The United States offers a wide variety of travel experiences that appeal to all types of interests. Santa Fe, New Mexico is one of my favorites.
Located about an hour northeast of Albuquerque, Santa Fe gives you a glimpse of the rich history of Native Americans. While there are many tribes spread across the country, there are 23 federally recognized tribes in New Mexico alone. This history, combined with art, food, and culture, makes Santa Fe a great place to escape to for a few days or even longer.
You should plan to stay near Old Town Santa Fe, as it a very walkable area. Just wander around Santa Fe Plaza, stopping in the many art galleries, coffee shops, and places of interest. Some sites not to miss include the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Loretto Chapel with the mysterious staircase, and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.
If you want to venture out of Santa Fe, rent a car and drive up to Taos for the day. There are many sites to stop and visit along the way. I highly recommend a stop at Taos Drums. It is located right off the main road, but it is not marked very clearly. You can identify it by the three teepees in front of the building. You are allowed to wander in the back, where they are actually making drums in an old Native American tradition. Once in Taos, a visit to the Pueblos is a must. It is well worth a couple of hours to explore. If you plan a road trip to Taos, make sure you bring a map with you as cell service was very spotty, which made using a GPS next to impossible.
Back in Santa Fe, there are some incredible restaurants. You can’t visit this area without indulging in some food with southwest flair, but there are also some outstanding restaurants that will appeal to most any palette. One of my favorites is Geronimo. The food was fantastic, but the experience was made even more memorable by excellent service and a truly unique atmosphere. Be sure you make a reservation if you want to go there!
