We adored Santa Fe
Jul 14th, 2006, 11:55 AM
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We adored Santa Fe
We arrive in Albuquerque Monday, 7/3 morning. We rented a car and drove to Santa Fe via the Turquoise Trail. We stopped in Madrid for lunch. Madrid is a very small friendly town. We checked out a gallery that had lovely art and handcrafted jewelry. We chatted with the gallery owner. We didn’t buy anything there because it was out first gallery stop, but I regretted that afterwards. A major movie is currently being filmed in Madrid with John Travolta and Marisa Tomei. The town décor has been embellished a bit for the movie set. We saw dozens of movie trucks and trailers parked but no sign of actors or filming. We were told that both Marisa and John have been delightful to have in town, both are friendly and outgoing. We ate lunch across from the gallery at the Mind Shaft Tavern. The place has a lot of small town southwest tavern charm but the food was just ok (although we really didn’t expect much, options were limited lunchtime in Madrid!).
We arrived at our hotel (the Inn of the Governor’s) a few hours before check in time. We were delighted by the warmth and friendliness of the lobby. It was very welcoming after a long flight and drive. We had booked the cheapest type room which had 2 queen beds, but asked if we could have a king room, which they obliged. While waiting for the room, we strolled around the area, spoke to some locals and made dinner reservation based on local’s reviews and comments from this board. Being 4th of July weekend, business was hopping.
Our room was on the small side, but very pleasant with a southwest motif. We were on the ground floor, on the street side, but noise was not a problem. Separating the hotel property from the street was a thick adobe wall covered with ivy. All the rooms on the 1st floor had an alcove type patio along the wall with a small table and chairs. The room was immaculate and the quality of bed linens and towels was very good. Parking and a very good breakfast buffet are included.
Monday night we ate at Bistro 315. This restaurant is rated #1 on TA (I actually found that out after our trip). It has a very pleasant outdoor eating area. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. The food was good, but not great.
Tuesday morning, we checked out the 4th of July pancake breakfast at the plaza (not to eat, just to see). What a lot of fun! Balloons and American flags were all over, a marching band playing on the stage, craft type vendors selling their goods, and lots and lots of people eating pancakes. After that we decided to drive to Bandelier Monument and Los Alamos. This is a great ½ trip (there is more to do, if you want to make it a full day). We stopped at a visitor center near Los Alamos. 2 older men (brothers) were working there offering info. 1 of them was a former Los Alamos scientist. They directed us to a scenic spot for a photo op. The views resembled that of the Grand Canyon. Not quite as colorful (lots of brown, because very little rain over the years, and not all the rock color variations). It was quite a sight in any case.
We first went to Bandelier. We took the main loop hike (the most basic), where we walked along the mountainside where pueblo Indian dwelling were. There is a booklet that guides your through the hike and the sights. We followed the loop, which takes you through a wooded area. Picnic tables are available for there. We could hear thunder in the distance towards the end of the trail, so I guess our timing was just right. There are also longer trails, but some, going into the back woods were closed because of the very high fire warnings. I strongly recommend bringing along water for any of the trails. It is hot and there are some steep ups and downs along the path, especially in the area of the mountain dwellings.
After Bandelier we went to Los Alamos. We visited the Los Alamos museum and the Bradbury Science museum. They both were very interesting and nicely paired. The movies shown at the Bradbury are well worth seeing and very informative. I suggest doing the Bradbury first.
After the museums, we had a late lunch at a diner in the area called the Hill diner. It didn’t look like much on the outside, but the food was great and plentiful. We were so stuffed from lunch that we decided to go for a more budget meal for dinner and save the fancy food for an emptier stomach. We had dinner at Maria’s Mexican. This is very cheap and great value. Lots of food, not fancy, but decent Mexican. It also offers a huge selection of tequilas which we didn’t bother with, but those who like tequila, this is the place for you!
