Santa Fe, New Mexico

On my US X-Country Road Trip this summer one of my stops was in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Heading south from Colorado and making my way back to Alabama, Santa Fe was a perfect overnight stay. It just so happened that there was a city concert on a warm summers night and all the shops were open. While we were exploring the city and still being COVID safe 😷 in July 2021. Here’s a look at how we fell in love with Santa Fe.

The drive through New Mexico was incredible. Every small town seemed to have pueblo houses and historical buildings still in tact. I felt like I was transported back in time. It always amazes me when architecture and art come together to tell a story.

Good Eats!

A stop in Taos for lunch led us to an incredible burger – bar restaurant, The Burger Stand! I think I mighta had the spiciest food I’ve ever tasted. Who orders a Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burger with Habanero Cream in America’s southwest and expect it not to be that spicy? This Yankee girl, right here! Deliciously filled with flavor and heat. Onion rings were fantastic too! Definitely recommend this cool, hip restaurant and town. It is filled with so much outdoor rec, its one of New Mexico’s leading “must-see” places to visit.

Where to stay in Santa Fe?

When I began researching a stay Santa Fe I knew I wanted in a Pueblo type guest house while in Santa Fe! I read a lot of blogs and saw tons of YouTube vlogs on staying in Santa Fe. Choosing Pueblo Bonita B&B was a pretty easy choice. Each room and suite at the Inn has their own special name. The BnB location is perfect for walking around Santa Fe, close to the downtown area, restaurants and shops.

Santa Fe - Pueblo Bonito Bnb — Pueblo Bonito B&B

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting owner Amy Behm. As a guest, you can also order fresh tamales for your arrival, which are super delicious. As was the big breakfast buffet included in our room rental.

Our room was totally authentic and had a history and story all its own. Throughout the Bnb each room and section had a tale to tell.

You can spend a few hours just exploring the grounds.

Just one overnight in Santa Fe at the Bnb but I am already thinking of a longer visit in Spring 2022 on my way to Arizona and California. We will definitely be stopping to visit Amy and her crew.

Check in was super easy, arriving after hours was not a problem, Amy had a process that was super easy. Finding the room was super easy so after dropping the bags and it was a quick walk downtown.

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Touring Santa Fe, NM

We had the most amazing good luck arriving on a lovely evening with great temps, live music and dancing. Everyone was happy to be out enjoying the outdoors and music again.. More on that in the vlog!

Art and Artists

If you are a lover of art and artists, Santa Fe, New Mexico is the town for you. I was blown away by the vast array of art we saw on practically every corner in the city. A large Catholic influence, I noticed a strong connection to St. Frances of Assisi.

I have a particularly strong connection to him as well. Although not Catholic, I am a lover of nature and animals. Having toured Assisi, Italy many times over the years, I couldn’t help but smile as I saw different dedications to this saint in gardens, storefronts and churches in Santa Fe.

One local artist, Estella Loretto has many sculptures around town. In Bronze, she has beautifully captured St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American to be named a Saint. Born in 1656, and converted to Catholicism at 19, she is the patroness of ecology and the environment, as well as, people in exile and Native Americans.

Along with St. Frances, her sculpture can be found in front of The Cathedral Basilica of Frances of Assisi on Cathedral Place just a few blocks away from Santa Fe Plaza.

Shopping in Santa Fe

Melissa and I had a lot of fun walking around Santa Fe and window shopping. On this road trip I was driving my little KIA Hybrid and we just began our southern trek. We popped into a few stores too. We met some store owners and got to know the town just a bit better too.

More good eats!

After walking the streets of Santa Fe, we were getting a bit hungry so we stopped into 315 Restaurant WineBar. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays and only from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. you will want reservations. Thankfully we found a table inside way in the back. I think they took pity on us. The food was spectacular and the wine list extensive.

So with full bellies, we headed back to the Bnb for a great night’s sleep.

Morning in Santa Fe at the Bnb brought an incredible breakfast and an opportunity to chat with Amy a bit more about her lovely Bnb/guesthouse. Don’t forget to check out her amazing gift shop where she supports local artisans and crafters.

After our goodbyes we loaded up the car and started making our way to Texas. Just a little sad to leave lovely Santa Fe. But we had miles to go before we slept again.

Amarillo, here we come!

Join me next week as we visit Texas and Oklahoma! So much adventure in just one journey! Check out my YouTube Playlist for the whole journey. New content every week.