Santa Fe, New Mexico is a historic city, teeming with alluring views, unique experiences, and delectable cuisine, making it the perfect place for a romantic getaway. New Mexico’s capital truly has something for type of couple, whether art junkies, history buffs, thrill seekers, or epicureans looking for a charming weekend away. If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day getaway or a romantic retreat, look no further than “the Land of Enchantment.”
For creative couples:
New Mexico Museum of Art – courtesy of Tourism Santa Fe
Did you know that Santa Fe was listed as one of The World’s Best Cities for Arts and Culture by Travel and Leisure? This southwestern city is an art lover’s paradise. Start with Canyon Road, a half-mile-long stretch of famous galleries and boutiques, where you can wander the halls of the New Mexico Museum of Art, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and Museum of Contemporary Native Arts.
Art gallery on Canyon Road – courtesy of Tourism Santa Fe
Couples can explore contemporary and traditional galleries that are filled with an impressive array of works by local, national, and international artists. Visitors will see everything from paintings to photography, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and more. Take time on this celebrated street devoted to arts and crafts. Later make the short drive up to Museum Hill, where there is not only a great cafe with extraordinary views, but four world-class museums and a botanical garden. Make sure not to miss the immersive art destination of Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, which is open late on weekends and often hosts unique musical acts.
Continue the fun at the eclectic and vibrant Railyard District, with its contemporary galleries, art spaces, and parks. There is always something new to see in this dynamic district, including the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from early morning to noon. Stop at Santa Fe Plaza to find more galleries devoted to Native American art as well as contemporary and traditional arts of the Southwest.
For the foodies:
Farmers’ market in Santa Fe – courtesy of Tourism Santa Fe
Thanks to the convergence of many cultures that influence Santa Fe, the city has become an award-winning culinary paradise. From fine dining to Frito pie, there is endless flavors to experience for the couple that just loves to eat! Innovative Southwestern fare created by award-winning chefs and hearty New Mexico dishes such as breakfast burritos and green chile stew are reason enough for Santa Fe to have earned a prominent place on the world’s culinary map. But, you’re in luck if you desire creative contemporary cuisine or Asian, French, Italian, Indian or Middle Eastern bites. New Mexicans love their chile—it’s spicy, delicious, and everywhere! If your server asks “Red, green, or Christmas?” this refers to the kind of chile you’d like served over enchiladas, chile rellenos, or other staples of New Mexican fare. When in doubt, answer “Christmas” and you’ll get both. For a more hands-on experience, spend the day mastering the flavors of the real Southwest with a cooking class taught by highly acclaimed local chefs. Try the “Green Chile Workshop” at Santa Fe School of Cooking to really heat things up.
Visitors can wash down all the delicious cuisine from their trip with a stroll down Margarita Trail, a This one-of-a-kind margarita experience allows you to taste more than 40 of the best margaritas in the world. Get your paper Passport or download the app to keep track of the margaritas you have tried and receive a dollar off each location’s signature margarita. Some highlights: The Cowgirl Cadillac Margarita from Cowgirl BBQ, the Chimayóso Margarita at Low ‘N Slow, and the Meowgarita from Meow Wolf.
For the history buffs:
Palace of the Governors – courtesy of santafe.org
As the nation’s oldest capital city, Santa Fe is overflowing with history around every corner, the dream for the couples that love educational trips. The city experienced waves of migrations along the three trails that led here—and more recently via the rails, Route 66, and the interstate. Artists, chefs, wellness experts, and other creative dreamers all bring their culture, talents and experience with them and when they meet Santa Fe’s unique, multi-cultural history against a backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo mountains’ majesty and the spectacular sunsets over the Jemez range—nothing short of magic transpires.
The heart of downtown Santa Fe for nearly 400 years, the historic Plaza, which remains the meeting place of The City Different, features Indian and Spanish markets and events such as concerts and more. For a unique day trip, visit a nearby Pueblo, where American Indians inhabited New Mexico long before Spanish contact in the 1500s, and their timeless culture, traditions, arts, and beliefs continue to enrich the state today. Several Pueblos are easily accessible from Santa Fe and can make for a wonderful day or half-day outing during a touring stay in Santa Fe. There are eight Pueblos going north, between Santa Fe and Taos, and there are scenic views to enjoy along the way.
