Santa Fe,
New Mexico.

Last summer, I was lucky enough to spend a week in Santa Fe. The trip happened naturally and with very little planning. My boyfriend spent 8 years of his childhood growing up in the city, and his parents just put down new roots on Tano Road. 

Returning to Santa Fe for the second time this January, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that I probably would have never stumbled upon the southwestern gem that is Santa Fe if it hadn’t been for this connection. Or at least not so early in my life.

To my East Coast eyes, Santa Fe feels like one of America’s best kept secrets. In fact, it doesn’t really feel like America at all.

Surrounded by adobe houses, dirt roads, and ristras, it’s pretty easy to imagine that you’ve left the United States. Plus, the people are relentlessly friendly and outgoing. After a year of running around Austin’s trails, I was shocked to be greeted by every single hiker we passed in Santa Fe. 

The food is also remarkably different than what I’m used to. Even after delving into Tex-Mex this past year, New Mexican food takes on an entirely different form. A sloppy form that is. Everything is covered in chile - red, green, or “Christmas” if you’d like them both. 

This past trip, we brought a group of 9 friends, most of which were New Mexico first-timers, to explore and enjoy Santa Fe. Humbly, I think the trip was a huge success, and I’d like to share some of our favorite spots for anyone else considering a visit to Santa Fe in the future.

A ristra hangs at Ahmyo Wine Garden, said to invite good luck and good health into the home.