SantaFe.com

In a misguided attempt at purity, I recently tried giving up wine—only to realize anew that relaxing at the end of the day with a glass of Shiraz and some good conversation was one of life’s irreplaceable joys. If you feel the same way, you’re in luck! Downtown Santa Fe is home to plenty of attractive bars with enticing wine lists to please the most sophisticated connoisseur (as well as those of us who just want a darn tasty glass of vino). Following is a writeup of wine bars with Wine Spectator award-winning lists, as well as a short list of other venues that offer excellent sipping...

Monday, September 29, 2008 at 10:00 AM
by Hillary Welles • SantaFe.com

When you wake up starving and all you’ve got in the fridge is milk past its sell-by date, head for one of Santa Fe’s culturally diverse breakfast joints. Whether you crave French pastries, a breakfast burrito, or local produce, you can find it here. By necessity, the following is a partial list—so for more great places to break your fast, see Santa Fe Favorites: Top Santa Fe Breakfast Spots.

Horseman’s Haven Café. 4353 Cerrillos Road, 505-471-5420. If it’s chile you want, it’s chile you’ll get! Not for the faint of heart, Horseman’s Haven has long been famous with loyal locals and...

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:21 AM
by Hillary Welles • SantaFe.com

In a popular tourist destination like Santa Fe, there’s more than enough information on the hot spots. Everyone knows they should visit the O’Keeffe museum, the Plaza, and Canyon Road. But if you’re like me, when traveling you’re drawn to the offbeat and little-known—the slightly bizarre sights that really define a place. Here’s the scoop on a few of the more esoteric spots in town and the lesser-known local history they illuminate.

One of the most popular restaurants in town, Santacafé also happens to house one of the more interesting design elements I’ve ever seen in a dining...

Monday, September 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM
by Hillary Welles • SantaFe.com

As Santa Fe’s oldest brewery, the Santa Fe Brewing Company has been offering up tasty beers since 1988. Having won numerous honors—including a gold medal at the 2007 North American Beer Awards—their beers are available in most local liquor departments and stores all over the Southwest. But for the full experience, it’s always best to visit the source. In 2005, the brewery moved to its current location on the Turquoise Trail, where it soon became a popular venue for indoor and outdoor live music, as well as a staple destination for tummy-tempting pub fare. The brewery and tasting room...

Monday, September 1, 2008
by Hillary Welles • SantaFe.com

I’ve lived in Santa Fe for nearly 11 years now; I can’t begin to count the times I have driven past the urban wasteland along Cerrillos Road and Guadalupe Street and wondered when, and if, the space would finally be put to good use. Happily, the time has arrived. Yet, despite driving past the Railyard district several times a week, I still had no idea of the scope and vision of the Railyard Park and Plaza until I was given a semi-private tour of the development scene with Brian Drypolcher, Program Director for The Trust for Public Land.

Along with Mary Corcoran, SantaFe.com editor, I...

Wednesday, July 9, 2008
by Hillary Welles and Mary Corcoran (Photographer) • SantaFe.com

A total of 12 acres includes 10 acres of parkland bordered by Cerrillos Road, Guadalupe Street, and Paseo de Peralta, plus a walk-bike trail system and three additional parks behind the new Farmer’s Market building on Paseo de Peralta, including the Railyard Plaza and two small “pocket parks.”

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) in conjunction with the City of Santa Fe. The contractor is Star Construction, Inc. of Albuquerque.

In 1995, TPL facilitated the City of Santa Fe’s purchase of the 50-acre Railyard area for the community. Use of the land was debated for many years until a design,...

Wednesday, July 9, 2008
by Hillary Welles and Mary Corcoran (Photographer) • SantaFe.com

With its sunny climate and variety of tourist attractions, Santa Fe offers a stunning selection of locations and services for the perfect destination wedding. Santa Fe enjoys four distinct seasons, providing the perfect backdrop for anything from a cozy winter affair to a summer evening al fresco. Begin planning by setting a date and your budget, choosing from an array of outdoor or historic venues, and selecting an officiant from a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional options. If you want help, select an experienced local wedding planner. And don't forget to get your marriage license at the county clerk's office!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
by Hillary Welles • SantaFe.com

Admit it—you love watching other people. We all do; it’s an extension of our endless fascination with ourselves. We just can’t get enough eye candy. Why else would reality TV and You Tube exist?

TV and the Internet aside, the best kind of people watching happens live and in person. Whether you prefer to criticize others’ fashion choices, speculate about their lives or marvel at their mojo, people watching is always an entertaining pastime. To help you indulge your optical sweet tooth, I’m happy to share with you some of the best places to check out the endless array of characters that...

Monday, June 16, 2008
by Hillary Welles • SantaFe.com

How relaxed do you feel right now? If you’re tired, stressed, achy—or just can’t remember the last time you gave your body, mind, and spirit a much-needed break—take a deep, cleansing breath and thank your lucky stars that you’re in Santa Fe. The City Different reportedly boasts more massage therapists per capita than any other city in the United States. Whether you want to de-stress, detoxify, or simply sink into divine bliss, you’re in the right place!

The only problem with such an abundance of massage options is that just deciding where to get a massage can add even more tension to your...

Monday, May 26, 2008
by Hillary Welles • SantaFe.com

You know the drill: Go out with your single friends, have one too many margaritas, end up giving the person you’ve been dirty dancing with all night your phone number, wake up the next morning with a headache and a vague recollection of a slobbery kiss, and dodge the phone for the next two weeks. But isn’t there a better way to meet the love of your life?

Yes, yes, yes! I took an unofficial poll of friends and acquaintances and found that most of them met their partners Not at a Bar. After all, if you’re seeking someone who enjoys early morning hikes, you want to meet them somewhere other...

Monday, May 5, 2008
by Hillary Welles • SantaFe.com