Santa Fe Style – Essential The Best of Georgia O’Keefe

Coming soon, a mini–Santa Fe Journey and hotel reports! Santa Fe Musings – The Spirit of Georgia O’Keeffe Retreat offered by one of our favorite small hotels, Inn of Five Graces.

A sneak peek at an offering by Inn of Five Graces: New Mexico, as seen through the eyes of Georgia O’Keeffe, offers a profound entry into the heart of the Southwest. This highly curated program presents some of the most intimate, off-the-beaten-path, and often privately accessed opportunities, guiding you through her private home and studio, the landscapes of some of her most famous works, and the archives at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. 

Georgia O’Keeffe Home

Combining this experience with a retreat at the Spa of The Five Graces creates the Ultimate Georgia O’Keeffe Artists Weekend.

Start the day with complimentary Yoga in the Meditation Room at Spa of the Five Graces. Breakfast on the Courtyard Patio. Relax and savor their complimentary à la carte dining with fresh fruits, bread, house-made granolas, and some of the best New Mexican dishes in the state.

Explore The O’Keeffe Museum Featuring one of the most extensive collections of O’Keeffe’s works. Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), was devoted to creating imagery that expressed what she called “the wideness and wonder of the world as I live in it.” 

Shop Santa Fe Vintage – Have our concierge book you an appointment at this unparalleled collection of vintage Levi’s, hats, and jackets. This is where the in the know glam stars shop for their looks!

Santa Fe Hat Company For the best selection of hats in the Southwest. A legend since 1976, offering custom, artisan and high end brands.

Lucchese Bootmaker if you have one more shopping stop in you, Lucchese boots is a short walk and offers the best you’re going to find.

Lunch at The Shed or La Choza; try a local’s favorite at one of these beloved New Mexican establishments.

Treatments at Spa of the Five Graces – Treat yourself our favorite, the “Scrub, Steam, and Massage Treatments” where you will receive cleansing, full-body exfoliation, a private aromatic steam shower, and restorative side-by-side massages.

Dinner at The Compound One of my favorite restaurants! Designed by O’Keeffe’s close friend, Alexander Girard, in the heart of the historic Canyon Road arts district and near O’Keeffe’s Santa Fe residence.

Take in a Show at the Lensic or The Santa Fe Opera. In the heart of summer experience Santa Fe Opera’s world-renowned performances or find some of the world’s most exciting performers at the Lensic, in their grand Pueblo Deco style structure on West San Francisco Street.

A day trip to Abiquiu. Breakfast on the Courtyard Patio – Have you tried their Chilliquillas or Juevos Motelenos yet? Always on my breakfast menu!  Then depart for a day Journey, head North on your Five Graces Private Experience, one of our favorite day trips. The Essence of Abiquiu via a Georgia O’Keeffe lens, which includes Plaza Blanca – only accessed via special permit. Plaza Blanca is a majestic landscape made up of beautiful white sandstone cliffs made famous by Georgia O’Keeffe through her series of paintings called The White Place.

Bosshard Gallery in the village of Abiquiu. This gallery was once the home of the original Bode’s Mercantile. Today, the gallery offers a fine representation of Northern New Mexican history with an extensive collection of Indigenous textiles, jewelry, and ceramics.

Lunch at Abiquiú Inn at Café Abiquiú: champagne lunch on the patio at the historic Café Abiquiú & The Terrace. The menu is comprised of fresh local ingredients featuring New Mexican specialties.

O’Keeffe Home Tour: Enter the private home of Georgia O’Keeffe, built into one of the oldest Northern New Mexico haciendas, offering a peak experience to an extremely small number of visitors each year.

Ghost Ranch: Finally, head to Ghost Ranch, a 21,000-acre retreat situated on the Colorado Plateau, to take in the afternoon light as it paints the colorful ribbons of Entrada sandstone and the timeless Morrison, Chinle, and Todilto formations.

