Happy Trails:
Five Days of New Mexico Adventure

Rancho Jacona is the perfect home for a multi-day northern New Mexico adventure. An hour drive in any direction puts you in some of the most beautiful country New Mexico has to offer. But even a 10-minute walk from Rancho Jacona will have you pulling out your camera to capture the scenery. Here is our take on the perfect way to enjoy five days at Rancho Jacona. 

Day One

Start your perfect stretch of days with breakfast made with eggs from the Rancho Jacona hens. When the chickens are cooperating and eggs are available we are happy to share them, straight from the hen house. If you have never had truly fresh eggs, the flavor will be a very welcome eye-opener.

Next, venture out to the Tent Rocks National Monument, about 40 miles south of Santa Fe. Tent Rocks features a moderate 1.5 mile out-and-back hike that ends with one of the more perfect 360-degree views in northern New Mexico. The uphill climb is well worth the effort. If you've never squeezed through a slot canyon or been up close to a hoodoo, this is the place for you. Don't forget your camera, your sunscreen, or your water bottle!

After your Tent Rocks adventure, head to Santa Fe for an amazing cup of tea and a sandwich at the Teahouse on Canyon Road. On a sunny New Mexico day, the outdoor seating is one of our favorite spots. After you've rested your legs and satisfied your appetite, stroll through some of the 100 art galleries featured in just a half mile stretch of Canyon Road. Even if you don't find something to take home with you, you will definitely leave inspired.

Head back to Rancho Jacona for a late afternoon siesta by the pool. The perfect spot to cool off, recharge your batteries, and catch up on that book you've been meaning to read. Our pool is open May-September. In cooler weather, grab a blanket and enjoy a nap in one of our lounge chairs under the cottonwood trees.

Finish your first day with dinner at one of our favorite local spots, El Nido in nearby Tesuque. An 18-minute drive from Jacona, and a worthwhile treat. After dinner, head back to your casita and dream about tomorrow's adventures.

Day Two

After breakfast, start day two with one of our favorite local hikes, at Tsankawi. In the 1400's Tsankawi was home to the Ancestral Tewa Pueblo people. Today, their descendants live in the nearby San Ildefonso Pueblo. Part of the Bandelier National Monument, the main trail head at Tsankawi is less than 15 minutes from Rancho Jacona. In just a two-mile hike you will see cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and some unbeatable views of the high country.

After your hike, head north on Highway 30. Your destination for the afternoon is Ojo Caliente. Your first stop is the quirky, lovable Mesa Vista Cafe. Grab a quick burrito or an order of huevos rancheros.

Next, head next door to the the famed Ojo Caliente Hot Springs. The perfect place to soak in the mineral-rich waters of northern New Mexico, while also rejuvenating your skin with a long mud bath. Famous for its reported restorative properties, the mud at Ojo Caliente will make you feel like a kid again. Be sure to book spa treatments in advance. The bar at Ojo Caliente is a great spot for afternoon refreshments before heading back to Rancho Jacona.

Leave Ojo Caliente feeling relaxed and renewed, and head back to Rancho Jacona for dinner in your fully-furnished kitchen, and a quiet fire in your built-in kiva fireplace. You can also enjoy our outdoor fire pit while gazing at the star-filled New Mexican skies. Rancho Jacona abounds with outdoor living space.

Day Three

Day three is all about Santa Fe. Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the Plaza Cafe. From there, head over for a truly unique experience at Meow Wolf. Part art exhibit, part museum, part fun house, Meow Wolf will keep you guessing at every turn. Note, Meow Wolf is closed on Tuesdays.

For lunch, it's hard to beat Opuntia in the Railyard district, or the ceviche at the Coyote Cafe rooftop cantina.

For a unique architectural experience, the Loretto Chapel is a must-see. Home to the "Miraculous Stair," the chapel is a cultural phenomenon that has been featured in a variety of TV shows, books, and tours. From there, treat yourself to a bubbly afternoon stop at the Gruet Tasting Room next to the historic Hotel Saint Francis, on Don Gaspar Avenue. Their award-winning New Mexican-produced sparkling wines will have you planning how to pack a case for the trip home.

Wrap up your day with a stroll through the shops surrounding the historic Santa Fe Plaza. In summer and early fall, an eclectic lineup of the area's favorite bands turns the plaza into a raucous performance space. While in the center of town, be sure to check out the beautiful Native American jewelry, which local artisans display at the Palace of the Governors.

Before heading back to Rancho Jacona, stop in for dinner at any one of the dozens of highly-rated restaurants in the heart of town. Some of our favorites include The Shed, Restaurant 315, Andiamo, Radish & Rye, and Paper Dosa.