Hey guys!
Hope you’re having an amazing New Year so far and that you are enjoying the fruits. Of life! Over the holidays I went on a trip (my first time) to Santa Fe, NM and it was such a super great trip despite being sick part of it with the “spiritual up leveling cold from hell”! I made it through the new year on my death bed and miraculously was healed by the land of enchantment and able to sight see and enjoy my glorious trip to the South West!
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| Basically me after my trip! |
I know quite a few of you who will be traveling here this month and I wanted to gather my thoughts on my fav places to see and eat, unfortunately my iPhone tanked and I lost all my photos from the trip except for a few I posted on fb. So if you’re still reading this keep reading and enjoy and I hope that if you get a chance to see this beautiful city in the middle of no where that you pay a visit to my top places and don’t forget to drink a lot of water!
Why I visited Santa Fe, NM:
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| The view of Uncle Charlies backyard. |
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| One of the walls inside Marjo's art studio. |
Besides it being a top tourist attraction town in the southwest, I have family who lives here, and why I waited till now to visit? Well let’s just say that I’ve traveled more this year than I have in the past 10 years. Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit but hey I’ve got the travel bug and I’m starting here in the US before building my tolerance to go outside the country. Anyway enough about that, and more about my family! My uncle has lived here a few years and his girlfriend about 20 I believe. Both of them are retired and skilled artists. My uncle makes birdhouses and the best collages as gifts and Marjo is a felt artist as well as creates collages too and had a store in the Plaza at one point. Visiting with them was great and seeing where they live and how they live in this quiet but thriving and up and coming town was such a fun experience.
If you’re reading this I love you and can’t wait to visit again real soon!
Where to go and what to do:
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| A perfect place for a afternoon nap. |
This small hippie artists village is about 20 mins from Santa Fe and worth a visit. The small windy roads at filled with brightly colored cottages containing crystal shops, artisan clothing, sculpture artists, painters and a mining museum. There is an ice cream shop that has such unique flavors like green Chile vanilla bean! Oh and there is a Photo booth museum where you can select from over 30 different silly photo cutouts for a $2 donation! If you’re in the area check it out and keep this once ghost town thriving!
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| Having a beer inside the bar at Meow Wolf with my sister. |
One of the reasons that Santa Fe is booming in tourism right now is because of this crazy art exhibit! Honestly I thought I knew what it was but until you go and experience it for yourself you really have no idea! What I can tell you is if you like stranger things, interactive mystery solving and artwork and music you’ll love this place! I spent over 2 hrs with my sister exploring the exhibit and becoming enthralled with the story and experience! Insider tip: they have a bar and I got a beer before heading in. If you’re going on a holiday weekend expect to be more busy but still worth the $20 tickets!
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| A view of the Christmas lights in the Plaza. |
If you’re like me and you love to get lost in a city and find new things around each corner you’ll love this charming place. The plaza is a huge square surrounded by streets and alleys filled with art galleries, clothing stores, jewelry shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, cathedrals, churches, street vendors and people watching! While I was here I spent about 2 hrs exploring and talking with vendors and if I could I would have spent more time here. We came here almost every day to eat, shop and walk around. Insider tips: park at the La Fonda Hotel it’s walking distance to everything. Also while you’re here visit the Georgia O’keefe museum and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis there is a park nearby and the cathedral is beautiful and peaceful break from the bustle of traveling. And of course to eat check out the where to eat section.
Also known as the magic mile it’s definitely worth a visit and it’s down the street from the plaza but recommend driving to it. To best describe it would be like Laguna Beach artsy canyon on crack! So many beautiful homes, world renowned galleries and cafes line this windy road. I even saw a Persian Cafe called Milad Bistro and I would so go there on my next visit. I honestly didn't have enough time to properly visit this historic section of Santa Fe so I did a drive thru and from what I saw it has alot of culture and charm.
WHERE TO EAT:
We had breakfast here which was highly recommended by my uncles GF and now highly recommended from me. I enjoyed the atmosphere of this cafe and its decor. Kind of a more modern concept, you pay at the counter and its delivered to your table. And its cash only so be sure to have some on you. They serve breakfast and lunch. My whole family got the fried egg sandwich!
We stopped by the palace on Wednesday night to have dinner and to see the Santa Fe Crooners! Kinda felt like we were at a talent show but a step up. The atmosphere was vintage cocktail bar and the food was good. I got a Moscow mule and a green chile chicken enchilada casserole which would have been even better with more cheese. If you like oldies type music come here for the live music and stay for the drinks. I even got to sing a song that I requested! After we left we walked to the plaza and they were filming a Christmas movie called none other than "Christmas in Santa Fe...very original.
Of all the places we ate this was hands down our favorite. Its inside of the Governers Inn off of the Plaza and one of the only places that stays open later. The first night we went at about 9:30 and I got the green chile chicken chowder its amazing go try for yourself! We were having so much fun that night and they played 80s dramatic music so we were singing along to take on me...the next night we went again earlier and it was very busy but still a great vibe. We ordered a round of drinks, the chowder and this time tried the green chili burger which was so good! We even got a round of shots from the bar tender who recognized us from the night before!
Where to Shop:
We stumbled into this really great consignment shop next door to counter culture full of amazing vintage and second hand. The owner and I spoke briefly about her shop and turns out she is an OC native as well. Small world. My sister brought back a pair of combat boots from the shop and I was full of inspiration looking at her collection and how she merchandised her shop.
Strange name but really fun thrift shop which we found so many cool thingies, if I had a trailer I would bring back the furniture I found in this shop. The owner was singing 90s alternative rock on a karaoke machine so we joined in. Hes also a California Native! Signs to move here and start a new life?? Stop here for fun finds and free entertainment.
Where We Stayed:
During our whole trip we stayed at the El Ray Inn which is 2 miles from the Plaza and 20 mins from Madrid. By the time we booked our rooms our original choice of hotel was sold out so we decided to go here despite the funky reviews we took our chances. When we arrived our room wasn't ready and we waited almost an hr after check in to get inside. Once we got in our room we were surprised at how spacious it was and the charming decor, and light fixtures and vintage bathroom. Our stay at this hotel was overall good, but I can tell its going through some construction and every time we would go into the lobby the people working there were like zombies and the morning coffee was always out. Im sure that these things can be fixed and that it was a holiday weekend and things can be a little more out of wack. But other than this I recommend it for its quietness, cleanliness and price.
What I bought:
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| Artisan earrings and Christmas crafts to remind me of my trip during the holidays. |
I bought a few items for myself including the colorful artisan crafts and earrings above but mainly was looking for goodies for my etsy shop. I found a few fun bold and lively patterned tops, a dress and a woven bag all which are listed in my etsy shop.
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| Vintage Mexican Macrame Bucket Bag found here. |
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| 90s Vintage women's button up found here. |
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| Vintage 90s women's button up found here. |
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Vintage Indian Dress found here.
Until next time... Santa Fe!
Start spreading the news.
I'm leaving today.
I wanna be a part of it New Mexico.
I wanna wake up in a city that's full of art.
And find I'm Queen of the Plaza, top of the Mountain.
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