Michelle’s guidebook
Alan & Michelle's Top Things to Do in Santa Fe
We have been coming to Santa Fe for nearly 35 years (before we got married) falling totally in love with this enchanting place. When Alan had an opportunity to work here part-time, we rented the Casita one week a month for four years. When the prior owners decided to move to be closer to their kids, we couldn't say no to buying this very special place. Over the years we of course have come to know the city and its warm and wonderful people quite well. Here are a few of our favorite things .
This is our go-to "locals" place in Santa Fe, about a 15 minute drive from the Casita. Lots of vegetarian options and really great Silver Coin margaritas ( #1 in the universe in my opinion and I'm a margarita aficionado). Breakfast, lunch and dinner. No reservations, unless you're a party of 6+ Try the ricotta pancakes,wild mushroom pizza, excellent soups, chips & guac, and DO NOT leave without having a slice of the pecan pie a la mode + whipped cream (all the others are great too, made on site).
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Harry's Roadhouse
96 B Old Las Vegas HwyThis is our go-to "locals" place in Santa Fe, about a 15 minute drive from the Casita. Lots of vegetarian options and really great Silver Coin margaritas ( #1 in the universe in my opinion and I'm a margarita aficionado). Breakfast, lunch and dinner. No reservations, unless you're a party of 6+ Try the ricotta pancakes,wild mushroom pizza, excellent soups, chips & guac, and DO NOT leave without having a slice of the pecan pie a la mode + whipped cream (all the others are great too, made on site).
Right up the hill from the Casita (five minutes door to door) our neighborhood Michelin starred Japanese treasure is truly an amazing experience. Lovely "Santa-Fasian" fusion menu with inventive vegetarian and grilled specialties - wagyu burger, anyone? Ask for the back room - romantic booths -- or dine in the beautiful outdoor pavilion. Perfect following a massage or tub at their Zen spa (must book ahead for services and dining).
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Izanami Restaurant
21 Ten Thousand Waves WayRight up the hill from the Casita (five minutes door to door) our neighborhood Michelin starred Japanese treasure is truly an amazing experience. Lovely "Santa-Fasian" fusion menu with inventive vegetarian and grilled specialties - wagyu burger, anyone? Ask for the back room - romantic booths -- or dine in the beautiful outdoor pavilion. Perfect following a massage or tub at their Zen spa (must book ahead for services and dining).
One of the biggest benefits of our location is our proximity to this glorious and expansive series of well-marked trails. People drive for miles to come here, but it's just a five - ten minute walk from the Casita front door to the trailheads (turn left out of the community gate onto Sierra del Norte, go around the bend and when you get to the bottom of the hill, you'll see the trail on either side of the road. Great views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, nice at sunset, but allow yourself enough time to return before it gets dark!
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Dale Ball Trails
One of the biggest benefits of our location is our proximity to this glorious and expansive series of well-marked trails. People drive for miles to come here, but it's just a five - ten minute walk from the Casita front door to the trailheads (turn left out of the community gate onto Sierra del Norte, go around the bend and when you get to the bottom of the hill, you'll see the trail on either side of the road. Great views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, nice at sunset, but allow yourself enough time to return before it gets dark!
This world renowned spa is just five minutes from the Casita - and a major part of the reason we moved here! We've been going to the Waves for over 30 years -- most of the outstanding massage therapists have been there from the beginning! Great hot tubs under the stars, awesome gift shop and of course Izanami - you'll feel like you're in a ryokan in Kyoto.
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Ten Thousand Waves
21 Ten Thousand Waves WayThis world renowned spa is just five minutes from the Casita - and a major part of the reason we moved here! We've been going to the Waves for over 30 years -- most of the outstanding massage therapists have been there from the beginning! Great hot tubs under the stars, awesome gift shop and of course Izanami - you'll feel like you're in a ryokan in Kyoto.
Probably one of the most beautiful settings for opera aficionados on the planet. Plan ahead as tickets sell out fast; on site restaurant and pre-performance picnic tables available. Season is July and August.
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Santa Fe Opera
301 Opera DrProbably one of the most beautiful settings for opera aficionados on the planet. Plan ahead as tickets sell out fast; on site restaurant and pre-performance picnic tables available. Season is July and August.
