Sante Fe has been on my bucket list for a while now that I live within 3 hours drive, the perfect road trip for a long weekend.
Sante Fe is well known for it’s art culture and history. I’d heard that the food scene was good but what I experienced far exceeded my expectations.
This four day itinerary of Santa Fe covers my experiences in the city, filled with amazing food and creative experiences.
The Evolution Of Santa Fe Cuisine
Mexican influenced foods such as Green Chile, Posole Tamales are what I expected as the typical iconic foods, but the French influence here was a surprise before I learned more about the history of New Mexico.
The French involvement and influence in New Mexico spans four centuries led by the exploration and immigration across international borders with religious roots.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the trade routes through Mexico and down from Canada were a key component to the French presence in New Mexico. The French intermarried into Native American and Hispanic cultures and adopted the Hispanic versions of their names.
The Catholic church mission largely funded explorations in the new world and influenced the culture and architecture, not to mention the food. Although, the French influence has waned today, it still prevails in the wine and restaurant industries as well as the technological and scientific sectors.
Day 1 – Arrive And EAT!
I arrived on Friday, stayed in an Airbnb 1 bedroom casita, not far from town, a walkable distance. It was a traditional adobe style house tucked behind a wooden gate. Many of the homes in Sante Fe have wooden or adobe fencing surrounding the homes, making them seem mysterious and treasured.
After the 3 hour drive, I needed to find something quick for lunch so we stopped in at Sante fe Kitchen, a Mexican food truck that we happened upon. We were super hungry after the long drive and the tacos were incredible. The Barbacoa and fish street tacos were super tender and had just the right amount of spice.
Weekend Highlight: Dinner At SAZÓN In Santa Fe
Santa Fe features some of the most notable restaurants in the United States. For dinner, we decided to try one of the most exclusive fine dining restaurants in the city, SAZÓN.
Chef Fernando Olea, originally from Mexico City combines Old Mexico indigenous and culinary traditions with ingredients from across the globe to create an artful masterpiece. Chef Olea is the 2022 winner of the James Beard award for Best Chef of the Southwest.
The octopus salad appetizer, the best I’ve ever had, super moist and tender with a hint of lemon. They brought a sampling of their mole and other Mexican sauces and helped pair them with the accompanying meat.
I had the mole sauce with Duck Breast, a fantastic combination of sweet and heat, incredibly delicious.
Chef Olea’s signature soup is a must! A poblano cream base with a dollop of Amaretto cream on top, that tantalized every sense of taste. It’s sweet, savory, with a hint of spice, truly a flavor sensation out of this world.
Day 2 – Food and Museums
On Saturday, we ate breakfast at a French Boulangère called Clafoutis. The bacon, egg and cheese croissant came Sante Fe style with green chilis and I enjoyed every single bite.
The Clafoutis was a mixed berry saturated egg cake, so thick and hearty, not too sweet, filling, and the perfect combination of heartiness with sweet. There were so many delectable choices, it was hard to choose just a few.
Don’t Skip The Santa Fe Farmer’s Market
Next, we strolled through the Farmer’s Market and art fair on Saturday. Acclaimed as one of the top ten in the nation, this farmer’s market stands as one of the oldest, largest, and most successful grower’s markets in the United States.
The year-round market encompasses both indoor and outdoor venues connecting the community all in one place.
Peppers galore and so much freshness. Fall is harvest time and the brightly colored peppers where everywhere making the market pop with color.
We decided on lunch at Pasquals just off the square. The tiny little restaurant that was packed and bustling with activity leaving us to wait thirty minutes for a table, but it was totally worth it!
The cuisine features fresh organic fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised meats, and daily baked delights
We ate the Cochinita Pibil Tacos, roasted pulled pork, Yucatan style citrus-annatto marinade, so tender and juicy, seasoned to perfection. Served with corn tortillas, cilantro rice, pickled red onion, and sliced mango.
Weekend Highlight: New Mexico History Museum In Santa Fe
We ducked into the New Mexico History Museum during an afternoon rainstorm. A fabulous account of the history of New Mexico and it’s violent beginnings.
The museum opened in 2009 and encompasses over 96,000 square feet of gallery space featuring both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
I experienced a comprehensive narrative of the region’s past, spanning over 500 years and covering the eras from the Native peoples, Spanish colonists, and the Mexican period, to the influence of the Santa Fe Trail merchants, the railroad, cowboys, outlaws, and scientists.
An unforgettable experience that I completely recommend.
Dinner at La Choza
La Choza is celebrated for its traditional New Mexican cuisine, particularly its award-winning red and green chile. The restaurant opened 1983 and is housed in an amazing historical adobe structure.
They offer a variety of authentic dishes and margaritas amidst colorful decor, reflecting the cultural heritage of Santa Fe.
La Choza was an obviously popular spot for a Saturday night with a busy, fast paced atmosphere. We waited an hour for a seat at the bar but we were rewarded with delicious food in a great setting. It was definitely worth the wait!
