This summer, The Inn of The Five Graces invites guests to experience “The Great American Summer,” a season-long celebration honoring two defining milestones in American history: the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Rooted in the spirit of exploration, storytelling, and cultural exchange that has shaped the American Southwest for centuries, the new programming blends history, hospitality, music, and adventure through a distinctly Santa Fe lens.
“The Great American Summer is ultimately about celebrating culture and connection,” said Kevin Geanides, Managing Director of The Inn of The Five Graces. “Few places in America embody layers of history quite like Santa Fe, where Indigenous heritage, Spanish influence, Route 66 nostalgia, and contemporary creativity all intersect. These experiences allow guests to engage with that history in a deeply personal and memorable way.”
Independence Day
At the heart of the celebration is a festive Fourth of July weekend honoring America’s semiquincentennial with an elevated Southwestern BBQ experience at The Inn. Guests will gather for an intimate holiday celebration featuring regional cuisine, live music, seasonal cocktails, and a convivial atmosphere reflective of Santa Fe’s creative spirit and longstanding traditions of community gathering.
Live Music at The Pink Adobe
Music programming will continue throughout the summer with live performances every Tuesday and Wednesday evening, as well as every other Friday from June through September, creating a lively backdrop for warm Santa Fe nights at The Pink Adobe.
Opera at The Pink
Further elevating the summer season, The Inn will host two exclusive “Opera at the Pink” evenings at Pink Adobe, pairing world-class performances with refined dining experiences.
On July 16, guests will enjoy a private concert by The Young-Tiranno Duo featuring acclaimed violinist Elizabeth Young and tenor John Tiranno, accompanied by a three-course plated dinner with wine pairings and opening reception. A second Opera at the Pink evening will take place on August 13 featuring harpist Grace Browning and mezzo-soprano Megan Marino, also accompanied by a three-course dinner with wine pairings and reception. Both evenings are priced at $195 per person and require advance reservations.
Aperitif Hour
Throughout the summer, Inn guests will also enjoy Aperitif Hour every Thursday and Friday poolside featuring the New Mexico launch of Jon Bon Jovi’s signature Hampton Water Rosé, alongside craft cocktails and seasonal bites exclusively for guests of the property. Designed to evoke the easy rhythm of an American summer, the gatherings bring a relaxed yet elevated energy to afternoons at the Inn.
Route 66 – Layers of History
Further anchoring the season is the debut of the Inn’s new “Route 66 – Layers of History” experience, created in partnership with Santa Fe Mountain Adventures. Designed to commemorate the centennial anniversary of America’s most iconic highway, the immersive excursion traces the lesser-known origins and forgotten alignments of Route 66 through New Mexico’s dramatic landscapes.
Traveling aboard custom Swiss Army vehicles, guests journey from downtown Santa Fe to La Bajada Hill, where adventurous motorists once navigated a dramatic 600-foot descent featuring 23 hairpin turns, widely regarded as one of the most challenging stretches of the original Route 66.
Yet the story extends far beyond the Mother Road itself. Long before Route 66, this corridor was part of El Camino Real, the historic trade route connecting Mexico City to Santa Fe, established in 1598. Even earlier, Native American communities traversed the region, leaving behind petroglyphs carved into the surrounding basalt cliffs that still remain visible today.
As part of the experience, guests will visit El Rancho de las Golondrinas for a private docent-led exploration of the cultures and communities that shaped this historic route over centuries, from Indigenous peoples and Spanish settlers to Dust Bowl migrants and early American road trippers. The journey concludes with a gourmet picnic lunch prepared by Pink Adobe, the legendary Santa Fe restaurant deeply woven into the Inn’s history.
With its richly layered design, artisan craftsmanship, and longstanding connection to Santa Fe’s cultural identity, The Inn of The Five Graces offers an ideal backdrop for a summer celebrating the enduring spirit of America’s roads, stories, and traditions.
For more about The Inn of The Five Graces, visit fivegraces.com.
