Since beginning our full-time journey to discover the country, we have found something to appreciate in every city and town we have passed through. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we have enjoyed discovering them!
No person, business or attraction has paid us for an endorsement.
Population: 88,198
Elevation: 6,998
Founded: 1598
Average Income: $31,789
Average Price of Houses: $654,900
Median Age: 44
Website: https://www.santafe.org/
Our Impressions of Santa Fe
This has been one of our favorite stops along our travels. There are lots of diverse things to do and really wonderful eclectic places to eat. The last time I was in Santa Fe was probably 40 years ago. I was hesitant to return for fear that Santa Fe would have deteriorated like a lot of other big cities. While time has gone by, the city has respected how it is.
Attractions
Geographically Santa Fe is in north central New Mexico at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi: The construction of the cathedral began in 1869. Next to the cathedral is the small adobe chapel which contains the oldest representation of the Virgin Mary in the United States.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum: Georgia O’Keeffe was one of the top southwestern artists. This museum celebrates her career with its collection of 3,000 pieces, including 140 oil paintings, 700 drawings and hundreds of other works.
Meow Wolf Exhibit: This is an art exhibit sponsored by Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin. Nothing is what it seems. Refrigerators, washing machines and closets become “portholes” into alternate realities. It is really a massive art space with more than 70 rooms! Amazing! A must do!
Miraculous Stairs of Loretto Chapel: This small chapel built in 1878 has a helix-shaped staircase which remains shrouded in mystery. It was made without the use of nails, just wooden pegs and glue. No central structural support exists, meaning the entire weight of the staircase rests on the bottom step.
Santa Fe Plaza/ Palace of the Governors: Since the city’s founding in 1610, the Santa Fe Plaza has been its cultural hub The Plaza hosts Indian and Spanish jewelry, textiles and pottery vendors, concerts and community gatherings.
Downtown Santa Fe
Downtown Santa Fe is where the Plaza and the Palace of the Governors is located. There are parking meters with a two-hour maximum. Wonderful mix of street performers, artisans, museums, churches, stores and restaurants.
Food and Drink
Cowgirl BBQ is one of our favorite restaurants! Casual indoor/outdoor dining. Excellent food, attentive waitstaff.
The Chocolate Smith / Whoo’s Donuts are “sister” stores. Whoo’s Donuts are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. The Chocolate Smith has the best salted caramels!
The Pantry: An amazing breakfast restaurant! One of the best breakfasts we have ever had! The Pantry fries were cooked and spiced to perfection!
The Santa Fe Margarita Trail: The Margarita Trail connects nearly 50 different restaurants and bars across Santa Fe County, all with their own specialty margarita!
The Shed: Casual dining right of the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe. Great southwestern food. Attentive waitstaff.
Home Base: The Campground
For us, a campground is not our destination. Our RV is self-contained. Except for water, electric and sewer rarely do we use campground services or amenities. We are explorers, not campground reviewers!
We stayed on site Zinnia 1 at Santa Fe Skis RV Resort in Santa Fe. 30 and 50 amp service were available. The campground was clean and well maintained. The staff were all friendly. Our full hook up (water-sewer-electric) site was on level crushed stone.
Our pull through site was long enough to leave the Jeep hooked up and still have both vehicles off the road! There was good cell phone coverage (Verizon) and a great open southern sky for our satellite.
What an amazing RV park with GREAT views! We look forward to returning.
Fun Facts
One in 10 jobs in Santa Fe is connected to the arts!
Established in 1607, Santa Fe first became a capital three years later, making it both the oldest capital city in the country and the oldest European settlement west of the Mississippi. Pueblo Indians have been living on and near Santa Fe as early as 1050, long before its Western founding.
There are dinosaurs in Santa Fe! Right next to M & M Garage Doors.
109 East Palace was the front for all involved in the top-secret activities of the Manhattan Project and the Los Alamos Laboratory, a place that didn’t officially exist. Dorothy McKibbin processed all new arrivals and their families at 109 East Palace. Dorothy was responsible for coordinating top-secret transportation to and from the laboratory as well as all security passes, housing and even child minding. Only a small plaque remains, in an alleyway, through a business.
Summary
We loved our visit to this area. Santa Fe is a great example of the diversity of the southwest. There was so much to see and do, we couldn’t possibly do everything! We will be back, and it won’t be another 40 years!
Your partners in travel,
Kathryn, Dave and Lucky
RVing Nomads
It’s a lifestyle
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If you haven’t checked out our Special Places & Recommendations page, please do so. If you are in these areas, you may find these places as enjoyable and rewarding as we did!