Located at the three-way intersection of art, culture and diversity, Santa Fe, New Mexico is one Southwestern destination that should be on everyone’s vacation map. This one time home of Pueblo Indian villages is now both accessible and affordable for those seeking a cultural oasis that has retained its heritage, ambiance and historical charm.
Considered to be the oldest capital city in America, Santa Fe has long attracted art and culture lovers. Georgia O’Keefe was inspired by the natural lighting of the desert here and today you can see many of her works at the museum in her name. Many other museums in the area, including the Poe Cultural Center and Museum, celebrate the traditions and culture of the ancestral Pueblo of Pojoaque people through various artistic exhibits.
With more than 200 individual galleries, this is a shopping Mecca, offering everything from fine art, Native American pottery and sculptures and locally made delicacies. On the historic main plaza, locals congregate along East Palace Avenue, offering their beautiful hand-made silver and turquoise necklaces, bracelets and rings. We have bought several works of art here at what I would consider to be bargain prices.
Not to be outdone by the visual arts, this city boasts a thriving performing arts community. Music, dance and theater groups are all part of the local scene and you can attend one of these events nearly every night of the week. The Santa Fe Opera not only brings in world-class talent for its summertime events but the strategic location of its amphitheater just outside of the city offers patrons spectacular views of the nearby Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains.
Santa Fe is also known for its gastronomic variety and you can find everything from Southwestern to Middle Eastern cuisine. This is the only state where the official state question (Red or green?) refers to what type of chili you want with your meal. Can’t decide? Just say Christmas and you’ll get both.
When in town, I try to eat like a local and dine at the Plaza Café in the heart of downtown. This is Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant, serving authentic local dishes since 1918. Some of the breakfast specialties include papas fritas ($7.75) and a large breakfast burrito with freshly made tortillas ($7.55), all, of course, with your choice of red or green chili. While there, check out the bulletin board with important phone numbers that include the local police chief’s and President Obama’s.
Santa Fe offers many accommodations from which to choose, from economy to luxury, and on this trip I stayed at the newly designed Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder. Just a short 15 minute drive from downtown, this is Hilton’s first Native American partnership— the resort is owned and operated by the Pueblo of Pojoaque.
With 395 rooms, this four-star resort features beautifully adorned suites, a full-service spa, a Hale Irwin-Bill Phillips designed golf course, a 13,000 square foot retail shopping promenade, tennis courts, two pools, and a 61,000 square foot casino that includes a non-smoking area. Room rates at the resort start as low as $139 and vary based on the season.
Strolling through the resort is an experience in itself with over 200 pieces of artwork placed throughout the public areas, including some pretty impressive large sculptures. Each of these was designed by tribal artists from throughout New Mexico, including colorful paintings created by Pojoaque Pueblo Governor George Rivera.
Dining opportunities at the resort range from the casual to upscale. Well known chef Mark Miller has opened his Sage Restaurant at the resort and creates his own brand of culinary New Mexico classics such as green chili dusted Alaskan halibut with whisky greens and cast iron buffalo tenderloin with green chili spatzle and spiced red wine syrup.
After spending the day shopping or playing a round of golf, you can soothe away your cares at the Wo-P’in Spa. Here, you can choose from 16 treatments, each with its own signature scent from native woods and indigenous flora.
Buffalo Thunder also plays host to some of the top entertainers in the country in their Tewa Grand Ballroom. Neil Sedaka, Paul Anka and Gladys Knight have all played here. During my visit, Wynonna Judd packed the house and wowed the crowd with her onstage performance.
Whether you are ready for an intimate weekend getaway or a longer family vacation, Santa Fe will both enchant you and beckon you to return. American Eagle has made this an easy trip to take with convenient daily flights connecting through either Los Angeles or Dallas-Ft. Worth.
