun, eclectic style. Fresh food. It's a tight space but well worth it.

Tomasitas (near Railroad tracks - very busy) - I like the grilled chicken quesadillas. Great guac. Try to sit on patio or near patio (large doors open to outside).

Blue Corn cafe is pretty good too. Cheese dip is good, many places don't have queso dip. Prickly Pear tea is on the menu! It may be good for appetizers and tea. It's close to the Plaza but you'll head up these stairs.

 

Also, restaurant service is often slower in Santa Fe, it helps to expect that. There is no hurry here.

Be sure to try the Prickly Pear iced tea. Several restaurants have it on the menu, don’t miss it.

Surrounding Mountains

Santa Fe is no southwest desert. It is surrounded by mountains. Santa Fe’s elevation is 7,000 feet above sea level which is higher than the mile high city of Denver.

Mountains surrounding Santa Fe include:

-Sangre de Cristo (Spanish for the blood of Christ)

-Sandia mountains (Sandia means watermelon in Spanish, these mountains look like a watermelon on its side and at sunset they have that reddish color. When in Albuquerque, visiting these mountains will take your breath away.)

-Jemez mountains

-Ortiz mountains

We really enjoy driving through and hiking through the Jemez mountains and visiting Jemez Springs. This is northwest of the highway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, or west of Los Alamos. It’s about an hour and a half from Santa Fe.

 

Bring water and snacks, and be sure the car is fueled up; there are a limited number of convenience stops. I haven’t done it yet but this place is my ideal camping location. Enjoy the soft pine needles underfoot and plenty of shade, it will seem as if you are actually getting away.

Google this place, you will want to go.

 

A lot of times we have a big breakfast and early dinner, skipping lunch. This works well for day trips so you can get back to the Santa Fe Plaza for live music at night.

Adventures in Bandelier

About an hour north of Santa Fe near Los Alamos is the Bandelier National Monument. Here you can explore and climb up in ancient cliff dwellings for a small fee. Pack your lunch and enjoy a wonderful picnic. The weather is usually lovely. Don’t let rain scare you, it will last 20 minutes and go away. While in Los Alamos, take an hour or two to check out the Bradbury Museum, it is the fantastic history of the Manhattan project.

The surrounding Bandelier area is beautiful to walk & hike.

We tend to get a little too adventurous. This pic is from our trip last year. My husband thought our minivan was an off-road vehicle.

 

There were no tourists, or any other humans for that matter at all for miles. I wasn’t sure we would make it out of the mountains and canyon that day. I began thinking our day trip would turn into an all-nighter and without cell service I wasn’t sure a tow-truck would even be an option. I’m not really recommending this portion of our trip to others but our kids LOVED this part of the trip the most! The best part of our off-road adventure is that it was free! If we ever did it again I would definitely pack plenty of water and snacks.

Oh and everywhere you go, stop and smell the flowers. Ok they may not be aromatic, but they are quite lovely.

A Day in Taos

About an hour north of Santa Fe is Taos, where you can find the famous Taos Pueblos. The main part of the present buildings were most likely constructed between 1000 and 1450 A.D. They charge around $16 to walk around and take pictures. Since the pictures are for personal use only. I will include a picture of the painting my grandmother (my husband’s grandmother – though I claim her too) did of the Taos pueblos. http://taospueblo.com/home/

You may also enjoy a half-day river rafting trip on the Rio Grande. It's not like rafting on the Colorado, so it's much calmer, but it's the Rio Grande! These waters are better when you are taking along first-timers or those with children, though not too young. For about $60 each you can spend a half day on the water with a guide. It's great fun.

 

 

New Mexico Souvenir – Chili Ristra

  Chili Ristra’s are a part of the southwest setting. This is a true piece of New Mexico, so much better to take home than just a t-shirt or a coffee mug. I try to get a chili ristra when they are in season (fall). You may be able to get one at other times of the year but they are harder to find. They of course are traditionally on abode homes and architecture but I think mine still looks cool in Kansas City.

The chilis are edible once prepared & you can pull them off as you need them. Choose a healthy looking ristra with less faded spots(from the sun) is best. Choose pods on the firmer side if you plan to use for cooking. A ristra will last about a year. Some folks just want a decoration, if so, spray with a lacquer. This should keep its color longer and last about 2 years or so. For transportation, I wrap mine loosely in newspaper & put on top of the luggage when transporting. The ristra will give off a hint of a sweet smell. I think these make great gifts for moms. Buying outside the plaza may have better prices. I do try to negotiate, but expect to pay about $10 per foot.

For the Artsy

In Santa Fe, you will want to check out the history of the art district by taking a walk through the galleries on Canyon Road. This is great for the southwest, contemporary and really any art lover. The roads are narrow and nostalgic and you see the traditional adobes that make Santa Fe, Santa Fe. It can be as romantic as you want it to be. There are plenty of little galleries, shops and dining.

http://visitcanyonroad.com/

Speaking of art, I am in love with Seret & Sons Architectural Salvage in downtown Santa Fe (walking distance from most hotels). Many overseas salvage finds fill the location.

http://store.serets.com/