Weekend Getaways
Santa Fe
Pueblo ruins, the Rio Grande, vibrant art scene
If your group is looking to experience the beauty, nature, history, and culture of the Southwest, head to Santa Fe for your weekend getaway. Explore the attractions in the area such as
pueblo ruins
, Native American culture, caves, the Rio Grande, hot springs, and the scenery that inspired the art of Georgia O'Keeffe. Albuquerque, New Mexico is a quick flight from western and central cities, and the drive to Santa Fe is about an hour. Santa Fe also has a municipal airport serviced by a few major carriers.
There are a wide variety of day trips available right outside Santa Fe, including
whitewater rafting
andkayaking
on the Rio Grande.Fly-fishing
is popular on the Pecos River and in nearby lakes. In and around Santa Fe, there arehot springs
such as Black Rock Hot Spring and Bodhi Manda Zen Center. The most popular pools are in the Jemez Mountains, including the natural Spence Hot Springs (open year-round) and numerous smaller pools nearby.There are also a variety of parks and museums within a short drive of Santa Fe. North of town, along the famous Santa Fe trail,
Pecos National Historic Park
preserves New Mexican history beginning in the Fourteenth Century with the pueblo of Pecos, two Colonial Spanish Missions, Santa Fe Trail sites, a 20th century ranch, and a Civil War Battle site. InLas Vegas, New Mexico
, there's a fantastic wildlife refuge with incredible bird watching. You can also visit Ghost Ranch to view the landscape that so inspired Georgia O'Keeffe.Another great day trip from Santa Fe is to take the 61-mile
Turquoise Trail
between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, with awesome vistas and hiking at Sandia Crest (also accessible by tram). Travel back though American history through the mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, which are now flourishing again with art, crafts, food, music, and museums.