When we visited: July 2012
Why to go: Santa Fe is the second-biggest art market in the United States, next to New York.
What to see:
There is so much to see in Santa Fe, but we decided to devote our time there to visiting the galleries. Since we were browsing for art rather than buying, we asked our bed and breakfast owner for a list of great galleries to see, and followed his advice.
Nedra Matteucci was less a gallery than an art museum. We admired the beautiful art we saw as we gasped at the prices (six figures, or higher, weren’t uncommon). The highlight of Nedra Matteucci was the beautiful sculpture garden in the back of the gallery. The sculptures, the waterfall and the gorgeous array of trees and flowers made us feel like we were in someone’s exquisite private garden.
From here, it was a short walk to the Canyon Road galleries. Canyon Road is home to over 100 galleries, specializing in folk art, Russian art, modern art, native art and much more; everything you could possibly want to browse (or buy) is somewhere along here.
Where to stay:
We stayed at El Farolito, a charming bed and breakfast that’s about a ten-minute walk from the centre of town, the Santa Fe Plaza. The Plaza is an exciting district, full of galleries, boutiques and restaurants, but at the end of the day we loved walking home to the quiet residential area we were staying in. The breakfasts were delicious, and our room was nicely decorated in a southwestern theme.
Where to eat: If you’ve read my other travel posts this month, you’ll remember that we ate very well on our trip. So well that, by the time we reached Santa Fe, I wasn’t actually hungry any more. Which is why we loved La Boca so much. This little restaurant served the most perfect tapas, delicious but small enough that they felt like a snack. We enjoyed it so much the first night that we returned the following evening; both times it was busy enough that we couldn’t get a table, but we were happy to eat at the bar. Try the grilled artichoke – it was incredible.
34 comments:
What a fun post, gorgeous photos of it, and really loved reading about the art. I did not know that about Santa Fe being No. 2 after NYC! Lovely photo of you and your date...so cute, both of you.
Mmmm, great art and grilled artichokes! Sounds like a dreamy destination :)
I may be repeating myself, but Santa Fe is a favorite spot to visit. Many of my favorite restaurants are in Santa Fe. I adore the photos.
Sold. I'm ready to go!
Sometimes a restaurant's bar is the best place to sit.
Oh my I'd love to visit but then at least you gave me a quick tour. ;D
The Nedra Matteucci looks so beautiful and I adore all those sculptures. They look amazing!
Santa Fe is another destination to add to my list!
Thanks so much for inviting me...I loved it.
Have a wonderful weekend. :D
Beth! Fantastic post and what a nice love letter to that great spot! I was just there for first time two weeks ago and fell in love with it. Your pictures are wonderful...La Boca was my favorite, too! Supreme tapas! Cheers, Nina
What a fantastic post!
Loved the pictures. It sounds like such a great trip. Thanks for sharing about it.
What a marvelous trip! I know I would love Nedra Matteucci. It looks like I better put Santa Fe on my bucket list~
Those scissors are so cool! What a great bunch of pictures.
Santa Fe is one of my favorite places in the world. So unique...not to mention the food!
I have visited Santa Fe before + loved it. I should go back! I majored in Art History in college, so I know i'd love all the art galleries. that scissors/origami sculpture is awesome! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. =)
I had no idea about the art there. Thank you for sharing these fantastic pictures.
Nice trip:) what lovely pictures!
Great pics! Definitely makes me want to visit!
Dear Beth, Beautiful photos...it looks like you had a wonderful time. Blessings, Catherine xo
I love the artsy landscaping!
Bill and I love Sante Fe---the last time we visited was 4 years ago. It is a magical place, beautiful art, unique delicious food, amazing vistas. (and the al fresco opera)
thanks for this post--triggered some great memories.
Sounds like another great trip!
My husband and I went to Santa Fe once and we loved it. I'm not sure why we never went back, I think it was the drive to get there that my husband wasn't in the mood to do again for just a long weekend. Great galleries, shops and restaurants. I'd go back again in a heartbeat. Sounds like you had a great time.
sounds like a wonderful trip!
Fantastic! This looks like a really fantastic trip. I enjoyed the pictures.
Santa Fe is one of my fave places. So artsy and beautiful.
Oh those sculptures are incredible! I am so enjoying your trip, Beth! Beautiful photos!
i don't know the first thing about sante fe, but when i think of it, for some reason i think of delicious tex-mex food. i'd like to prove that to myself someday. :)
Grilled artichoke? That sounds superb! As does the town of Santa Fe itself. I know it was a real arts destination, but I didn't realize how important it was. Your whole trip has been great - I've thoroughly enjoyed following your adventures. Thanks so much for making us part of it.
sounds like a neat place on my list of places to visit and see the cooking school there
Santa Fe sounds like an up and coming town my friend, thanks for sharing :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I really enjoy those clicks of sculptures!
Thank you so much for sharing them, Beth.
I never knew that Santa Fe had so much art! That makes me want to visit all the more!
What an awesome gallery! I find sculptures just fascinating. I have another friend who is in love with NM . . . maybe I'll have to make some plans to visit one of these years. :)
Santa Fe is on my bucket list!! Sounds like a wonderful visit. The restaurant sounds delicious.
It looks like you had a wonderful trip not only foodwise but culturewise as well!
Sounds like a lovely, relaxing time in Santa Fe. Strolling about to look at art is one of my favorite things to do on a trip.
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