Practically Speaking

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.

When you're looking for some musical entertainment with a touch of class, look no further than Santa Fe Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra and Ensemble. These consummate professional musicians work hard to make each performance unforgettable for the audience as well as for themselves. Their versatility is impressive, as they present stellar interpretations of the work of such important composers as Mozart, Vivaldi and Bach, just to name a few. The group also presents a special Holy Week performance of Mozart and Hayden in the St. Francis Cathedral, along with the highly popular Christmas Candlelight Concert. The season runs from September through May.

The Museum of International Folk Art is one of the only museums in the world that is wholeheartedly dedicated to folk arts. The venue's commitment is obvious by the fact that it houses an amazing 130,000 items from more than 100 countries. The kids will be captivated as they see art and artifacts that span hundreds of years and represent various cultures that date back hundreds of years. The kids will also enjoy it because the exhibits and attractions that tell these stories are not only colorful but highly interactive.