Hi, My family and I have found a little house in the "heart of Old Santa Fe" that's available for a few days at Christmas. Specifically it's just south of Paseo DePeralta and East of Cerrillos Road.
Any reason to avoid this area??
We will be using Santa Fe as home base and visiting as many outdoor attractions as we can...nature is calling! No skiing for us, just easy hikes and enjoying mini excursions and the plaza area at Christmas as a laid back getaway for us with our teenage boys (they're very good travelers and big eaters)
We were very lucky to find a property this late in the game and just want to make sure the location is safe.
Thank you!
Becki

I can't help with the house, but do get over to Bandelier NM, an interesting ancient habitation site. It is less than a hour from Santa Fe. There is a relatively undeveloped area of the park called Tsankawi which is lots of fun to explore.

That is not the heart of old Santa Fe, which I would attribute to the area nearest the plaza. I assume you will have a car; you'd need it to do the things you list. More importantly, parking anywhere near the plaza during the holidays is beyond difficult. Limited areas to park and always full.

I can't talk to safety, specifically. It may be a bit residential, certainly not touristy but may be what you want. Do you have an actual address?

I'm sure you know it is likely to be cold and possibly snowy?
There are tons of things, places etc to see and do. Dress appropriately to enjoy your time outdoors.

Look at vacation rentals at El Corazon in Santa Fe. Great location, walkable to the Plaza.

@emalloy thank you, Bandelier is on our list for sure.

@DebitNM yes, we will have a car. After further checking, the property seems to be in a great location and residential, as you said. Cold is great! We live in Houston and want to spend Christmas somewhere it "feels" like Christmas. Snow would be even better. Do you often have snow at Christmas? Hard to predict I know

In no particular order, sites on our list to research ahead of the trip are:
Bandelier
Pecos National Historical Park
Turquoise Trail
Look for wild horses
Aztec Ruins National Monument
Meow Wolf if possible
Rio Grande Gorge
Maybe Taos for a day

Palo Duro Canyon on the way up
Box Canyon, Valley of Fires and White Sands on the way back.

Thank you for your input!

Its hard to say about snow for Christmas. We have crazy, unseasonably warm weather here so far. I mean temps in the 70's in ABQ and a bit less in SF.

Check out Tent Rocks; amazing rock formations.

Drive up Turquoise Trail on the way up to Santa Fe [wave, that's where I live] and stop for lunch in Madrid, [pronounced MAH-drid] if timing works out. No wild horse on the route, but cattle should be grazing.

Meow Wolf will be fun, do try to get in.

Try to spend some time in ABQ if you can.

Museum Hill has some interesting things, different than most museums.


Let me think of stuff that boys will like as you too.

If you are concerned about safety, call the Santa Fe police and ask about crime and types of crime in that neighborhood.

We've stayed in a bed and breakfast in that general area; it's not far from the Roundhouse and a fairly easy walk to the Plaza.

Do take the boys to Meow Wolf. It's tons of fun.

Lee Ann

Great feedback, thank you for taking the time!
Our boys are very fit 17 year olds, love the outdoors and well...most anything really. A little art, exploring and a lot of food!

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Seconded.

Also, consider visiting Los Alamos, which is close to Bandalier.

Finally, search for BeachGirl247 on this board - she's done all the legwork you need for planning restaurants (first choice = Tomasita's).