El Caracol Court Guest Guide
Food scene
Our favorite restaurant North of Santa Fe! A laidback vibe, excellent food, potent drinks, and grab and go market. An impressive, unintimidating selection of wine and liquor, too!
72 locals recommend
Tesuque Village Market
138 Tesuque Village RdOur favorite restaurant North of Santa Fe! A laidback vibe, excellent food, potent drinks, and grab and go market. An impressive, unintimidating selection of wine and liquor, too!
A local Santa Fe chain that never disappoints. There are a few El Parasols around the town, but the Pojoaque location has been said to have the best green chile (:
49 locals recommend
El Parasol
1833 Cerrillos RdA local Santa Fe chain that never disappoints. There are a few El Parasols around the town, but the Pojoaque location has been said to have the best green chile (:
Reservations recommended. A beautiful drive up the Taos Scenic Byway brings you to a New Mexican stronghold. While you’re in Chimayo, be sure to grab some red chile (truly the World’s best!) and see El Santuario de Chimayo - a Catholic church famous for its healing earth.
40 locals recommend
Rancho De Chimayó
300 Juan Medina RdReservations recommended. A beautiful drive up the Taos Scenic Byway brings you to a New Mexican stronghold. While you’re in Chimayo, be sure to grab some red chile (truly the World’s best!) and see El Santuario de Chimayo - a Catholic church famous for its healing earth.
Looking for something authentic and fresh? Tres Colores is a new spot in the Plaza with exactly that! Three local chefs banded together to make this place happen, and they're doing traditional New Mexican cuisine in their own style.
Tres Colores
101 W Marcy StLooking for something authentic and fresh? Tres Colores is a new spot in the Plaza with exactly that! Three local chefs banded together to make this place happen, and they're doing traditional New Mexican cuisine in their own style.
If you visit Santa Fe and don't go to La Choza, did you even go to Santa Fe?
La Choza is one of those Santa Fe restaurants that will always have a wait - and for good reason. Traditional fare in an unfussy setting near the Railyard District. Reservations are unavailable, put your name on the list and walk up an appetite at Santa Fe Railyard Park. One of the best margaritas in the city.
177 locals recommend
La Choza Restaurant
905 Alarid StIf you visit Santa Fe and don't go to La Choza, did you even go to Santa Fe?
La Choza is one of those Santa Fe restaurants that will always have a wait - and for good reason. Traditional fare in an unfussy setting near the Railyard District. Reservations are unavailable, put your name on the list and walk up an appetite at Santa Fe Railyard Park. One of the best margaritas in the city.
Unique burgers, unique-er sauces. Really great fries. Cold Beer. I mean??
7 locals recommend
The Burger Stand @ Burro Alley
207 W San Francisco StUnique burgers, unique-er sauces. Really great fries. Cold Beer. I mean??
A local brewery with a few different locations across the city. Friendly bartenders and plenty of indoor-outdoor seating gives large groups room to dine like a family.
58 locals recommend
Second Street Brewery at The Railyard
1607 Paseo De PeraltaA local brewery with a few different locations across the city. Friendly bartenders and plenty of indoor-outdoor seating gives large groups room to dine like a family.
A folksy neighborhood gastropub with a local chef/owner. Big and small plates for any appetite.
36 locals recommend
Fire & Hops
222 N Guadalupe StA folksy neighborhood gastropub with a local chef/owner. Big and small plates for any appetite.
Santa Fe’s BBQ spot. A Western-themed bar with live music and a traditional, smoky menu that’s a little bit American West and a little bit New Mexico classic. Live music events are posted on their social media.
148 locals recommend
Cowgirl Hall of Fame
319 S Guadalupe StSanta Fe’s BBQ spot. A Western-themed bar with live music and a traditional, smoky menu that’s a little bit American West and a little bit New Mexico classic. Live music events are posted on their social media.
If you’re traveling with us from the Lone Star State, Rudy’s opened up a new shop on Cerrillos!
Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
6581 Cerrillos RoadIf you’re traveling with us from the Lone Star State, Rudy’s opened up a new shop on Cerrillos!
No one would expect a little strip mall restaurant on Cerrillos to serve up African-Caribbean deliciousness, yet whoop there it is.
90 locals recommend
Jambo Cafe
2010 Cerrillos RdNo one would expect a little strip mall restaurant on Cerrillos to serve up African-Caribbean deliciousness, yet whoop there it is.
Upscale Eats
Dinner reservations are a must, though you may be able to squeeze in for lunch. Better for smaller parties.
Named for the Patron Saint of Kitchens and Cooks, all who dine here are blessed with a good time. An intimate cafe + art gallery off the Plaza with a seasonal menu of New Mexican classics with a twist. Well-curated wine list to perfect the meal.
You'll definitely want to save room for dessert.
136 locals recommend
Cafe Pasqual's
121 Don Gaspar AveDinner reservations are a must, though you may be able to squeeze in for lunch. Better for smaller parties.
Named for the Patron Saint of Kitchens and Cooks, all who dine here are blessed with a good time. An intimate cafe + art gallery off the Plaza with a seasonal menu of New Mexican classics with a twist. Well-curated wine list to perfect the meal.
You'll definitely want to save room for dessert.
Reservations recommended for the Cafe. A two story establishment in the Plaza serving up two different vibes. Looking for Santa Fe’s fine-yet-casual dining scene? Coyote Cafe has the tablecloth and sommelier service you’re looking for. The elk steak is a house favorite. The more casual Cantina upstairs has a fabulous view to the street below and fun music to keep the atmosphere lively. Nosh on cantina food, sip on cantina margs.
85 locals recommend
Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina
132 W Water StReservations recommended for the Cafe. A two story establishment in the Plaza serving up two different vibes. Looking for Santa Fe’s fine-yet-casual dining scene? Coyote Cafe has the tablecloth and sommelier service you’re looking for. The elk steak is a house favorite. The more casual Cantina upstairs has a fabulous view to the street below and fun music to keep the atmosphere lively. Nosh on cantina food, sip on cantina margs.
Reservations recommended. A fine dining experience in a quaint, intimate setting. The menu is inventive, unique, and dynamic.
If you’re looking for a multi course meal, exceptional service, and a curated wine list - this is the spot.
8 locals recommend
Horno Restaurant
95 West Marcy StreetReservations recommended. A fine dining experience in a quaint, intimate setting. The menu is inventive, unique, and dynamic.
If you’re looking for a multi course meal, exceptional service, and a curated wine list - this is the spot.
Reservations recommended. An elevated dining experience with a playful, sophisticated menu. Ambience is eclectic, rustic and funky. Exceptional service, even more exceptional food.
51 locals recommend
Joseph's Culinary Pub
428 Agua Fria StReservations recommended. An elevated dining experience with a playful, sophisticated menu. Ambience is eclectic, rustic and funky. Exceptional service, even more exceptional food.
Truly exceptional Italian food. Fabulous salads and pasta. And balanced cocktails, too.
Sassella Restaurant
225 Johnson StTruly exceptional Italian food. Fabulous salads and pasta. And balanced cocktails, too.
Reservations required. The house restaurant of world-famous spa Ten Thousand Waves. An extensive sake list (with curated tasting flights!) Japanese-tapas style dining, and beautiful scenery.
61 locals recommend
Izanami Restaurant
21 Ten Thousand Waves WayReservations required. The house restaurant of world-famous spa Ten Thousand Waves. An extensive sake list (with curated tasting flights!) Japanese-tapas style dining, and beautiful scenery.
Coffee + Tea
Three locations around town
Room to work or hang out. Food and beverage menu varies among locations.
77 locals recommend
Iconik Coffee Roasters
1600 Lena StThree locations around town
Room to work or hang out. Food and beverage menu varies among locations.
A wonderful tea shop and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch + a proper tea service. Excellent selection of teas with knowledgeable staff to help you find the right leaf.
131 locals recommend
The Teahouse
821 Canyon RdA wonderful tea shop and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch + a proper tea service. Excellent selection of teas with knowledgeable staff to help you find the right leaf.
