Santa Fe: A community so distinctive, it has its own style

I’ve been to Santa Fe, New Mexico on several occasions, each time I visit I find something new to explore.  Santa Fe is a small community rich in history and culture, dating back some 400 years—its so distinctive that it has its own well-known style named for it…”Santa Fe Style.”  The colors, textures, tastes and smells of Santa Fe are bright, vibrant and inviting.

Santa Fe is a mecca for the creative, 100s of galleries, world-class museums, fantastic culinary scene—when you’re there, you can’t help but feel its overwhelming energy…it’s a feeling that envelop the soul.

Top Things to do while in Santa Fe:

• • Santa Fe Plaza – Located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, the Plaza remains the focal point of the city, hosting various markets, festivals, gatherings, concerts and many annual events.
  • San Miguel Mission – This Spanish Colonial church is considered to be the country’s oldest, believed to have been built in 1628.
  • Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis – This crowning achievement  was completed in 1886 and designed in Romanesque Revival style. While its design contrasts the surrounding adobe buildings, the cathedral remains one of Santa Fe’s most notable landmarks.
  • Art Galleries – There are well over 250 art galleries in Santa Fe, with a huge cluster in an area called “Canyon Road.”
  • The Railyard – Located just outside of downtown is the newly developed “Railyard,” which is a mix of new and old construction and still home to a rail depot transporting commuter passengers to/from Albuquerque.  Some good restaurants in the area too.  Last time I was there I enjoyed Tomasita’s, a Santa Fe institution.  I also ate at the Flying Star Cafe, which is in the newer part of the development and was pretty good.

While visiting Santa Fe, I would recommend taking an open air tram ride…this will give you a good overview of the downtown area and will allow you to get a lay-of-the-land so that you don’t end up walking in circles.  You’ll also be able to take notes of the spots you want to go back and further explore.

There are a variety of cool destinations and things to see within a short drive from Santa Fe, so you could use the area as a hub while visiting places like Bandelier National Monument, Indian ruins and Pueblos, or perhaps Taos, which is at a higher elevation and offers skiing,  fishing and river rafting.  Taos is actually one of my favorite places of all time.

There are many outstanding lodging accommodations in Santa Fe, I can recommend the El Farolito B&B, Don Gaspar Inn, Four Kachinas B&B and the Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe.  Whether it’s art galleries, museums, history, culture or the culinary delights, there’s something for everyone in Santa Fe.  Santa Fe has become one of those “Must See” cities in the country and made my Mike’s Road Trip “Best of 2011” list for “Best Small City.”

Click the following link to see more of my pictures of Santa Fe.  If you’ve been to Santa Fe before, please leave a comment below and let my readers and me know what you like best?  If you enjoyed this post and video, please click the “like” button and share it with friends and family.