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Relax & Recharge in Santa Fe
Spas, Wellness Experiences & Peaceful Places After Your Morning CME Sessions
Attending a Continuing Education Company conference in Santa Fe offers more than a chance to earn CME credits — it's also time to relax and recharge in one of the Southwest's most tranquil destinations. Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe has long been known as a place of healing, creativity, and renewal. Its clean mountain air, beautiful landscapes, and rich wellness traditions make it the perfect setting to slow down after a productive morning of learning. Whether you're drawn to a luxurious spa treatment, a peaceful garden stroll, a Japanese-inspired soak, a gentle yoga class, or simply a quiet café, Santa Fe offers countless ways to restore body and mind.
Many wellness attractions sit within a 10- to 20-minute drive of the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, while peaceful gardens, historic courtyards, scenic walking paths, and inviting cafés are within easy walking distance of the Historic Plaza.
Ten Thousand Waves
Just 15 minutes from downtown, Ten Thousand Waves is one of the city's most distinctive wellness destinations. Inspired by traditional Japanese mountain hot springs, this award-winning spa is nestled in a wooded hillside overlooking the city, offering private outdoor soaking tubs, therapeutic massages, facials, body treatments, and peaceful gardens. The serene setting feels worlds away from everyday life — an ideal afternoon retreat after your CME sessions.
Conference Tip: Private soaking tubs and spa treatments are among Santa Fe's most sought-after experiences, so reserve before your trip.
Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort
About 20 minutes from downtown, Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort is a peaceful oasis built around natural spring-fed soaking pools and landscaped gardens. Guests enjoy multiple outdoor pools, massage therapy, yoga classes, meditation spaces, and walking trails designed for reflection — an easy way to disconnect and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of northern New Mexico.
Santa Fe Botanical Garden
A short drive from downtown on Museum Hill, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden celebrates the beauty of the high desert through native plants, seasonal flowers, sculptures, and thoughtfully designed walking paths. It's an excellent destination for a slower pace and a deeper appreciation of the region's natural environment.
Yoga & Mindfulness
Santa Fe's wellness culture extends well beyond spas, with opportunities to reconnect through movement and mindfulness.
Santa Fe Community Yoga — Minutes from downtown, this nonprofit studio welcomes all experience levels with a variety of styles in a warm, inclusive environment — easy to fit into an afternoon or early evening. (santafeyoga.org)
BODY of Santa Fe — Near the Plaza, BODY of Santa Fe combines yoga, Pilates, fitness classes, massage therapy, and holistic wellness under one roof — flexible options that fit easily into a conference schedule.
Quiet Places to Reflect
One of Santa Fe's greatest luxuries is simply slowing down. Stroll the tranquil courtyard of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, relax beneath the shade trees around the Historic Plaza, wander the gardens at Museum Hill, or discover hidden adobe courtyards tucked between galleries. For gentle walks, portions of the Santa Fe River Trail offer a quiet escape just minutes from downtown.
Scenic Cafés
Sometimes the best way to recharge is an excellent cup of coffee and nowhere to be.
Iconik Coffee Roasters — With several locations,Iconik is known for carefully sourced coffee, comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Downtown Subscription — A short walk from the Plaza, Downtown Subscription has been a Santa Fe favorite for decades, combining a café, bookstore, and newsstand in a quiet, welcoming setting.
Wellness at 7,000 Feet
Santa Fe's elevation contributes to its fresh air and scenery, but it requires a few adjustments. Drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen even on cooler days, dress in layers, and avoid strenuous activity until you've acclimated.
Family-Friendly Wellness
Traveling with family? Stroll the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, explore Museum Hill, enjoy easy walks along the Santa Fe River Trail, relax in neighborhood parks, or unwind together at one of the city's welcoming outdoor cafés — a wonderful balance to a day of sightseeing.
Helpful Tips
Reserve spa appointments well in advance, especially during spring travel season. Arrive early to enjoy spa amenities before your treatment, carry a refillable water bottle, wear comfortable shoes, and check websites for current hours and class schedules.
Leave Santa Fe Feeling Refreshed
Whether you soak in a Japanese-inspired hot tub, enjoy a restorative massage, wander a botanical garden, practice yoga, or savor a quiet cup of coffee in a historic café, you'll find wellness woven into the fabric of Santa Fe. It's easy to balance a rewarding CME experience with meaningful time to recharge.
Plan a trip that restores you: See CEC's upcoming Santa Fe CME conference →, or browse more Santa Fe travel guides.
This original guide was prepared for the Continuing Education Company using publicly available information from official tourism and organization websites. Please consult official websites for current hours, reservations, and class schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best spas near Santa Fe? Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese-inspired spa about 15 minutes from downtown, and Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort, with spring-fed soaking pools about 20 minutes out, are two of the most popular.
Do I need reservations for Santa Fe spas? Yes — private soaking tubs and spa treatments are in high demand, especially in spring travel season, so book before your trip.
How does Santa Fe's elevation affect my visit? At about 7,000 feet, you'll want to hydrate well, wear sunscreen, dress in layers, and ease into strenuous activity until you've acclimated.
Where can I take a yoga class as a visitor? Santa Fe Community Yoga (a nonprofit studio welcoming all levels) and BODY of Santa Fe (yoga, Pilates, and massage near the Plaza) both offer drop-in-friendly options.
Upcoming CME Conferences & Online Learning
Want to attend a live CME conference or complete an online course from the comfort of home?
At Continuing Education Company, we make your medical continuing education fun, engaging, and relevant. Explore our conference calendar to view upcoming dates and destinations as well as CME365™ online courses and live streaming options.
For a limited time, take advantage of our Special Offer: attend one of our live conferences in person and receive a FREE online 15 credit CME course from CME365™.