Traveling to Santa Fe, 2 Gay Men, 2 Crazy Housewives

January 7, 2006 2:17 PM

I'm going to Santa Fe, NM in late March. Where are the ski opportunities for dabblers? Where are some cool places to hang out, where locals visit. What's the hottest place to eat without paying an arm and leg? What else might be worth doing other than the O'keefe Museum. Links would be cool if it's not too much trouble.

I've visited a couple of times before but not for a few years. I know the square is great. I've stayed at the El Rey and plan to stay again unless someone has a better suggestion. I 've been to Chimayo, (sp?) and will probably go again. I have been to Madrid and will probably hit that on my way from Albequerque. I've been to Coyote Cafe....I'm looking for out of the great bars w/ great bar food that locals visit. I've been to the Taos Pueblo and it depresses me, not the people just the commercialism. I am 40 and will be traveling with my s/o. And I will be traveling with two mid forties women who are crazy friends of ours who are dying to have a good time away from their husbands.

posted by jamie939 to society & culture (7 comments total)

Stellar spring skiing at Taos. Spring skiing is the best.
posted by Fupped Duck at 2:19 PM on January 7, 2006

I haven't been to Santa Fe for a couple of years (my folks usually just visit me out here in LA now!), but a friend who was just there over Xmas said he and some buddies enjoyed the kitschy-but-fun Cowgirl bar/grill (I think it's on Guadelupe Street). I'll see if I can track down some other current recommendations from him (and/or from my folks) and post some more later.
posted by scody at 2:25 PM on January 7, 2006

Taos in late March is often really, really great skiing. Don't miss it. Take a windproof vest and plenty of sunscreen. Springtime in Taos is one of my favorite ski memories.
posted by caddis at 3:11 PM on January 7, 2006

Unless the weather patterns do a 180, the ski conditions this spring for all the mountains south of Crested Butte, CO may be crap. But if the snow starts falling later this season, Ski Sante Fe is not bad.
posted by sublivious at 3:33 PM on January 7, 2006

Here in Fanta Se we have absolutely NO snow at the moment. Taos has very little either.

Check out Site Santa Fe and Thirteen Moons on Canyon Rd. for modern (i.e. not colorful-cowboy-commercial) art. Eat at Paul's, Bisto 315 or Kasa Soba.

Drink at the Cowgirl or the Dragon Room. Catch live music at Wilee's or El Farol now that the Paramount has closed. Get a private tub at Ten Thousand Waves, or head to Ojo Caliente (or the au natural springs at Jemez).

If you're heading to Madrid, don't miss Tinkertown at the turnoff for the Sandia Crest (which is gorgeous too) - very cool lifetime art project.
posted by gottabefunky at 3:59 PM on January 7, 2006

the Cowgirl is really good and they have happy hour around 5pm or so where the margaritas are really cheap. For a really authentic New Mexican food experience try Tomasita's also on Guadalupe. For a quick bite (awesome breakfast burritos) try Baja Tacos on Cerrillos near the Camino Carlos Rey intersection (very informal -- it's a taco stand). Maria's is good as well, maybe a bit more touristy but the food is great and they do have great musicians.
For entertainment, if you like sightseeing of the natural sort, you cannot BEAT the drive from Santa Fe through Espanola to Abiquiu, home of Georgia O'Keefe. It takes about an hour or so each way but the scenery is worth it. A few miles north of Ghost Ranch is Echo Ampitheater, a natural ampitheater of sorts.
If you want to pamper yourself, visit Ten Thousand Waves japanese health spa. You can get great massage and natural treatments alone or as a couple -- you can also rent out a hot tub for a reasonable price and have a nice evening under the stars!!
posted by Soulbee at 4:16 PM on January 7, 2006 [1 favorite]

There's also the plaza, but it's tourist ground zero.

The Pantry over on 1820 Cerrillos has a great breakfast burrito (and juevos rancheros), as does the Santa Fe Baking Company (504 W. Cordova). They also have everything else a bakery should have, as well as a throng of locals.

If you're like me, you'd want pho a some point, so there's the Saigon Cafe on 501 W Cordova. One of my few regrets was never trying their catfish in a clay pot.

Oh! And the best burger I ever had was at Dave's Not Here, which isn't a Cheech & Chong reference, at 1115 Hickox Street.

Bishop's Lodge might be too posh for a place to stay, but they have an excellent brunch as well a scenic location just outside of town.

Seconding on Ten Thousand Waves and Kasa Soba.

Drink your weight in water and know where you are going. Cerrillos in particular can get pretty snarled during peak hours.
posted by blueneurosis at 4:45 PM on January 7, 2006