Food scene
One of SF's top spots, lots of fun and creative New Mexican cuisine. Amazing mole enchiladas and love the trout with eggs on a parmesan crusted pancake. Split the delicious sweet & savory corn pancakes as an appetizer! It gets busy, but worth the wait. No reservations. Fun atmosphere
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Cafe Pasqual's
121 Don Gaspar AveOne of SF's top spots, lots of fun and creative New Mexican cuisine. Amazing mole enchiladas and love the trout with eggs on a parmesan crusted pancake. Split the delicious sweet & savory corn pancakes as an appetizer! It gets busy, but worth the wait. No reservations. Fun atmosphere
An elevated dining experience in a historic adobe with kiva fireplaces sprinkled throughout - truly captures the flavors and ambiance of Santa Fe. Lovely food and outstanding service, features local products and game. Full bar.
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Geronimo
724 Canyon RdAn elevated dining experience in a historic adobe with kiva fireplaces sprinkled throughout - truly captures the flavors and ambiance of Santa Fe. Lovely food and outstanding service, features local products and game. Full bar.
For a lovely lunch in town, located in the interior courtyard of an old adobe near the church. Sit on the patio when the sun is out, under a massive, beautiful tree. The food is really good.
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La Casa Sena
125 East Palace AvenueFor a lovely lunch in town, located in the interior courtyard of an old adobe near the church. Sit on the patio when the sun is out, under a massive, beautiful tree. The food is really good.
A really special, upscale dinner spot with an Italian focus. Amaro and Gin tastings, beautifully prepared food and romantic setting. Great for a special occasion.
Sassella Restaurant
225 Johnson StA really special, upscale dinner spot with an Italian focus. Amaro and Gin tastings, beautifully prepared food and romantic setting. Great for a special occasion.
Inn of the Anasazi - this restaurant is part of the Rosewood Hotel of the same name — Santa Fe’s top accommodation (other than Casita de la Paz, of course). Excellent chef, menu & service. It’s also nice to sit on their front patio in the afternoon for lunch, a margarita and light fare.
Rosewood Inn Of the Anasazi
113 Washington AveInn of the Anasazi - this restaurant is part of the Rosewood Hotel of the same name — Santa Fe’s top accommodation (other than Casita de la Paz, of course). Excellent chef, menu & service. It’s also nice to sit on their front patio in the afternoon for lunch, a margarita and light fare.
For something different, head to El Farol on the wonderful Canyon Road— great tapas and sangria, book ahead for Friday and Saturday night Flamenco dinner!!!
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El Farol
808 Canyon RdFor something different, head to El Farol on the wonderful Canyon Road— great tapas and sangria, book ahead for Friday and Saturday night Flamenco dinner!!!
Great farm-to-table cuisine, recently named one of America's top new restaurants by Food and Wine magazine! Terrific bar specializing in bourbon based libations.
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Radish & Rye
505 Cerrillos RdGreat farm-to-table cuisine, recently named one of America's top new restaurants by Food and Wine magazine! Terrific bar specializing in bourbon based libations.
A great spot for breakfast or lunch, at the top of Canyon Road. Amazing scones and breakfast specialties (the benedicts with chipotle hollandaise are great). Cozy indoor space, and outdoor dining available on any sunny day year round!
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The Teahouse
821 Canyon RdA great spot for breakfast or lunch, at the top of Canyon Road. Amazing scones and breakfast specialties (the benedicts with chipotle hollandaise are great). Cozy indoor space, and outdoor dining available on any sunny day year round!
A 20 minute drive on Bishop's Lodge Road brings you to this rustic restaurant with great wood-fired fare. Also housed in the complex is Su, probably the top sushi place in the city.
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El Nido
1577 Bishops Lodge RdA 20 minute drive on Bishop's Lodge Road brings you to this rustic restaurant with great wood-fired fare. Also housed in the complex is Su, probably the top sushi place in the city.
Near El Nido, this super casual place with a fun, authentic vibe has great wood-fired pizza, fish tacos and other New Mexican specialties.
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Tesuque Village Market
138 Tesuque Village RdNear El Nido, this super casual place with a fun, authentic vibe has great wood-fired pizza, fish tacos and other New Mexican specialties.
If you're into mole, this is the place for you. Beautiful interior space and excellent cuisine.
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Sazón
221 Shelby StIf you're into mole, this is the place for you. Beautiful interior space and excellent cuisine.
Sightseeing
One of NM's incredible natural beauties. A one hour drive from the Casita, just past Ghost Ranch (pair a visit with a trail ride there). Stop on the way for lunch @ the Abiquiu Inn, great patio and good food (and don't miss the Georgia O'Keefe Museum chronicling this famous NM artist's life, next door). Or grab a sandwich at Bode's General Store and picnic along the river ...... Please note: the Amphitheatre was "closed" when we visited in December ... the bathrooms are under renovation, scheduled for completion in the Spring .. but we just walked around the gate and meandered back. It's a ten minute walk from the parking lot to the "echo." Stunning, and a perfect day trip.
