Things to do in Santa Fe
Book a Native American cookery course
Enrol in one of the overwhelmingly popular half-day or day-long classes at the Santa Fe School of Cooking (tel: +1 505 983 4511; www.santafeschoolofcooking.com) to learn how to reproduce the intriguing Hispanic and Native American cuisine particular to this region. Plump for the hands on course, which includes field trips to local markets, farms and wineries.
Discover the sweet taste of mead
Visitors are often surprised to discover that New Mexico produces excellent wines. Fans of popular varietals should visit Estrella del Norte Vineyard (tel: +1 505 455 2826; www.estrelladelnortevineyard.com), north of the city whilst the more adventurous should stay in the city. Falcon Meadery and Winery (tel: +1 505 819 8323; www.falconmead.com) produce mead (wine made from honey) and offer daily tasting tours.
Hike the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve
Get out of the city and into the surrounding mountains to soak up Santa Fe's gorgeous scenery on foot. Just a few minutes' drive from the Plaza, Santa Fe Canyon Preserve (tel: +1 505 988 3867; www.nature.org) boasts 35km (22 miles) of marked trails whilst bird-lovers should visit Randall Davey Audubon Center (tel: +1 505 983 4609; http://nm.audubon.org) for a walking tour.
Ski the Santa Fe slopes
In winter, take the quick but twisting drive uphill from the Plaza to the area's 3,710m-high (12,175ft) ski mountain. Skiing and snowboarding keep snow bunnies happy from mid-November through until at least early April. With equipment hire and 79 different trails, Ski Santa Fe (tel: +1 505 982 4429; www.skisantafe.com) offer a great day trip.
Try a Native American spa massage
With its clear light, pure high-altitude air, laidback character and pervading sense of spirituality, Santa Fe is the perfect city for a relaxing spa experience. Spas around the city offer an enticing range of treatments, with many, like the Downtown Day Spa (tel: +1 505 986 0113; www.downtowndayspa.com), inspired by Native American massage techniques and rituals.