Adult Beverages - Cheers!
A dark, little bar with artisanal spirits that are just shy of traditional. Live jazz and yummy eats make this a great spot for a romantic night.
24 locals recommend
Tonic
103 E Water StA dark, little bar with artisanal spirits that are just shy of traditional. Live jazz and yummy eats make this a great spot for a romantic night.
Cash only, ATM available. The closest thing to NightLife in Santa Fe are these two bars across the street from one another. Evangelo’s (our favorite) is a two-story bar. The upstairs hosts live music many nights of the week, while the downstairs has billiards and more bar seating, some nights of the week. The Matador has a hard rock vibe with loud posters and louder music. Both have friendly, go-with-the-flow barkeeps and patrons. Cheers!
24 locals recommend
Evangelo's Cocktail Lounge
200 West San Francisco StreetCash only, ATM available. The closest thing to NightLife in Santa Fe are these two bars across the street from one another. Evangelo’s (our favorite) is a two-story bar. The upstairs hosts live music many nights of the week, while the downstairs has billiards and more bar seating, some nights of the week. The Matador has a hard rock vibe with loud posters and louder music. Both have friendly, go-with-the-flow barkeeps and patrons. Cheers!
Cash only, ATM available. The closest thing to NightLife in Santa Fe are these two bars across the street from one another. Evangelo’s (our favorite) is a two-story bar. The upstairs hosts live music many nights of the week, while the downstairs has billiards and more bar seating, some nights of the week. The Matador has a hard rock vibe with loud posters and louder music. Both have friendly, go-with-the-flow barkeeps and patrons. Cheers!
10 locals recommend
The Den
116 W San Francisco StCash only, ATM available. The closest thing to NightLife in Santa Fe are these two bars across the street from one another. Evangelo’s (our favorite) is a two-story bar. The upstairs hosts live music many nights of the week, while the downstairs has billiards and more bar seating, some nights of the week. The Matador has a hard rock vibe with loud posters and louder music. Both have friendly, go-with-the-flow barkeeps and patrons. Cheers!
An impressive selection of wine and liquor right in Pojoaque! Many Santa Fe locals make the short drive north for Kokoman's unrivaled selection.
6 locals recommend
Kokoman Fine Wines & Liquor
34 Cities of Gold RdAn impressive selection of wine and liquor right in Pojoaque! Many Santa Fe locals make the short drive north for Kokoman's unrivaled selection.
Sightseeing
A short drive up 503 brings you to the Nambe Pueblo and their beautiful land. Open Thursday-Sunday, the Nambe Falls offer camping, short hikes, a giant waterfall and cold water.
20 locals recommend
Nambe Falls
A short drive up 503 brings you to the Nambe Pueblo and their beautiful land. Open Thursday-Sunday, the Nambe Falls offer camping, short hikes, a giant waterfall and cold water.
The perfect place to trail bike, run or hike before you get your day started. An unassuming parking lot, on the left of the 503 over a hill after the 4 mile marker. The trail is exposed with short, fun climbs and great landscape views of the hills that engulf the Santa Fe National Forest. Photos below to reference the trail entrance and the location -
Nambe Badlands Trailhead
High Road to TaosThe perfect place to trail bike, run or hike before you get your day started. An unassuming parking lot, on the left of the 503 over a hill after the 4 mile marker. The trail is exposed with short, fun climbs and great landscape views of the hills that engulf the Santa Fe National Forest. Photos below to reference the trail entrance and the location -
See Santa Fe from 9,000 feet up! Ample parking can be found at the lower trailhead on St. John’s College campus. This strenuous hike is 4 miles up and 4 miles down. And when we say “up,” we mean it. Pack a lunch for the top if you plan to make it to the peak!
7 locals recommend
Atalaya Mountain
See Santa Fe from 9,000 feet up! Ample parking can be found at the lower trailhead on St. John’s College campus. This strenuous hike is 4 miles up and 4 miles down. And when we say “up,” we mean it. Pack a lunch for the top if you plan to make it to the peak!
