Visiting Santa Fe, The City Different

 

Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta

The 28^th Annual Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta schedule was released today!  The festivities include six guest chef wine luncheons, nine wine seminars, 43 wine dinners at Santa Fe Restaurants, a Grand Tasting and more.  The Grand Tasting will feature 75 of Santa Fe’s finest restaurants and 100 world-class wineries at the grounds of the Santa Fe Opera.  The week-long fiesta begins on September 23rd and ends on September 30th.

Regardless of how many times you attend the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, each year promises a unique experience.  In 2014, I attended a fantastic wine dinner at Coyote Café & Cantina with wine pairings from Kistler Vineyards.   In 2016, I attended a media event food and wine preview, a Reserve Wine Tasting & Auction and the 26th Annual Grand Tasting.  For more information on the food & wine extravaganza including event tickets, visit santafewineandchile.org.  Note, tickets sell out quickly!

The City Different

Santa Fe mornings and nights can be chilly and afternoons can be quite warm, so packing essentials include a light coat, sweaters, shorts, sundresses and a pair of sunglasses.  2016 was slightly warmer than 2014, so check the weather ahead of time to pack appropriately.

Downtown Santa Fe is full of mystique and old world charm with plenty to admire including the historic buildings, museums, the galleries on Canyon Road and more.  Santa Fe Square holds a variety of lovely shops that specialize in leather boots, turquoise jewelry, Southwest fashion and furniture.  You also do not have to travel far, if you are hungry for a snack, meal or cocktail.   The Square is the heart of the city and you will walk everywhere – no Uber is required.

Lodging

Whether you choose to book a hotel or reserve accommodations with Airbnb or HomeAway, I highly recommend staying near the Santa Fe Square.  Good hotel options include Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe, located in the heart of the Santa Fe square.  Southwest charm resonates throughout the hotel lobby and rooms.  Our room was equipped with a fireplace, which was both charming and useful since Santa Fe evenings can be chilly.  The hotel attendants are available to provide fresh wood and light the fire at guests request.  In 2016, we rented a charming Santa Fe style casita (small home) located a couple blocks from the square.  I personally loved staying at a casita because I enjoy having a full kitchen and a living room when I travel for an extended amount of time.

Cocktail Hour

La Fonda on the Plaza should be on the top of your list for cocktail hour.  The hotel has a lovely rooftop bar named the Bell Tower, where you can see the most gorgeous sunset in Santa Fe.  There is a quota for the amount of people who can be at the bar at one time, so arrive early to reserve your spot.  Dress to impress because this is a great opportunity for Instagram worthy photos.

The Coyote Cantina is situated atop the Coyote Cafe and is also known as one of the best rooftops in Santa Fe.  The bar is the perfect place to grab a cocktail before dining at Coyote Cafe.  Although the Cantina is much more casual & relaxed, I would definitely glam it up if you plan to dine at the Coyote Cafe.

If you prefer an indoor cocktail venue, visit the Living Room at Inn and Spa at Loretto Inn Santa Fe.  The atmosphere is cozy, yet, lively.  They also have live entertainment Thursday through Saturday.  If you are lucky, snag the couch by the fireplace.

Dining

You will find a variety of cuisine fusions in Santa Fe including Southwest, Mexican, Spanish, Cowboy Chuck-Wagon and Pueblo Native American.  I do not have a favorite restaurant, yet, since I have a growing list of restaurants that I am anxious to try like Geronimo and Eloisa.  However, I highly recommend that you do attend at least one wine dinner during the Wine and Chile Fiesta.  In 2014, I attended the Kistler Wine Dinner at Coyote Cafe and it was exceptional from beginning to end.  We still talk about the experience to date.

If your schedule allows, attend a food tour offered by a Taste of Santa Fe.  The walking food tour is a great way to learn about the culinary history of Santa Fe as well as sample five to seven different dishes from local restaurants.  During the tour, I sampled Christmas-Style Enchiladas from San Francisco Street Bar & Grill, Chicken Tortilla Soup from Thunderbird Bar & Grill, Banana Crème Brûlée and Bizcochito from the Luminaria Restaurant & Patio and Blue Corn Muffins and Honeydew & Basil Gazpacho from La Casa Sena.  Regardless of where you choose to dine, you will discover that Santa Fe has its own unique flair and flavor.

Yoga, Hiking, Chocolates & More

Love to hike or practice yoga?  Yogi Hiker, Stacy Kinsley, offers three different hikes including the Traditional Yogi Hike at the Santa Fe National Forest.  The adventure includes a 45 minute trail hike.  At the apex of the trail, hikers practice gentle yoga for an hour and then hike back to the starting point.  This is perfect way to start the day and rev up the appetite for lunch.

Chocolate lovers must visit the Kakawa Chocolate House.  Try one of their chili infused chocolates or caramels or my favorites, the pistachio cluster and lavender vanilla caramel.  Green Hatch Chiles are readily available at the Santa Fe Farmers Market during the fall.  You will find that many farmers will roast these wonderful chiles for your on the spot.  The market is open Saturday year-round, as well as a couple of times during the week.  If you are a fan of 20th century art, visit the iconic Georgia O’Keefe Museum.  The museum houses oil paintings, drawings and other of O’Keefe’s most recognizable images.  This museum is just one of 23 that you can visit in Santa Fe.

I have only touched the very tip of what the City Different has to offer.  Although Santa Fe is small, it packs mystique, adventure, museums and culture comparable to any metropolitan city.  If you are from Santa Fe, I would love to know which restaurant or bar I should visit next!   Please share your recommendations in the comment section below.