Letter to a friend who's planning their 1st NM trip.

Ok! I'm got the HOT spots for you.

Hi! How are you?

So if your are starting in Santa Fe stay at the Saga Inn.

We've stayed there a few time and it's great. We've never had an issue, the staff is super cool, the breakfast is really nice, it's cheap and it's close to a lot of the best of downtown Santa Fe.

Across the street from the hotel is the Railyard park it's super nice. During the summer months they have event and art shows. There are also 3 or 4 art museums there that are fun to look around if that's your kind of thing. Jared might like SITE Sante Fe, http://www.sitesantafe.org/. I work on a project for them a few years ago. They always have fun stuff and media arty things. Also, in the mornings the railyard host a farms market. It's the bomb!

At the farms market you'll be at the railyard. In about block you're at the railyard station. Take the old train to Lamy. It's beautiful and you feel like you're in the old west. You can also take a ride on the Rail Runner to Albuquerque (Abq). Abq. is fun but there's not as many places to visit there. You can go and see some really nice museums. But, if I were you I'd go to the Centeral Ave./ Nob Hill. It's over by the University of New Mexico. Over there it's a lot like Poplar Ave. and U of M in Memphis but way cooler. There's some really fun shops, clothes, art, comics. It's fun over there. If you do go swing by the Flying Star. It's great place for lunch. It's like McAlister Deli but New Mexican style. Another cool place in Abq. is Uptown. It's kind of like the Carriage Crossing in Collierville just with the New Mexico twist. That's about all as far as Albuquerque goes. Back to Santa Fe...

Down another block from the railyard you'll come to Sambrusco Shopping. There is an Rei store, Borders and a little inside shopping mall. There are ton of fun shopping place all over that area.

The best places to eat, I think, are Zia Dinner. It's pretty famous. Tomasita's, the Cowgirl and Kohnami Restaurant. All nice places.

Now if you don't mind a few minutes walk you can go down town to the Santa Fe Plaza. It's totally amazing. They have the church with the crazy stair case, there's our favorite toy store in the whole world, Moon Rabbits Toys! You'll totally love it down there. Don't be afraid of walking down very and all streets. On good days there are Native American and Hispanic artist selling their wonderful jewelry and art. It's so amazing. And the history behind them is cool. Do swing by the Palace of the Governors (The oldest continuously used public building in the United States) and the History Museum.

There's also a very cool little street that circles around and very building on the street is an art gallery. It's really fun. I can't remember the street address but when I do I'll pass it on.

On your way back you'll pass by a little antique shop inside the shop is the best little Greek cafe in the world Cleopatra Cafe. You must stop there, at lease once. The little shop is totally cool too.

The place to eat while you're in Santa Fe are; Backroads Pizza, The Pantry, and Jambo Cafe.

The Santa Fe Reporter will be a great help when planning things to do besides eat.

Now, Taos, NM is fun for a hippy, chil-lax, day. There's so much to do like, relax. It's just great. Take the drive from Las Vegas to Taos. I think it's the best way to view this beautiful state. While there have a meal at Joseph Kitchen. It's pricy but really good. You totally get what you pay for. There's a fun book store called Moby Dickens. It's a great place to just relax. When you get ready to leave, there is a back road from Taos to Santa Fe. Try to leave Taos just as the sun sets. It'll take you breath away.

In the original Las Vegas, our home town, It's small but for all its small town-ness it's really wonderful. Stay at the Plaza Hotel. It really nice and full of fun facts, like, tons of movie have been filmed there. No Country for Old Man, Easy Rider, Red Dawn. You'll be close to the World Treasures Traveler's Cafe. The best coffee and scones you'll every have. Going up Hot Spring Ave. toward the Montezuma, you'll come to the castle. It's the World College. This place has tons of history. Take the tour and see the prayer room and take a dip in the natural hot springs that are at the foot of the castle. Make sure you have water to drink or if it's a cold night some hot coco with a little something special in it. Wink Wink!

There are tons of fun things to do while in Las Vegas when the time gets closer I'll let you know what's going on. Just so you know this fun town celebrates almost everything. During the summer they have tons of fiestas. I'm sure there will be on going on while you're visiting.

Side note, if you miss it or if you can be here while the have the Rough RIder Rally check out the city museum. It's "rally" cool.

Great place to eat, besides the Traveler's Cafe, is Charlie Spec and Spin, wonderful tortillas. Plaza Burger, get tons of their curly fries. El Fidal Restaurant, very fancy. The one thing you do need to know is when the waiter/ess ask you "do you want red, green, or christmas" their asking what kind of chili you want with your meal. We always ask for our chili on the side otherwise they smother it all over the dish.

I hope that helps in getting you started on the planning part of your trip. I hope we will still be here and we can show you around all these wonderful places. If not, I know you'll enjoy it and have so much fun.

See you soon.

.........................

Enjoy!