Santa Fe, New Mexico

ML also recommends:

Inn of the Five Graces

Top 10 Picks

1. Eccentricity central, the historic Railyard District is the lifeline of Santa Fe design with red-hot galleries and shops in remodeled warehouses, plus fun and funky restaurants. sfrailyardcc.org

2. At Todos Santos Chocolatier & Confections, in the Sena Plaza Courtyard, papier mache birthday cakes and skeletons hang from fragile branches above cases of antique chocolate moulds, truffles and other sweets. 505-982-3855

3. Step up to the challenge of choosing the perfect pair of colorful handmade cowboy boots, some of which are by Jim Arndt, author of Art of the Boot, at Back at the Ranch. backattheranch.com

4. Pay an early morning visit to the Saturday Santa Fe Farmers' Market at The Railyard Park. Go hungry. There's plenty of fresh produce and other artisan goodies to munch. santafefarmersmarket.com

5. Visit the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, where the legendary artist's works are available for viewing in changing displays, along with special exhibitions of American modernists. Do stop at the adjoining café for lunch, too. okeeffemuseum.org

6. Visit SITE Santa Fe in the Railyard District, a groundbreaking, nonprofit contemporary arts organization and gallery housed in the former Coors-Maloof beer warehouse. sitesantafe.org

7. Palace of the Governors, considered the crown jewel of New Mexico architecture, houses The New Mexico History Museum. Outside, a signature sight is a row of Native American artisans displaying and selling their wares. palaceofthegovernors.org

8. Stop by Maria's New Mexican Kitchen, a landmark cantina packed day and night for pork spareribs in red chile sauce and blue corn enchiladas (not to mention homemade tortillas and more than 100 tequilas). marias-santafe.com

9. Book a Thai or aquatic massage in an outdoor pagoda or Waterfall tub, or a geisha-favorite Nightingale facial at Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Health Spa, a hillside sanctuary that's a destination in itself. tenthousandwaves.com

10. Stroll Canyon Road top to bottom. The windy, tree-lined street, which follows an old Indian trail, is filled with art galleries galore (plus El Farol and Geronimo restaurants, too). canyonroadarts.com