Both slightly intimidating and entirely charming, Santa Fe resonated with me for weeks after my visit. I walked on Pueblo land where Native American communities have thrived for centuries and whose members were the first to set foot on that very land. I felt a pull and warmth that couldn't be explained.
Most people I talked to who live in Santa Fe believe in its magnetic attraction but wonder, "do we whisper or shout about it?"
The soaring peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountains just outside Santa Fe are silhouetted against dramatic sunsets, viewed from choice spots at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado. The luxury property with 65 intimate casitas sits on 57 acres of high-desert mountain landscape that seems to soak up the noise of the world. Each casita or suite has a wood fireplace, spa-inspired bathroom and private patio for contemplation and conversation. The resort’s onsite Adventure Center offers a myriad of custom family adventures and authentic cultural excursions led by in-house, local expert guides. The signature restaurant, Terra, provides sustenance and beautiful plates with indoor and outdoor dining.
From your casita at the Four Seasons, hike or bike the resort’s own trails to a vantage point where seven different Native American communities, or Pueblos, can be mapped. The Tesuque Pueblo is nearby, and we had an excellent meal at the Tesuque Village Market. Farming, art and a rich livelihood continue on this ancestral land.
I stared into the eyes of the 24-foot bronze sculpture, the Apache Mountain Spirit Dancer, that dominates the outdoor plaza on Museum Hill, Santa Fe’s home to four world-class museums, as well as the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens. The Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum is in John Gaw Meem's 1930 Pueblo-Spanish Revival Director’s residence. The father of Santa Fe Style, Meem, was one of New Mexico's most influential architects. The collection at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indianis housed in an eight-sided building, a nod to the traditional Hogan homes used by the Diné (Navajo) people. The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture is home to over 70,000 artifacts from the Native Southwest. My favorite, the Museum of International Folk Art showcases toys and textiles from more than 100 countries, representing the largest international folk art collection in the world. Browsing the cases full of miniatures and art, I was reminded we all share common bonds: family, music, work, play and home.
For a charming in town stay, the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi is steps from the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Sandstone walls, impressive hand-carved doors, sculptured stairways, bright guest rooms and polished staff members make the world-class retreat remarkable. Walk to the Georgia O'Keeffe to experience an intimate view of the legendary artist's life.