Santa Fe is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. It is also one of the most underrated, and it’s a shame that we only get to visit it during the summer holiday. Want to learn how to enjoy it all year round? Read on as I share 24 of my favorite things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
New Mexico is calling your name! Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Roswell, and more are just a short drive away, providing you with a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. And of course, there’s the scenery. It’s hard to beat the grandeur of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, sweeping vistas of the Jemez Mountains, and the turquoise-blue waters of Santa Fe’s arroyos and rivers. Take a look at our 2-minute video to see just some of the sights you’ll experience!
How do you feel about New Mexico? Are you excited to be here? Maybe you are a bit nervous. Or maybe you are looking forward to your first trip to this New Mexico. It is all about feeling comfortable, right? However, if you are traveling to a new state or country, you may be a bit nervous, since you are not sure how things will be. All the same, you don’t want to stick out and make anyone uncomfortable, especially if you are considering a trip to New Mexico. Well, you would be surprised with all the fun things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico, you can enjoy and have a wonderful time.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a city with a vibrant art scene, delicious food, and great hiking trails. Santa Fe is 7,000 feet above sea level (about the same height as Flagstaff, Arizona), and although all four seasons can be observed here, winters are mild. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610 as Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís, we know it only as Santa Fe, which translated means the Holy Faith. Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico and the oldest state capital in the United States. With a population of 85,000, it’s easy to get around and enjoy the beauty of the Southwest. In this post, I’ll show you 28 things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico, including day trips from Santa Fe.
List of What You Read
1. Canyon Road Art
Canyon Road is Santa Fe’s main art center, with dozens of galleries, restaurants and shops. Santa Fe is known as a city for art lovers. From traditional Native American art to contemporary art, a walk through the Canyon Road Arts District is a treat. Many galleries and shops are located in traditional adobe buildings. Even mailboxes get colorful designs in Santa Fe.
2. Santa Fe Plaza
The Plaza is a central historic site in Santa Fe, home to historic landmarks, the Loretto Chapel, the Governor’s Palace, the Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis, the New Mexico Museum of Art, and numerous shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Santa Fe Plaza is a gathering place in downtown Santa Fe and the perfect place to walk around and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of New Mexico.
3. Santa Fe Farmers’ Market
In the Railyard district, you can find excellent locally grown fruits and vegetables at dozens of vendors every Saturday. There is also a wide selection of meat, dairy products, eggs, baked goods, arts and crafts, flowers and herb collections. Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (7 p.m. from June to September) Tuesday Market – 4. May to the 23rd. November (same opening hours as the Saturday market) 1607 Paseo De Peralta
4. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
Walk a few blocks from Santa Fe Plaza to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum to view hundreds of works of art. The exhibitions showcase the work of Georgia O’Keeffe from her childhood to her eighties. Georgia O’Keeffe is known for her large-scale paintings of flowers, skulls, skyscrapers in New York and landscapes in New Mexico. Opening hours: 10-16 Thursday to Saturday
5. Chapel of Loretto
A former Roman Catholic church, now a museum and a popular wedding venue. Known for its spiral staircase, which was originally built without a balustrade. What were they thinking? In any case, the balustrade was added in 1887. The chapel of Loretto is open every day except Christmas. 207 Old Santa Fe Trail Loretto Chapel Stairs – in the early years there was no handrail.
6. Museum of Amerindian Art and Culture
The Museum of Native American Art and Culture tells the story of the peoples of the Southwest, from prehistory to modern art. Reopening in May 2021 Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 16.00
7. International Museum of Folk Art
Visit the museum, which has an excellent collection of folk art from around the world. The Museum of International Folk Art has a collection of over 130,000 objects from more than 100 countries around the world. If you like folk art, this is your favorite place! Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 16.00
8. Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf is a hypnotic labyrinth of multimedia artworks that takes you into an imaginary world. It’s one of those places you can never really understand without experiencing it. You’ll feel like Alice in Wonderland down the rabbit hole. It’s quirky, fun and interactive. Discover more than 70 exciting works of art at the Meow Wolf Santa Fe Perpetual Return House. The art installation company Meow Wolf was founded in Santa Fe in 2008 and has about 200 artists. You can find out more about Meow Wolf and buy tickets online. 1352 Rufina Circle Meow Wolf is a multimedia art festival
9. Art Museum of New Mexico
You will love visiting this museum not only for its art, but also for its beautiful courtyard and gardens. The building of the New Mexico Museum of Art itself is worth a visit. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 16.00
10. Santa Fe Railyard Park
The old station is a beautiful outdoor space where you can walk and admire the flower gardens. Many opportunities for children to play. Railyard Park is a fun city park located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe. When the weather is nice, you can walk from downtown to Railyard Park, which is a mile from the Plaza.
