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 !

Santa Fe Activities

One of the rewards of my visit to The Inn of Five Graces, besides my delightful stay was meeting the  then Inn concierge, Marjolaine Greentree. A charming well-traveled woman, I enjoyed chatting about her days in Africa, she is very in tune with local artisans and activities. The Inn offers a plethora of hiking, fishing, and hot air ballooning activities. She has moved on to her private travels and the front desk has a new concierge.

The Inn of Five Graces has a newly opened spa. Walk to dining: 315 Wine Bar, a short block away, features modern French cuisine. Covid dining on property or walk away menu.

The Inn of Five Graces, Santa Fe

Santa Fe is home to several world class museums, one could stay for a luxurious week and mosey about the museums, enjoy a dawn balloon ride, take an extensive photography class, afternoon bike rides, and opera or music in the evening!  We should reserve early for the opera and festivals. There are plenty of interesting activities to keep the kiddos busy.

Blocks and blocks of interesting boutiques, including one of my favorites the Inn owners Souk warehouse! Seret & Sons.  Allow several hours to explore this treasure filled shop, stacked to the rafters with authentic Tibetan rugs, architectural elements, furniture, Kilims  – if you can’t get to Morocco or the markets of Cairo, this is the next best wandering.

A few doors away, look for Mediterrania. Antique  wood tables laden with Uriarte Talavera, fine European antiques, another truly dangerous retail therapy palace!

A sampling of the long list of activities shared by Inn of Five Graces 

Hiking – Aspen Vista Length: 10 miles 
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
Seasonal: Open Year-Round (Snow in winter: Snowshoe or Cross-country Ski). The Aspen Vista trail is the most popular trail in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The gradual uphill climb and the width of the road make it ideal for skiers of all abilities and ages. The road is closed to motorized vehicles including snowmobiles.

The Borrego –Bear Wallow – Winsor Trail Length: 4 miles 
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Seasonal: Open Year-Round; Best spring to fall; (Snow in winter: Snowshoe).  The Borrego Trail is located just a few miles up the road from the Chamisa Trail head and is another excellent choice for hikers and Trail runners alike. The Borrego is a loop hike that follows three trail systems for approximately four miles. A well-defined trail winds through lush pines with rolling elevation dropping down to Big Tesuque Creek and a lovely meadow perfect for a picnic. The trail follows the Winsor Trail for a short distance west to the Bear Wallow Trail. Follow the Bear Wallow Trail uphill until it reconnects with the Borrego Trail.

La Cieneguilla Petroglyph Site Length: 3.5 miles 
Degree of Difficult: Moderate
Seasonal: Open Year-round (Snow in Winter Possible). Hundreds of petroglyphs, dating from pre-contact time and the Spanish colonial era, can be found along the mesa above the Santa Fe River. Most of the petroglyphs were placed there by Keresan-speaking puebloan people living in the area between the 13th and 17th centuries. The descendants of these people now live down the Santa Fe River along the Rio Grande at the Cochiti and Santo Domingo Pueblos. The area is known for the great number of hump-backed flute player images and a great variety of bird figures. The site is also of interest to those tracing the route of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, as the ancient road passed along this trail as well.

Biking Santa Fe is blessed with miles of both road and off-road riding. It is possible to be in a pristine forest within fifteen minutes of riding from Downtown Santa Fe! The Santa Fe National Forest is home to one of the best mountain biking trails in the country, the Windsor Trail.

Fishing High Desert Angler This company offers private half-day and full-day trips on private and public stretches
of the Pecos River just 45 minutes to an hour from the shop. They guide fishing trips all over Northern New Mexico and have private access on streams in New Mexico and Southern Colorado.

Fly Fishing in New Mexico This is a fly-fishing guide service offering guided fishing trips in the Santa Fe,Chama, and Taos areas as well as on the San Juan River and in the Valles Caldera National
Preserve. The experienced fly fishing guides can take you trout fishing on all types of waters, from large rivers to high mountain spring creeks and lakes, we have them all here in Northern
New Mexico and Southern Colorado. The landscape is breathtaking and extremely diverse, with everything from deserts, canyons and mountains with alpine forests of pines and aspen to mesas of cactus and juniper.

Hot Air Balloon Rides Weather Permitting Santa Fe Balloons The wonderful pilot, Johnny, has piloted balloons all over the world. He is one of the world’s most experienced balloon pilots and with over 8,000 hours of balloon flights; he has maintained a spotless safety record. Johnny searched long and hard to find a location near Santa Fe that was both spectacular and safe for his hot air balloon flights. He found it in the incredibly beautiful and serene area known as Las Barrancas (The Ravines).

Summer Whitewater Rafting Santa Fe Rafting Conveniently located in the center of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Rafting has guided thousands of guests down the Rio Grande. Trips include the popular Racecourse, the Taos Box, the Chama River,
and float trips. The trips vary between half and full day excursions and allows for an entirely
new perspective of the New Mexican landscape.

