Take a Photo Tour of the Ultimate Southwest Girlfriend Getaway
— By Robert Firpo-Cappiello





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Street art in front of the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Art in Santa Fe—just one highlight of Budget Travel Senior Editor Jamie Beckman (left) and BT Photo Editor Whitney Tressel's much-anticipated road trip.
“I’m on top of the world!” at White Sands National Monument.
Whitney Tressel
Hearty hotcakes at Los Poblanos Historic Inn in Albuquerque.
Whitney Tressel
Pausing to take in the view along the Turquoise Trail.
Whitney Tressel
Minimalist elegance at Los Poblanos Historic Inn.
Whitney Tressel
Santa Fe effortlessly mixes the old with the new.
Whitney Tressel
The scent of fresh lavender soothed our city-girl nerves.
Whitney Tressel
Bar Alto, the “secret” bar on the top floor of Santa Fe’s Drury Plaza Hotel.
Whitney Tressel
We’re still raving about the Grove Café’s autumnal soup and farm-fresh vegetarian salad.
Whitney Tressel
We share a serene moment in one of Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs’s luxurious private baths.
Whitney Tressel
Jamie's top must-see: Georgia O’Keeffe’s home in Abiquiu.
Whitney Tressel
O’Keeffe actually painted this view from her bedroom.
Whitney Tressel
Quiet conversation post-soak next to a private fireplace at Ojo Caliente.
Whitney Tressel
One of the restored Spanish-style rooms at Palacio de Marquesa in Taos.
Whitney Tressel
El Santuario de Chimayó, home of "miracle" dirt.
Whitney Tressel
Kickin’ it old-school beside a traditional fireplace at Taos Pueblo.
Whitney Tressel
Our rental VW Bug tackles the powdery terrain of White Sands National Monument.
Whitney Tressel
Two Budget Travel editors motored through the mountains from Cloudcroft to Taos, mixing wild outdoor adventures with spicy local cuisine, an affordable spa visit, and must-see historical sites.