My Hometown: Welcome to Santa Fe, With Lutz Arnhold - Full-Time Travel

My Hometown: Welcome to Santa Fe, With Lutz Arnhold

My Hometown: Welcome to Santa Fe, With Lutz Arnhold

In FTT’s series My Hometown, notable travelers divulge local places they couldn’t live without.

By Esme Benjamin

In this edition of My Hometown, Lutz Arnhold, Managing Director of 5-star hotel Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, shares his go-tos for Santa Fe, New Mexico. Given his role in the hospitality and tourism industry, Lutz knows how to show visitors the best of his city, from art galleries and museums to award-winning restaurants and breathtakingly beautiful nature spots. 

Read on for the inside scoop on everything from a premium tequila tasting to the coolest cowboy boot store in the city. And don’t forget to Bookmark this guide for your next visit to the Land of Enchantment. 

Courtesy of Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi

My hometown is special because of its unique heritage and history. Santa Fe is incredibly multicultural, and Native American, Hispanic and Latino, and Anglo influences have shaped its evolution and the experience it offers residents and visitors. This blending of cultures creates an energy you can feel in every part of the city. 

The best place to stay in my hometown is downtown Santa Fe, where I’m lucky enough to work. It's so exciting to be centrally located in the midst of Santa Fe’s cultural sites, museums, and restaurants.

When you're in my hometown, you absolutely need to get a Silver Coin margarita at The Anasazi Bar and Lounge (and if you’re a fan of tequila, don't miss our expert-led tasting sessions, where you’ll try a variety of premium tequila brands while learning about the history and process of agave), and order the New Mexico Wagyu Flat Iron at The Anasazi Restaurant, which uses locally sourced and sustainability raised steak. 

Bandelier National Monument, NM: Home of archaeological ruins, former dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo peoples.

When friends visit my hometown, I always take them to the Canyon Road Galleries. Strolling along this storied road visitors can explore different galleries showcasing the works of local artists, regional color, and striking contemporary art. Fun fact: Santa Fe is home to over 100 galleries, making it the third largest art market in the U.S. 

If you are looking for something a bit more adventurous, check out the Bandelier National Monument, a historically and geographically important site that preserves the home and territory of the region’s ancestral Pueblo People. The park is a must for archaeological and anthropological enthusiasts and the area also includes a lot of trails and wildlife, which makes it perfect for group hikes.

I spend far too much money at Lucchese Bootmaker store, which has the best cowboy boots in the city.

Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return, Santa Fe, New Mexico

When you're in the mood for some "me time" head straight to Santa Fe Brewing for their famous Happy Camper IPA.

My secret obsession is playing a round of Golf at The Club At Las Campanas.

Something only locals know about my hometown is that in Santa Fe it really can be “Christmas” all year around! When you order Southwestern dishes like burritos or tamales “Christmas style,” it means you’ll get to enjoy a delicious mix of red and green chile on top. 

Don't end a trip to my hometown without a visit to Meow Wolf, a new kind of museum with immersive, multimedia experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms.

"This sculpture is called "Transmission" by artist Daniel Popper. Its a reminder that we are all rooted in love, unity and the divine. She stands a towering 28 feet tall and is located on Mojave Moon Ranch in Joshua Tree. The land is private property, so you can see it from the viewing platform off of Sunfair Road. And take it from me, it's best viewed at sunset."

Reel: @johnofah
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There's more to Greece than the white and blue buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. If you're planning a visit, check out these places below!

📍Kokkinopilos. Preveza
📍Verliga Dragon lake, Thessaly
📍Ithaca island, lonian Sea
📍Aoos springs lake, Epirus
📍Lake Prespes, Macedonia
📍Balda di Stringa waterfalls, Epirus
📍Meteora, Thessaly
📍Pelion, Thessaly
📍Lake Zorika, Epirus
📍Mt Lakmos
📍Crete island, Aegean Sea
📍Gistova Dragon lake, Macedonia

Reel: @farawayfarers
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Swim or kayak through the limestone cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, a must-visit destination for those traveling to Coron, Palawan, Philippines. It is called "twin" lagoon because it consists of two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff, with one lagoon on top of the other. The water in the inner lagoon is warm and clear, with a stunning turquoise color that makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Reel: @travelifejournal
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Take a dip in a series of seven saltwater lagoons located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The Lagoons of Baltinache are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and unique geological formations. The high concentration of minerals in the water gives it a unique buoyancy that makes swimming in the lagoons a unique experience.

Reel: @everchanginghorizon
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Watching the sun rise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is one of the most memorable experiences you could have. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian name that means “House of the Sun” and is an awesome place to watch the clear night sky and stars fade away as the sun lights up the sky and the earth.

Reel: @girlchill_sunset
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Just 1 hour from Shanghai by train, Cherry Blossom Valley is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The valley is named after the thousands of cherry blossom trees that cover the area and create a stunning display of pink and white flowers. The trees were originally planted in the 1980s by a group of Japanese experts who were invited to China to help with reforestation efforts. The best time to visit is typically in late March or early April. Get there early to beat the crowds!

Reel: @cyncynti
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New Zealand is unbelievable. See it for yourself:

1. Fiordland National Park
2. A classic backcountry hut trip
3. Blue Pools walk
4. Hooker Lake
5. Milford Sound
6. Lake Pukaki

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
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Surrounded by lush greenery, towering karst mountains, and the river flowing through, the Detian Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the close relationship between China and Vietnam. It is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world.

Reel: @sophoebelous
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Escape to a serene and peaceful oasis away from the bustling city of Marrakech at Le Jardin Secret—a beautiful and historic garden where visitors can escape the noise and chaos and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden was originally built in the 16th century and is home to many different species of plants, including exotic flowers, citrus trees, and palm trees.

Reel: @hypermiggzz
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For a magical moment and bucket list travel experience, visit the end point of the annual monarch butterfly migration. Starting in August, the monarchs travel 2,800 miles south from Canada, making a temporary home amid the towering trees of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where the two most popular sanctuaries to view them are el Rosario in the state of Michoacan and Piedra Herrada in Estado de México. Standing in silence while thousands of delicate wings beat in unison is something you'll never forget.

Reel: @juliiathompson
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There's just something beautiful about snow covered landscapes like this popular attraction in southwestern Utah. Known for its unique geology, @brycecanyonnps_gov consists of a series of natural amphitheaters, called "hoodoos," formed by erosion of the rock layers.

Photo: @nathanleeallen
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As we experience a couple more weeks of winter, we can't help but dream of tropical destinations like Hawaii. The warm water, sunny skies, and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for surfers. Hawaii has a vibrant surf culture and community and is also a beautiful place to explore outside of the water, with lush green mountains, stunning beaches, and unique cultural experiences.

Reel: @christopherballadarez
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5 PLACES IN THE U.S. THAT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER PLANET:
1. @sequoiakingsnps, California
2. @canyonlandsnps, Utah
3. @olympic_nps, Washington
4. @whitesandsnps, New Mexico
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
6. Knik Glacier, Alaska

Reel: @nathanleeallen
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