About Linda Wesley Expertise lodging, restaurants, shopping, museums, daytrip driving adventures from Santa Fe, Native American Pueblos and their art, Spanish villages, events..
Expert: Linda Wesley Date: 6/10/2000 Subject: Visting Santa Fe July 22 - 29, 2000
Question Our family has planned a trip to Santa Fe Jully 22 - 29, 2000. We came through Albuquerque and Santa Fe several years ago, but were unable to spend any time there (we were en route to Arizona). We said we definitely want to return and we are. We have rented a house for the week close to the Plaza and have a few things planned, but mostly were just going to "wing it" when we get there. We want to be able to see some sites, but relax some also. We have a "Grayline" tour set up to visit Taos. We also have a "float trip" down the Rio Grande in Taos. Other than that, we have not real direction as to what is important to see or do. We love meixcan food and want to visit some great restaurants - resonably priced since there is 7 of us. Not really into museums, unless historical, maybe a little artist but not too much. I would welcome any info you can send our way to help in our week in Santa Fe. We are not limited to just Santa Fe. Willing to travel within 100 mile radius. Thanks.
Answer Cheryl --
It sounds like you're already off to a great start with your planning.
And depending on when you depart on the 29th, you may be in for a treat -- Spanish Market is that weekend, Saturday and Sunday. It's a show around the plaza of both traditional and contemporary Spanish art and fine crafts -- hand-made furniture, punched tin mirrors and frames, jewelry, weavings, religious art (santos, retablos, etc.), carvings, and all sorts of other things.
As for suggestions for restaurants and adventures, if you like history museums you'll probably love Rancho de los Golondrinas. It's about half an hour from the plaza, in La Cienega, and it's the Spanish Colonial equivalent of Williamsburg -- a restored, working, centuries-old colonial village. It's only open during the summer months, and it's a great place. They have demonstrations of everything from milling wheat to making adobe bricks. And then there's always the Puye Cliff Dwellings, maybe 45 minutes from the plaza. Wonderful place with a self-guided tour. Very hands-on. Or Bandolier, which is much, much larger, but not as intimate. Chimayo is a lovely little village 45 minutes or so from the plaza, with a marvelous old church that's on my don't miss list. A drive along the Turquoise Trail is lovely, and Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid) has a couple of good places for lunch. And in Santa Fe itself, there's the Governor's Palace (and great shopping for Native American jewelry, etc., under the portico there), the mysterious staircase at the Chapel of Loretto, great shopping, better restaurants, the chairlift to the top of the ski area for breath-taking views (and cold wind; take a jacket!), and tons more.
If you'd like, I'll send you my web site on the Santa Fe area. I've included all my favorite places (including lots more detail on things I've mentioned above) to eat (dozens of them, with price guidelines), visit, and explore (including a couple of good daytrips). If you want it, email me at Santofe@aol.com and I'll send it, along with some other links to area points of interest. (I have problems including links in the allexperts format.)