Pueblo Tours New Mexico’s 19 Native American pueblos are the oldest tribal communities in the country. Each pueblo is a unique community, where contemporary residents continue to observe the time-honored traditions, beliefs, and practices of their ancestors. The pueblos are all open to visitors seeking a meaningful experience of Pueblo culture and traditions.

Taos Pueblo Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. We welcome you to visit the village when you travel to northern New Mexico. Taos Pueblo is the most beautiful of all the pueblos in New Mexico.

Acoma Sky City Pueblo Acoma Sky City Pueblo highlight your visit with the Pueblo Tour, ranked as the #1 “place to honor American Indian Life” USA Today. Check in at the Admissions desk at the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum to purchase tickets and camera permits. The tour begins with a short ride to the top of the mesa where an Acoma Tribal Member leads the hour and fifteen-minute walking tour through the historic Sky City village and the San Esteban del Rey Mission. The tour covers approximately three-quarters of a mile. (Note: There is some uneven terrain) Your guide shares Acoma’s culture and history in the type of oral presentation that our people have been passing down for many, many centuries. Spend some extra time before and after the tour enjoying the amenities at Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum.

San Ildefonso Pueblo The Pueblo was founded when people migrated from the Mesa Verda complex in Southern Colorado
by way of Bandelier (elevation about 7000 feet), just south of present-day Los Alamos, New Mexico. People thrived at Bandelier due to the rainfall and the ease of constructing living structures from the surrounding soft volcanic rock. But after a prolonged drought, the people moved down into the valleys of the Rio Grande around 1300 C.E. (Pueblo IV Era). The Rio Grande and other arroyos provided the water for irrigation. The people of San Ildefonso continued to lead an agricultural based economy until the early 20th century when Maria Martinez and her husband Julian Martinez rediscovered how to make the Black-on Black pottery for which San Ildefonso Pueblo would soon become famous. From that time the Pueblo has become more tourist-oriented, with numerous tourist shops existing in the Pueblo.

Santa Fe Summer Markets & Festivals

Spanish Market Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe Annual Markets

International Folk Art Market  The Folk-Art Market is the largest international folk-art market in the world. Its mission is to foster economic and cultural sustainability for folk artists and folk art worldwide, as well as to create intercultural exchange opportunities that unite the peoples of the world. The Market takes place on Museum Hill adjoining the Museum of International Folk Art, just a short shuttle ride from the Inn. The Market features 150 select folk artists from over 54 countries. Visitors attending the Market can enjoy ethnic foods, artists’ demonstrations, international performances, and educational activities. The Market opens with a party on Friday, July 13th with international food, drink, live music, and the first opportunity to shop. Tickets are $225 ($175 tax-deductible) and go on sale May 1st.

Spanish Colonial Market   The 66th Annual Traditional Spanish Market on the Santa Fe Plaza. A popular event for residents and visitors alike, Spanish Market features handmade traditional art from hundreds of local Hispanic artists, as well as on-going live music and dance, art demonstrations, and regional foods throughout each day. This famous Market is the oldest and largest juried Spanish Market in the United States and attracts over 70,000 visitors and collectors from throughout the world.

Indian Market  SWAIA will celebrate the spectacular Indian Market festival that brings over 150,000 people to Santa Fe every August with its unique, exciting and inspiring events. From families with young children to avid art collectors, Santa Fe Indian Market attracts international visitors from all walks of life. For many visitors, this is a rare opportunity to meet the artists and learn about contemporary Indian arts and cultures. Most events are free and open to the public. Join for an experience of a lifetime.

Santa Fe Wine & Chile Festival  The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta is an annual five-day weekend of events featuring the culinary artistry found in over 75 of Santa Fe, New Mexico’s many excellent restaurants coupled with the sophistication and wines of over 90 national wineries. By bringing 90 national wineries to Santa Fe to collaborate with 75 of Santa Fe’s best restaurants, a five-day schedule of food and wine events is created featuring cooking demos, wine seminars, winery luncheons, and dinners. The weekend culminates with the Grand Tasting at the Santa Fe Opera where all 75 participating Santa Fe restaurants and all 90 wineries serve samples of their best food and wine.

Chamber Music concerts are on multiple days, every week.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta   From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become the largest balloon event in the world. The Balloon Fiesta attracts more than 700 balloons and 1000 pilots. The Balloon Fiesta has not only grown in numbers of balloons and guests, but in the number of unique events as well. In addition to the spectacular Mass Ascensions, the Balloon Fiesta has added the annual Balloon Glow, the Night Magic GlowTM,  and the Special Shape RodeoTM. The Balloon Fiesta is a uniquely beautiful and show stopping

Santa Fe Opera

Culture, history, active hiking, fishing…The Land of Enchantment.