Visiting Santa Fe

by Michael Satterfield 

Santa Fe is one of the most unique cities in America, the city is a blend of cultures, art, and food that make it an ideal location for a weekend getaway or long retreat.


Santa Fe is in my top five cities in the US and easily in my top ten cities globally. It is a city of art, culture, and creative people. Visitors from around the world are drawn to the unique energy the city has, some come for a few days, some just end up staying forever. If you have never been, put it on your bucket list of must travel to destinations. 

Santa Fe is a great city to visit on nearly any budget, from basic accommodations at the Santa Fe International Hostel for as little as $20 a night to luxury hotels like the Drury Plaza Hotel where I stayed my last trip, or you can go all out and stay at the Four Seasons Resort where rooms start at over $600 a night. My suggestion is to stay as close to the Plaza as you can since parking in Santa Fe can be difficult and expensive, thankfully the city is walkable, and you can reach most of the major attractions in the city by foot from the Plaza.



Getting to Santa Fe is best done by car, the city was on the original 1926 alignment of Route 66 and is fairly isolated with just a small regional airport and bus service to the city. Albuquerque is just over an hour south of Santa Fe and is the closest major airport, there is a commuter train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe if you are not interested in driving, but you will likely have to use a car service to get to your final destination. I generally drive and on this trip, I was driving the new Honda Civic which was perfect for the smaller streets of Santa Fe.    


Santa Fe is perfect if you are a foodie from these amazing Pastrami Tacos at Eloisa, to the best brunch I have ever had at The Teahouse on Canyon Road the diversity and options are endless. Of course, you can't visit Santa Fe without stopping at the Five and Dime for a Frito Pie. From simple street food to gourmet fine dining Santa Fe has something for everyone. 


When it comes to activities Santa Fe doesn't disappoint, be sure to check the community calendar before you plan your trip, from art workshops and gallery openings to museums and cultural events there is always something going on in Santa Fe. Take a walk up Canyon Road and tour the art galleries and gardens, head to the plaza and enjoy the Santa Fe Indian Market to shop, tour one of the dozens of museums, plan a hike on one of the many local trails, or book an appointment at a local spa to relax. 


 Santa Fe is really "The City Different" and a place that should be on your list of destinations, every trip I take to Santa Fe I experience something new, make new friends, and discover a deeper appreciation for this unique city. If you would like more info on planning your trip visit the city's official website SantaFe.Org, which has information on hotels, outdoor and urban guides, and a calendar of events.

This story was made with the help of the City of Santa Fe, but I was not compensated in any way for this story by the City of Santa Fe or any other businesses, hotels, or restaurants listed. I would like to thank Honda for making this road trip possible by loaning me the new Honda Civic.