Santa Fe - 4 nights in December
 

Good morning,

My husband and I are spending a long weekend in Santa Fe later this month. To take advantage of free SWA flights, we are arriving late Thursday 12/16 & leaving on the afternoon of Monday 12/20. We are staying in a superior room with sofa and fireplace at the Inn of the Anasazi, so I think we'll be doing lots of relaxing. Besides eating and walking around the charming town, I am not sure what else we are going to do. We went in September 2009 for 2 nights and stayed at the Encantado Resort, and I loved it but am concerned we will have too much time. We saw the Georgia Okeefe museum last trip, so we'll be sure to check out 1-2 of the others ones this time. Does anyone have any suggestions on special holiday events or displays we should check out? If we wanted to do a day trip, is it normally very snowy this time of year, or should roads be safe enough?

I'd also love to hear any restaurant advice. Here is where I am thinking of...
Geronimo - we went last time but it was amazing and I think we need to go back.
Santacafe - recommended by yoga instructor at Encantado
Casa Sena
La Boca Tapas - saw on Giada weekend in Santa Fe and looked good
Pasqual's for breakfast

Am I missing any must do places? I'm pregnant so sadly can't enjoy wine this trip, but good food is high priority. :)

Thank you!

Can't comment on holiday activities, but do recommend dinner here: http://www.lafondasantafe.com/index.html

Congrats on your expected bundle. Our first is due in June. Planning baby moon for Jan. :-)

Have a great time in SF!!!

Thanks! Congrats to you as well! I am also due in June...6/26. Thank you for the suggestion!

You might put Restaurant Martin on your list; new since your last visit. It's the realization of a dream of the former exec. chef at Geronimo. My wife and I had dinner there a few months ago, and loved it.

For those museum visits, suggest you head up to Museum Hill, and if those aren't enough, the new Museum of Art.

The other thing my wife particularly enjoyed this last trip was taking a class at the School of Cooking.

I would add 315 Bistro for dinner, it is excellent. Try Ristra for dinner as well.

For lunch, be sure to make it over to Vinaigrette.

Will you have a car? Perhaps a day trip up to Taos or down to Albuquerque, lots to do in ABQ. Zoo, River of Lights at Botanical Gardens, Museum of Art etc. If you don't have a car, Railrunner will get you to ABQ easily and comfortably.

Personally, I would pass on La Boca, it has fallen from grace I think, tables soo close you can't hear your own conversation but can easily hear the next one over, mediocre service.

Chocolate Maven for breakfast or lunch.

I am sure there will be lots of events that weekend.

Prix Fixe dinner at O'Keefe Cafe is something to consider.

Check some great restaurant deals on
999dine.com

I will be happy to answer any other questions that you might have about the area.

Check http://www.sfreporter.com for activities that weekend, or you can pick up a copy anywhere around town.

Lee Ann

Forgot - the roads - anybody's guess. No snow here yet, but of course, that can change. We are expecting below average precip, so it could be fine. And as I mentioned, you can easily take the Railrunner to ABQ.

http://chocolatemaven.com/

http://www.okeeffecafe.com/

http://www.315santafe.com/

I forgot this one - Andiamo! excellent Italian and great prices
http://www.andiamoonline.com/

https://vinaigretteonline.com/

http://www.ristrarestaurant.com/

http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/garden/lights.html {This is absolutely lovely, we go a bit later in the evening, when the crowds have thinned}

http://www.cabq.gov/fun/winter

http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/zoo/

http://www.nmrailrunner.com/

If you decide to head to Taos or ABQ, let me know, I can recommend places to eat etc.

Thank you so much! I will spend more time going through the links this weekend when I'm not at work. :)

We will have a car, so the ABQ lights display looks like a definite plan.

I like the idea of a day trip to Taos. Where is a good lunch spot?

These are all great:

Dragonfly Cafe http://www.dragonflytaos.com/
Graham's Grill www.grahamstaos.com
Orlando's [for New Mexican] http://www.orlandostaos.com/

We liked the Shed, and it's an easy walk from the Inn of the Anasazi - great hotel by the way. I'm not sure how big of a GOK fan you are, but we drove out and did a tour of her house in Abiqui and thought it was great. The Ghost Ranch also offers a nice tour.

If I had to choose a last meal, it would be dinner at Geronimo's. But, lunch would be at El Shed!

You might enjoy the Milicent Rogers Museum if you take a day trip to Taos.

It's also a short drive from Santa Fe to Chimayo. I think Rancho de Chimayo is open again, and we enjoy the food there.

And, as long as the road is clear, drive to the Valle Caldera, it's just a beautiful short trip.

annie

Santa Fe weather is funny that time of year. It could be snowing and it could be 60.
For a day-trip, Puye Cliffs- arrange in advance.
The High Road to Taos is beautiful if the weather is good. Taos Pueblo, Millicent Rogers and Harwood Museums. Great restaurants.
There are 8 museums for adults in town and they are all great- depending on your interests.
Also lots of galleries if you like art. Walk Canyon Rd. all decked out for Christmas. Lunch at The Compound or El Farol.
Dinner- I 2nd 315. Also Max's, Amavi and Pasqual's is great for dinner- even better than breakfast. Santacafe also. If you enjoy light dining- Koi.
Want to know what's going on in town? www.santafetravelers.com
Enjoy and remember, drink LOTS of water.

I spent four 1/2 days in Santa Fe in November 2009 (with unexpected fantastic weather). Besides exploring Santa Fe, I rented a car and drove to Taos to see the Pueblo, Low Road to and High Road back. Really enjoyed the drive, especially the High Road and the Church of Santuaria in Chimayao. Almost made it to D.H. Lawrence's Ranch but I chickened out in my rental car on the gravel roads - next time. Took a tour with Great Southwest Adventures - just the guide, myself & two others - to Bandalier National Monument. We drove through Los Alamos (where the guide grew up) and through some of the surrounding countryside overlooking the Rio Grande. Highly recommended. Loved Canyon Road for the art galleries. I enjoyed The Shed for dinner but highly recommend Galisteo Bistro. I'd definitely return to SF, lots I didn't get a chance to do.