11. Santa Fe Kitchen
Red, green or Christmas? This phrase can be heard in Santa Fe restaurants, no matter the season. You can choose red chili sauce, green chili sauce, or both red and green. Try them all to see which one you like best. Here are some restaurants in Santa Fe worth checking out. The Shed Restaurant has been serving Southwestern cuisine since 1953. Try the red chili enchiladas and a margarita or two! Outside seating is available. 113½ East Palace Avenue 11:00 – 14:30 и 17:00 – 21:00 El Callejon Taqueria and Grill is the place to try all the Mexican dishes: Tacos, mole, fajitas, enchiladas and more. Beer and wine. A relaxed atmosphere. 208 Galisteo Street 11.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday Sazón is an excellent choice if you are looking for gourmet food in Santa Fe. Reservation is highly recommended. Latin American cuisine with a touch of creativity. 221 Shelby Street 17:00 – 20:00 Monday to Saturday Pasqual’s Cafe is a local favorite, especially for breakfast or brunch. Good food, nice decor and excellent service. They are temporarily closed because of Covid :/ /. 121 Don Gaspar Ave. Shrimp Tortilla Soup
12. Happy Hour in Santa Fe
Relax after a busy day of hiking, historical tours or art museums. Here are a few places in downtown Santa Fe where you can spend happy hour. La Boca treats you to tapas, sangria, wine and beer. Outdoor seating available (with heating in winter) Opening hours : 17:00 – 21:00 from Wednesday to Sunday 72 W Marcy St. Terracotta Wine Bistro How can you not love a great selection of wines by the glass and a menu of dishes, try the bruschetta. Discover the extensive wine list. Outside seating is available. Opening hours: 17:00 – 20:00 from Thursday to Monday 304 Johnson Street
13. Palais du Gouverneur
The Governor’s Mansion is the oldest permanent public building in the United States. Built in 1610-1612, it was originally intended for Don Pedro de Peralta, the first Spanish royal governor of New Mexico. Also visit the New Mexico History Museum, located in the Governor’s Mansion and open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 105 W Palace Ave. Santa Fe Governor’s Palace
14. Petroglyphs from La Cieneguilla
16 miles – about 20 minutes (just behind the airport) A short walk to rocks with hundreds and hundreds of petroglyphs. If you make it to the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views, but you have to put in a little more effort to get there. There is no shade on the trail, so bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and water.
15. Bandeleher National Monument
Bandelier National Monument is a great place to visit in a day, 45 minutes from Santa Fe. Explore the land and the ruins of the ancient Pueblo culture. There are many good hiking trails here, including many short walks to Bandelier. The Tsankawi Ruins Trailhead is located a few miles from the main part of the park on State Highway 4. During this one and a half minute walk along the mesa, you will see petroglyphs and the ancestral village of Pueblo Tsankawi. Access to the pueblo is via a wooden staircase. To reach the Tsankawi ruins route from Bandelier, turn off just after the 3rd exit. At the second traffic lights, turn right into the Tsankawi gravel parking lot. Views of Tsankawi Caves
16. Kasha-Katuwe-Tent Rocks National Monument
35 miles is about 45 minutes. Although it is closed now, be sure to keep an eye on the BLM Tent Rocks website for updates and information on the new reservation system for entry through 2021. To enter Tent Rocks, you must make reservations in advance. Follow the beautiful path to the slot canyon and cave, then climb to the top where stunning views await you. The cone-shaped rock formations are the result of volcanic eruptions that took place millions of years ago. Distance: 5 km Altitude difference: (256 m) Kind of a walk: Hinge Complexity: Moderate Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours Dogs are not allowed :/ Walk along the Tent Rocks path with fantastic views.
Hiking trails
The Santa Fe National Forest offers hiking opportunities for hikers of all abilities. In winter, many trails are suitable for snowshoeing. All of these trails around Santa Fe are dog-friendly.
17. Nambe Lake Road
Lake Nambé is a 10.5 km walk through the forest to a small lake. In the winter, you may need microspikes, crutches or snowshoes.
