Things to Do in New Mexico

Watch the Albuquerque Thunderbirds blow your parasol away with a flurry of high-flying layups, booming dunks, and leisurely strolls down the lane with today’s Groupon. For $15, you get two box-seat tickets (a $40 value) to watch the Thunderbirds take on the L.A. D-Fenders on Saturday, March 13; the Erie BayHawks on Friday, March 12; or the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Wednesday, March 10. Your tickets include all box-office and arena fees. All games are at 7 p.m. and there is no purchase limit. This is the perfect outing for sports fans, family gatherings, and seasonally unemployed professional gift wrappers.

The peaks of the Organ Mountains rise above the Mesilla Valley, framing the immaculate greenery of Sonoma Ranch Golf Course's 18-hole, 7,028-yard layout. Designed by internationally renowned course architect Cal Olson, the course unfurls across the valley floor with undulating fairways, encroaching water hazards, and sprawling bunkers that force players to build sandcastle trebuchets to rescue errant golf balls. A lengthy course when played from the back tees, the grassy monolith also challenges players' short game with massive, bentgrass greens peppered with hard-to-read breaks. Clubbers can prepare for their pin-hunting voyage with a stint at the driving range or practice green, or stare down the treacherous fairways over a tasty nosh at the Sunset Grill, which overlooks the scenic expanse.

Course at a Glance:

• Designed by Cal Olson
• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Bentgrass greens
• Length of 7,028 yards from the farthest tees
• Course rating of 72.1 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 120 from the farthest tees
• Three tee options

Body & Brain aims to help guests tap into their reserves of energy through holistic yoga routines developed by South Korean trainer Ilchi Lee. Based on the philosophies of an ancient Korean practice, Body & Brain’s classes incorporate fluid stretching, breathing exercises, and meditation to invigorate the body by unblocking the movement of chi energy. The committed instructors also introduce students to DahnMuDo, a noncombative martial art, and full-body vibration, which releases stagnant energy through prolonged periods of sitting on washing machines.

Climbing at Stone Age is nothing like grappling the plywood-and-plastic climbing walls at a company picnic or showing Mom how you can reach the top of the telephone pole. Stone Age's walls are covered with state-of-the-awesome textures that mimic the conditions of real rocks (indentions, protrusions, overhangs, underhangs, cracks, and pissed-off eagles in their nests). Veteran climbers say rock climbing is like running a marathon, but the adrenaline rush comes in shorter, more intense bursts. Indoor climbing is a great way for someone to get started, or a perfect after-work and hail-, snow-, and meteor-shower-proof indoor alternative for experienced climbers who want continuous practice. It's also a great workout that builds up boulder shoulders and promontory pecs.

You'll spend your first half hour on terra firma, covering basic maneuvers such as turns, climbs, and descents, as well as entry-level safety tips (stay away from the ground). After your earthly lessons, you'll strap into the cockpit of one of Sierra's airplanemobiles, such as the Cessna 172 or Diamond DA40, and put what you've learned to the test. These safe, sturdy workhorses of the clouds feature a high wing design that provides excellent, beginner-friendly stability and unobstructed, beautiful views of the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains, ideal for distracting meddlesome backseat pilots.

A Santa Fe landmark, the Inn and Spa at Loretto is steeped in an atmosphere that befits a place where the coyotes don bandanas, the tumbleweeds wear turquoise, and the sunset has been stuck on "stunning" since 927 BC. The Loretto is an architectural recreation of the Taos pueblo, right down to the haute restaurant, galleries, gardens, and wooden ladders in place of stairs. Georgia O'Keeffe famously painted the hotel in 1932, accurately depicting the enormous cow skull that perpetually hovers above the roof as well as the huge pink lily whose delicate, puffy folds form the hotel's entrance.