Dinner & Drinks at The Dragon Room – Home in time for a reservation at The Pink Adobe’s Dragon Room, a historic bar and favorite of Georgia O’Keeffe and Robert Redford. Dine at the bar or in one of their booths enjoying seasonal fair, delicious craft cocktails and live music.

Saturday Spa Day Start the day with a private Tibetan Mindfulness Meditation session, designed to ease the mind, and prepare the ground for insight and wisdom.

Breakfast in Your Room – If it’s fall or winter, light a fire, featuring a farm-to-table menu with some great healthy options too.

Treatments at Spa of the Five Graces – Treat yourself our favorite, the “Scrub, Steam, and Massage Treatments” where you will receive cleansing, full-body exfoliation, a private aromatic steam shower, and restorative massage.

Relax & Read by the Soaking Pool – Accompanied by snacks and cold-pressed juices. *In colder months the warming pool is between 90-102 degrees.*

Explore Your Creativity with their captivating painting experience in this two-hour Santa Fe Painting Workshop with an amazing professional painting teacher and some great wines.

Take a Drive to Aspen Vista – This 7-mile drive into the Sangre De Cristo mountains for a stunning view of the region.

Dinner at Izanami – Along the Hyde Park Road (below Aspen Vista) you will find exceptional Japanese countryside style cuisine.

Lunch, Shopping & Coffee on Lena Street – Get a coffee and a Japanese Lunch in Santa Fe’s Arts district at Ikonik Coffee & Ozu Santa Fe.

One advantage of Inn of Five Graces is the walkability around town. Shop in town at: Living Threads – for photography, Oaxacan pottery, indigo kaftans and hand-carved Palo Santo vessels.

Whiskey + Clay – for ceramics and home goods.

From Inn of Five Graces, walk to Canyon Road – filled with amazing art and galleries, including Morning Star, you can shop some of our favorites here;

Shop 4Kinship – This Navajo-owned (Diné) boutique for indigenous pieces, colorful up-cycled fashion, vintage denim, along with blankets courtesy and modern silver-turquoise jewelry

Cielo Handcrafted, a few doors down you can shop local New Mexico and Latin America wares; colorful pillows handmade from Cusco, espresso mugs planters and more.

Secret & Sons. I am transfixed in this exotic souk shop, transported across the world with their impeccable taste in carpets, hand painted furniture. You don’t need a passport to shop here! 

Mediterrania Antiques, furniture, a significant collection of Uriarte Talavera  pottery,  and they are only 2 doors away from Seret & Sons. 

Dinner at The Pink Adobe, their Signature New Mexican and Cajun-inspired restaurant.

Night Cap at Bar Analco for a Mezcal flight, margarita menu or craft cocktails.

Tucked into the inky blue mountains of Northern New Mexico, a week in the high desert Santa Fe, might not be long enough to enjoy all this town has to offer. The oldest state Capital in the United States, inhabited since 1607, by members of Native American pueblos. The city is brimming with creatives, eccentrics and solitude seekers. City Map 2025 published for locals and visitors.

Highly Recommend Inn of Five Graces and Santa Fe! Postcards soon on the new spa at Inn of Five Graces and other boutique properties.

Inn of Five Graces, Santa Fe – Autumn Activities

Santa Fe transforms with vibrant colors and events during the captivating fall season — offering visitors a journey into immersive culture, cuisine, and natural wonders. A brief list of some captivating events that make this season in Santa Fe truly special. And even more special when you stay at Inn of Five Graces.

Inn of Five Graces Santa Fe

I’ve been a frequent visitor to this picturesque city, the oldest capital in the United States, the charming city is set at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and possesses a unique Southwestern charm all its own. A few miles south, these mountains diminish down from a height of 13,000 feet to a flattened level plain, marking the end of the North American Rockies.

