For over a decade, I've dreamed of visiting Santa Fe to immerse myself in its art, cuisine, and overall city culture. Finally, in late August 2023, my friend Sheri and I transformed this dream into reality. We departed from Nashville on an early Thursday morning, leaving behind the humid, scorching Tennessee summer, reminiscent of the devil's armpit, and arrived in Albuquerque, NM, where the temperature felt just perfect. After securing a Jeep Wrangler rental at the airport, we embarked on the hour-long journey north to Santa Fe, officially kickstarting our adventure.
Upon our arrival and check-in at the Courtyard Marriott, our humble abode, we swiftly headed to Coyote Cantina, a rooftop patio restaurant affiliated with Coyote Café. Salsa, guacamole, queso, tacos, and margaritas – oh my! it was a tastebud overload! Against the backdrop of a sunny 78-degree day, Sheri and I savored every bite, all while admiring the restaurant's rooftop murals and people-watching on the streets below.
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Following our Tex-Mex feast, we embarked on a shopping spree through the streets and boutiques of Santa Fe. We perused turquoise jewelry at Sissel's Fine Quality Indian Jewelry, tried on custom hats at Santa Fe Hat Company, explored books at Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse, purchased Native American artisan works at the Original Trading Post, and soaked in the art at RC Gorman Navajo Gallery. We also collected souvenirs from various shops around town for our children. Even the Five and Dime General Store proved to be a fun stop!
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After a few hours of indulging in the luxury of having no set agenda and shopping just for the joy of it, we met up with Jordan, Sheri's sister-in-law and a Santa Fe local. She led us on a stroll through Canyon Road, a half-mile strip filled with diverse art galleries showcasing everything from traditional to abstract contemporary works in various media. This enlightening walk revealed that Santa Fe ranks as the third-largest art market in the United States.
Jordan, our Canyon Road tour guide, then took us to the Acequia Madre House, where she serves as the executive director of the Women's International Study Center. There, she shared the organization's rich history of preserving art and continuing its founders' mission to support Santa Fe artists through art fellowships.
After our tour, we returned to the hotel to freshen up before dinner. We decided to use Uber to get to Paloma, a restaurant tip Jordan had given us. However, we soon realized that in Santa Fe, where parking is readily available, rideshare services are not as efficient, and we had to wait longer than expected for our drivers. This made us run late for our reservation.
Now, back to the food. Paloma didn't disappoint! Jordan joined Sheri and me for dinner, and we started with ceviche and mushroom sopecitos. Despite not being a fan of mushrooms, I couldn't resist these delectable griddled masa cakes made with black bean refritos, chipotle roasted mushrooms, pickled onions, and almonds. The restaurant's signature Paloma margarita perfectly complemented the flavors. I followed this with crispy fish tacos. Every dish and cocktail deserved a chef's kiss!
The following morning, we checked out of our hotel and headed to Pasqual's for breakfast. Sheri and I both agreed that Pasqual's was our favorite restaurant in Santa Fe, no small feat considering the culinary delights we'd enjoyed throughout the trip. The restaurant exuded a warm and inviting atmosphere, with colorful banners hanging from the ceiling that reminded me of Sayulita, Mexico. Sheri indulged in griddled polenta with green chile-flecked polenta, sautéed chorizo, roasted corn in red chile sauce, while I continued my Tex-Mex theme with a breakfast quesadilla featuring ham, scrambled eggs, jack cheese, guacamole, and roasted tomato-jalapeño salsa. Sheri washed her breakfast down with a Bhakti Chai, and I savored an iced latte sprinkled with cinnamon. It was the best breakfast ever!
Before leaving Pasqual's, we stocked up on pastries for our journey to Ojo Caliente. Not quite ready to leave Santa Fe's charm behind, we continued exploring the city. Sheri found a summer adventure hat at Santa Fe Trail Outfitters, which I later purchased the same olive Luka Sun Hat from the Pistil website. We also explored the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, commonly known as Saint Francis Cathedral. Its architecture, sculptures, bronze-paneled doors, and paintings within the nave and sanctuary, along with the carved and gilded wooden reredos, were all breathtaking. Simply put, it was a feast for the eyes inside and out.
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After admiring the cathedral's beauty, we found ourselves across the street at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA). We were grateful for this impromptu visit because the art on display was exquisite. We were particularly captivated by the artwork of Jean LaMarr, an internationally recognized artist, activist, and educator. Her dedication to rejecting the myth of the "vanished American Indian" was evident in her mixed-media pieces, each telling a compelling story.
Unfortunately, MoCNA was the only museum we could visit during our short trip, but we were both glad we stumbled upon it.
As we headed back to our car, we made a quick stop at the Five and Dime to grab water for the drive to Ojo Caliente. However, we got sidetracked by a jewelry street vendor from Silver Mountain Trading Company, offering beautifully handmade items. Both Sheri and I couldn't resist, and we each left with turquoise earrings and beaded necklaces, now part of our everyday jewelry collection.
With our new treasures in tow, we rushed back to our Jeep, realizing we were on a tight schedule to make it to Ojo Caliente in time for our spa treatments. Continue reading in part 2 of Sheri's and my girls' trip adventure at the enchanting Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, just an hour north of Santa Fe.
Southwest Girls' Trip Part 2: Finding Zen at Ojo Caliente
