NOLA-transplant Hayward Simoneaux brings a touch of Mardi Gras to Santa Fe in his funky little chocolate shop filled with disco balls, Mardi Gras beads, and traditional folk art. Splurge on a piece of his (edible) 23-karat gold or silver leaf-covered chocolates.
A stellar local book selection (with a bargain bin to boot) just off the historic Canyon Road.
For one weekend every August, Native American artists congregate to the historic downtown plaza to showcase their pottery, jewelry, art, and wares.
The colors and textures and sheer selection are almost overwhelming: peppers for miles, sugar snap peas, buckets of bright red chilis (local Chimayo, Velarde, and Socorro varietals), tomatoes, pretty purple Caliope eggplant. The brilliant aroma of roasting Hatch chiles (named for an area in New Mexico) fills the air. (They pair perfectly with a hamburger.) For souvenirs, pick up less expensive finds like fresh ground chili powders and lotion bars from Love + Leche.
Great collection of regional Southwest books. Pick up 109 East Palace, about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the scientists at Los Alamos, and, for more insight into O'Keeffe, a copy of Laurie Lisle's biography, Portrait of an Artist. If you're in a culinary mood, España is the great cookbook by James Campbell Caruso, the award-winning chef at local favorite La Boca restaurant.
Authentic and unique souvenirs — the buyers have excellent taste, but it will cost you for beautiful antique turquoise jewelry and vintage Navajo rugs (there's a whole room of them to choose from).
More than 150 varieties of individually wrapped domestic and imported cheeses fill the U-shaped service counter and refrigerated display cases. The specialty food market also sells a selection of charcuterie, Don Diego Breads, artisanal crackers, and French chocolates — basically everything you need for a dreamy post-hike picnic in the Sangre de Cristo mountains.