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Santa Fe
Land of Enchantment
Belinda's Guide
From someone who keeps going back
Food
Book Ahead (Reservations Required)
Amazing food and such a special atmosphere, it's in a 1756 adobe on Canyon Road. Get the mushroom bisque, it's the best I've ever had. Reserve early, it fills up fast!
One of the best newer restaurants in Santa Fe! It's a tiny, intimate space and the food is out of this world. Reserve way in advance, it's worth the planning!
Also a classic on Canyon Road and so, so good. Gorgeous patio, lovely bar, incredible wine list. I've had some 3-hour boozy brunches on their patio and it's the best. Reserve early!
The most famous New Mexican food spot in the city. Try to get a reservation if you can!
Another famous one, fun and delicious. You can get a dinner reservation or brace yourself for a lunch wait, but it's worth it.
Walk-In Friendly
My personal favorite for green and red chile smothered burritos (get both, aka "Christmas"). Usually fine to walk in!
Super fun vibe on Guadalupe St, huge patio, live music most nights. Great for a group!
Owned by The Shed family but way more of a locals' spot. Great margaritas and solid New Mexican comfort food.
Tapas! One of my absolute favorites for a girls' trip. So good for a bachelorette grazing situation. Important: make sure they seat you in La Boca and NOT Taverna next door. They're totally different vibes!
Green chile burgers. Lavender milkshake.
Really lovely spot, great for a nice dinner out without the Canyon Road price tag.
Breakfast & Coffee
Lovely pastries and coffee, great little spot.
Classic New Mexican breakfast diner.
No-frills locals' favorite for breakfast.
Right on the Plaza, classic diner vibes and really good breakfast. Been around forever!
They have savory breakfast too, not just sweets!
Sipping chocolate. You have to go. 🍫
Also Great
Up in the mountains, incredible Japanese food. Great to pair with the spa (see below)!
Such a great brunch spot! Right on Canyon Road so you can gallery hop after. The patio is lovely.
Such a hidden gem. Incredible local New Mexican food in a strip mall close to the Plaza. Not touristy at all and the food is beyond amazing. It's also next door to a really cute local children's boutique and a few other good shops, so fun to wander after lunch.
The green chile cheeseburger you have to get! (The original Bobcat Bite is permanently closed but Santa Fe Bite near the Plaza carries on the tradition.)
Bars & Nightlife
My favorite divey basement bar. My family makes fun of me for it but I love it, just go!!
Right across from The Matador, live music and always full of interesting characters.
The bar here is such a vibe. Historic hotel right on the Plaza, great for a cocktail and people-watching.
Warm weather only but so worth it if the timing is right. Great views and fun atmosphere!
Amazing views!! Not the fanciest spot but the rooftop views are unbeatable.
Super cool and moody little bar attached to the Pink Adobe. Always a good time.
Live piano music, strong drinks, and such a fun night out. It feels like you stepped back in time!
Beautiful and cozy bar in the Rosewood hotel. Perfect for a nice cocktail.
Great cocktails in the fancy hotel near the Plaza. Perfect for a nice round!
Spa & Outdoors
Japanese-style mountain spa with private outdoor hot tubs. Spendy but so worth it and perfect for a bachelorette. Do a hike in the morning and then hot tub and lunch after!
Hot springs, mud bath, and pool. More affordable than Ten Thousand Waves and really easy to do as a group with different budgets. A day pass gets you into everything.
My favorite hike near Santa Fe! Slot canyons and incredible rock formations. Stop at San Marcos Feed Store on the way back for their famous cinnamon rolls (and peacocks!). 🦚
Hikes
Santa Fe is at 7,000 feet so drink water and take it easy if you're not used to the altitude!
The classic Santa Fe hike! Starts right from St. John's College, moderate difficulty with great views at the top. Perfect morning hike before brunch.
Beautiful trail up in the mountains, especially gorgeous in the fall when the aspens turn. A bit more of a workout but so worth it!
Great moderate hike, really pretty and not too crowded. Love this one.
Easy and accessible, great for a quick morning walk or run. Connects a bunch of trails so you can make it as long or short as you want.
A really beautiful loop through the aspen and pine forests. It's a longer one but incredible scenery the whole way.
Things To Do
You have to go! Weird, immersive, unforgettable. Buy tickets in advance.
Iconic, worth a couple of hours.
It's a demonstration class so you watch and learn and then eat everything they make. Really fun group activity!
Where Georgia O'Keeffe painted! About an hour north of Santa Fe and absolutely stunning. The landscape is unreal, it feels like another planet.
Ancient cliff dwellings and cave homes you can actually climb into. Such a cool day trip, about 45 min from town.
Saturdays at the Railyard. Great local food, art, and people-watching.
Yoga studio if anyone wants to stretch it out.
Art & Shopping
Canyon Road
Walk the whole stretch, it's about a mile of galleries and all worth browsing!
Olive Rush was a Santa Fe artist and her studio is now a museum and Quaker meeting house. She's also my great aunt who shared a cat with Georgia O'Keeffe!
Really cool mix of historic and big statement pieces. Owners Larry and Linda are wonderful and so knowledgeable and friendly.
Two galleries right across from each other, always entertaining. Owned by Deborah who is super sweet.
The Plaza
Just wander! There are a million shops. Great for turquoise jewelry, Southwestern art, and gifts.
Vintage Shopping
Great consignment, especially the front section.
Used boots, so fun.
Another great consignment shop.
More Shopping
Appointment only.
Best men's clothing in Santa Fe.
Where to Stay
Book soon, Santa Fe fills up! Try to stay within walking distance of the Plaza.
Super nice, amazing location right downtown.
Lovely and really well located.
Literally on the Plaza, recently renovated!
Walkable to the Plaza and close to Canyon Road.
The fanciest option, looks so rad.
Tons of great Airbnbs in Santa Fe too!
Bonus: El Rey Court
Not near the Plaza, but worth knowing about especially for a girls' trip! El Rey Court is a beautifully redone 1936 adobe motor court on old Route 66 (Cerrillos Rd), set on five acres of gorgeous gardens. There's a pool you can get a day pass to, a tequila bar (La Reina) with frequent live music, and some rooms have a private fire pit and s'mores. It's super laid-back and fun. I've stayed here with a group of girlfriends and we had such a good time. Just know you'll want a car or rideshares to get to the Plaza from here!
Flying Through Albuquerque?
If you're flying in or out of ABQ, make a stop here! It's a beautiful historic lavender farm and inn right along the Rio Grande. Stop in for lunch and a drink, the gardens are so gorgeous and it's such a relaxing way to start or end the trip.
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Have the best trip!