If you’re looking for one of the most affordable hotels within walking distance to all the main Santa Fe sights and attractions, look no farther than the Santa Fe Sage Inn.  The Santa Fe Sage Inn is located directly across the street to the newly developed Railyard Park, which has an array of shops, restaurants, art galleries and events…everything is so close that you’ll never have to get in your car to explore. At the Sage Inn, they like to say, “we connect you to the heart of Santa Fe.” As you watch the video below you’ll see just how true their slogan is.

The Santa Fe Sage Inn has 155 rooms, with two accommodation levels to choose from, standard and superior—each has two configurations available, king, or double queen. There isn’t a lot of difference between the standard and superior, but the superior rooms do have a mini fridge and full length mirror, along with some decorative trim that sets them apart.

There are a number of free amenities included in your room stay…for starters, there is a free shuttle to downtown (six blocks away) that runs each hour on the hour. Additionally, there is a 24-hour fitness room, laundry facility, pool, free wi-fi and a free “sunshine” breakfast each morning. I was particularly impressed with how friendly and accommodating the staff was…they really go out of their way to make sure you feel comfortable and make sure you have everything you need for an enjoyable stay. They even organize a “City Different” walking tour, which will educate you on the history and culture of Santa Fe. The tours run three days a week from May to October and cost just $12.  Click here for more information.

Santa Fe is one of my favorite places to visit, during my recent stay I checked out some new places, as well as some of the classics.  Santa Fe was the winner of the 2012 Rand McNally and USA Today’s “Best of the Road” for best food in small town America—one of the reasons was surely its unique identity and distinct culinary flavors. One place you can learn about the “New Mexico” style of cooking is at the Santa Fe School of Cooking…I participated in a taco cooking demonstration one day. We learned the history behind the taco, some of the various ingredients that can be used…then, we got our hands into the process of preparing a feast for all to enjoy.

While in Santa Fe you may want to look the part, so two places to check out are, Kowboyz for vintage western wear, and Sissel’s for authentic Indian jewelry and accessories. If a game of 9-ball, live music and libations are for you, head over to Cowgirl.  Speaking of places to eat, a nearby Santa Fe staple is Tomasitas…a family-run Mexican food restaurant that features a world-class mariachi band on Tuesday nights—this all-female mariachi performed at the 2012 Olympics in London.

On Tuesday and Saturdays, directly across the street from the Santa Fe Sage Inn, the Railyard has a farmer’s market and art show.  You’ll often see some amazing musicians and performers in the area entertaining passersby. For the best selection of locally produced goods, get there early as many of the vendors sell out.  After perusing the market, you may want to check out some of the nearby world-class art studios and galleries.

Next time you’re in New Mexico and you want to stay in the heart of Santa Fe, consider the Santa Fe Sage Inn for your lodging needs. If you’ve ever stayed at the Sage Inn, please leave a comment below and share your experience with my readers and me.

Santa Fe Sage Inn information:

Address: 725 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: 505.982.5952
Email: SageInn@SantafeSageInn.com
Web: SantaFeSageInn.com
Rates:
Nov 1st – April 30th $59 to $89
May 1st – Oct 31st $89 to $149
Activity: For something fun to do, check out the “City Different” walking tour that departs from the Santa Fe Sage Inn.

I recently visited Santa Fe, New Mexico and stayed at the Santa Fe Sage Inn. During my stay I discovered they offer a “City Different” walking tour, which takes visitors to some of the landmark sights around downtown, as well as providing answers to many of those burning Santa Fe questions, for example:

• Why are all the buildings brown?
• Why the New Mexico State Capitol is called the “Roundhouse”?
• Or what’s missing from the St. Francis Cathedral Basilica?
• And, how/why Santa Fe became one of the top art destinations in the U.S.?

The Santa Fe “City Different” walking tour provides a historical and cultural orientation to the wonders of Santa Fe. The hour and half walking tour begins in the lobby of the Santa Fe Sage Inn each Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9:45am and runs from early May through October 19th, 2013.

From the Santa Fe Sage Inn it’s just a short ride on the Sage Coach to the New Mexico State Capitol where the tour begins. The tour continues down old Santa Fe Trail, traveling through the historic Barrio de Analco, while viewing the San Miguel Mission and the Loretto Chapel, before arriving at the Santa Fe Plaza. There you will explore historic sites including, the St. Francis Cathedral Basilica and the 109 E. Palace. On the plaza you will learn about the Palace of the Governors, the New Mexico Museum of Art and the distinctive architecture that makes Santa Fe so unique. You’ll also learn about the role of Santa Fe’s three cultures… Native American, Hispanic and Anglo in the development of what is now the “City Different.”. This tour is a great opportunity to learn about the history of the nation’s oldest capital.

For more information on the Santa Fe “City Different” walking tour, contact:

Santa Fe Sage Inn
Phone: 505-982-5952
Email: SageInn@SantaFeSageInn.com
Fee: $12 per person

From Phoenix I headed to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert, en route to Santa Fe where I will stay for nearly a week. The Petrified Forest is known for its fossils, especially fallen trees that lived in the Late Triassic period, over two hundred million years ago.

The sediments containing the fossil logs are part of the widespread and colorful Chinle Formation, from which the Painted Desert gets its name.

Next stop, Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I’ll be staying with friends for a few days, then at the Santa Fe Sage Inn, right in the heart of downtown.

My next stop will be a 2011 “Best of the Road” contender for “Most Friendly” small town in America…Woodward, Oklahoma.  While Woodward did not win the coveted honor, they were a top-6 finalist, so I’m looking forward to seeing just how friendly the folks are in the great state of OK.