History-loving couples should check out the New Mexico History Museum, home to informative exhibitions to display the many events, people, and places that shaped what New Mexico is today. For a deeper dive into native culture, check out the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. Another can’t miss is the New Mexico Military Museum, opened by members of New Mexico’s National Guard, the museum displays the history of the Bataan Death March, a World War II tragedy in the Philippine Islands that had a significantly harsh impact on New Mexico. In addition, the museum portrays the history of the New Mexico military, from the Spanish Conquest to the Civil War to both World Wars, Vietnam, and to the present-day Middle East conflicts.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi – courtesy of santafe.org
For a real life look into life in New Mexico in the 18th and 19th century, check out El Racho De Las Golondrinas, a historic early 1700’s ranch that was transformed into a living history museum and once was an important paraje or stopping place along the famous Camino Real, the Royal Road from Mexico City to Santa Fe. Arguably the most historic and recognizable building in Santa Fe, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi’s Gothic architecture is a stark contrast to the adobe buildings making up the surrounding area. Built in 1886 by Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, the first archbishop of the Diocese of Santa Fe.
For those seeking ultimate relaxation:
The spa at the Loretto Inn – courtesy of hotelloretto.com
Santa Fe’s restorative powers are legendary. People have been traveling here for centuries to renew body, mind, and spirit in the area’s high, dry climate, natural hot springs, sun-filled days, and starry nights. Whether couples prefer to soak, massage or detoxify their stress away, or just spend one on one time relaxing with their partner, Santa Fe has numerous day spa choices like Nidah Spa at Eldorado Hotel and Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe.
The spa at the Loretto Inn has a homespun vibe—starting with the homemade massage oils. All the standard treatments are on offer, from facials and milk baths to couples’ massage, plus a room outfitted with a Vichy shower for water therapy. Ten Thousand Waves offers a spa experience inspired by the great Japanese mountain hot spring resorts, a unique concept that cannot be found elsewhere on the North American continent. The spa offers private hot tub suites, bodywork, indoor and patio dining, serene lodging and new transformation ketamine experiences to reset the nervous system in a totally supportive environment.
Couples can enjoy a luxe Italian meal complete with mixologists crafted cocktails at Sassella or high-end Mexican cuisine at Sazon. For an upscale and romantic evening with a “global eclectic” menu, visit Geronimo, set in the elegant “Borrego House” was built by Geronimo Lopez in 1756.
For adventurous, nature-loving duos:
Skiing outside of Santa Fe – courtesy of Tourism Santa Fe
Santa Fe is an amazing destination for a couple who loves outdoor adventure. Once you arrive in the highest elevation capital city in the United States at more than 7,000 feet—you may find yourself astonished by the beauty and variety of the landscape. Located in the southern Rocky Mountain chain at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe is a semiarid climate at the crossroads of grass and shrub lands, piñon-juniper woodlands, and 1.6 million acres of high mountain coniferous national forest. Experience our 320+ days of sunshine, four distinct seasons, brilliant blue skies, and some of the purest air in the world.
Charter any of Santa Fe’s experienced river rafting companies for a full day on the river and you’ll be in expert hands, plus have all the gear you need for your great adventure. Or try the popular Aspen Vista Trail, with beautiful views of the aspen trees that turn golden in the fall. You can also rent mountain bikes and bike the Aspen Vista Trail. If you’d prefer to play golf rather than hike the mountains, you’ll find plenty of beautiful, award-winning golf courses. You could also spend the day fly fishing in the mountains. Charter a fly-fishing trip with one of Santa Fe’s outdoor adventure companies and you’ll be an expert by the time the lesson is over. In the winter you can ski greens to double blacks just 16 miles from historic downtown Santa Fe. At an elevation of 12,075 feet, the ski area is open late fall through early spring, and enjoys up to 300 inches of light, fluffy snow a year.
Before it’s time for dinner, make time to watch one of the spectacular sunsets from the top of the Cross of the Martyrs, an outdoor park on the northeast side of Paseo de Peralta. End the night with “The Stargazer” adventure. This special excursion transports passengers from the Santa Fe Railyard out into the dark skies of the scenic northern New Mexico landscape. On this ride, visitors will enjoy champagne and live music in the comfort of restored vintage Pullman cars, as they start their excursion traveling along a historic section of railway that was constructed in the 1880s. As the train rolls away from the city lights into the dark New Mexico night, professional astronomers will share tales of celestial objects that have been passed down for hundreds of years. When the train reaches the Galisteo Basin overlook, passengers are invited out to the open-air flatbed cars to view the night sky through telescopes pointed at the best constellations or planets viewable that night. Upcoming 2023 dates for this ride are February 18, March 18, April 15. The ride is only offered one time per month to capitalize on the darkest (little or no moon) Saturday of the month.
This article was originally published by Budgettravel.com. Read the original article here.