Looking for a quick getaway? A relaxing four-hour drive from Colorado Springs, Santa Fe combines Native American history, Spanish culture, Victorian grace and bohemian style.
Santa Fe is a town made for strolling with its European-style, narrow streets and hidden pathways. Start out at The Plaza to explore the shops, galleries and restaurants. Stay as dusk falls to dine al fresco under the glow of candles and fireplaces at Estevan Restaurante, Market Steer Steakhouse or Luminaria Restaurant & Patio.
Art + History
Canyon Road is Santa Fe’s must-see art destination. More than 100 galleries dot this square-mile area, making it one of the world’s largest concentrations of art galleries.
Don’t forget the museums. The New Mexico History Museum details pre-European contact through the Atomic Age. The New Mexico Museum of Art features the works of early Santa Fe masters. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum highlights her iconic desert flowers and bleached bones, as well as works by her inner circle, including Alfred Stieglitz and Ansel Adams.
This area, known as Museum Hill, also showcases Native American, Spanish and world history and art at the museums of International Folk Art, Spanish Colonial Art, Indian Arts & Culture, and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.
The Palace of the Governors, built in 1610, is the oldest Capitol building in the United States and has served Spanish, Mexican and Territorial governors. It displays more than 15,000 artifacts from various eras.
Churches
At the east end of the Plaza sits the Romanesque Revival-style Saint Francis Cathedral, built in 1869. Just south of the Plaza is the Loretto Chapel. Its wooden, spiral “miraculous staircase” uses no glue or nails—just wooden pegs and perfect carpentry. Farther south, San Miguel Mission, completed in 1626, is considered the oldest Catholic church in the United States.
Lodging
A stunning Santa Fe gem, The Inn and Spa at Loretto offers architecture reminiscent of the famed Taos Pueblo, romantic patio dining, a luxurious salon and spa. Modern luxury awaits at Eldorado Hotel & Spa with a contemporary rooftop pool, lounge and spa. Hotel St. Francis, Santa Fe’s oldest hotel, blends 1920s elegance with modern amenities and world-class dining. Hotel Chimayó, meanwhile, is inspired by more than 400 years of artistic tradition and features a unique lowrider bar.
Santa Fe is a destination in itself. But if you have extra time, extend your road trip along the historic El Camino Real (The Royal Highway), to explore the ancient trade route that weaves through New Mexico’s beautiful landscape and picturesque cities: Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos.
Heritage Hotels & Resorts: https://www.hhandr.com/
Santa Fe: https://www.santafe.org/
