Some thoughts and pics of Santa Fe & New Mexico. We have been to NM 4 times over the past 30 years and have more recently traveled there for the Christmas season - very few tourists then but pretty with all the holiday lights. Santa Fe & NM are worth visiting for the history and museums, especially Indian & Mexico colonial period; the scenery; art galleries; and the local food scene.
I'd recommend the Wheelwright Museum of American Indians, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture & the International Folk Art Museum all on the Hill just outside of town. While you're learning something about the region and it's history take a walking tour with Peter Sinclare to the old part of Santa Fe and tour the square, the Capitol building (lots of local art!) and the towns famous churches including San Miguel Chapel the oldest church in North America.
Don't forget to drive out of town and take in some scenery. The Turquoise Trail heads South (stop in Madrid the town no one wanted to buy!) and Henderson's Trading Post for Indian art and has been in business since 1911. Driving North take the High road to Taos ( the town itself isn't quite as quaint as it used to be) through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with a side trip to Bandelier National Monument, but don't get stuck out on the forest road in the snow like we did 5 years ago when our GPS conked out! Another route North out of Santa Fe takes you to Abiquiu and could veer off on the forest road 15 miles to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert on the scenic Chama River.
Back in town there are several great restaurants including the luxe Geronimo (terrific food but hard to get into), El Nindo whose chef formerly worked at the local Four Seasons, or someplace fun and specializing in New Mexican food like The Shed or La Casa Sena. A food demo with Allen Smith at The Santa Fe Cooking School is well worth checking out too.
The best place in town to stay? Our favorite is the Inn of the Five Graces.
