Three days in Santa Fe

Day one: The plaza and shopping

Santa Fe's focal point is the plaza. Narrow roads lined with 17th-century adobe buildings filled with modern and classical art galleries lead into, and out of, the square. Clothing, leatherwork and jewelry also is plentiful. There's almost too much to look at. Spend the day window shopping or collecting one-of-a-kind items to decorate your home.

At one edge of the plaza is the St. Francis Cathedral, built in the late 1880s. Inside, the Chapel de la Conquistadora houses the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary that a priest saved from destruction during the Pueblo Indian rebellion that evicted the Spaniards in 1680. Twelve years later, the Spaniards were invited back, and they reinstalled the Madonna in her sanctuary.

The church still holds an active congregation, and you can enter the building to take a look at the French Romanesque Revival architecture. In front of the church is a labyrinth, perfect for either silent meditation or a rowdy race to the center; on each side are statues to marvel over.

On the other edge of the plaza, in front of the Palace of Governors, Native American artists line the sidewalk selling jewelry, figurines and more. A favorite figure is the Storyteller, a large seated figure with small, childlike figures sitting on it as if listening. It represents the Pueblo Indians' tradition of passing along stories through the generations. Kachina dolls, representations of the spirits the Native Americans hold sacred and fought for their right to maintain, may also be seen in the shops that surround the plaza.

There's a lot to learn about the Native American symbols and figures that catch your eye while you're browsing. Strike up a conversation with the artists and they'll be happy to explain their wares and tribal traditions.

In the center of the plaza, large shade trees and charming cast-iron benches offer a place to rest. If you're lucky, a local mariachi or rock band will be playing on the plaza stage.

Day two: Nothing but art

Some of the most incredible - and most expensive - art can be found during a short stroll up Canyon Road. Start your adventure with a quick coffee or wine at the Plaza de Suenos y Milagros, (the plaza of dreams and miracles). Then walk up the hill past a huge Buddhist garden with moving sculptures and plenty of sunflowers. Statues of cowboys, Native Americans, wolves and dancing children are interspersed among more modern and abstract pieces. Nearly all are inspired by what can only be defined as "Santa Fe style."

Near the top of the road is El Farol, a restaurant and bar with dancing and live music on the weekends. This is a good spot to rest for a bit. At 7,200 feet of elevation, it's important to take it easy when exploring Santa Fe. The altitude and thin air can make physical exertion more exhausting. Some visitors from lower altitudes may experience dizziness and shortness of breath. While the wine list at El Farol is extensive and delicious, be cautious, the altitude may cause the alcohol to affect you more quickly.

Make sure you stop by some of the city's most well-known museums. Arguably the best is the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. O'Keeffe fell in love with northern New Mexico in 1929 and spent decades living and working in the state.

Another spot to visit is the New Mexican Museum of Art, located near the plaza. The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and the Museum of International Folk Art, both of which are a short distance from the plaza, are worth seeing, as well.

Day three: Take a hike

About 35 miles north of Santa Fe is Los Alamos, where the atomic bomb was created in the 1940s. Getting there means driving across some of the most beautiful landscape in the country. Mesas and mountains loom in the distance and rock formations, including one that resembles a camel, dot the sides of the highway. You'll be driving through Indian reservations, so you'll also see plenty of casinos.

A steep climb up a mountain on a winding road with a sheer drop off greets visitors to Los Alamos. This road was specifically designed to keep curious people away from the secret city.

Once you get to Los Alamos, head to Bandelier National Monument, just a few miles away. You'll have to drive through a laboratory checkpoint where you'll be warned not to stop on the side of the roads or take photos. The lab is still functioning, and many secret projects are conducted there. Its presence gives travel in this area a strange sense of intrigue.

Once inside the park, you can take as many photos as you'd like. There are hikes available for any fitness level. One of the most exciting is a hike among the caves where Pueblo Indians' built their homes centuries ago. The remnants resemble condominiums built into the cliffs. During wars or raids, the ladders would be pulled up, and the city's defenses were almost impenetrable. Ancient art, called petroglyphs, can be seen etched and painted on the walls of the cliffs.

A trip to Santa Fe means you can't escape experiencing beautiful art all around - both natural and man-made.