What are must see sights, activities and food around Santa Fe? THANKS!

[Rod Hagen]

First visit in the near future. THANKS!

[Guest BrandonWilliams]

Rod,

 

I've heard incredible things about Cafe Pasuqal. I'll await your review!

[Steven_Draker]

Definitely Ten Thousand Waves http://www.tenthousandwaves.com

 

A Japanese style mountain spa resort located a few miles from Santa Fe. You don't need to stay there overnight, if you already have your accommodation; however you can book one of their individual private baths with a view over the mountain for a few hours. Unforgettable.

http://www.tenthousandwaves.com/photos/baths-ichiban-main.jpg

[hornytwells]

Ten Thousand Waves can also get quite cruisy if you are discreet, had some fun there a couple of times..... although don't be too obvious!

[+ overeasy]

Rod -- see your pm....

[+ azdr0710]

walk thru the Plaza, of course...though it's a bit touristy, it IS the historic center of SF and has been for 400 years.....I also like to walk back alleys, small side roads, areas off the beaten track to see the great architecture....there's a very good Whole Foods a few blocks SW of the Plaza.....don't forget that downtown SF is a bit tight to navigate thru - roads are very definitely NOT on the typical grid system and were built many years before the internal-combustion engine was even wondered about.....also, SF is at 7000', so bring warm clothes and adjust to the altitude.....

 

not much into the gourmet food, art, fashion scene, but that is very much a part of SF and you'll see the attendant artsy-fartsy, self-important people into that.....lots of tourists at the standard spots mentioned in the guide books.....

 

very pretty town down in the Plaza area.....you'll smell the mesquite burning.....take a walk along the small river a block or two from the Plaza....go take a drive up in the mountains toward Taos...drive a back road....slow down and relax....time moves a little slower up there

[gcursor]

First: the gravity-defying staircase The legend goes that An unknown carpenter came along and built the spiral stairway without the use of hammer or nails. He left before he could be paid and no one is quite sure who he was or how he completed the masterpiece. Engineers still marvel at this carpenters accomplishment. located at: Address: 211 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM

Directions: One block southeast of the downtown plaza. Phone: 505-982-0092

 

They used to have FridgeHenge there which was a STONEHENGE sculpture completely made out of used refrigerators but they took it down citing "public safety" Hmph!

[JoeyBryant]

You missed Balloon fiesta! It was earlier this month. But there's the tramway off Sandia Peak...The longest in the world.

 

also, SF is at 7000', so bring warm clothes and adjust to the altitude.....

 

If "near future" means anything after this month thru April...he might want to just go ahead and bring full on ski gear.

[+ glutes]

don't miss

 

http://www.innoftheanasazi.com/

[Epigonos]

If you are at all interested in Native Americans art and culture Santa Fe is right in the middle of the Rio Grande Pueblos. Santo Domingo to the south and Santa Clara and San Ildefonso to the north are all worthy of a visit. Santo Domingo is a very conservative pueblo that specializes in heshi jewelry. Santa Clara and San Ildefonso are both famous for their traditionally coil pottery. You might check to see if there are any dances at one or more of the pueblos.

 

Canyon Drive is the major art center of Santa Fe. The narrow street is lined both sides with art galleries. Many specialize in southwest art but others are much more eclectic. The La Fonda Hotel right on the Plaza is fun to visit and the restaurant serves excellent breakfasts. The whole world loves Café Pasqual but I’ve never really seen much to the place.

 

If you will have a car and happen to like the art of Georgia O’Keeffe you might want to consider making a trip to Abiquiu about an hour north of Santa Fe. O’Keeffe lived there from 1949 until her death in 1986 at the age of 98. Her home and studio may be visited by prior arrangement.

 

Both the town and Pueblo of Taos are worth the drive. If you have the time definitely drive to Taos along “The High Road to Taos”. It passes through some wonderful scenery and some charming small towns. Several of these town towns have much photographed churches. In fact Ansel Adams, who was a great friend of O’Keeffe’s, photographed many of them. After visiting Taos Pueblo and the town of Taos you should return to Santa Fe by the main highway which follows the path of the Rio Grande.

 

I have always stayed at The Inn of the Governors. It is located just two blocks from the Plaza. Santa Fe is a great town for walking and the location of The Inn of the Governors allows you to walk to all of the main places of interest.

 

If you are interested in more information private me and I will be happy to supply with as much information as possible.

[Rod Hagen]

Thanks everyone. I found my hotel through Living Social, so that's covered. Yes it's my first trip. I"ve been to Albequ., but not Taos.

These are great recommendations, I really appreciate it. Sounds like should be good trip.