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New Mexico

Great American Get-Together in Santa Fe

Program No. 20684RJ
Explore local culture as you discover national monuments, historic sites and world-class museums, and learn about Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico from experts.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Nov 9 - Nov 16, 2025
Starting at
3,299
Special Offer

Enroll by Jan. 31, 2025 for free air from many cities!

DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Nov 9 - Nov 16, 2025
Starting at
3,999
Special Offer

Enroll by Jan. 31, 2025 for free air from many cities!

This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!

At a Glance

Immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating areas in the United States as you join Road Scholars and local experts for a week exploring and learning in beautiful Northern New Mexico. Experience the best of the Southwest with in-depth presentations and field trips to an array of significant historical and cultural sites. Learn about Georgia O'Keeffe, explore world-renowned Museum Hill and visit Bandelier National Monument.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles daily over varied terrain. Standing for up to two hours at a time. Getting on/off motorcoach multiple times a day. Elevation of 7,000 feet for the entire program.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Experience treasures of northern New Mexico on expert-led field trips to the villages of Taos, Abiquiu and Chimayo.
  • Explore world class museums in Santa Fe and Taos.
  • Hear from local experts about contemporary issues facing Native American populations in the Southwest, and climb up ladders and into caves at Bandelier National Monument.

General Notes

Max of 140 participants, divided into smaller groups for activities.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Kirt Kempter
Kirt Kempter received his Ph.D. in geology from the University of Texas at Austin and has visited and studied plate tectonics and related volcanism around the world, including Iceland, Costa Rica, Mexico, and South America. A Fulbright Fellow, Kirt now works for the U.S. Geological Survey as a field geologist, studying the volcanic history of the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Kirt Kempter
Kirt Kempter View biography
Kirt Kempter received his Ph.D. in geology from the University of Texas at Austin and has visited and studied plate tectonics and related volcanism around the world, including Iceland, Costa Rica, Mexico, and South America. A Fulbright Fellow, Kirt now works for the U.S. Geological Survey as a field geologist, studying the volcanic history of the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico.
Profile Image of Jerry Rightman
Jerry Rightman View biography
Who would have ever thought that a retired veterinarian would become a dedicated art lecturer? Jerry Rightman is just that person and is an active member in the art community of Santa Fe, applying his talents as a docent at the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. He has received rave reviews for the many years that he has been teaching for Road Scholar.
Profile Image of Christopher Gibson
Christopher Gibson View biography
Christopher Gibson is an award-winning artist, writer, and arts educator who makes his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work includes the Cuentos del Camino series on lower Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe and mixed-media installations at numerous museums in New Mexico and California. Over the years, he has written several articles on Hispanic arts and culture for the magazines "Tradición Revista" and "Imagen."
Profile Image of Elena Junes
Elena Junes View biography
Elena Ortiz-Junes is a native New Mexican and member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. She has worked for many years as a study leader and group leader for numerous organizations and universities, providing a unique perspective on the region and its rich cultural tapestry. She is a writer and founding board member of Red Media, an indigenous owned and operated media project that highlights Native writers. Elena is also a board member of the University of New Mexico’s Alfonso Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies.
Profile Image of Lois Frank
Lois Ellen Frank View biography
Lois Ellen Frank, PhD, is a Santa Fe-based chef focused on Native American foods. She is also a Native American food historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer and James Beard Award-winning author. She is a featured instructor of the Southwest Indian Nations at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, and is chef and owner — along with Native Chef Walter Whitewater of the Diné Nation — of Red Mesa Cuisine.
Profile Image of Cisco Guevara
Cisco Guevara View biography
Cisco Guevara honed his storytelling craft around campfires deep in the river canyons of northern New Mexico. A river runner since his teenage days in Los Alamos, “the Atomic City,” he has become a New Mexico legend: instantly recognizable by his black hat. Cisco’s stories range from his rebellious youth, to tales that draw on his Hispanic and Native American heritage, to hair-raising adventures in the wilderness, to haunting tales of love and loss.
