What’s there to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico? We’ve been several times since we moved to the state and wrote about things to do in Santa Fe in this article but recently expanded our experiences with a five day adventure with fellow FMCA members. 

FMCA adventures

As members of the Family Motor Coach Association, or FMCA, one of the best parts of being part of this organization are the local events and chapters. There are all sorts of regional chapters that focus either on a geographic area or specific interests. 

In this case it was a combination of chapters pulled together by Vallarie and Brian Erickson with help from Vallarie’s brother, Jaime. Over the five days we spent at Santa Fe Skies RV Park, there were a number of journeys planned as well as events within the park itself. 

Peggy was particularly thrilled with the costume contest and I loved the nightly pot luck which was loaded with some very creative and delicious dishes. 

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe itself is a historic city that dates back to before the US was an independent country. The Plaza holds significant historical and cultural importance as it was established by Spanish colonists in 1610, making it the oldest public square in the United States. It served as a central gathering place during the Spanish colonial period and later became a hub for trade and commerce.

What really stands out about Santa Fe is the celebration of art here. There are a ton of places to buy really high-end things to decorate your house and yard. There is also a ton of Native American art and jewelry. If that’s your thing, Santa Fe is a great place to be. 

As a cultural hot spot Santa Fe also features some great places to eat and there is often music in the air around the square from single performers to groups of musicians. 

The Plaza is home to several notable landmarks, including the Palace of the Governors. The Palace, built in the early 17th century, now serves as a museum showcasing the history of Santa Fe and New Mexico. Another landmark is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, an impressive Romanesque-style cathedral.

Palace of Governors

Today, the Palace of the Governors serves as a museum, operated by the New Mexico History Museum. The museum exhibits focus on the history and diverse cultures of New Mexico, with a particular emphasis on the Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo-American communities. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that shed light on the rich heritage of the region.

One notable feature of the Palace of the Governors is the long portal (porch) that faces the Santa Fe Plaza. It is a popular gathering place where Native American artisans sell handmade crafts, such as jewelry, pottery, and textiles. This tradition dates back to the early 20th century and provides visitors with an opportunity to engage with local artists and purchase unique, authentic pieces.

Santa Fe Farmer’s Market

Located right at the last stop of the Roadrunner commuter train is the Santa Fe farmer’s market. 

The market operates year-round, although the hours may vary depending on the season. Typically, the market is open on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM during the peak summer season. 

The market has a permanent structure called the Community Market Pavilion, which houses various vendors and provides a covered area for shoppers, rain or shine. There are remnants of the old Santa Fe railway here as well including an historic train station that was being renovated. 

The market places a strong emphasis on sustainability and supporting local producers. Many of the vendors follow organic and sustainable farming practices, and the market aims to promote healthy eating, community engagement, and the preservation of local agricultural traditions.

Rancho de las Golondrinas

On one day of our stay we took the tour of Rancho de las Golondrinas. This was definitely a whole-day experience. 

Rancho de las Golondrinas is a living history museum. It is a historic rancho (ranch) that showcases the heritage and culture of the region during the Spanish Colonial and Mexican periods in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The name "Rancho de las Golondrinas" translates to "Ranch of the Swallows" in English. The site consists of approximately 200 acres of land and features numerous original and reconstructed buildings that reflect the architecture and lifestyle of the time.

Visitors to Rancho de las Golondrinas can explore the various buildings, including an original Spanish Colonial hacienda, a chapel, a blacksmith shop, a schoolhouse, and other structures that were essential to the daily life of a rancho during that era. The museum aims to provide an immersive experience, offering demonstrations of traditional crafts and activities such as blacksmithing, weaving, pottery making, and more.

We were treated to a guided tour of the ranch’s buildings and learned of the history of the property. This truly was a lonely outpost when it was first settled and supply trains, consisting of horse-drawn wagons, were few and far between. 

Our guide said that you could hear these supply trains almost a day away as they used uncreased axles on horse-drawn carts which was likened to an extreme version of fingernails on the chalkboard. 

One of the highlights of the ranch were the Churra sheep, which are a unique breed that has since become quite endangered. These sheep were prized by the Navajo tribe in the area and when the English settlers attempted to eradicate them, the Navajos hid the sheep. 

The fact that they did is a key to why we still have them and they’re quite unusual with up to six horns. They are prized for their wool which is used on the ranch to this day to make beautiful tapestries and carpets that you can purchase. 

