Santa Fe (New Mexico) Sights

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Like many towns initiated by the Spanish, Santa Fe has a central square that is a gathering place for all types. For hours of entertainment, pull up a bench and people watch; you'll rapidly gain an appreciation for how the "City Different" nickname applies. Especially nice in the summer evenings as the temperatures drop (although rain may drop as well) and the people come out.

• Santa Fe Southern Railway, 410 S. Guadalupe St., +1 505 989-8600, www.sfsr.com. Offers sightseeing railroad rides from the railroad station in the middle of town, to Lamy to the south (with the Amtrak station). The good news is that there are several departures, some involving food service (check the web site), and the train itself is interesting and colorful. The bad news is that the route that it follows, although advertised by the railway as featuring "the subtle beauty of the high desert," is generally not as scenic as the really scenic high country to the north and east, or simply walking around the downtown area. Fares start at $32 round-trip for adults, with discounts for seniors and children.

• Ghost Ranch (Ghost Ranch), 401 Old Taos Highway (corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Taos Highway), ☎ 1-800-821-5145, www.ghostranch.org. A retreat and educational center with locations in Santa Fe and Abiquiu. The Abiquiu location is the former home of the artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Three museums: The Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology, The Florence Hawley Ellis museum of Anthropology and Piedra Lumbre Education and Visitors center (formerly known as the Ghost Ranch Living Museum) All offer a glimpse into the history of northern New Mexico. Georgia O'Keeffe tours also available.

• www.sfsr.com
• www.ghostranch.org