I enjoyed the chicken enchiladas which came served with pinto beans and pasole. Blue corn tortillas, fork tender chicken, moist with a deep flavorful red sauce.
Day 3 – Hiking and Hot Springs
And no trip is complete without a visit (or two) to the handcrafted chocolate shop called, Kakawa (ka-Ka-wa) Chocolate House.
Delicious chocolates, dine in service with warm coffee and drinking chocolate elixirs, ice cream and milk shakes.
Their passion is authentic and historic drinking chocolate elixirs including Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican, Mayan and Aztec recipes spanning 1000 BC to the mid-1900’s.
They support local organic farming and promote the history and anthropology of chocolate to produce a large variety of delectable chocolate creations of the highest quality.
We sampled truffles, caramels and elixirs. The chocolates are made fresh everyday and hand rolled from the freshest local organic ingredients from dark to creamy milk chocolate.
I am a big dark chocolate lover, and these truffles where incredibly rich with just a slight bit of bitterness that comes with any great dark chocolate. The sea salt caramels were to die for, creamy and the melding of chocolate and caramel as it dissolved in my mouth was a flavor sensation I won’t soon forget.
Hiking At Cerrillos Hills State Park
Cerrillos Hills State Park in New Mexico is a day-use park open year-round, nestled along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
We went on a ranger guided hike to observe the tarantula mating season. WARNING: If you have a fear of spiders, you’ll probably want to scroll by the next photo! Only the males were out looking for females and I saw a tarantula for the first time ever. Believe it or not, these fuzzy creatures aren’t poisonous and stayed out of our way.
This short loop starts by hiking up Camino Turquesa Rd one half mile then a steady climb up the Jane Calvin Sanchez Trail to a vista overlooking the valley, then the trail meanders back down to the parking area for a total of 1.3 miles.
The Cerrillos Hills State Park is full of short hikes in this area that make great loops and the trails are well marked.
Weekend Highlight: Enjoying Ojo Caliente Spa
After the hike, I stopped in at Oja Caliente Spa in Sante Fe to soak my sore muscles.
Opening in 1868, Ojo Caliente is one of America’s oldest health spas, becoming known for its historic bathhouse and healing waters.
The spa contains sulfur-free geothermal mineral waters from a volcanic aquifer. These sacred waters contain lithia, iron, soda, and arsenic, with different pools of varying temperatures from 90-104 degrees for therapeutic soaking.
I loved sitting in the hot waters and enjoyed the unique ambiance. Nothing’s better than relaxing after hiking along the Cerrillos Hills.
Day 4 – Museum of International Folk Art and My Return to Colorado
Monday, all good things must come to an end.
I couldn’t help myself and went for breakfast at another French place called Madame Mattise, a wonderful bakery and restaurant. I had a quick cheese pinwheel pastry and coffee before heading off to the International Folklife Museum.
The pastry was everything I was hoping for from a French bakery: buttery flaky crust with a delicious cream cheese center that melted in my mouth.
Museum of International Folk Art
The first of its kind, the Museum of International Folk Art is an inspirational and dynamic place, fostering an appreciation for global culture and craftsmanship. Through a multifaceted collection, it encourages understanding and dialogue about diverse traditions and cultural identities.
The museum plays a key role in community engagement, offering a learning environment that connects historical and contemporary folk art, enhancing the public’s connection to cultural heritage.
I was absolutely enchanted. The vast array of exhibits took me on a global journey, showcasing incredible craftsmanship from artisans around the world. Each gallery was a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity, from intricate textiles and pottery to elaborate carvings and jewelry.
The meticulous presentation and informative descriptions deepened my appreciation for the diverse traditions represented.
Weekend Highlight: Lunch At Jambo Café
We needed Lunch before heading out on town and stopped at Jambo Café, a unique restaurant showcasing African homestyle cuisine.
This food was absolutely amazing.
I LOVED the Savory Stuffed Phyllo filled with spinach, Moroccan black olives, organic feta, roasted red peppers and chickpeas over organic field greens and drizzled with pomegranate sauce. SO DELICIOUS!
We tried the the Harissa Spiced Lamb Sandwich, slow roasted leg of lamb with shaved red onions, tomatoes and a cucumber yogurt sauce in pita bread.
I highly recommend the combination plate with chicken curry, goat stew, and peanut chicken stew. A plethora of flavor and amazing in every sense of the word.
This place was packed at lunch time and I can see why, the food completely surprised me and will always be a stop for me when I return.
Is Santa Fe Worth It?
YES! Absolutely.
Santa Fe surprised me with a treasure trove of cultural fusion, artistic heritage, and breathtaking landscapes. The food took me on a historical journey, discovering incredible flavors I’ve never experienced elsewhere.
With its fusion of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo cultures, Santa Fe is a melting pot of traditions, making it a richly diverse and fascinating destination.
