As summer winds down, make your way to Santa Fe County for a magical getaway. While any time of year here is filled with fun, late summer combines perfect weather and a slower pace for adventures to remember. Explore the northern New Mexico region with the gorgeous landscape of Ghost Ranch, made famous by iconic American artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Head to the mountains to unwind and dine at an acclaimed Japanese-style spa. Take in passionate flamenco performances in intimate venues, and watch hoop dancers and buffalo dancing by Native American dance groups share their ancient ceremonial dances during adventure-themed train rides. When it’s time to dine in this world-class culinary destination, follow a fascinating historic byway to memorable restaurants that showcase our riveting past and our deliciously vibrant present. Embrace late summer in Santa Fe County. It’s a glorious time to be here!
O’Keeffe Country
Spend some time among the towering spires and striking red rock formations that iconic American painter Georgia O'Keeffe made famous in her paintings. You’ll be just as inspired by this magnificent place as she was. O’Keeffe first visited Ghost Ranch located in Abiquiú in the summer of 1934, when the Ranch was a dude ranch. Entranced by the stunning landscape of canyons and cliffs, she returned to spend summer after summer in this land of beauty. Its history spans millions of years, from the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs to the Spanish land grant era and the rowdy ranching days. Today, Ghost Ranch encompasses 21,000 acres and is used as an education and retreat center. Visitors can walk in O’Keeffe’s footsteps on hiking trails, ride horses on guided trail tours, and enjoy a diverse offering of other tours, art programs and more.
Spa Sojourn, Japanese-style
What could be better after a hike or a mountain bike ride than a serene soak in a private hot tub suite at Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese-style mountain spa resort in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos. Follow your soak with an expert massage and a fantastic meal of Japanese gastropub fare, and your worldly cares will melt away. Not quite ready to leave? Spend the night in the resort's enchanting Houses of the Moon, a romantic lodging styled after a traditional Japanese inn. You'll leave feeling thoroughly rested and restored.
Fiery Flamenco
Flamenco originated in Spain more than 300 years ago with the gypsies of Andalusia. Today, this traditional music and dance form —with its rhythmic foot taps and clapping, and passionate song and music—is flourishing in Santa Fe County, thanks largely to flamenco artist María Benítez, who founded the Institute for Spanish Arts in Santa Fe in 1970 with her husband, Cecilio Benítez. She began her career more than six decades ago as a flamenco artist at the iconic El Nido in Tesuque, a restaurant that then hosted a summer flamenco season, and went on to international acclaim. Benítez regularly performed at the María Benítez Cabaret and introduced younger artists to audiences. Although she has stepped back from the stage, our flamenco scene continues to flourish in both traditional and contemporary forms. Various venues throughout Santa Fe County offer a chance to marvel at this inspiring art form. Check these websites for schedules and venues.
Sacred Dances
On Sky Railway's thrilling train adventures, passengers are not only awed by the magnificent scenery of Santa Fe County, they're immersed in live entertainment and music on themed rides such as Sunset Serenade, Lore of the Land, Speak Easy Express, and Jazz under the Stars. On select trips of the Santa Fe Scenic ride, train travelers can admire the whirl of color, motion and music as Native dancers from the Avanyu Mountain Dance Group perform the sacred Buffalo Dance, and hoop dancers from the Lightning Boy Foundation weave intricate stories with hoops, which represent the endless circle of life. Check the website for train times and dance schedules.
Discover Modern Elder Academy’s Rising Circle Ranch
Nestled within the stunning Santa Fe landscape, the Modern Elder Academy’s (MEA) Rising Circle Ranch offers a memorable escape with the comforts of contemporary elegance. Embrace your midlife years at the newly opened Modern Elder Academy (MEA), the first school in the country devoted to midlife wisdom. Located on a 2,566-acre regenerative horse ranch in the majestic Galisteo Basin, this enchanting campus offers lush mountain views, starry nights, hiking trails, equine adventures and more. MEA offers workshops with renowned thought leaders designed to help guests experience learning, inspiration, and connection in new and unexpected ways. MEA opened its first campus in Baja California Sur, Mexico in 2018 and its success inspired its second campus in Santa Fe County. Discover the perfect place to relax your mind and get away!
Culinary Delights
When you’re hungry, the backroads of Santa Fe County can lead to some captivating places. In the little town of Lamy, the restored Legal Tender Saloon is steeped in authentic Old West decor, with glittering chandeliers and an antique wood bar. It’s the perfect ambiance for time-traveling to the late 1800s. The menu offers handcrafted cocktails and northern New Mexico staples such as green chile stew and a green chile cheeseburger.
In Madrid, on the historic Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (N.M. Highway 14), the newly opened Refinery 14 offers made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch fare featuring locally sourced ingredients. Start the day with biscuits and gravy or breakfast tacos. For lunch try meatball subs and mushroom melt sandwiches, along with salads, soups and more. The rustic patio is perfect for people-watching in this colorful, artsy town. Inside, the space doubles as a gallery, filled with paintings and other work by local artists.
Be sure to visit the venerable Mine Shaft Tavern, once a gathering spot for miners after quitting time. Today, this historic spot is famous for its restaurant and bar, and plenty of live music. Grab a green chile cheeseburger and a beverage and you’ll feel right at home in the tavern, restaurant or on the Cantina Deck.
Get Ready for Fall Foliage Season
Fall in Santa Fe County is spectacular and it will be here soon. Many locals will tell you it’s their favorite time of year. The air is filled with the smoky scent of New Mexico green chile roasting at roadside stands and farmer's markets. Aspen trees turn shimmering shades of golds and reds, and the weather cools to perfect temperatures. It’s a great season for mountain biking, where more than 600 magnificent miles of high desert trails await bikers of every level. Check out our Local Favorite Trails to Hike and Bike to find the trails best-suited for you.
The Reigning Chomp
Deciding which restaurant makes the best green chile cheeseburger in all of New Mexico by tasting the contenders is a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. That’s what the annual Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown is all about, and you’re invited. After you taste the contenders, your vote will help select the winner of the People’s Choice Awards, and a panel of local foodie celebrities will choose the Reigning Chomp winner. Be sure to bring your appetite to this beloved foodie event.
Friday, September 7, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at The Beer Hall @ Santa Fe Brewing
Artful Tour
Traveling the historic Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway is an incredibly artful adventure during the Turquoise Trail Studio Tour. More than 40 artists along the Turquoise Trail, from Santa Fe to Cedar Crest, are on hand in their studios to talk about their work in ceramics, photography, painting, sculpture, stained glass, jewelry and many other media.
Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22 and September 28-29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wine & Chile
As the country’s oldest wine-growing region and producer of celebrated chile, New Mexico is the perfect place for the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta. The long-running event pairs fabulous food with fine wine during wine dinners at acclaimed restaurants, tastings with top chefs from around the country, wine auctions and the Grand Tasting, a chance to sample world-class food and wine.
Wednesday, September 25 through Sunday, September 29, various venues
santafenmtrue.com/events/santa-fe-wine-and-chile-fiesta-2024
A Festival of Films
Film-makers and film-lovers will share their passion for movies at the 16th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival, hailed as “a young Sundance” by IndieWire Magazine and named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” in 2024. With more than 160 screenings of indie and international films at six theaters as well as panels, and discussions with movie makers, this festival is a visual feast.
October 16-20 in venues around the city
santafenmtrue.com/events/the-16th-annual-santa-fe-international-film-festival
Visit Santa Fe County for late summer adventures this year! We're looking forward to seeing you. For more information, visit SantaFeNMTrue.com and be sure to follow us on social media.