Even if you have only a few days, getting away to northern New Mexico can be exceptionally refreshing, an easy way to disconnect from your regular routine by immersing yourself in the state’s otherworldly architecture and rich history.
Just an hour from the Albuquerque airport, Santa Fe [1] lends itself perfectly to a romantic escape. Settle in at one of the many remarkable hotels, and make reservations at a couple of the city’s best restaurants. With planning, you could also spend an evening at the Santa Fe Opera [2] in the summer.
Fly into Albuquerque [3]; head to Santa Fe via the scenic Turquoise Trail [4] and check in to your hotel: The Inn of the Five Graces [5] is an exotic, utterly luxurious hideaway, or hole up in the Hacienda wing of the Hotel Santa Fe [6].
If it’s summertime, head to Canyon Road [7] for the gallery crawl, which gets started around 5 p.m. If it’s wintertime, curl up for a bit by the fire at Staab House [8], at La Posada de Santa Fe, and then walk over to dinner at Café Pasqual’s [9].
Pick up breakfast at the French Pastry Shop [10] and then spend the morning sightseeing (New Mexico Museum of Art [11], Museum of International Folk Art [12]) and the afternoon in a private hot tub at Ten Thousand Waves [13], finishing with a massage and spa treatment.
Around happy hour, head to La Casa Sena [14]—have a drink in the flower-filled patio and then move inside for a candlelit dinner. If you’re up for more, head over to the bar at El Mesón [8] for a drink.
Take an early-morning hike on the Dale Ball Trails [15] or, less strenuously, around the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve [16].
Treat yourself to brunch at Harry’s Roadhouse [17], a little south of town, for high-end diner-style goodies (and pie), and then drive back down I-25 to catch your flight out.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/entertainment/performing-arts
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/outside-albuquerque/the-turquoise-trail
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/accommodations/over-250
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/accommodations/150-250
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/sights/canyon-road
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/entertainment/bars
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/food/downtown/santa-fe-eclectic
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/food/downtown/breakfast-and-lunch
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/sights/downtown/new-mexico-museum-art
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/sights/museum-hill/museum-international-folk-art
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/recreation/spas
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/food/downtown/fine-dining
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/recreation/biking/mountain-biking
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/recreation/hiking/santa-fe-canyon-preserve
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/santa-fe/food/santa-fe-metro-area/burgers-and-more