The Spread:
Once an invitation-only retreat for the wealthy and later for reclusive artists, the Bishop's Lodge, just three miles outside Santa Fe, now combines outdoor activities with comfortable accommodations for the whole family. More resort than dude ranch, the lodge offers horseback riding, including novice outings, through the Sangre de Cristo foothills and the Santa Fe National Forest, as well as nature trails, hiking, and skeet shooting. Young kids are invited to come to the stables to pet the horses.

Accommodations—totaling 111 suites and rooms—are spread through 15 separate lodges. And in 2004, the SháNah Spa was named number one in North America by Condé Nast Johansens.

Why Families Love It:
Families can go on horseback outings together, but riders must be at least eight years old and four feet tall. Popular saddle sojourns are the Breakfast Rides and Barbeque Sunset Rides, which take you for an hour or more into quintessential Southwestern landscapes.

The comprehensive children's program for ages four to 11 (and younger, with a parent or babysitter) runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes hiking, playground time, and swimming ($65 for full days). The evening session, available on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. ($45 per session), sometimes feature campfires and storytelling.

Special Activities & Events:
Pony rides—actually outings on gentle horses—are available three days a week for kids seven and under and are complimentary for Bishop's Lodge guests.

Enjoy Santa Fe and its surroundings, from high-mountain deserts, pueblos, and cultural attractions. In winter, the resort offers a free shuttle to the nearby Santa Fe Ski Area.