Driving into Santa Fe, New Mexico for my first time, I couldn’t help but compare it to Sedona, Arizona – it’s that magical. If you’ve never been to either place Stop. What. You’re. Doing. AND GO NOW.
There aren’t that many places on this Earth that have the unique, powerful and pleasant energy vibrations as these places do. I would say it’s in the water, but clearly, it’s the dirt.
I approached Santa Fe from the southeast. There were a few businesses and homes lining the side of the highway. Once I passed through the small towns of Vaughn and Encino, the landscape began to open up; the Earth turned a deeper shade of red.
Santa Fe adobe-style architecture
Santa Fe is known for its Pueblo-style adobe architecture. You’ll notice it as soon as you get close. Because of this, one of the best things to do in downtown Santa Fe is to walk around admiring the history, culture and Pueblo-style architecture, so that’s what I did.
For a midwestern girl, the adobe buildings along cobbled streets set to a backdrop of mountains looked like something out of an old western movie.
Small restaurants, bookstores, boutiques, and art galleries with hand-crafted goods lined the streets. I’m rarely interested in material goods, but the small, obviously bespoke shops lured me in, and I delighted in exploring the authentic art and crafts. If ever you need an original, hand-crafted gift for yourself or another, this is your place.
I’ve been to Spain, and I have been deep in the southwest, but Santa Fe somehow manages to combine these aspects into a unique place. It was founded as a Spanish colony over 400 years ago and it still retains much of that original character. Many of the restaurants and businesses are Mexican/Spanish-themed. In fact, I hope you like Mexican food, because that’s about 90% of what you’ll get.
Art Culture
Art and creativity seem to permeate the very air.
Life downtown centers around the plaza, which is a National Historic Landmark. The city flows out from there through this historic place’s crooked streets. I strolled past many adobe landmarks, including the beautiful adobe New Mexico History Museum, formerly the governors’ Palace. There is also Loretto Chapel, whose church bells ring hourly throughout the plaza.
Canyon Road
Don’t forget to take a walk down the famous Canyon Road, where there are over 100 art galleries, boutiques and restaurants in just half a mile. Even if you’re not in the art market, it is a great street to walk down. It’s somewhat steep, so you’ll get good exercise for your body and creative inspiration for your mind.
Aside from shopping, there are also nearly a dozen museums in and around the downtown area.
Museums
El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and the popular Meow Wolf art installation museum owned in part by famous Santa Fe resident and author George R. Martin.
At just over 7,000 feet of elevation, the air is crisp and temperatures moderate, so if you do nothing more than walk around, you won’t be disappointed.
Taos, New Mexico
I came to Taos from the high road starting in Sante Fe. The High Road is a picturesque, winding road through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains between Santa Fe and Taos. The entire road is 105 miles long, but just half of that will take you between the two cities.
If you’re wondering what makes it the “high road” it’s because the road sits at a high elevation as if you’re driving along the treetops. There is also a “Low Road” that runs through the valleys along the Rio Grande. If nothing else, it makes for a wonderful, scenic drive.
Along the high road, you’ll see historic Chimayó, the Iglesia de la Santa Cruz de la Cañada adobe church, a few wineries and the small towns of Embudo, Dixon, Pilar.
Shopping on the High Road
In the towns, there are a few small shops and sometimes a little restaurant. Near Chimayo, I stopped at a weaver shop nearby with many large looms on display and original textiles for sale. Here you can watch the weaving process, learn about the craft and purchase beautiful rugs, wraps, bags and more.
Most of the small towns between Santa Fe and Taos are so little you barely notice you’ve passed through them, so drive slowly, enjoy the view, and be prepared to stop. Most of the towns at least have a small gallery or local art shop.
As you begin to approach Taos, you immediately know that you’re entering a different part of the state. The air is thinner and the hills turn to mountains.
Taos is a city famous for its pueblo architecture, snow skiing, and hipster art scene. Indeed, the type of people in Taos seem a little less reserved, less touristy, artsier.
Taos Artists
Many creatives have called the city home including Kit Carson, Georgia O’Keeffe, Julia Roberts, D.H. Lawrence, Dennis Hopper and many others. They come for beauty, solitude and, I believe, the feeling that surrounds you when art is cherished.
The entire city is filled with galleries and life revolves around art.
Much like Santa Fe, with its many shops, restaurants and galleries, Taos Plaza is the center of the Taos Historic District and the Heart of Taos.
The plaza serving as the town square and it’s where residents and visitors alike conduct their shopping and gathering, including the Saturday farmer’s markets.
I spent the afternoon strolling around, peeking inside the unique shops and sampling the various sweets from the many coffee shops and bakeries. You can do this for weeks and still be happy.
Find Taos Plaza at 400 Camino de la Placita Taos, NM 87571.
Read more stories about New Mexico here.
1 Comment