(Ed. Note: Do you want the full story about Santa Fe straight from the Guru's mouth? Check out the Santa Fe Guru page to get the unabridged version of this blog with all the reasons to book your trip today).
It hardly ever rains in Santa Fe, and when it does, the locals are positively giddy about it. “Isn’t this weather great,” Victoria, a vendor at the weekend Farmer’s Market, commented to me. I smiled politely, and thought to myself, “what about the 300 days of sunshine that I keep reading about? I live in Seattle, for goodness sakes! I need every sun ray I can get!”
Lucky for me, Santa Fe is magical regardless of the weather. Located at 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe is not only the nation’s oldest state capitol but also it’s highest. “The City Different” is creative, charming, romantic, stunning, serene, gorgeous, relaxing, beautiful, and sophisticated. You’ll find the past and present playing gleefully with each other throughout town. History, arts, culture, food and nature converge to create a vacation for those with discerning tastes seeking a sensory travel experience.
And after only a few days there, I’m totally gay for Santa Fe!
History
Santa Fe recently marked its 400th anniversary, making it the oldest inhabited town in the United States. During these 400 years, and the thousands before them, Santa Fe has accumulated a rich, and oftentimes dark, story.
The New Mexico History Museum, centrally located on the Plaza, is an intelligent, fascinating and interactive look at the area’s storied past. In fact, this museum is one of the most enthralling history museums that I have ever visited. Sophisticated multi-media exhibits cover the Pueblo Indians, reveal what the area was like first as the capitol of Spain’s territory, and then as the capitol of Mexico’s. It follows with Statehood, the atomic age, and more.
Arts
Thomas Edison’s “Enchanted Drawing” plays on the screen in front of me, and it’s a perfect illustration of Santa Fe’s artistic attraction. I’m at SITE Santa Fe, which presents significant, innovative, and contemporary visual arts in the recently renovated historic Railyard District.
SITE is only one color in the palette of Santa Fe, which is the third largest art market in the country. The streets are lined with galleries, and people come from all over the world like moths to a flame. They gawk, peruse, fondle, absorb, experience, and often purchase, art of all kinds: Native American, sculpture, porcelain, modern, pottery, cutlery, jewelry, contemporary…the list goes on.
Canyon Road is home to the majority of these galleries. You can see Ansel Adams and Annie Liebovitz, Georgia O’Keefe and Maynard Dixon, alongside authentic Native American crafts at the incredible Palace of the Governors.
On Friday evenings, the funky galleries on Canyon Road stay open late and it’s quite the scene. It is an excellent opportunity to turn art-watching into people-watching. A plethora of Native American craftsmanship shines amidst towering sculptures of bronze and contemporary paintings from up-and-coming artists. Follow the winding road, and end up listening to live rhythms at El Farol, Santa Fe’s oldest and most well trafficked cantina.
Culture
“The streets are made of mud, the buildings are made of mud, the courthouse is made of mud…In fact, its all made of mud.” --Anna Morris, late 1800s
People have been coming through this area for centuries, and have left an indelible imprint on the area’s culture. Today, Santa Fe County is home to only 70,000 people, but welcomes over a million people a year through its adobe porticos. This ensures that the city maintains an urban, cosmopolitan vibe despite its humble size.
It is also a slower life here, easily intoxicating ex-New Yorkers, Californians and Texans used to the breakneck pace of urban life. Reeve Stein, who works at famed spa 10,000 Waves, moved here several years ago. “It’s gorgeous. I like the outdoorsy aspect of it. It’s just a different vibe [from NYC]. You can really appreciate life at a slower pace. I have a garden, I cook, I have a restaurant, I am never looking for something to do!”
Food
There are 371 restaurants in Santa Fe alone, making it the city with the most restaurants per capita in the country. With that many places to eat, the agony of choosing a place to eat can be crippling. From the simple to the sublime, a diverse array of food will satisfy even the most sophisticated and discerning foodie.
Try a 2-hour class at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, and you will develop a newfound appreciation for the impact of Native Americans on global cuisine. Or if you are looking for a quick fix try a red or green chile freshly roasted at the Saturday Farmer’s Market.
Creativity is infused in the local restaurant scene like apple-wood smoked bacon in ice cream. La Boca is always packed with locals, serving compact tapas and robust wines. Koi delivers an eclectic and challenging menu. Il Piatto strictly adheres to farm-to-table principles, presenting a brand-new menu every single day. Mu Du Noodles, recently named Restaurant of the Year by the Santa Fe Reporter, works tirelessly to delivers an unrelenting inventiveness with pan-Asian cuisine.
Walking down the street in Santa Fe is a feast for the senses – so beware! You will be tempted.
Nature
The true taste of Santa Fe isn’t set down in front of you on a plate. You have to get out and work for it. The sun shines for 300 days yearly (Or so I hear!), allowing locals and travelers alike ample opportunities to get out into nature. The landscapes of northern New Mexico have been inspiring artists for centuries.
In the warmer months, hiking for all skill levels is plentiful. In the cooler fall months, don’t miss the scintillating yellow of the Aspen trees up at Aspen Vista. In the winter, the ski area boasts an average base of 120 inches.
It is impossible to come to Santa Fe and not be inspired by the light, the surroundings, the people, and the town. “Our light is the most well-known in the world,” Melanie Moore, a local DJ, reminds me. It radiates a unique energy, something that just draws you in. Stories abound of first time visitors falling in love and staying for 20 years.
Gay
Santa Fe is also incredibly welcome to gay travelers. Locals lovingly call it the City Different, and they readily embrace diversity.
Melanie Moore has been living in Santa Fe for over 15 years. “This is the kind of place where everyone is embraced, no matter who you are, what color your skin is, what your tastes are. People don’t really have a bone to pick about you being different.”
As such, there are few exclusively gay spots in the Santa Fe area, meaning this may not be the place for people who crave robust nightlife. Evenings tend to end early here.
That being said, there are a couple of spots that attract the gays. The unique Silver Starlight Lounge, located in the LGBTQA retirement community called Rainbow Vision, has drag shows on the weekends and was nominated a Top 60 bar in the USA by OUT Magazine a few years back. Mike the bartender makes a mean pomegranate margarita – and will help keep you awake with an espresso-infused cocktail as well!
The Rouge Cat, a bar that opened on Marcy Street in Summer 2010, has a ground floor lounge with that goes over well with gay and straight alike. The basement features a cozy disco, with regular events that get the gay crowd dancing.
Other than that, venues in Santa Fe are welcoming to all. Which means that it’s exceptionally difficult to pick spots to have a cocktail and eat dinner! Choices abound, and Santa Fe will not disappoint.