During the winter months, the Santa Fe ski basin is only safe for winter sport. Hiking is not recommended. Other months of the year, enjoy gorgeous hikes among the aspen trees. Our favorite is Winsor Trail, a scenic 8 mile out-and-back (strenuous) hike from the ski basin up to Nambe Lake. Follow the trailhead along a gorgeous, icy creek that’s fed from the winter’s snow melt.
163 locals recommend
Ski Santa Fe
1477 NM-475During the winter months, the Santa Fe ski basin is only safe for winter sport. Hiking is not recommended. Other months of the year, enjoy gorgeous hikes among the aspen trees. Our favorite is Winsor Trail, a scenic 8 mile out-and-back (strenuous) hike from the ski basin up to Nambe Lake. Follow the trailhead along a gorgeous, icy creek that’s fed from the winter’s snow melt.
White Rock, NM (between Pojoaque and Los Alamos) touts some incredible hikes along the Rio Grande. Training for a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike? You may want to check out the Red and Blue Dot Trails in White Rock. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Native petroglyphs along the canyon walls.
226 locals recommend
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
White Rock, NM (between Pojoaque and Los Alamos) touts some incredible hikes along the Rio Grande. Training for a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike? You may want to check out the Red and Blue Dot Trails in White Rock. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Native petroglyphs along the canyon walls.
Art! + Museums
A rotating presentation of the world-renown artist, a look into her life, and a timeline of her evolution as an artist. Reservations needed at least a week or two out.
Ghost Ranch, where she created many of her landscapes, is just northwest and also requires reservations.
212 locals recommend
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
217 Johnson StA rotating presentation of the world-renown artist, a look into her life, and a timeline of her evolution as an artist. Reservations needed at least a week or two out.
Ghost Ranch, where she created many of her landscapes, is just northwest and also requires reservations.
The OG Meow Wolf Art Installation.
Welcome to the House of Eternal Return: an interactive art installation that brings out the child in everyone. It’s easier to experience than to explain. Reservations recommended.
423 locals recommend
Meow Wolf
1352 Rufina CirThe OG Meow Wolf Art Installation.
Welcome to the House of Eternal Return: an interactive art installation that brings out the child in everyone. It’s easier to experience than to explain. Reservations recommended.
Dating back to 1610, the Palace is the oldest public building in continuous use constructed by European settlers in the continental United States.
The Palace offers an extensive course in New Mexico’s rich history. For many visitors to Santa Fe, the Palace is best known for its block-long portal where Native American artisans sell handmade jewelry and other crafts. Behind the adobe walls, visitors can find interpretive galleries, the Palace Press, and a large courtyard that connects with the rest of the museum campus.
You can easily spend a day in the Palace.
64 locals recommend
Palace of the Governors
105 W Palace AveDating back to 1610, the Palace is the oldest public building in continuous use constructed by European settlers in the continental United States.
The Palace offers an extensive course in New Mexico’s rich history. For many visitors to Santa Fe, the Palace is best known for its block-long portal where Native American artisans sell handmade jewelry and other crafts. Behind the adobe walls, visitors can find interpretive galleries, the Palace Press, and a large courtyard that connects with the rest of the museum campus.
You can easily spend a day in the Palace.
Day Trips
Locals would say skiing is better in Santa Fe than Taos, but we’ll leave that up to you. Skiing is available in the winter months, but the mountains boast amazing hikes in the off-season. Happy Exploring!
163 locals recommend
Ski Santa Fe
1477 NM-475Locals would say skiing is better in Santa Fe than Taos, but we’ll leave that up to you. Skiing is available in the winter months, but the mountains boast amazing hikes in the off-season. Happy Exploring!
World-class mountain biking, world-famous skiing, and even more restaurants and bars to try. If you make the trek to Taos, be sure to visit the Taos Pueblo. Estimated to have been built between the year 1000 and 1450 AD, Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest, longest continually habited pueblos in the United States. You’ll be amazed by the multi-level structures that are only accessible through ladders. Guided tours are available daily. The scenic route up the 503 takes about 20 minutes longer than the 285 but it is worth it, Chimayo is on the way too.