Profile Image of Omar Villanueva
Omar Villanueva View biography
Omar Villanueva holds a master's degree in classical guitar performance from the University of New Mexico. He is a multifaceted guitarist who performs classical, Spanish and popular music. His repertoire includes renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and Latin music arrangements for solo guitar. He is also an accomplished and awarded singer of music from Latin America and New Mexico. He has been performing in New Mexico and surrounding states since 2004.
Profile Image of Sherry Moon
Sherry Moon View biography
Sherry Moon is a certified interpreter for the profession of heritage interpretation and an experienced group leader. She has a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and has taught communication and art. For nearly 20 years, she has been a group leader specializing in the Southwest and Alaska/Yukon. As president of the Rocky Mountain Guides Association, she is regarded as a local expert. Her interests include the arts, history, heritage, geology, reading, outdoor activities, and socializing with friends.
Profile Image of Sheryl Russell
Sheryl Russell View biography
Sheryl Russell was born to a farming family in Kansas. At the University of Kansas, she studied education in theatre and English literature, followed by decades of work in retail and communications systems in Dallas, New York City, and the California Bay area. Sheryl felt that she had “come home" when she moved to Santa Fe. Here she found a cultural diversity, architectural style, and historic richness that supported the next 30 years of leading explorations and study of native Southwest cultures and their history.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
8 days
Program Begins
Santa Fe
Program Concludes
Santa Fe
Meals
17 | 7B | 4L | 6D |
Activity Level
Immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating areas in the United States as you join Road Scholars and local experts for a week exploring and learning in beautiful Northern New Mexico. Experience the best of the Southwest with in-depth presentations and field trips to an array of significant historical and cultural sites. Learn about Georgia O'Keeffe, explore world-renowned Museum Hill and visit Bandelier National Monument.)
Best of all, you'll...
  • Experience treasures of northern New Mexico on expert-led field trips to the villages of Taos, Abiquiu and Chimayo.
  • Explore world class museums in Santa Fe and Taos.
  • Hear from local experts about contemporary issues facing Native American populations in the Southwest, and climb up ladders and into caves at Bandelier National Monument.
General Notes
Max of 140 participants, divided into smaller groups for activities.
Featured Expert
Profile Image
Kirt Kempter
Kirt Kempter received his Ph.D. in geology from the University of Texas at Austin and has visited and studied plate tectonics and related volcanism around the world, including Iceland, Costa Rica, Mexico, and South America. A Fulbright Fellow, Kirt now works for the U.S. Geological Survey as a field geologist, studying the volcanic history of the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles daily over varied terrain. Standing for up to two hours at a time. Getting on/off motorcoach multiple times a day. Elevation of 7,000 feet for the entire program.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (34 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
17 meals | 7B | 4L | 6D |
6 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Expand All
Activity Note
If you will be arriving in Albuquerque between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Day 1 of the program, Road Scholar staff will be on hand in the baggage claim area on the lower level of the Albuquerque Sunport to greet you and direct you to a motorcoach/shuttle. Look for Road Scholar signs. Our chartered motorcoaches will leave at regularly scheduled intervals. There may be some delay between arrival in Albuquerque and departure for Santa Fe. Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Great American Get Together (GAGT) program. GAGT programs involve a large group of participants from all over the country who get to learn about a wide variety of topics and themes from some of Road Scholar’s most acclaimed instructors. For some scheduled activities, participants will be divided into smaller groups. What follows is a representative schedule. The order of the elements each day will vary by group, but each group will have an opportunity to experience all scheduled activities. The activity level of this program is “Keep the Pace.” All activities take place at an elevation of 7,000 feet; routine physical activity will be more challenging than at sea level. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles; paved but uneven surfaces, uphill grade, some stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll gather in the meeting room where a local expert will provide an overview of New Mexico history from the Ancestral Puebloan inhabitants of the area to the Spanish and American settlers who followed. After a short break, we’ll continue with an expert-led presentation that unpacks the unique and complex tapestry of New Mexico's cultural heritage as it evolved on the outer fringes of New Spain. We'll explore a Spanish colonial caste system that institutionalized the mixing of Indigenous, African, and European peoples; Genizaro communities that are descended from Indian captives who were forcibly integrated into Spanish colonial society; furtive Penitente and crypto-Jewish religious movements; and centuries-old communally-managed irrigation societies.