Some cities come alive in the summer as people radiate with energy after a winter cooped up indoors. That’s not the case in Dallas. We mourn the end of spring by pulling the shades, cranking up the AC and hunkering down for a few months of way-too-hot days and not-cool-enough nights. Icy margaritas help, but nothing solves the problem quite so effectively as skipping town.
Summer road trips are always an option, but you have to drive a full day to make a dent in the temperature. The best bet: Hop on a plane to the mountains. That plan is now even easier because JSX just launched a new route from Dallas to Santa Fe. The brand-new itinerary takes travelers from Dallas Love Field directly to Santa Fe Regional Airport, rather than the larger but farther away Albuquerque Airport. So you can escape the summer heat and bask in the dry, desert climate at 7,000-feet elevation in about 1.5 hours. I was one of the first passengers to fly the new route, and I followed that up with a few days of reacquainting myself with Santa Fe, a city I’ve visited multiple times over the past decade.
What’s it like flying JSX?
JSX flies out of a hangar that’s separate from the main Dallas Love Field terminal. It has its own drop-off point, check-in desks and a comfortable lounge with plenty of seating, plus free drinks and snacks. The airline suggests showing up just 20 minutes before departure. I hate getting to airports too early, but this seemed extreme even for me. I showed up 40 minutes early and was the only passenger there, so my premature arrival was peaceful but unnecessary.
There’s no overhead storage space on the plane, so you’ll check large bags before boarding (even the cheapest fare tier includes two free checked bags). It’s quick, and bags are returned immediately upon exiting the plane, so there’s no waiting at baggage claim before your trip can begin.
The Embraer jet featured 30 comfortable seats in a 1-1 configuration. Seats on the right side of the plane include a console table and have some extra space to work or arrange your things, while the left side does not. Service was friendly and efficient, with flight attendants offering complimentary snacks and drinks, including alcohol. There’s also free Starlink Wi-Fi, so it’s easy to stay connected in the air if you need to work or want to stream a few episodes mid-flight.
The JSX experience is the closest you can get to flying private without actually flying private. The price is more than a typical economy flight but usually less than flying business class—and exponentially less than actually taking a private charter (right now, fares throughout the summer start around $319 each way). And the in-flight experience coupled with the door-to-door time savings on both ends of the trip are well worth it.
Where to stay in Santa Fe
Santa Fe has dozens of hotels, many situated downtown around the iconic plaza, and several others located outside the main town or tucked into the hills. If you want a retreat-like experience, book a room at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado. It’s only 15 minutes from town but feels like a world away. The 65-room property is set on 57 rolling acres in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, and each casita-style room is spacious and comfortable, with patios and wood-burning fireplaces.
When you’re not in the room, you can hang at the pool, get a relaxing spa treatment or enjoy a sunset dinner at the restaurant, or head out on the attached Camino Encantado trail for a three-mile loop that takes you through desert landscapes and offers unobstructed views of the surrounding hills. With so much happening on property, there’s no real reason to leave. But when you’re ready to explore the town, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service that departs every hour and picks up on the half hour, so it’s easy to get around without a car.
If you want to stay right in town, you can’t beat Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi. The boutique property has 58 guestrooms and suites, each featuring elements of Southwestern luxury, including custom furnishings, wood-beam ceilings and local art. It puts you right next to the plaza and is walkable to many good restaurants, but don’t miss the restaurant right on site. New executive chef Cristian Pontiggia worked at Michelin-starred kitchens in Italy before coming to Santa Fe, and he got a James Beard nod for his local work at Sassella before taking the reins here. The menu features Italian dishes with Southwestern flair, like branzino empapelado, pappardelle bolognese made with locally sourced buffalo, and burrata caprese spiked with green chili honey. The drinks are just as good, as head bartender Jared Reeder has put together an excellent cocktail menu (try the seasonal spring Negroni featuring poblano and basil) and also hosts guided tequila and whiskey tastings.
What to do in Santa Fe
For starters, wander around and eat. Santa Fe is teeming with great restaurants, including upscale favorites like Sazón, Cafe Pasqual’s, Geronimo and the Compound, as well as low-key picks with excellent food, like Horno, Zacatlán, Paper Dosa and Esquina Pizza. Some of the better cocktails are found at Palace, Tonic and Milk of the Poppy, which was opened by George R. R. Martin—yes, the Game of Thrones creator.
Once you’ve had your fill of food and drinks, douse yourself in some culture via the New Mexico Museum of Art or the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. You can also check out the original Meow Wolf, the immersive, psychedelic art installation. Then get out of town and stretch your legs.
Santa Fe and the surrounding area is filled with a variety of national parks, monuments and hiking spots that showcase the state’s natural beauty. A few favorites include Bandelier National Monument (keep your eyes peeled for ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs), Valles Caldera National Preserve (a massive depression formed by a volcanic explosion) and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, which is dotted with cone-shaped tent rock formations and looks like another planet.
It’s all just a quick flight from Dallas, a city with plenty to offer, but one that’s conspicuously missing volcanic depressions and tent rocks. And hospitable summer weather.