Melanie Moore Media LLC

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.

The actors who often take the stage at Theater Grottesco love to challenge their audiences. These performers are as versatile as they are talented, and that is quite obvious from the far-ranging selection of material that the group performs year round. From side-splitting comedy entertainment to stern-faced dramas to buoyant dance numbers, these pros can do it all. And, in addition to offering such fine theatrical performances, their work is often thought-provoking and emotionally charged to the point that what they do within the confines of their characters will make a lasting imprint on you long after the curtain has come down.

There are museums, and then there are "living museums" that the kids (and mom and dad) will surely find interesting. El Rancho de las Golondrinas is such a place. See attractions like original colonial buildings on this site that date back to the early 18th century as well as other buildings that have been reconstructed to reflect the style of that time period. The buildings and other items presented here tell the fascinating story of the early settlement of New Mexico. The museum is closed from November through March.