Sante Fe is not one of the most popular destinations in the United States, but it certainly has a lot to offer. Renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and its creative arts, Santa Fe is also the right place to perfect homebase to visit Taos and White Sands. Just know that gastronomic trends witnessed in Austin or Phoenix haven’t quite caught up yet…
Eat
– Arroyo Vino. Located outside of the city center, Arroyo Vino is a restaurant and a wine shop, with multi-digit bottles to smaller natural producers. Each bottle can be purchased to-go or drunk onsite for a $30 corkage fee. On the menu, you’ll find an excellent cheese board, as well as seasonal plates using locally grown produce from their own garden.
– Dolina. A charming Eastern-European bakery that serves breakfast and lunch options all day long.
– El Farol. This place is warm, lively, a little tacky but it is part of its charm. El Farol serves tapas, a great selection of mezcal, and features live performances by musicians as well as flamenco dancers.
– Geronimo. One of the more upscale options in Santa Fe, if you’re in the mood!
Drink
– The Tea House. After the obligatory (and touristy) Canyon Road, the Tea House is the perfect spot for a cup of tea on their outdoor patio. They have a selection of pastries, as well as teas from China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Santa Fe.
– Modern General. Cutsy, adorable, and very Californian, Modern General serves turmeric tea and coffee with adaptogens, as well as a fantastic breakfast selection.
Do
– Georgia O’Keeffe house. Closed in winter, a tour of Georgia O’Keeffe’s historic adobe home and studio offers an experience of the environment in which she lived and worked. It is dedicated to the artistic legacy of Georgia O’Keeffe, her life, American modernism, and public engagement.
– Meow Wolf. Dubbed the House of Eternal Return, Meow Wolf is a gigantic art installation which offers an interactive experience to anyone who’s remembered to book their tickets online in advance.
– White Sands. If you’re traveling from Santa Fe to White Sands National Park, the stunning Turquoise road is an added bonus. Once onsite, remember not to wear white on pictures! On your way, the little town of Truth or Consequences has a nice ring to it.
– Taos Earthships. Earthships are autonomous houses made with upcycled materials in the town of Taos, North of Santa Fe. They look like houses straight out of a Star Wars movie, and are located right by the stunning Rio Grande bridge.
– Art. Skip the touristy Canyon Road galleries and head to the numerous museums in Santa Fe, including Site, the Palace of Governors, or the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.