Santa Fe
The charming state capital of Santa Fe shows off its historic architecture and welcomes visitors with a hospitable town plaza and extraordinary concentration of arts, music, and fine dining.

Founded in 1607, Santa Fe is the oldest and highest capital in the United States. The elevation of 7000 feet can be a serious challenge to the lungs of visitors, particularly those coming from sea level. Acclimatize yourself by taking it easy the first few days and enjoy Santa Fe’s remarkable museums.

• Palace of the Governors is a 17th-century adobe building that houses the state’s history museum and shop, and is the oldest public building in the United States (www.palaceofthegovernors.org).

Ghost Ranch: Georgia O’Keefe’s Santa Fe, NM Home
• Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is devoted to the 20th-century American Modernist and includes a large body of her paintings and photographs, plus her Abiquiu house, library, and property (www.okeeffemuseum.org).
• Other museums:
  New Mexico Museum of Art – Collections of Southwestern Arts
  Institute of American Indian Arts Museum – Native American arts with political aspects
  Site Santa Fe – A contemporary art space known as the forefront for contemporary art presentation in the Southwest
  Museum of International Folk Art – Showcasing folk art and craftsmanship from around the world
  Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and Laboratory of Anthropology – Exhibits Native American arts
  Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian – Native American art and history
  Museum of Spanish Colonial Art – Arts during the Spanish-colonial era

Albuquerque
A lively and sprawling metropolis of 900,000 in the center of the state is New Mexico’s largest city. Albuquerque is home to the region’s only major airport, plus the University of New Mexico and the state’s largest businesses. It hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest ballooning event and one of the most photographed festivals in the world (www.balloonfiesta.com/).