Santa Fe offers over 400 years of history to explore alongside stunning outdoor attractions, fascinating museums and art galleries, delicious food, and much more. The city’s unique cultural fusion is unlike anything else you’ve ever experienced before, which is one of the reasons why Santa Fe has the nickname “The City Different.”
While you can’t expect to see and do it all in just one visit, there are a few things that no trip to Santa Fe is complete without. Here are some of our top picks for getting the most out of your week in the city:
- Visit the Georgia O’Keefe Museum
Known for her paintings of flowers, skyscrapers, and New Mexico landscapes, Georgia O’Keefe is one of the most significant and influential artists of the 20th century. O’Keefe spent part of almost every year working in New Mexico and had two homes in the state, making it a fitting place for the museum. There, visitors can see many of her masterpieces on display alongside personal belongings and an extensive archive of correspondence, photographs, and ephemera.
- Enjoy a drink with a view at the Bell Tower Bar
Situated high above the city of Santa Fe on the fifth floor of the La Fonda hotel, the Bell Tower Bar has incredible views of the city and its mountainous surroundings. In addition to the top shelf cocktails – margaritas are a highlight, of course – the bar also serves some lighter fare. It’s the perfect place to sit back and relax while enjoying the sunset with your favorite cocktail in hand.
- Explore Canyon Road
Canyon Road features over 100 unique boutiques, galleries, and restaurants located all within one square mile of each other. The road encourages a pleasant stroll, and you could easily spend hours going in and out of the different stores and checking out the various styles of art, including abstract, modern, digital, Native American, Western, and more. If you really want to get immersed in Santa Fe’s culture, this is the place to go!
- Eat at La Choza
La Choza is a casual restaurant with colorful décor that serves a variety of tacos, burritos, stews, and other traditional Mexican dishes that reflect the heritage of the city. If you can handle spice, then you have to try their award winning red and green chile. The warm, friendly atmosphere is just as enjoyable as the authentic food, and La Choza’s full bar serves all your favorite cocktails. The restaurant has been a staple in Santa Fe since it opened in 1983 and is the city’s #1 New Mexican restaurant, as voted by readers of a local paper.
- Support local artists at the Railyard Artisan Market
Open only on Sundays from 10 AM – 3 PM, the Railyard Artisan Market features a wide variety of fine art, crafts, jewelry, clothing, health and beauty goods, and more made by local artists. It is one of New Mexico’s oldest art markets and draws a diverse array of vendors from across the state. The market is a great place to find unique souvenirs and mementos to take back home with you.
- Learn about native Puebloans at the Poeh Cultural Center
You can learn all about the native Tewa tribe and immerse yourself in their culture at the Poeh Cultural Center. “Poeh” means path in Tewa, and the center is a living pathway from past to present with the goal of revitalizing traditions by teaching the native language, song and dance, and material culture. In addition to being a resource for Tewa and other Pueblo people, the center also promotes a better understanding, appreciation, and respect for Pueblo history and culture to the public.
- Be wowed at the House of Eternal Return
The first permanent installation of the art and entertainment group Meow Wolf, the House of Eternal Return, is a trippy and immersive art experience with over 70 different rooms to explore, all designed by local artists. It’s impressively elaborate and over the top, featuring a non-linear story unfolding throughout the variety of interactive exhibits and content.
With several bespoke and luxurious rental homes that offer a blend of urban sophistication and southwestern charm in the city, Aqui Santa Fe will help you get the most out of your trip to The City Different. Contact us today to start planning your visit!