Explore the charming old town, with its avenues of art galleries, chic boutiques, and noteworthy restaurants. I love staying in the heart of downtown near the main Plaza, a short walk from the many attractions. The secluded Inn of the Five Graces is across from San Miguel Mission, the oldest church in the United States.

A desert jewel, The Inn of the Five Graces in Santa Fe wows with exotic decor, raw silks and rich color that seamlessly blends the Southwest with the Far East. Step through its doors, and a feast of color and texture awakens the imagination. Each distinctive room showcases handcrafted artisan pieces and eclectic treasures from the historic Silk Road that once linked Europe and Asia. Echoes of rustic Spain, lingering in New Mexico’s Hispanic heritage, are reflected in the diverse style, a trademark synthesis of East and West. The richness will evoke memories of your Journeys to Istanbul and India. The family who own the Inn have roamed the world to bring together Persian, Indian, Tibetan, Uzbek and other Eastern architectural elements and antiques with classic Santa Fe adobe construction. Surprisingly it works, providing an organic yet luxurious warm atmosphere. My suite was made even more cozy with its traditional Kiva wood burning fireplace. Even the curved ceilings are not without décor, wooden doors and trim are hand-carved, and owner Sylvia Seret has created intricate tile mosaics in every bathroom. The mosaics are simply mesmerizing.

The 24-suite boutique hotel is housed in a collection of traditional adobe homes – one is 450 years old. The earthy structures of Southwest adobe, a sturdy mixture of mud and straw, were transformed into enchanting spaces with exotic antiques, rugs, textiles and captivating architectural elements. 

SANTA FE AUTUMN EVENTS

Wine and Chile Fiesta: September 27 – October 1

The Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta is a culinary celebration that brings together renowned chefs, winemakers, and food enthusiasts from all over the world. Visitors can savor exquisite wine pairings and mouthwatering dishes created by local culinary artists, showcasing the unique flavors of New Mexican cuisine. The charming backdrop of Santa Fe’s historic downtown adds to the event’s charm, making it a perfect way to immerse yourself in the city’s rich gastronomic traditions.

Fiesta: October 7 – October 15

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, just a short drive from Santa Fe, is one of the world’s largest hot air balloon festivals. A breathtaking spectacle, imagine hundreds of colorful hot air balloons ascending into the crisp New Mexico sky at sunrise. Whether you choose to participate in the mass ascension or simply watch in awe, this mesmerizing event offers a unique way to experience the beauty of the Southwest during the fall season.

Foliage Season: Late September to Early November 

Autumn in Santa Fe means the arrival of the breathtaking foliage season. As the summer heat gives way to cooler temperatures, the golden aspens in the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains create a stunning contrast against the clear blue skies. Take a scenic drive or hike through the mountains to immerse yourself in the beauty of fall foliage.

Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse: October 14

Witness the celestial wonder of the Ring of Fire Eclipse as it peaks in the New Mexico Skies.  From our prime viewpoint we will see the dramatic sight of the Sun as a thin ring, almost but not completely eclipsed by the Moon. Special outings are planned for this rare astronomical event.

Bosque del Apache Migration: November to February

Just a day trip away, you can experience the incredible spectacle of nature at Bosque del Apache, a National Wildlife Refuge nestled in the beautiful New Mexico high desert. Each year, from November to February, thousands of birds embark on their remarkable migration journey along this section of the Rio Grande, creating a breathtaking spectacle as snow geese, sandhill cranes, and various waterfowl descend upon the refuge. Wintering birds have been drawn to this fertile habitat for thousands of years. The migration is an ancient tradition. Sandhill cranes migrate south from the northern Rockies, joined by ducks from the Great Plains, snow geese and Ross’s geese. Native American hunters took advantage of the annual abundance. They left ancient depictions of cranes and geese etched in the boulders.

2023 Travel + Leisure Readers’ Choice Awards: Winner of the #1 Best Hotel in Santa Fe by Travel+Leisure.”

Highly Recommend !