Wednesday was our last day, which we saved for museums, shopping and relaxing by the pool. We went to the Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of N.M. at the governor’s palace. Both museums were very nice. A guided tour just began as we walked in the history museum. The tour guide was so informative. We got so much more from this place by taking the tour. I strongly recommend the tour (it’s free). I picked up some inexpensive jewelry from the vendors outside the museum. I had also bough a few things from the vendors on the 4th of July. We looked in some of the lovely jewelry stores in the area, but didn’t buy anything there. We had lunch at Del Charros, the restaurant at the hotel. This place is great, so inexpensive and great burgers. After that we relaxed by the pool.
Wednesday night we had dinner in the restaurant at the Inn of Anasazi. We had a wonderful meal there. The space is lovely, very comfortable and peaceful. The food was excellent as well. This place is pricey, but so are many of the other fine restaurants in the area. It was well worth it. After dinner there were a few bands playing folk type music at the plaza stage.
There are some lovely galleries all over with photography, paintings, and sculptures. I wish I had more time to check them all out. We did take many walks around the area whenever we had time, and poked our head in various stores and galleries.. There are lots of public sculptures in the area. Santa Fe does a great job maintaining a southwest feel with a true appreciation for the arts. Beforehand I thought it may appear tacky, but this wasn’t the case at all. It had a European feel in some ways - small hotels, lots of outdoor areas with seating, and tasteful public art.
Our hotel also had free wireless in the lobby and a computer for free use. We used it several times (only once did we see someone else use it). The hotel also has an afternoon tea and sherry hour. We had to leave Thursday, very early morning, to fly to Tucson (our next stop for a family visit). All in all we loved Santa Fe.
We arrived at our hotel (the Inn of the Governor’s) a few hours before check in time. We were delighted by the warmth and friendliness of the lobby. It was very welcoming after a long flight and drive. We had booked the cheapest type room which had 2 queen beds, but asked if we could have a king room, which they obliged. While waiting for the room, we strolled around the area, spoke to some locals and made dinner reservation based on local’s reviews and comments from this board. Being 4th of July weekend, business was hopping.
Our room was on the small side, but very pleasant with a southwest motif. We were on the ground floor, on the street side, but noise was not a problem. Separating the hotel property from the street was a thick adobe wall covered with ivy. All the rooms on the 1st floor had an alcove type patio along the wall with a small table and chairs. The room was immaculate and the quality of bed linens and towels was very good. Parking and a very good breakfast buffet are included.
Monday night we ate at Bistro 315. This restaurant is rated #1 on TA (I actually found that out after our trip). It has a very pleasant outdoor eating area. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. The food was good, but not great.
Tuesday morning, we checked out the 4th of July pancake breakfast at the plaza (not to eat, just to see). What a lot of fun! Balloons and American flags were all over, a marching band playing on the stage, craft type vendors selling their goods, and lots and lots of people eating pancakes. After that we decided to drive to Bandelier Monument and Los Alamos. This is a great ½ trip (there is more to do, if you want to make it a full day). We stopped at a visitor center near Los Alamos. 2 older men (brothers) were working there offering info. 1 of them was a former Los Alamos scientist. They directed us to a scenic spot for a photo op. The views resembled that of the Grand Canyon. Not quite as colorful (lots of brown, because very little rain over the years, and not all the rock color variations). It was quite a sight in any case.
We first went to Bandelier. We took the main loop hike (the most basic), where we walked along the mountainside where pueblo Indian dwelling were. There is a booklet that guides your through the hike and the sights. We followed the loop, which takes you through a wooded area. Picnic tables are available for there. We could hear thunder in the distance towards the end of the trail, so I guess our timing was just right. There are also longer trails, but some, going into the back woods were closed because of the very high fire warnings. I strongly recommend bringing along water for any of the trails. It is hot and there are some steep ups and downs along the path, especially in the area of the mountain dwellings.
After Bandelier we went to Los Alamos. We visited the Los Alamos museum and the Bradbury Science museum. They both were very interesting and nicely paired. The movies shown at the Bradbury are well worth seeing and very informative. I suggest doing the Bradbury first.
