Entrance to the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. Photo: Nickolaus Hines
Held in the Railyard, Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is one of the oldest and largest growers’ markets in the country, and everything sold is guaranteed to be locally grown or made by the vendors themselves. There are no resellers, and craft items must contain at least 70 percent locally sourced ingredients or materials. More than 150 farmers and producers from 15 Northern New Mexico counties set up shop, selling everything from spices and produce to meats, ready-to-eat foods, and baked goods. We filled up on pupusas and lamb sausage, sipped agua frescas, danced to live music, and stocked up on fresh cheeses, honey, bread, and snacks for the coming days. When we needed a break from eating, we wandered through the nearby artists’ market in the Railyard neighborhood.
Photos: Nickolaus Hines
CrashMurderBusiness Coffee has an eye-catching name that comes from the three animals in the logo: a group of rhinos is called a crash, crows a murder, and ferrets a business. We stopped for espresso, hot chocolate, and a mocha and ended up finding a favorite new coffeeshop that we returned to throughout our short stay. Don’t shy away from the specialty espresso drinks that incorporate ingredients like black pepper, rose cordial, charred cedar bitters, and more offbeat options.
Family-owned and operated since 1974, Tomasita’s is a Santa Fe classic that’s the place to go for a hearty family meal. The large dining space is matched by generous portions, perfect for both big groups and smaller parties. Make a reservation ahead of time or expect a wait — though it’s worth it for the traditional New Mexican dishes loaded with red and green chile and refreshing (large) margaritas. Load up on the honey butter and sopapillas. We stuck to the “New Mexican classics” section of the menu — tortilla burger, chalupas, carne adovada — and weren’t disappointed. Just make sure to come hungry.
When we needed a place to sit after walking the Farmers’ Market, we went straight to Nuckolls Brewing Co. in the Railyard district’s historic Nuckolls building. Beer made on-site, as well as from other local breweries, flows from 40 taps. It’s nice and cool indoors if you’re looking to get out of the sun, though the large patio is great for people watching and train spotting.
The patio at The Brakeroom and a sign explaining the building’s history. Photo: Nickolaus Hines
For something in a more lowkey area, The Brakeroom is an outpost of Santa Fe Brewing Co. with indoor and outdoor seating, food trucks, and beer, cider, and wine. The name comes from the historic building’s original purpose: railroad brakemen used to come here to sleep, and framed posters on the walls tell their story.
While waiting for a table at Tomasita’s, we took a short walk over to New Mexico Hard Cider. Nine taps of locally made cider, and a cocktail or two, made the late afternoon fly by on the small outdoor patio.
Checking out the options at Bee Hive Books. Photo: Nickolaus Hines
Whether you’re traveling with an infant or an adolescent, stop by Bee Hive Books on the way to the Railyard for your kid’s next favorite read (Margot flipped through most of the toddler section, but couldn’t put down Hey! Look at You! by Sandra Boynton). Also near Railyard is FS2 Supply Co., which focuses on New Mexico apparel and is the perfect place to pick up a shacket for those surprisingly chilly desert nights.
We were up for a walk in the other direction in the afternoon after a morning at the Farmers’ Market, and set our sights on Santa Fe Plaza. The original city center of America’s oldest capital, the plaza is rich with history from all the peoples who have called this land home. Browse the Indigenous-made jewelry spread out on the sidewalks around the central square and check to see if there are any performances — we took in a traditional dance by youth who are part of the Tesuque Pueblo. We looked at an art show focused on New Mexican landscapes in a parking lot, then went across the street to Santa Fe Unique for a handmade alpaca toy as soft as dandelion fluff. 