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll set out with our Group Leaders on a walking field trip to the Santa Fe Plaza area where we’ll see some of the sites mentioned in this morning’s history lecture. We’ll then return to the hotel for with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 3 hours total riding time over the course of the day. Walking up to 2 miles; paved and unpaved, uneven surfaces, uphill grade, some stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board motorcoaches and ride north to Taos. On arrival, we will visit Taos Pueblo (if the Pueblo is open; it sometimes closes with little to no advance notice for private Pueblo events.) This picturesque Pueblo at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. The multiple-storied adobe dwellings reflect an ancient culture. Approximately 100 Pueblo residents still live much as their ancestors did 1,000 years ago, without electricity or running water. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. Then we will reboard the coach for a short ride to the Rio Grande Gorge, which we'll cross via the "High Bridge." The bridge spans the Rio Grande Gorge 565 feet above the river, affording breathtaking views, and has been used as a location in a number of motion pictures. Next, we’ll ride to Taos Plaza, where we’ll have time for self-directed explorations of the Taos Plaza area. There are a number of museums, colorful galleries, and shops in this area, all within walking distance of Taos Plaza. Nearby museums include the Harwood Museum of Art that houses the Agnes Martin Gallery; the E.L. Blumenschein Home & Museum, home of artist Ernest Blumenschein, a founding member of the Taos Society of Artists; the Kit Carson Home & Museum; and the Taos Art Museum at the Fechin House.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. We will head back to Santa Fe in the late afternoon, stopping for dinner en route to the hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles round-trip, approximately 1/2 hour total. Walking up to 2 miles; unpaved, uneven surfaces, uphill grade, some stairs. Standing for up to 2 hours at the Pueblo; Extent and duration of independent exploration according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We begin the morning with a discussion about Pueblo culture and dances presented by a local expert. We’ll then depart via motorcoach and travel 10 miles north to Tesuque Pueblo, which will be celebrating the San Diego Feast Day. The residents celebrate the day with a dance chosen by the elders of the tribe. It could be Buffalo, Corn, Comanche or Deer dances. We'll see beautiful handmade regalia, hear the many drummers and singers leading the dances, and more likely than not, see very young children dancing with the adults - it is important for the little ones to retain the traditions of the Pueblo. (Photos or recordings of any kind are strictly prohibited; we'll let you know in advance of the protocol that all visitors must observe during the dances.) Returning to the hotel, the rest of the day is free.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests you most. There are a number of colorful galleries and shops within walking distance of the hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
In the meeting room at the hotel, we will enjoy a performance by a local classical guitarist.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles round-trip, approximately 30 minutes. Standing and walking at museums. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will hear from local chef Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D., a Native American foods historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer, and James Beard Award-winning author. Dr. Frank will discuss the history and traditions of Native American food and how they have impacted the world's cuisines. After the lecture, we depart by motorcoach for Museum Hill for self-guided explorations of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture features pottery, jewelry, sculpture, baskets, and other objects made by Native Americans from the earliest times to modern day, scrupulously documented and beautifully displayed. Most of the work is from the Southwest. The Museum of International Folk Art focuses on indigenous populations from around the world through their art – ranging from ceremonial dress and masks to furniture. The museum hosts the largest collection of international folk art in the world, including wings featuring some of the 106,000 pieces donated by collectors Alexander and Susan Girard and Lloyd Cotsen's Neutrogena collection.
Lunch:
At the hotel
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent exploration to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