After the museums, we had a late lunch at a diner in the area called the Hill diner. It didn’t look like much on the outside, but the food was great and plentiful. We were so stuffed from lunch that we decided to go for a more budget meal for dinner and save the fancy food for an emptier stomach. We had dinner at Maria’s Mexican. This is very cheap and great value. Lots of food, not fancy, but decent Mexican. It also offers a huge selection of tequilas which we didn’t bother with, but those who like tequila, this is the place for you!
Wednesday was our last day, which we saved for museums, shopping and relaxing by the pool. We went to the Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of N.M. at the governor’s palace. Both museums were very nice. A guided tour just began as we walked in the history museum. The tour guide was so informative. We got so much more from this place by taking the tour. I strongly recommend the tour (it’s free). I picked up some inexpensive jewelry from the vendors outside the museum. I had also bough a few things from the vendors on the 4th of July. We looked in some of the lovely jewelry stores in the area, but didn’t buy anything there. We had lunch at Del Charros, the restaurant at the hotel. This place is great, so inexpensive and great burgers. After that we relaxed by the pool.
Wednesday night we had dinner in the restaurant at the Inn of Anasazi. We had a wonderful meal there. The space is lovely, very comfortable and peaceful. The food was excellent as well. This place is pricey, but so are many of the other fine restaurants in the area. It was well worth it. After dinner there were a few bands playing folk type music at the plaza stage.
There are some lovely galleries all over with photography, paintings, and sculptures. I wish I had more time to check them all out. We did take many walks around the area whenever we had time, and poked our head in various stores and galleries.. There are lots of public sculptures in the area. Santa Fe does a great job maintaining a southwest feel with a true appreciation for the arts. Beforehand I thought it may appear tacky, but this wasn’t the case at all. It had a European feel in some ways - small hotels, lots of outdoor areas with seating, and tasteful public art.
Our hotel also had free wireless in the lobby and a computer for free use. We used it several times (only once did we see someone else use it). The hotel also has an afternoon tea and sherry hour. We had to leave Thursday, very early morning, to fly to Tucson (our next stop for a family visit). All in all we loved Santa Fe.
Jul 14th, 2006, 12:24 PM
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Sounds like a really nice trip, MFNYC. Wonder what the Madrid-set movie is.
I spent part of my honeymoon at the Inn of the Governors, so IMO you couldn't have chosen a better place! I thought their pool are was so nice and relaxing, too.
I'm heading to Santa Fe in three weeks and will definitely have some of that Maria's tequila. Can't wait!
Thanks for the report!
I spent part of my honeymoon at the Inn of the Governors, so IMO you couldn't have chosen a better place! I thought their pool are was so nice and relaxing, too.
I'm heading to Santa Fe in three weeks and will definitely have some of that Maria's tequila. Can't wait!
Thanks for the report!
Jul 14th, 2006, 12:37 PM
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I just googled to find the movie info. it's a Disney film called "Wild Hogs". Here;s some basic info:
http://www.nmfilm.com/in-production....itle=Wild+Hogs
http://www.nmfilm.com/in-production....itle=Wild+Hogs
Jul 14th, 2006, 12:47 PM
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Oh I just love NM, Santa Fe and Taos specifically. Next time you go, try to visit Aiqui country where Georgia O'Keefe did the most of ther paintings at the end of her life. Really beautiful area.
Enjoyed reading your report. Brings back lovely memories. Now I can't wait until Thanksgiving (when we go yearly).
Enjoyed reading your report. Brings back lovely memories. Now I can't wait until Thanksgiving (when we go yearly).
Jul 14th, 2006, 01:11 PM
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Thanks for the report, MFNYC. We were in Santa Fe last fall, and liked it enough to return again this fall.
About Bandelier... Years ago I visited the nearby Puye cliff dwellings, which I think are similar to those found at Bandelier. Back then, you could climb up, into, and around the cliff dwellings. Is that allowed at Bandelier?
Now, where in town did you find the best salsa? That, and finding the best margarita are my mission for this trip.
About Bandelier... Years ago I visited the nearby Puye cliff dwellings, which I think are similar to those found at Bandelier. Back then, you could climb up, into, and around the cliff dwellings. Is that allowed at Bandelier?
Now, where in town did you find the best salsa? That, and finding the best margarita are my mission for this trip.
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