Things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Let me begin by stating that I did not get an opportunity to visit any of the locations I had identified in the planning for Santa Fe, NM blog! However, that’s just part of the adventure, experience, and traveling.
Disclaimer: Since this was a work trip, majority of my time was spent at the resort where the conference occurred, and visits into town were with teammates. Also, visits to off-resort venues are limited due to meetings during the day, group dinners and events in the evening.
Stepping out from the Albuquerque, NM airport (ABQ) was as if I had stepped right into an Indiana Jones movie. The February air was crisp, clean, and of course - chilly! Mountains in the far-near distance, several covered with snow on the peaks, dried out trees and bushes, and just acres of open land. The picturesque view was nestled under a bright blue open sky with only a few clouds breaking up the color. The drive from ABQ to Hilton Buffalo Thunder in Santa Fe was approximately one and a half hours. Not a single traffic light, or a gas station along the way. The road felt as if it was going on for endless miles with the same view at every slight turn. Nevertheless, it was breathtaking and different from the DMV area.
By the time I arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon, I was too exhausted to make my way into town. So, happy hour and dinner were enjoyed at Red Sage, a bar/restaurant in the resort.
Where to eat
The Shed: highly recommended restaurant for the food and architecture of the venue. The wait for a table was approximately one hour for a group of six. We didn’t even think of making reservations before heading over! The wait was definitely worth it for most of the group. I did not care for the food as it was too spicy for me. The Shed is known for their chile which is a main ingredient in every dish, including pazole! Don’t confuse chile with chili. We did at first, until our waiter explained chile is a spicy pepper used as an ingredient.
Although you cannot go wrong with anything you order at The Shed, some of the group favorites were:
Queso - tasted like cheese fondue
Salsa with chips - spicy but delicious. Mix a bit of salsa with the Queso for an extra kick in the queso
Pazole - for the spice lovers, it’s great. For me, it was way too spicy.
Tamale - full of flavor with the kick of the red chile popping and the corn meal “just right”
Carne asada - For this, I’ll quote my co-worker Derrick as he put a lot of thought into how he explained this dish: “Imagine a golden plain of opportunity with a slight hint of pinto beans, tender succulent and spicy port leading you to the land of enchilada. None of the flavors were what is expected, which worked in its favor.” (Well described, Derrick!)
Margaritas - MUST TRY! The Shed is not only known for their chile, but also their margaritas! The lunch group can attest to that as several rounds were ordered.
Before leaving, be sure to grab a jar of their red chile, green chile, and the chocolate fudge chile. You will not find local chile to take home with you at any gift shop or other restaurant. Trust me, we went on a Chile hunt for several hours! Orders can also be placed online via their website if you are unable to add more weight to your luggage.
Tomasitas: in the same area as The Shed. Tomasitas was not as spicy as The Shed but also lacked flavor. It felt more like a tex-mex than authentic Santa Fe cuisine. The serving sizes are enough to feed at least two people per platter, so order cautiously. Also, if you are not a fan of spicy food, ask for the chile on the side instead of having them cook it into the recipe.
35* North Coffee: located inside a mall on the plaza, they had one of the best cold brews I have tasted. Offering sandwiches, espresso, and other baked good, a great spot to unwind with a cup of coffee.
Luminaria and La Boca were two other restaurants recommended by the locals which we did not have time to visit.
Santa Fe Plaza
February is definitely not a busy season so getting in and out of museums at Santa Fe Plaza is quick, restaurants are not too busy, and the streets are mostly empty. Santa Fe Plaza is central to may restaurants, bars, street vendors, boutique stores, and museums. It’s easy to spend a great part of the day in the Plaza. However, if you are going during the chilly month, dress warm or go in the spring/summer.
The street vendors were lined up next to each other on a sidewalk to purchase some local goods. With various items for purchase from handmade jewelry, bookmarks, and small pieces of wire art, you must stop by and grab a souvenir. Cash is the main form of payment with the street vendors, although some of them did accept credit/debit cards. I purchased bookmarks with Native American symbols representing health, strength, and strong heart.
To burn off the calories from the delicious food and beverages, spend some time walking around the plaza admiring the old architecture, pointing out different styles of buildings, going in and out of boutique shops, and malls.
Santa Fe is a wonderful city for foodies, architecture fanatics, beautiful sunsets, and adventures. For additional recommendations on what to do in Santa Fe, NM, visit Upcoming 5 Days in Santa Fe, NM.
