The Santa Fe Rodeo is ranked as one of the nation's 100 top rodeos, and with good reason. This festival event is held every June, and features everything from barrel racing to bareback and bull riding. The rodeo has a rich history, as it has been roping in fans since it first was held back in 1949. This is an excellent family event, as the kids will enjoy the Mutton Bustin' event, carnival rides, and lots of great food and fun.
When you plan a romantic evening out, get dressed up to enjoy a date night of classic performances with The Santa Fe Opera. Even though the season is relatively short (July and August only), planning early for that special evening will definitely pay off. Purchasing your seats and making the arrangements with plenty of lead time will ensure that you not only get great seats, but you can also plan to enjoy additional amenities. You'll want to get to the venue early to enjoy a pre-performance buffet and then mingle for a while as the two of you marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the Opera House itself.
Nature lovers love to get up close and personal with their natural surroundings, and sometimes, the best way to do that is to simply hit the trail! In Santa Fe, one of the most popular ones is the Atalaya Mountain Trail. One of the reasons that this trail is so popular is because of its easy accessibility, as visitors can take the "M" city bus to the trailhead on the campus of St. John's College. This trail is one of the area's more challenging excursions, as it heads up a 9,121-foot peak and has areas that are a challenge, even for the most seasoned outdoorsman.
Santa Fe's the Palace of the Governors is a museum truly built on history. The building was constructed in 1619 by Governor Pedro de Peralta and it stands as the oldest continuously used public building in the United States. Revisit the Spanish colonial period or the Mexican American War when you view the stunning collection of over 17,000 objects that are housed in this dramatic and interesting venue.