Next up will be Eureka Springs, Arkansas…one of the few remaining states I’ve not yet been to. I’ve heard amazing things about Eureka Springs and can’t wait to check it out. While I’m there I’ll be filming a video for a B&B as well collecting footage of the community to document this epic road trip .

After traveling across the northern part of Arkansas, my next stop will be Chattanooga, Tennessee, yet another state I’ve not been to.  I have a friend who lives in the area and am am hoping to meet up while in town.  My accommodations while in town will be at the gorgeous Chattanooga Hotel.  Here I plan on doing a bit of relaxing, perhaps take in a spa treatment and enjoy some fine dining.

A National park that has been on my bucket list is the Smokey Mountains. I’m so excited I’ll have an opportunity to explore and camp out under the stars in this iconic park. On the other side of the of the mountain range is Asheville, North Carolina, where I’ll be staying with some new friends and fellow bloggers, from Travel for Wildlife. One of the items on the agenda is seeing the famed Biltmore Estate.  I also have another friend from Arizona who moved to Asheville a few years ago and am hoping to meet up with her as well.

My next stop is yet another “Best of the Road” town, this one was the 2012 winner for “most beautiful” small town in America…Bardstown, Kentucky.  As I continue my trek north I’m hoping to stay in northern Ohio for a few days en route to Toronto for the final leg of this portion of my road trip. I will be in Toronto for the annual TBEX (Travel blogger conference).  After the conference I plan on spending 2-3 months exploring eastern Canada.  From there, we’ll see where the road takes me.

For now, that’s what’s coming up.  If you’ve been to any of these towns (or places along the way) and have suggestions on where I should eat, things I should see/do, please post a comment below, your recommendations would be much appreciated.

Above Chelsea Market, passing through the building on the 10th Avenue side, a new urban landscape called, the High Line opened a few years ago. This abandoned, elevated railroad track has been converted into an urban oasis, full of trees, foliage, seating areas and vendors. In a few years the High Line will form a continuous route between the trendy Meatpacking District and the Javits Convention Center. My buddy and I must have walked the entire length, stopping for a spell to enjoy a gourmet ice cream sandwich by Melt Bakery, which was simply delectable.  Ten years ago it was the doughnut craze, then the cupcake phenomenon…my prediction is that gourmet ice cream sandwiches take the world by storm next.

My plan is to spend two to three months road tripping through the eastern part of Canada this summer.  During the month of May I will be making my way from Arizona to Toronto, where I will attend the annual North American travel blogger conference known as “TBEX.” Afterword, I will use my new found contacts to explore the many wonderful areas of eastern Canada. If you have any “must-see” places, please drop me a line by posting a comment below.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the Big Apple, the last time was just before 9/11. I used to work for a leading dot.com back in the late 90s to 2001 and made frequent trips to NYC. This is a great time of year to visit and am looking forward to having a bit of time to re-visit the city after the CMM conference.

The following photos will illustrate ten reasons to visit Arizona in the spring—each represents at least one our our five senses, using the local flora as symbolic representations.  Spring is a fantastic time to visit the Arizona Sonoran Desert, with many unique cacti in full bloom, and, a variety of distinct scents and sounds.

Without further ado, here are ten spring reasons that will entice you to visit Arizona right now!

SUNSETS
The sunsets in Arizona are second to none.  This shot of a Joshua Tree in the early stage of the sun setting cycle illustrates a warm amber glow, while other evenings you’ll see rich reds’ streak across the sky. This shot was taking at the Flying E Dude Ranch.  (Sight)

VISTA VIEWS
There are large open spaces to enjoy, where the air is as clean as the sky is brilliant. This shot is just outside Wickenburg, which is about 60 miles N.W. of Phoenix. (Sight)

WILDFLOWERS
Poppies, Marigolds and Evening Primrose litter yards and sides of streets with a palette of vibrant colors.  (Sight, Smell)

INSECTS, BIRDS & WILDLIFE
Wildflowers and blooming cacti herald the arrival of migrating songbirds, butterflies and hummingbirds. There is so much life in the Sonoran Desert during spring months…from butterflies to 100s of species of birds chirping song.  If you’re lucky, you may even see a Gila Monster or other rare reptiles.  (Sight, Sounds)

DESERT HONEY
There is nothing sweeter than some desert honey…from mesquite to cactus blooms, to flavor-infused jalapeño or prickly pear, there are merchants selling the nectar that only Arizona can produce. This shot is of a bee pollinating a Palo Verde Tree. (Taste)

UNIQUE CACTI BLOOMS
There are so many variety of cacti in the Arizona Sonoran Desert, most have unique and splendid springtime blooms.  This photo is a hedgehog cacti. (Sight, Smell)

SEASONAL WATER
There are several areas where you’ll see seasonal water in the desert, and when you do, it’s a sight to behold.  This is the upper Hassayampa River in Yavapai County (Sight, Sound, Touch)

SUNRISES
Second only to Arizona sunsets, are the sunrises.  If you’re an early-bird,  you’ll bear witness to a stupendous sight as a rising glow illuminates the horizon, indicating the beginning of another beautiful day in the desert. (Sight)

NIGHT SKY
Because the sky is often so clear at night, the stars are quite bright against the dark sky.  This is a star-trail shot I took, which is a technique combining hundreds of photos into a single image. (Sight, Feel)

VIBRANT CONTRASTS
The amber light in the morning and evening hours. The bright warm sun in the afternoon, and the diverse textures  of the desert create vibrant contrasts that can only be found in the desert southwest of the Arizona Sonoran Desert.  (Sight)

If you live in, or have ever visited Arizona, please leave a comment below and share with my readers and me your favorite Arizona spring sights. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with friends and family by linking or posting on social media.