After dinner, we'll be entertained by Cisco Guevara, a professional storyteller from Taos. A river runner since his teenage days in Los Alamos, Cisco honed his storytelling craft around campfires deep in the canyons of northern New Mexico. Cisco’s stories range from his rebellious youth, to tales that draw on his Hispanic and Native American heritage, to hair-raising adventures in the wilderness, to haunting tales of love and loss. A headliner at the Taos Storytelling Festival for over a decade, Cisco performs regularly for groups in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and has told his stories to rapt audiences as far afield as London and Paris.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles round-trip, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 4 miles; unpaved, well-maintained trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather for a presentation by an expert geologist on the fascinating geologic history of the region. Then, we will board motorcoaches and ride 40 miles northwest to Bandelier National Monument, fascinating both for its geology and archaeology. After stopping at the Visitor Center, we’ll explore some of the trails in Frijoles Canyon where we can see “cavates” — cave-like dwellings used by the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here 400 to 800 years ago.
Lunch:
In the park, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll take a short drive to Los Alamos, where we will visit the Los Alamos History Museum and the Bradbury Museum of Science for two self-led explorations. The Los Alamos History Museum is located next to Fuller Lodge, which was once the dining hall for the Los Alamos Ranch School. Its mission is to preserve and share the history of Los Alamos through award-winning exhibits that include the geology and archaeology of the area, as well as exhibits dedicated to various aspects of the Manhattan Project. The Bradbury Museum of Science has wonderful exhibits about the history of Los Alamos National Laboratory, its national security mission, and the broad range of science, engineering, and technology research programs including the lab’s focus on Stockpile Stewardship. We will then return to the hotel for dinner on your own and a free evening.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 130 miles round-trip, approximately 3 hours total riding time throughout the day. Walking up to 2 miles; dirt terrain, some steep inclines. At amphitheater, inclined 1/2-mile walk through native piñons.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather for an expert-led presentation about the life and art of Georgia O’Keeffe. O’Keeffe was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and a pioneer of American modernism. Although she is best known for the work she produced in New Mexico, O’Keeffe was a prolific artist with over 3,000 works over the course of her career and was the first female artist to have a museum dedicated solely to her work. We’ll then board motorcoaches and ride about 60 miles north of Santa Fe to the Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center. Ghost Ranch was Georgia O’Keeffe’s first home in New Mexico was located on the ranch property. The ranch is now a retreat operated by the Presbyterian Church, which operates three small museums on site and also maintains several hiking trails into the red-rock country that O’Keeffe’s paintings made famous. While her home is now in private hands and not open to visitors, we will have the opportunity to see the landscape that enchanted O’Keeffe so much that she moved permanently to the area.
Lunch:
In the Ghost Ranch Dining Hall.
Afternoon:
We’ll take a short ride to Echo Amphitheater, a natural stone amphitheater with unique acoustic qualities. We’ll walk amid native piñons — small pine trees with edible seeds.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
17 Meals
7 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
6 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025
  • Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025
  • Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025
7 nights
Location: Santa Fe
Housed in a landmark 300-year-old hacienda, the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza is in the heart of Santa Fe. Decorated with authentic Southwest colors and furnishings, this hotel captures the allure of the Southwest and its rich cultural heritage. It is just a short walk to the Santa Fe Plaza area, with a multitude of opportunities for fine dining, browsing museums and art galleries, sightseeing and shopping.
Participant Reviews
5
Based on 3 Reviews
Sort By:
Katharyn – Class of 2018 | Milwaukee, WI
Educational, fun, and inspiring trip! The lectures and trips complemented each other. A beautiful part of the country that was enhanced by the Road Scholar experience!
— Review left May 3, 2022
Marcia – Class of 2018 | Hoover, AL
The Road Scholar team has created a well organized and very interesting exploration of Santa Fe and surrounding areas. You come away from the experience reveling in the mystique of this area and its people.
— Review left April 27, 2022
Henry – Class of 2005 | Arlington, VA
This is a super program combining history, environment, differing people, art, and offering outstanding planning and leadership. One of the best we’ve taken. BTW, the food was good too.
— Review left May 20, 2019





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