FEBRUARY 20, 2024 • TRAVEL GUIDE
Santa Fe is a vibe. New Mexico's capital is artsy, vibrant, historic... and perfect for Palomas. It's also been appropriately coined "The City Different" and she definitely lived up to her nickname. I visited in the fall (November 2023) and the vivid yellow leaves were an unbelievable contrast to the beige Adobe-style architecture and the electric blue, cloudless sky. Between great and very dry weather (I live in Atlanta and am used to 93% humidity and inexplicably frizzy hair), excellent Southwestern cuisine, and all the tequila your heart could want, this interesting little gem did not disappoint. Read on for the JET curated itinerary so you can experience a long weekend in Eclectic Santa Fe!
See what I mean about the trees, architecture, and sky?
Day 1
Arrive in Santa Fe and check-in to your hotel - Stay at the fabulous Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. The casitas are to die for.
Head to the colorful Cafe Pasqual's for lunch and a prickly pear margarita (or 3).
Stroll through the Santa Fe Plaza, stopping at local shops filled with art and jewelry.... I mean, you can't come all this way without getting some turquoise, can you?
Enjoy dinner and cocktails at one of the hotel restaurants, Terra. If you're looking for a night "in" after a long flight and fun first day, feel free to order from the in-casita menu and have dinner on your private patio.
Day 2
After a delectable breakfast at the hotel (complimentary when working with JET, of course), kick-start the day at the immersive and mind-bending Meow Wolf museum!
Afterwards, go for a wine tasting at Gruet Winery & Tasting Room - get the caviar pairing. Trust me. They also have edible hibiscus flowers that make your bubbles extra beautiful! They have them available for purchase as well, this way you can bring them home and impress your guests at your next party!
Dinner at Sazón - get the tasting menu and wine pairing. Again, trust me. Have I ever led you astray?
Toast to the magnificent sky over live music with the Sunset Serenade on the Sky Railway.
Day 3
Early breakfast at the French Pastry Shop. You will be transported to a small French village between the rustic atmosphere, home-made baked-goods, and cloud-like lattes. I got the Croque-Monsieur... but then we had to split a banana-Nutella crêpe too, because yum.
Walk off the completely worth-it carbs with some more browsing of local shops and the farmer's market. Remember the movie Twister? Remember Aunt Meg and her spiral yard art? Yeah, you'll see a lot of these sculptures here. As an added bonus, it will offer an advanced warning of impending tornadoes if you happen to live in Oklahoma.
Time for The Shed! The ever-famous go-to hacienda for Southwestern fare. For lighter crowds, go for lunch... If you plan to go for dinner, the waitlist starts promptly at 4pm.
Head for a custom wine flight at Hervé Wine Bar. It is such a unique outdoor space, you won't want to leave!
Dinner at La Plazuela at La Fonda. The pan-seared Chilean sea bass + green chili risotto is so delicious. (Green chilis are in a ton of dishes here and I was not mad about it.)
Find someone who looks at you the way I look at Palomas.
Day 4
Final morning at Ten Thousand Waves spa after breakfast at the hotel. Relax in your hot tub sweet after your heavenly personalized massage.
Spend the afternoon on Canyon Road. Since there are 100+ galleries, boutiques, and restaurants in one 1/2 mile, there is plenty to keep you entertained.
Also on Canyon Road, have your final dinner at Geronimo. We sat at the bar, splurged on Caymus (AKA liquid velvet), and got impeccable food and service. As it was prepared totally different, I got the sea bass here too, and it was equally sensational.
Pack-up over after dinner cocktails and prepare to fly home in the morning! Don't forget about your debrief with Jenna so you can share how you've fallen in love with the spicy little minx that is Santa Fe.
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