It's time for an elevating getaway, the kind that energizes you from your head to your toes. At 7,000 feet in Santa Fe County, surrounded by majestic mountaintops and mesas, you'll be in the right place. The natural beauty will take your breath away, whether you're into hiking, mountain biking and camping or simply want to relax in the lap of luxury. Gear up for a change of pace and a chance to reconnect with yourself and the ones you love in an inspiringly beautiful environment. Just remember–once you've heard the call of our dramatic mountains, you may never want to leave.
A Mountain Lake Escape
Retreat from the world at a hidden oasis, a sparkling blue lake that's ideal for boating, hiking and camping ringed by serene mountain views. The Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area, located about 30 miles north of Santa Fe, is also a great spot for sharing a picnic, overlooking cottonwood, juniper and piñon trees along trail-lined hills. The lake is an angler's paradise, too, holding the state record for the largest rainbow trout catch, weighing in at 31 pounds. Ideal for day trippers and campers alike, Santa Cruz Lake is a place to lose your cares and find tranquility in nature.
Meandering Mountain Road
There's nothing like the High Road to Taos, which winds through striking mountainscapes to Old World New Mexico. In the historic village of Chimayó, visit venerated weaving shops whose artists have deep northern New Mexico roots, stretching back nine generations. The 19th-century adobe church, El Santuario de Chimayó, is renowned for what many people claim is sacred dirt with healing powers. When you've worked up an appetite, head to the picturesque Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante and savor some of the best traditional New Mexico cuisine anywhere.
Folk Art on the Hill
Set against spectacular mountain views, the world's largest folk art market brings shoppers together with artists from 50 countries who sell their one-of-a-kind jewelry, wearable art and so much more. This year's International Folk Art Market is scheduled for two long weekends rather than one, July 7-11 and July 14-18. Every two hours, a maximum of 200 ticketed guests can enjoy a shopping odyssey for two hours at a time, buying folk art from 40-50 artists who change from one weekend to the next. It’s a wonderful chance to reconnect with the world as you meet the artists and learn about their crafts, customs and countries. Note that COVID safety procedures include mask wearing and social distancing.
New Rooms with a View
To embrace the beauty of the mountains, book a suite at the new Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection, which borders the Santa Fe National Forest. Enjoy a sumptuous meal crafted with Mexican ingredients and modern techniques at SkyFire, the lodge's signature restaurant helmed by acclaimed Executive Chef Peter O'Brien. Relax with restorative spa treatments, yoga, guided meditation and other offerings at the Turquesa Healing Arts Studio. Explore the outdoors on guided horseback tours, fly fishing excursions, and mountain biking and hiking adventures. This anticipated resort opens July 1.
Elevated Weddings
Planning on saying “I do?” Romantic Old Warm charm and sweeping mountain views make this region an enchanting place for weddings, including yours. Exchange vows at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, where luxury services for your wedding include acclaimed cuisine, poolside gatherings and a sunset terrace ceremony. The pastoral setting at El Rancho de las Golondrinas features a lush oasis with towering cottonwoods and a horse carriage to transport you and your beloved to and from your ceremony. When Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection opens this summer, you can get married in a historic chapel or a grand hall with a stone fireplace, among other distinctive settings. The resort's wedding team will help you plan every detail, from custom menus to arranging outdoor adventures for your bridal party and guests.
All Aboard
Sky Railway, where you’ll admire New Mexico's mountain terrain and wide open skies as you ride between Santa Fe and Lamy on the old Santa Fe Southern Railroad Line. This experiential train venture will be launched by a trio of celebrated locals—Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin; screenwriter and Violet Crown Cinemas owner Bill Banowsky, and Catherine Oppenheimer, founder of NDI-NM and the New Mexico School for the Arts. Fueled by such high-octane creativity, Sky Railway will offer much more than your average train ride. You will marvel at themed train excursions such as the StarGazer Train where an astronomer will bring the night sky to life, or the Wild West History Train, with costumed docents bringing the Wild West and railroad eras to life. On the nighttime Rhythm Rollers Train, each car will offer entertainment such as live music, cabaret or a DJ dance party. Kids can dress in pajamas and meet Santa and dancing elves on the Santa’s Dragon Holiday Train. Coming soon the Sky Railway's El Ortiz Cafe, inside Lamy's historic train depot, where you can wet your whistle on local wine, spirits and beers on tap was well as pub fare.
Much more summer fun is planned for Santa Fe County. We'll keep you posted here.
A Mountain of History
Spanish settlers first arrived in New Mexico in the 17th century, putting down roots among the mountains and mesas and bringing their rich traditions with them. Immerse yourself in these traditions at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, New Mexico's celebrated living history museum, which explores this heritage through costumed docents, annual events and more. Learn about colcha, a Spanish colonial form of intricate embroidery, as explained by a venerated colcha artist and docent at Las Golondrinas in this New Mexico magazine article:
https://www.newmexico.org/blog/post/the-spanish-roots-of-santa-fe-county-colcha-artist/