My Santa Fe: A Heartward Travel Guide
There’s nowhere like it. The second oldest city, and oldest capital, in the United States. Its motto is “The City Different,” and winding through its half-paved streets often feels like another country, somewhere south. It’s earthy, gentle, humble, magical. Hearty and delicate, at 7,000 feet of elevation at the base of the Sangre de Cristo—the blood of Christ— mountains, the tip of the Rockies. A bedrock of rose quartz. Santa Fe. “Holy faith”
I moved here from NYC after just 5 days in town, and a gap of 15 years since I’d last been, cause it sang a song my deep down place recognized. What a joy to share it with you.
Introductions
Hike up Sun Mountain Trail for a panoramic view of the Santa Fe valley and 4 mountain ranges, stretching all the way to Albuquerque
A welcome drink at the El Rey’s local watering hole La Reina (I love La Ultima Palabra), a smokey sage margarita at the Secreto or a New Mexico rosé at Gruet
If you’re coming up from Albuquerque, stop for lunch and wonder, or an overnight spa stay at Los Poblanos
Mornings
Coffee at Sky / Brunch at Opuntia, Dolina, Modern General, or Sage Bakehouse
The Farmers’ Market at Tuesdays & Saturdays
A walk around the old town plaza and cathedral (and legendary Loretta Chapel staircase)
Trails
Chamisa - the trail I moved here for 🤍
Nambe Lake - for the ambitious
Atalaya - in-town quickie or half-day trek to the view
Winsor - perfect before a stop at Tesuque Village Market
Feasts
Sky Fire at Bishop’s Lodge
Geronimo - pure romance
Radish & Rye - elevated farm to table
Paloma - joyful Oaxacan
Tesuque Village Market - my funky local
Art
The Georgia O’Keefe museum
SITE Santa Fe
Amble up Canyon Road into its galleries
Form & Concept, and the Railyard contemporary art galleries
The southwestern museums around the Plaza are best in class
Wunderkammers
Les Beaux Arts - take an art class, or explore
Living Threads + Whiskey & Clay
Collected Works Books
Mellow Velo Bikes
Afield
Abiquiu (Chimney Rock trail and the Chama River Valley will astonish you)
Taos (The Taos Mesa is its own energetic field. Take the way up along the Rio Grande and stop a lot, including a soak at Ojo Caliente)
Move and Mentor
With me 🤍 A personalized yoga-inspired Alter flow on my deck at sunset, or a deep dive into your next chapter
Heal
Highly recommend bodyworkers Keith & Brendan at Turquoise Trail Therapeutics
Soak and spa at Ten Thousand Waves
Stay
Luxe: Bishop’s Lodge / Rancho Encantado / Inn of the Anasazi
Fun: El Rey
Wishing you all the magic of the land of enchantment! I’d love to hear about your journey @nicolemeline.
➕
Nicole