123 locals recommend
Taos
World-class mountain biking, world-famous skiing, and even more restaurants and bars to try. If you make the trek to Taos, be sure to visit the Taos Pueblo. Estimated to have been built between the year 1000 and 1450 AD, Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest, longest continually habited pueblos in the United States. You’ll be amazed by the multi-level structures that are only accessible through ladders. Guided tours are available daily. The scenic route up the 503 takes about 20 minutes longer than the 285 but it is worth it, Chimayo is on the way too.
A 20 minute, breathtaking drive from El Caracol. Visit El Santuario de Chimayo, an adobe structure Catholic church built in 1816. Each year, countless souls make the pilgrimage to El Santuario to benefit from its “healing dirt.” While you’re out, dine at Rancho de Chimayo for some of the best red chile you’ll have in New Mexico.
31 locals recommend
Chimayo
A 20 minute, breathtaking drive from El Caracol. Visit El Santuario de Chimayo, an adobe structure Catholic church built in 1816. Each year, countless souls make the pilgrimage to El Santuario to benefit from its “healing dirt.” While you’re out, dine at Rancho de Chimayo for some of the best red chile you’ll have in New Mexico.
A designated National Monument in 1916, Bandelier was established to protect the Puebloan structures erected between 1150 and 1600 AD. The Main Loop Trail is a short (1.2 mi) hike that takes you by all of the famous structures and allows access by ladder into some of the human-carved alcoves.
230 locals recommend
Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance RdA designated National Monument in 1916, Bandelier was established to protect the Puebloan structures erected between 1150 and 1600 AD. The Main Loop Trail is a short (1.2 mi) hike that takes you by all of the famous structures and allows access by ladder into some of the human-carved alcoves.
The Los Alamos National Lab (LANL) was home to one of the United States most insidious science projects, the Manhattan Project. A visit to the Bradbury Science Museum boasts artifacts, documents and full-size models from the creation of the atomic bombs Little Boy and Fat Man.
21 locals recommend
Bradbury Science Museum
1450 Central AveThe Los Alamos National Lab (LANL) was home to one of the United States most insidious science projects, the Manhattan Project. A visit to the Bradbury Science Museum boasts artifacts, documents and full-size models from the creation of the atomic bombs Little Boy and Fat Man.
Spend the day in Georgia O'Keefe's backyard. Several tours are available seasonally and offer a wealth of insight into the artist's creative process, love of the landscape, and history of the Ranch. Reservations are required.
86 locals recommend
Ghost Ranch
U.S. 84Spend the day in Georgia O'Keefe's backyard. Several tours are available seasonally and offer a wealth of insight into the artist's creative process, love of the landscape, and history of the Ranch. Reservations are required.
Grab a day pass for a wonderful soak in New Mexico's sacred, healing hot springs. Mineral rich and naturally heated, these pools are the perfect place to renew and restore. Ojo Caliente also boasts one of the best farm to table restaurants in New Mexico.
173 locals recommend
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
50 Los Banos DriveGrab a day pass for a wonderful soak in New Mexico's sacred, healing hot springs. Mineral rich and naturally heated, these pools are the perfect place to renew and restore. Ojo Caliente also boasts one of the best farm to table restaurants in New Mexico.
Sipapu is a comparable drive from El Caracol to other ski basins. Known as the most family friendly ski resort in New Mexico, kids love all the greens and blues! Sipapu also has the most affordable lessons and passes you’ll find anywhere. Big savings when you book early!
Would definitely recommend renting equipment from a shop in town, though.
46 locals recommend
Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort
5224 NM-518Sipapu is a comparable drive from El Caracol to other ski basins. Known as the most family friendly ski resort in New Mexico, kids love all the greens and blues! Sipapu also has the most affordable lessons and passes you’ll find anywhere. Big savings when you book early!
Would definitely recommend renting equipment from a shop in town, though.