Food in Santa Fe

Having been through Santa Fe a number of times there are some highlights of places we’ve eaten

Kakawa Chocolate House

Without a doubt a must-stop is Kakawa Chocolate House. Kakawa makes all their own chocolates including incredibly delightful drinking chocolates. There are also confectinary, baked goods and even ice cream. This is one of those places where you keep going back and hoping to try something new but what you tried before was so good you just get that. 

In my own case a cup of their drinking chocolate (they give samples!) along with a chocolate peanut butter brownie is what I get. I swear I will try something else. Eventually. This place is so magical. 

Thunderbird Restaurant

Located right on the plaza, Thunderbird Restaurant serves up first-class New Mexican cuisine, which is much like the Mexican food you may already be used to but with a local twist. 

That local twist includes the fact that you can get red or green Chile sauce on almost everything in this state. In fact we’re known for the Hatch green chiles. 

Santa Fe Bite

Not really in downtown we’ve been to Santa Fe Bite a few times because the food was good and they were right along the major thoroughfare through town. There was plenty of parking for our travel trailer. 

The food and service were both quite good with a home-town flair. Again, New Mexican cuisine but, when in Rome. 

Santa Fe brewery

One of my personal favorite excursions from this getaway was to Santa Fe Brewing Company. This is New Mexico’s largest brewery and brews the state’s most popular craft beer, 7K IPA. 

The brewery has grown at a rapid pace and brews over 20 different beers. What impressed me was what they could accomplish given the size and scope of the operation. They truly have production down to a science but with many aspects of that production made very, very efficient. 

There’s also a taco truck on the premises that makes some great tacos and other items. 

Tumbleroot Distillery

I had no idea that some distillers use beer as their base but Tumbleroot taught me. This distillery and brewery offers a fun tour by the founder and distills some pretty good spirits as well as good beer. 

The oldest house

You can’t miss the advertising for the Oldest House in Santa Fe. The owners have definitely capitalized on the historic significance of this structure. The admission is only a donation so, for a donation, we toured history. 

Located on De Vargas Street, just a stone's throw away from the historic Santa Fe Plaza, this adobe structure embodies the unique blend of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences that define Santa Fe's distinctive architectural style.

Its origins can be traced to the Spanish colonial period when Santa Fe was a bustling trading post along the famous Camino Real, the Royal Road. The house is believed to have been constructed during the time of Spanish colonization, making it one of the oldest residential structures in the United States.

The structure's historical significance is further enhanced by its association with the prominent De Vargas family, who played a pivotal role in the city's early development. Don Diego de Vargas, a Spanish conquistador and governor, is said to have resided in the house during his time in Santa Fe. His efforts to reclaim the city from Pueblo Native Americans in the late 17th century are considered instrumental in shaping the course of Santa Fe's history.

Santa Fe Skies RV Park

Santa Fe Skies RV park has 98 sites, many of which are full hook-up sites. The setting reflects its desert surroundings with rock surfaces and a few trees. Each site seems to have a concrete pad with chairs and a table and the gathering spots were large enough that we could have get-togethers at our own RVs - and did!

Santa Fe has a lot of art and culture, as well as great food and beer, and the art is absolutely reflected at the park. There are walking paths with sculptures as well as sculptures throughout the park. 

In addition there are some vintage vehicles and engines here and there but my favorite part was a collection of antique farm engines and machines. From what I could tell all of these were in working order and I was told that, over Independence Day weekend, they fire a number of them up. 

There’s also a nice building that has a kitchen and gathering space. There’s a large patio outside the indoor gathering space as well, which is where we had live music one night. 

Something I noticed - the entire park is very well maintained and cared for and all the people I encountered were extremely nice. I would absolutely go back there. 

Challenges within Santa Fe

Because it’s an old city, parking is definitely at a premium in Santa Fe. The best way to see the city, in my opinion, is to take the Roadrunner train in from outside the city. 

Since this is an old city it’s not gigantic and you can easily walk from the Roadrunner station to most of Santa Fe even if you’re lazy as I am. It’s also a great city for bicycling.

While some old and historic places seem ridden with crime nowadays, Santa Fe has seemingly remained clean and safe. Of course every city has issues, but these are not at all apparent in Santa Fe.