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Echo Amphitheater
U.S. 84One of NM's incredible natural beauties. A one hour drive from the Casita, just past Ghost Ranch (pair a visit with a trail ride there). Stop on the way for lunch @ the Abiquiu Inn, great patio and good food (and don't miss the Georgia O'Keefe Museum chronicling this famous NM artist's life, next door). Or grab a sandwich at Bode's General Store and picnic along the river ...... Please note: the Amphitheatre was "closed" when we visited in December ... the bathrooms are under renovation, scheduled for completion in the Spring .. but we just walked around the gate and meandered back. It's a ten minute walk from the parking lot to the "echo." Stunning, and a perfect day trip.
A fun area, just park and wander. Recycled western wear, contemporary art galleries, boutiques homeware shop and fun local cuisine (The Pig, Cowgirlz and Paloma and Cafecito - Argentinian cuisine, breakfast lunch and dinner).. Stop into see a carefully curated collection of home goods at Array Home, and a wonderful collection of work by African, South American and international artists at Casa Nova. Check out the Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays and the Railyard Artisan Market on Sundays 10-4
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Santa Fe Railyard Arts District
544 S Guadalupe StA fun area, just park and wander. Recycled western wear, contemporary art galleries, boutiques homeware shop and fun local cuisine (The Pig, Cowgirlz and Paloma and Cafecito - Argentinian cuisine, breakfast lunch and dinner).. Stop into see a carefully curated collection of home goods at Array Home, and a wonderful collection of work by African, South American and international artists at Casa Nova. Check out the Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays and the Railyard Artisan Market on Sundays 10-4
This colorful museum is a part of the Museum Hill complex, which also includes the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Museum of Indian Art and Culture and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. With a very nice restaurant and great outdoor space, you can easily spend an entire day here.
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Museum of International Folk Art
706 Camino LejoThis colorful museum is a part of the Museum Hill complex, which also includes the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Museum of Indian Art and Culture and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. With a very nice restaurant and great outdoor space, you can easily spend an entire day here.
This renowned artist fell in love with and spent her career capturing the beauty of New Mexico. Pair a visit here with a trip to Abiquiu, where she spent much of her time. See Echo Amphitheatre for more info.
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Museo Georgia O'Keeffe
217 Johnson StThis renowned artist fell in love with and spent her career capturing the beauty of New Mexico. Pair a visit here with a trip to Abiquiu, where she spent much of her time. See Echo Amphitheatre for more info.
Neighborhoods
Canyon Road Wander and explore historic architecture, art galleries and fun shops. Leslie Flynt (at the bottom of the hill) has a very nice collection of home accessories, linens and more, and you'll find stunning contemporary Native American household accessories at a great Nambe location across Old Taos Road. Start your day at the fabulous Tea House (amazing scones & delicious breakfast/lunch specialties) or have lunch/dinner on the Patio at El Farol.
Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM, EE. UU.
Canyon Road Wander and explore historic architecture, art galleries and fun shops. Leslie Flynt (at the bottom of the hill) has a very nice collection of home accessories, linens and more, and you'll find stunning contemporary Native American household accessories at a great Nambe location across Old Taos Road. Start your day at the fabulous Tea House (amazing scones & delicious breakfast/lunch specialties) or have lunch/dinner on the Patio at El Farol.
Culture
This beautifully restored historic building off the Plaza hosts an incredible array of cultural activities -- musical performances, drama, chamber music, even the Nutcracker at Christmas. Check out their website for what's happening while you're in Santa Fe!
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Lensic Performing Arts Center
211 W San Francisco StThis beautifully restored historic building off the Plaza hosts an incredible array of cultural activities -- musical performances, drama, chamber music, even the Nutcracker at Christmas. Check out their website for what's happening while you're in Santa Fe!
Outdoor Sports
We are a 25 minute drive, door to door, to this really excellent local skiing area. At 12,500 feet, it's higher than Mammoth, and has 83 runs when operating at full capacity. This is a "locals"place.. if you go during the week you'll have the powder all to yourself! Totemoffs Bar and Grill mid-mountain is an old-school bar with a roaring fire and great tamales and chile. This isn't Aspen... just great skiing with down to earth folks.
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Esquí Santa Fe
1477 NM-475We are a 25 minute drive, door to door, to this really excellent local skiing area. At 12,500 feet, it's higher than Mammoth, and has 83 runs when operating at full capacity. This is a "locals"place.. if you go during the week you'll have the powder all to yourself! Totemoffs Bar and Grill mid-mountain is an old-school bar with a roaring fire and great tamales and chile. This isn't Aspen... just great skiing with down to earth folks.