Whirlwind Santa Fe

Our Local Expert Says:

The El Ray is a Route 66-style motel, with plenty of cool kitsch to keep you charmed. Best known for its lavish courtyard gardens, the motel is located on not-so-scenic Cerillos Road, not that you'd know it when you're relaxing poolside. An authentic Santa Fe landmark.

Description:

Staying at "The King" makes you feel like you're traveling the old Rte. 66 through the Southwest. The white stucco buildings of this court motel are decorated with bright trim around the doors and hand-painted Mexican tiles on the walls. Opened in the 1930s, it received additions in the 1950s, and remodeling is ongoing. The lobby has vigas and tile floors, and it is decorated with Oriental rugs and dark Spanish furniture. No two rooms are alike. The oldest section, nearest the lobby, feels a bit cramped, though the rooms have style, with Art Deco tile in the bathrooms and vigas on the ceilings. Some have little patios. Be sure to request a room as far back as possible from Cerrillos Road. The two stories of suites around the Spanish colonial courtyard are sweet deals. These rooms make you feel like you're at a Spanish inn, with carved furniture and cozy couches. Some rooms have kitchenettes. To the north sit 10 deluxe units around the courtyard. These rooms offer more upscale amenities and gas log fireplaces, as well as distinctive furnishings and artwork. A complimentary continental breakfast is served in a sunny room or on a terrace in the warmer months. There's also a sitting room...

Our Local Expert Says:

Lots of lively and free Plaza events: Santa Fe Indian Market (July), Fiesta (September), Spanish Market (July) July 4th Pancake Breakfast. Check 800-777-2489. Health tip: Visitors Hydrate - drink more water than normal. Helps the body acclimate to Santa Fe's high altitude of 7,000 feet.

Description:

Signs that say, 'You Are Here' and 'Start Here' tell us where we are and how to get where we want to go. So it is with the Santa Fe Plaza. It's Santa Fe's reference point, the starting point for all the places you want to find. Any destination in Santa Fe is always in relationship to 'The Plaza'. The art gallery you seek is only "two blocks west of the Plaza". The best chili in town is a "five minute walk from the Plaza." You get the picture: think 'start here' from the Plaza. And a more colorful, inviting place than the Santa Fe Plaza would be hard to find. A 300 year-old social center town square, the Spanish conquistadors founded it in the early 1700's. Enjoy the feast-for-the-senses on all four sides with artisans selling their arts and crafts, a strolling mariachi, taste bud-beckoning burritos on one corner and all-around good people-watching. On the north side Indians sell their exquisite silver jewelry under the eaves of the oldest building in the U.S., the Palace of the Governors built in 1612. Shopping and dining abound for every budget and taste. There are plenty of benches and green grass on which visitors can rest, watch and breathe the divinely clean 7,000 elevation air... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

The miraculous staircase is one of the most visited sites in the Southwest. Loretto Chapel is just one block away from St. Francis Cathedral – be sure to see both.

Description:

Loretto Chapel carries a fascinating architectural legend, some say miraculous, which attracts thousands of curious visitors every yearly. When the church was completed in 1778 it was impossible to enter the choir loft without a ladder so the sisters made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters for a solution. On the ninth day, as legend has it, a carpenter appeared who, for months of solitary labor, built an elegant circular staircase without apparent visible support - a design unknown at the time. Upon completion the carpenter disappeared without a trace, without thanks or pay. Was it St. Francis himself? The chapel no longer belongs to the Catholic Church. It is a private museum and there is a gift shop on the premises.

Description:

Located in the Plaza Mercado on the upper level, this wonderful little spot is a great place to dine. The most popular item on the menu is the hamburger, which has been proclaimed by Esquire Magazine as Santa Fe's "Best Burger." The homemade soups and crisp fresh salads are a great way to start off any meal. Other entrees include Saltimboca, Fajitas, steaks and fresh fish. The full bar offers premium beer, fine wine and mixed drinks.

Our Local Expert Says:

St. Francis Cathedral can be enjoyed for five minutes or two hours; it depends on your time and spirit.

