Santa Fe: Southwest splendor on three budgets

BUDGET

Getting there: With the cheapest round-trip rates at $668, use mileage points to reach Albuquerque. Santa Fe, a one-hour drive north on I-25, can take up to a day along the scenic Turquoise Trail (turquoisetrail.org).

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Llama Adventures

Llama Adventures offers day hikes to the Rio Grande Gorge or the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

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CRIAG FRITZ/The New Mexican

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, just a few blocks from Santa Fe’s plaza, is steward to 50 percent of her works.

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Loretto Chapel

Visit the mysterious spiral staircase in Loretto Chapel. Who built it? What supports it?

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Stay: Two blocks from Santa Fe’s famous plaza and behind the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is Chapelle Street Casitas, which offers 30 vacation rental units, from studios to three-bedroom units, starting at $88 a night. Rates are half-price during November (Thanksgiving is 25 percent off). Many rooms have a fireplace, whirlpool tub or kitchenette. 323 McKenzie, 1-866-476-1091, www.casitas.net.

Eat: Chef-owned and operated since 1953, The Shed serves up Northern New Mexican dishes for a spicy chili fix in an adobe hacienda dating from 1692. Entrees up to $15. Dinner Wednesday-Saturday. 113 1/2 E. Palace Ave., 505-982-9030, www.sfshed.com.

Experience: Every day of the year hundreds of Native American artists sell their handmade goods along the south side of the Palace of the Governors (www.palaceofthegovernors.org). Visit the Loretto Chapel (www.lorettochapel.com) to see its mysterious spiral staircase built without nails, dowels or visible support. Free admission to both on Fridays, 5:30-7 p.m.

MODERATE

Getting there: Find your best deal to Denver (usually $250 on sale) and then a second round-trip ticket to Albuquerque for about $100 during sales. Drive one hour north to Santa Fe.

Stay: The dreamy La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa offers $269 double-room rates on stays now through Nov. 21 or Nov. 26-Dec. 21. Winter packages with lift tickets to Ski Santa Fe and extras start at $218 per person, per night (two-night minimum stay). 330 E. Palace Ave., 1-866-331-7625, www.laposada.rockresorts.com.

Eat: El Farol, the town’s oldest restaurant and bar, is situated among the galleries of Canyon Road and offers traditional Spanish dishes and tapas ($20-$29). Evenings are lively with entertainment. 808 Canyon Road, 505-983-9912, elfarolsf.com.

Experience: Look into the deep, dark New Mexico skies with Astronomy Adventures. The two-hour experience, held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, starting about 7:30 p.m. in winter, is located 15 miles south of Santa Fe along the Turquoise Trail. $35 adults, $12 ages 12-17, $5 ages 6-11, free for children younger than 6. Dress for frigid temps. 505-577-7141, cosmonut.org.

SPLURGE

Getting there: Economy class seats booked with a three-day advance notice are $1,229. Or Delta SkyMiles members can pay $1,873 round-trip ($884 OW) for a confirmed upgrade to first class.

Stay: Exotic touches from Tibet, India and Afghanistan combine with a Southwestern twist at the Inn of the Five Graces. The ceilings of your suite might be thatched or hand-carved hundreds of years ago. Wood-burning fireplaces and riotous colors of mosaic hand-painted tiles and fabrics enhance each unique interior. Room rates include breakfast, snacks, parking, daily historical walking tours and twice-daily housekeeping. Accommodations for two people are $300-$700. Located a 10-minute walk south of the plaza. 150 E. DeVargas St., 505-992-0957, www.fivegraces.com.

Eat: The Santacafe is in an 18th-century adobe house and is noted for fine Southwest dishes and seasonal menus. Dinner nightly, to $32. 231 Washington Ave., 505-984-1788, www.santacafe.com.

Experience: Llama Adventures’ “Take a Llama to Lunch!” day hike is $89 per person with daily departures (based on availability). Through November, multiday wilderness adventures head to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Rio Grande Gorge on two-, three- to four-night trips, $329-$829, www.llamaadventures.com.