Travel Time
Travel Time
62 - The Spirit of Santa Fe - Our New Mexico Journey Continues!
2 days of fun in Santa Fe! Links to places mentioned:
San Miguel Chapel (Oldest Chapel)
La Casa Sena (appears to now be closed)
The Spirit of Santa Fe - Our New Mexico Journey Continues!
Welcome back to “Travel Time” ! I’m Jnnfer, and we’re continuing our New Mexico adventure!
Last time, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant energy of Albuquerque, but today, we're taking you on a journey to a city truly steeped in art, culture, and history: the enchanting capital of Santa Fe!
The drive to Santa Fe was quite pleasant.
About a two-hour drive from Albuquerque, and you really start to see the landscape change as you head towards the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The scenery becomes even more quintessential New Mexico, with that distinctive light and those adobe hues.
And for all of us, this was our first time visiting Santa Fe. We'd heard so much about its unique character, its art scene, and its rich history, so the anticipation was really building.
Upon arrival, we checked into the Homewood Suites by Hilton Santa Fe-North. We found it a fantastic choice for our stay.
Definitely. The hotel felt really well-updated and had a great, convenient location. We particularly liked that it was a suite hotel. With the four of us, having that extra space to spread out made a huge difference.
It really felt like a good value too, offering all the amenities and comfort we needed for a few days of exploring. After getting settled, we immediately headed to the heart of Santa Fe – The Plaza.
You just can’t go to Santa Fe and not spend time at The Plaza. It’s the central hub, buzzing with activity, surrounded by historic buildings, shops, and galleries.
We found a wonderful spot for lunch there, at La Casa Sena. We managed to get a table out on their courtyard, under a lovely umbrella. The weather was just perfect for an outdoor lunch in the shade – that Santa Fe sunshine can be quite strong! I had the chicken souvlaki, which might sound a little unexpected for a New Mexican restaurant, but it was absolutely great! So fresh and flavorful.
After a leisurely lunch, we spent more time exploring the fascinating Old Town area of Santa Fe. We decided to start with a couple of the city’s oldest landmarks.
We visited the Oldest House, which dates back to around 1646, and then the Oldest Church, the San Miguel Chapel, built around 1610. It’s incredible to think about the centuries of history contained within those adobe walls. Walking through those ancient structures really transports you back in time.
But perhaps one of the most captivating historical sites for me was the Loretto Chapel. Yes, that chapel is truly something special. And the story of their miraculous spiral staircase is just astounding. For listeners who don't know, it's a freestanding wooden spiral staircase built without any visible means of support or nails, supposedly by an unknown carpenter using only a few basic tools. It feels impossible when you see it. I was just fascinated by the legend surrounding its construction and the faith that inspired it. It’s a definite must-see in Santa Fe.
The next morning brought a completely different kind of adventure for part of our group! The boys and I went whitewater rafting! It was incredible! We went out with New Mexico River Adventures, and I can’t recommend them enough. We actually ended up having our own raft with our guide, which was fantastic.She was super knowledgeable, fun, and made us feel completely safe while still getting a good thrill.
The staff was great, the equipment was top-notch, and the whole process was so smooth and professional. We had an absolute blast navigating the rapids and enjoying the stunning scenery of the Rio Grande Gorge. Definitely highly recommend this company for anyone looking for a whitewater rafting adventure in New Mexico!
And with all that excitement, it was time to point our compass south again.After our amazing rafting experience, we packed up and began our drive to our next major destination: Alamogordo, New Mexico.
But you'll have to wait for our next episode for all the details on our Alamogordo adventures!
For now, if you're planning a trip to New Mexico, make sure Santa Fe is high on your list. From its historic Plaza and unique chapels to thrilling outdoor adventures, it truly captures the spirit of the Land of Enchantment.
A big thank you for joining us on Travel Time! Until then, Happy Travels!