It would be a crying shame to come to Santa Fe and not take advantage of the mountains, desert, and other organic sites. Alpine is the spot to kit up. It's camping and outdoor equipment with no bells, whistles, or unnecessary gear they may try to sell you

Locals get a bit testy about its popularity, and claim it’s overrated, but really they’re just bummed out by the wait at this cozy corner institution, named after the local patron saint of kitchens. A great breakfast joint and spot for those l

In business for 34 years and run by a mother-daughter team, this downtown coffee shop is staffed by a cool and attractive team charged with selecting both an extensive array of pies and an impressive array of books, which lean more toward high-brow than b

The fact that this locally owned store is next to gay bar Rouge Cat is certainly convenient, but it’s also a bit dangerous: wandering in after a few drinks can be hazardous for your wallet. Difficult to resist Icon watches, highly stylized floss dis

One of downtown Santa Fe's more luxurious hotels, Eldorado sets itself apart not only with exemplary service, but also free Internet; a four-diamond steak bistro, the Old House; and a 24-hour fitness center with steam room, sauna, pool, and hot tub. Guest

Regardless of your taste in music, whether it be blues, rock, R&B or Cuban funk, this intimate space -- only 40 seats -- will not disappoint. The Spanish tapas and fish-influenced menu will help balance the many glasses of sumptuous wine and sherry yo

Located down the road from the Matador, Evangelos is a local dive known more for its blues music than disco, and for taking a starring role in parts of the Oscar-winning flick Crazy Heart. Worth exploring even for non-music fans, note that this d

The best place to buy fairly affordable kicks in downtown Santa Fe, including Johnston and Murphy's Chukka, Clarks, and a small array of sneakers. Though the selection is not extremely extensive, the staff at this local store is congenial and willing to g

Don't let this downtown hotel's past as a livery stable and car dealership fool you: Inn of the Governors has some of the best amenities in town including free hot breakfast, as well as tea and sherry every afternoon, free parking, and one of the most pop

A charming boutique hotel one block from Santa Fe's central plaza, the Hotel Plaza Real features 56 rooms, most with working fireplaces, and handcrafted art throughout the mid-’30s building, which was constructed around a quiet atrium. The smoke-fre

Housed in a structure dating back to 1888, the Hotel St. Francis eschews in-your-face Southwestern flair for a more stark, stripped-down experience, complete with white-washed walls, minimalist colonial decor, and arched veranda. The rooms are cozy and ut

La Casa Sena's main draw isn't necessarily the well-rounded menu -- lamb chorizo, bell pepper relleno, baked trout, and popular foie gras -- but the lush outdoor plaza seating, where patrons are surrounded by trees, flowers, and fountains all free from fo

The sprawling La Fonda, situated on land that’s been used for hotel purposes since 1610 in the center of Santa Fe, is ideal for those looking for a tourist-oriented experience. The bustling hotel has an array of independent shops downstairs, as well

The Lensic, downtown Santa Fe's only concert hall, can be hit or miss. While one night you can view a screening of D.H. Lawrence's Women in Love, or hear an author speak, other evenings may be a jazz concert or an HD viewing from the Met. It

Even if you're not in the mood for a meal, do yourself a favor and stop by Louie's to see if you can resist their homemade cinnamon rolls, movie-themed breakfasts  -- the Emilio Estevez, for example, which is blue cheese, bacon, green chili, bacon, a

A grungy, basement dive with vintage posters for bands like D.O.A. and Black Cat and a rotating cast of DJs who know their musical history: When was the last time, for example, you heard the ’70s-era punk band the Alley Cats at a bar? Tuesday night'

Located in a converted house, this charming shop and its incredible selection of tomes -- cheap and tattered or wondrously antique -- is almost too good to promote. It’s the kind of place you want to protect and steal away for yourself. If you're wa

Unlike some Santa Fe boutiques, Poem doesn't gouge the customers just to make a buck. Owner Carrie Bertram stacks this small Casa Sena plaza shop with an impressive array of gifts great and small, camp and elegant. There are Tintin playing cards, oyster s

Honestly, you could find very similar wares -- folk art, crafts, and rugs -- at countless stores in Santa Fe, but the Rainbow Man, established in 1945, is one of the oldest, and also the best. The most alluring objects here aren't pots or plates, but the

If there's one space to stop into on the steep and at-times repetitive Canyon Road, its Robert Nichols Gallery, which features Diego Romero's unique neo-Mimbres pottery. There's also William Andrew Pacheco's whimsical dinosaur plates, as well as more trad

Rouge Cat is your best (and really only) option for gaying it up properly in downtown Santa Fe. And that's OK, because in this funky spot, complete with cheetah carpeting, curved bar, and dangling ball lights, you're going to make friends pretty easily. T

From the shiitake and cactus spring roll with Southwestern ponzu to the roasted poblano relleno with three-mushroom quinoa and chipotle cream, everything on this elegant menu is absolutely mouthwatering, and pretty fairly priced. And the dessert selection

One of the few downtown eateries locals will frequent without griping about overcrowding or price, the Shed is a staple, and for good reason. Polly and Thornton Carswell founded this eatery back in 1953, and three generations of the family, including thei

Only a year and a half old, Skotia's become one of the hottest galleries in Santa Fe. The space, just a block from gay bar Rouge Cat, specializes in contemporary works, and director Sofia Kanavle clearly hopes to set Skotia apart from many of the desert c

Only go here if you can keep a secret: part of Sleeping Dog Cafe's charm is the fact that it's never too crowded, even though it's in the heart of downtown, tucked in the lower level of the Plaza Mercado. Its unique yet accessible menu, including steak fr