Description:

Just east of the Santa Fe Plaza lies one of North America's oldest Catholic churches: Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The basilica dates back to 1598 when Franciscan friars entered what is now New Mexico in the company of Spanish colonists from Mexico City. Archbishop Lamy commissioned this French Romanesque cathedral in 1869, and it took more than 15 years to complete. It is still maintained by the archdiocese of Santa Fe. This long-standing landmark houses many religious relics including the chalice used by Lamy and the oldest Madonna in the United States. Daily masses are held in the Cathedral and the public is welcome for tours and prayer. Outside the huge front doors is Our Lady of Conquistadora, the oldest representation of the Virgin Mary in the United States. Admission is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

Maria's has the most potent margaritas in town; choose from dozens of world-famous specialty recipes, but do yourself a favor and limit yourself to two, at the most. Fortunately, the New Mexican cuisine—terrific green-chile enchiladas and fluffy sopapillas—will help keep you sober.

Description:

Maria's New Mexican Kitchen began as a simple take-out place in Maria and Gilbert Lopez's home. Maria's home cooking was so popular that the house was eventually converted into the current restaurant. The menu offers a variety of steaks, Mexican entrees, and local favorites. The Blue Corn Enchiladas and the Chile Rellenos are both outstanding, and also come with Spanish rice and beans. If you cannot decide what to order, try the combination plate; it has a little of everything. The cantina offers beer, wine and cocktails.

Our Local Expert Says:

The optional audio headset is well worth it. Next door the four star O’Keefe Café is one of the top three in town. Small and intimate, with a good wine selection. Reservations: 505.946.1065 Lunch, brunch and dinner - try Saturday brunch.

Description:

The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, inaugurated in July 1997, contains the largest collection of O'Keeffes in the world: currently 1,149 paintings, drawings, and sculptures, and 1,851 works by other artists of note. It's the largest museum in the United States dedicated solely to an internationally known woman artist. You can see such remarkable O'Keeffes as Jimson Weed, painted in 1932, and Evening Star No. VI, from 1917. The museum presents special exhibitions that are either devoted entirely to O'Keeffe's work or combine examples of her art with works by her American modernist contemporaries. My favorite in recent years brought together works of O'Keeffe and photographer Ansel Adams. The rich and varied collection adorns the walls of a cathedral-like, 13,000-square-foot space -- a former Baptist church with adobe walls. O'Keeffe's images are tied inextricably to local desert landscapes. She first visited New Mexico in 1929 and returned for extended periods from the '20s through the '40s. In 1949 she moved here permanently. An excellent film at the museum depicts her life.

Our Local Expert Says:

Parking is limited but doable but walking is best as it allows you up close views of the best galleries. Two restaurants worth visiting, both at the eastern end are El Farol for tapas, and The Tea House, a quiet delight.

Description:

Santa Fe's Canyon Road is on every art lover's top five list. It is an art Mecca for many and center stage for America's second largest art market (only New York tops Santa Fe). Here, a few blocks south of Santa Fe Plaza, on a one mile stretch, are over one hundred art galleries, studios, specialty shops and restaurants blended appealingly into historic adobe structures. Canyon Road is pure Southwestern charm and authenticity. Touches of contemporary art mingle with western themes, 400 year-old Indian artifacts and eye-pleasing aesthetics. There's a sense of spirituality on Canyon Road, a church-like atmosphere in which people talk in soft voices and art pervades everything. In spring and summer the streets and tidy yards are ablaze with New Mexico's flowering beauty - breathtaking bright with yellow leaves on tall aspens and cottonwoods. On Friday evenings, gallery artist's showings are perfect for art collectors and other viewers to see what's new. Christmas Eve brings out locals and visitors on the traditional Canyon Road stroll warmed by carolers, street bonfires and cider. Hours are 11:00 - 5:00 year round.

Description:

Eclectic 1950s is the best way to describe Zia Diner, this long-time favorite of local Santa Fe business people. If you thought mom's meatloaf was the best, try the green chile and pinon nut meatloaf and a new champion will reign. You will not find freeze-dried mashed potatoes here. They serve only the real thing alongside one of the tastiest chicken fried steaks around. A full bar complements the authentic soda fountain, and makes for some interesting combinations of potent potables.