Southwest-Style Hotel amid Art Galleries, Shopping, and Dining
Santa Fe's artistic heritage dates as far back as the 1880s, when artists were among some of the first American settlers to ride into town on the new railroad. That history came full circle in 2008 with the construction of the Railyard, an old train complex that was transformed into an urban park with art studios, galleries, and a community art center, as well as several restaurants and shops. Located directly across from the Railyard, Santa Fe Sage Inn is just six blocks away from Santa Fe Plaza. You can also hop on the complimentary Sage Coach shuttle to head into downtown. Guests will also be able to buy one admission at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts and get one free, or buy one tasting at Estrella Del Norte Vineyard and get one free.
Similar to Railyard Park, the hotel draws on Santa Fe traditions in its southwestern architecture. The inn’s five two-story buildings have adobe-style façades with portals. Inside, the walls are covered in colorful patterned rugs reminiscent of traditional Native American designs. Guest rooms feature southwestern-style furniture and a red-and-black color scheme.
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Old West Architecture and Fiery Southwestern Cuisine
Santa Fe's vibrant mosaic of cultural influences includes pieces of Native American, Latino, and western traditions. You can get an idea of the city's varied background by visiting Santa Fe Plaza, which has served as the city center for more than 400 years. On a walk through, you'll see old buildings made of adobe, the red brick-like material that defines much of Santa Fe's architecture. Centuries of colorful southwestern artwork are also on display in the New Mexico Museum of Art, which is located in the Plaza.
Green and red chile is the signature flavor at many restaurants in Santa Fe, which earned a place on TripAdvisor's Top 10 Food & Wine Destinations in the United States in 2011. It's worth it to sign up for a walking food tour of the area, which has sprung up with popular eateries, each offering its own spin on zesty southwestern cuisine.
For more than 325 days a year, Santa Fe soaks in sunshine. Such consistently great weather, paired with New Mexico’s varied terrain, makes the region ideal for hiking and biking. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains have peaks that stand over 13,000 feet high, and they're traced with trails that wind past picturesque meadows filled with Indian paintbrush, purple lupine, and undomesticated landscape painters. From late fall to early spring, up to 300 inches of snow falls on the slopes of the mountains, which offer miles of downhill-skiing and snowboarding trails. A number of events are also available during the winter months, including the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival November 15-17, Restaurant Week from February 23 through March 1, and Glow, a Winter Light Event at the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens.
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