Tucked into a busy stretch of Santa Fe Drive between Second and 11th streets, the Art District on Santa Fe has long been a destination for culture buffs. But whether you are a first-time visitor or a longtime fan, the area’s new or revitalized cafes, shops, restaurants, and yes, art studios, help make this neighborhood feel fresh again.

  1. Get Comfortable
    Brothers Andre and Aaron Lobato, whose family owned Boulder’s 14th Street Bar & Grill, merge vintage roadhouse decor with down-home comfort food (think: deviled eggs and chicken livers) at Interstate Kitchen & Bar(901 W. 10th Ave.).
  2. Java Stop
    Even the baristas are artists at Studio 6 Coffee House (910 Santa Fe Drive). Chat them up while you wait for an organic, fair-trade coffee, before heading to the shared courtyard filled with pieces from local galleries and boutiques.
  3. The Stalwart
    The neighborhood’s cultural cornerstone, the Museo de las Americas (861 Santa Fe Drive), houses exhibits and hosts a Spanish Happy Hour on the third Friday of every month.
  4. Stock Up
    Cooperative gallery Artists on Santa Fe (747 Santa Fe Drive) carries everything from eclectic housewarming gifts to more serious art investments. Bonus: The artists take turns working the register.
  5. Staying Power
    More than a decade after settling in the neighborhood, Carol Mier Fashion (754 Santa Fe Drive) continues to churn out one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, and jewelry.