Discover Abiquiú Blog

American artist Georgia O’Keeffe was born on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, and lived in many different places before settling in New Mexico - Chicago, New York City, New York’s Lake George, Charlottesville, Virginia and Amarillo, TX. She first visited New Mexico in 1917, and from that time on she would declare that “I was always on my way back.” So many of us here in Abiquiu feel the same way. In 1929 and 1930, O’Keeffe spent her first two summers as a guest at Mabel Dodge Luhan

A foodie myself, one of the questions I get asked most often by guests is, “Where is your favorite place to eat?” Truthfully, it’s also one of the questions I ask most when I’m travelling and visiting a new city. So for those of you asking this question while visiting Abiquiu - this blog is for you! New Mexico is famous for its southwestern cuisine with influences from Native American, Spanish and Mexican cultures. While each group retains its basic identity today in New Me

Our Favorite Things to Discover In and Around Abiquiu, New Mexico Congratulations – if you are reading this you likely have added a stay in Abiquiu to your New Mexico vacation. We are biased, but we don’t believe any trip to New Mexico is complete without spending time in Abiquiu…and not just a day trip…you will need several days to really get to know the history and culture of the area. We are often asked about our “bucket list” list of things to see and do – so in this blog

There is so much to see and do in Abiquiú – don’t short yourself and schedule only a quick day trip. We recommend at least four days in Abiquiú to really experience the history, culture, geography and arts in the area...and many of our guests stay for a week or month. So many people flock to Abiquiú to visit Ghostranch and take the Georgia O’Keeffe Home and Studio Tour. We definitely recommend you do both. But, don’t miss the many other hidden treasures, including spectacular

With all New Mexico counties at a “turquoise” level – meaning COVID numbers have fallen and businesses can begin safely reopening – we are excited to welcome Summer 2021 – long, warm days with blue, blue skies that slowly turn into glowing sunsets. This summer season…after 2020, a year unlike any other…gives us reason to pause and appreciate the beauty of Abiquiu. Abiquiu is re-opening…and for those of you who have trips planned, or maybe are thinking of escaping this summer

Abiquiu, this little village in northern New Mexico, has become a tourist destination and bucket list item because of its history, the blending of cultures, and, of course, America’s most famous female artist, Georgia O’Keeffe. Touring Georgia's home and studio in the village is a popular attraction, as her property stands today just as it did when she lived there. Georgia was inspired by the land, the vistas, rock formations, the random bones she found, and the colors. The l

On the bank of the Rio Chama in Abiquiu, New Mexico, in the Chama Canyon wilderness, sits a beautiful Benedictine monastic community – The Monastery of Christ in the Desert. The monks in this community have the goal of living the contemplative life which St. Benedict, whose Rule is followed, envisioned as a life free from all attachments so that a relationship with God is the central, and even exclusive, relationship. The monastery is a rich part of Abiquiu’s fabric, and welc

Happy New Year! All of us at The Grand Hacienda B&B, The Casita del Lago and Abiquiu Lake Mesa Vacation Homes, and the Studios of Abiquiu Lake wish you a healthy, joyful, and travel-filled 2021! For the past 14 years, we have started each year with a letter of thanks to our “family of friends and guests”. We are so thankful for all of you who weathered 2020 with us. It has been a bumpy ride, for sure! When life gave us 2020, we adapted. We spent the year mastering soc

By Guest Blogger: Robert Dolci, President of the Northern Rio Grande Chapter of the New Mexico Vine and Wine Society I spent most of my adult life in California’s Silicon Valley, and what I know about wine came out of a bottle from either Napa Valley or Sonoma County. Just about the only wine I drank from my mid 20s until my mid 60s was wines from Northern California. Why not, it was really good stuff. In 2012, my wife Wendy and I moved to New Mexico. In 2013, we joined the V

Johnny Eata, born in 1965, was only 47 years old when he died in 2012 on NM-96, outside of Abiquiu in the village of Youngsville. Not much is known to the passing public about Johnny. No obituary to be found. But we do know a bit about Johnny's life, and his love for motorcycles, because of the incredible descanso on the side of the road. Flocked by a “Born to Ride” sign and motorcycle toad statue that make up part of his memorial, Johnny's memory lives on to all who pass

The meaning and history of the descansos roadside memorials in New Mexico.

El Santuario de Chimayó

Youngsville, NM - a tiny village outside of Abiquiu.

Spring 2020 in Abiquiu, New Mexico.

Abiquiu Lake Vacations wins AirBNB Superhost Award for seventh consecutive time.

When you set out to #DiscoverAbiquiu, you most certainly will discover that you are in “O’Keeffe Territory”, and for good reason. Georgia O’Keeffe first visited Abiquiu in 1929, and eventually made it her permanent home in 1949. Her famous paintings depict her representation of everything “New Mexico,” including Abiquiu’s Cerro Pedernal, Plaza Blanca, Ghost Ranch and numerous landscapes and still life paintings. The natural world that surrounded her – the landscape, river, m

58 artists. 25 different studio/stops. Photography, paintings, sculpture, metal work, wood work, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, soaps, candles, masks, birdhouses – and more. The 25th annual #AbiquiuStudioTour did not disappoint! As we drove from studio stop to studio stop, following the well-marked route with map in hand (and on the phone map), we discussed the awesome job the tour planners did this year – large pink flags marked the studios along the road, studio numbers were

Hello to our family of guests and friends of The Casita del Lago and Abiquiú Lake Mesa! The long, sunny days of Abiquiú's summer, with the bright blue skies and colorful mesas, are giving away to the crisp, golden days of fall with a fresh palette of color.  The beauty that surrounds us in Abiquiú is at its finest.  In the fall, after the busy summer months, we take the time to pause, and enjoy – and look forward to the changing seasons.  And so, already, we are looking forwa

Located in Abiquiú, next to the Georgia O’Keeffe Welcome Center, Café Abiquiu offers a casual dining experience. We especially love dining al fresco on the outdoor patio. The restaurant offers a menu with lots of variety - there is something for every one. You'll find New Mexico specialties, such as Huevos Rancheros, Green Chili Cheeseburgers and Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas. For dinner and lunch, choices include everything from tacos to hamburgers to salmon to steak. Selec

Is Abiquiú, New Mexico on your bucket list? If not, we think it should be. While Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos and Los Alamos attract over 6 million visitors each year, it is the village of Abiquiú that we believe is the hidden gem – and no visit to New Mexico is complete without spending time in Abiquiú: The Land of Enchantment, the Home of Georgia O’Keeffe. Dinosaurs, Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and castle wrestlers all called this land home.  The village of Abiqui