You and your best friends want to get away to someplace special, reconnect and relax. Think Santa Fe. Beautiful mountain views, lots of history, art and culture; great places to shop, stay and dine await. The city (the third largest art market in the United States) is an art Mecca with over 200 galleries. It inspired artists like painter Georgia O’Keefe and photographer Ansel Adams. Some of the best Native American art in the world is found here. Plan an art-centered getaway to The City Different.
Places to Stay
In town:
La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa: a great choice, the hotel’s public areas are an art gallery and it’s all for sale.
The Inn and Spa at Loretto: inspired by the Taos Pueblo, it calls itself “The art and soul of Santa Fe.”
Inn on the Alameda: a charming property near the center of town; good rates, breakfast included.
Out of town:
Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa offers a magical environment with great mountain views and van service to town.
Dining
For authentic New Mexican food (it’s spicy) try The Shed.
For delicious world cuisine with a hint of Santa Fe: Café Pasqual’s.
Casual and inexpensive: Sleeping Dog Tavern.
Special and pricey: Geronimo, Coyote Café, 315 Restaurant and Wine Bar, and Santacafé.
Best bet for breakfast or lunch in town: Tia Sophia’s, or try the Guadalupe Café.
Art Museums
New Mexico Museum of Art has a wonderful collection of New Mexican art.
Georgia O’Keeffe showcases the art of this iconic American painter and that of her contemporaries.
Museum of International Folk Art has folk art from New Mexico and around the world.
Site Santa Fe is famous for its Biennial exhibits. Current one runs into January 2011; next one 2012.
IAIA Museum (Institute of American Indian Arts) shows contemporary Native American Art.
Santa Fe is teeming with galleries. The major concentration is on historic Canyon Road. Friday nights feature gallery openings. The galleries on West Place and Lincoln Avenues sponsor First Friday Art Walks.
Art Day Trips
Seasonally tour the O’Keeffe Home and Studio in Abiquiu.
Ghost Ranch offers O’Keeffe Landscape tours. The works of the late and renowned Native American sculptor Alan Houser are on view at the Alan Houser Compound south of Santa Fe. Saturdays there are bronze pours at Shidoni Foundry.
For hands on art, Heidi Loewen offers pottery classes at her gallery. Or take a photography or painting class.
If art’s not your thing or you want to include more in your visit, the area has an array of things to see and do. And don’t forget shopping; there are many unique boutiques to tempt you. Choose Santa Fe for your next getaway, it’s a magical place.
Writer’s note: As a former hotel concierge and owner of a travel concierge and trip-planning business in Santa Fe, the writer has been the guest of some of the places mentioned in this post. These experiences have not influenced have not influenced this article in any way.
Billie Frank is a freelance writer, co-owner of The Santa Fe Traveler and Santa Fe blogger.