18. Atalaya mountain path
This 10.3 km walk, with an altitude difference of 547 m, is tough, but the panoramic view at the top will reward you.
19. Summit Storm Road
Picacho Peak is a 5.3km round-trip hike with a slight but steady 324m ascent, making it a good choice for a moderate hike with great views.
20. Dale Ball Trails North
The Dale Ball Trail System includes numerous trails for hiking, biking and running. The North Dale Ball Trail is a 7.1-mile round-trip hike with a 173-foot elevation gain, making it an easy, family-friendly hike.
21. The tracks of La Tierra
The La Tierra trail is popular with mountain bikers. The 16.9 km long loop, with an altitude difference of 287 m, contains rollers and various jumps.
22. Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi
St. Francis Cathedral is a beautiful church that is worth a visit for its architecture alone. Mass is held at 12:10 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays and Sundays. St. Francis Cathedral is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Also on Saturday from 9.30am to 2.30pm. Cathedral-Basilica of St Francis of Assisi
23. Santa Fe Opera House
The Santa Fe Opera House, built on the site of a former guest ranch, is located a few miles north of downtown Santa Fe and opened in 1957. Summer is the opera season in Santa Fe, with performances from early July through August. The opera house is built so that the sides are open to nature and the elements, so it is advisable to bring a plaid to attend the event. Backstage tours Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. – Price: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, free for children ages 6-22.
24. San Miguel Chapel
Built between 1610 and 1626, San Miguel Chapel is often considered the oldest church in the United States, although it has undergone several phases of destruction, restoration, and reconstruction over the centuries. The San Miguel chapel is an adobe building with walls of about 1.5 metres thick. The altar screen (altarpiece) is decorated with various paintings, columns and a wooden statue of the Archangel Michael holding a sword. In the bell tower you can see the bell of San Miguel, which was in use until 1872.
25. New Mexico State Capitol
Do you know where the only round State Capitol in the United States is? Yeah, Santa Fe, New Mexico! It is known as the Roundhouse and is located at 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, about a half mile from the Plaza. Visitors can usually take self-guided tours Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the meantime, you will need to see the New Mexico State Capitol from the outside. Santa Fe is the state’s only round capital.
26. Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Although the garden is small, there are walking paths and several sculptures in the garden. Especially if you have never visited a desert garden, you will enjoy learning about the native plants of the area. Summer opening hours: 9.00 – 17.00 from April to October Winter opening hours: 10-16 Friday to Sunday, November to March
27. Cathedral Park
The Cathedral Park is a beautiful little park next to the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. The park has many shady trees and benches where you can sit in peace.
28. Field French
I discovered Frenchy’s Field while walking in the neighborhood where I rented an apartment during my recent vacation in Santa Fe. Frenchy’s Field is a beautiful park. Enjoy the walk, the labyrinth and the gardens. Frenchy’s name was Bernard Parachu, and today’s park is on the site where he operated the Sunshine Dairy for 50 years, from 1933 to 1983, and where he built his ashen brick house in the 1950s. 2001 Agua Fria Frenchy’s Field Park is a pleasure to visit. Have fun exploring Santa Fe, New Mexico! In New Mexico you can also visit the White Sands National Park. If you are taking a trip to New Mexico, you should definitely spend a few days at Truth or Consequences. Save it to Pinterest and share it! Sharing means helping each other! Tags: New MexicoSanta Fe, New Mexico is an amazing place to visit. It is a beautiful, historic city with lots of culture, craftsmanship, and art. There are many different kinds of activities that you can do in Santa Fe, such as exploring the city itself, visiting the Santa Fe Art Museum, taking a road trip to Taos or to Los Alamos, or getting out and enjoying the natural beauty of this beautiful region.. Read more about meow wolf santa fe and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I spend my day in Santa Fe?
Santa Fe, NM is a magical little town nestled in the mountains of southwestern New Mexico. It is the only city in the United States that has a Spanish name (Santa Fe de Nuevo Mxico) and an English name (Santa Fe, New Mexico). The town is absolutely gorgeous with adobe and pueblo-style buildings, cobblestone streets, and hills that are famous for their colorful rock formations. I’ve never been to Santa Fe, so I can’t speak firsthand to how nice it is. But a look at the photos on the incredibletraveling.com website makes it sound like a nice place to visit and enjoy the scenery. Santa Fe is a beautiful place to shop, eat, and relax. It’s also a very safe city!
What is there to do in Santa Fe for free?
Santa Fe, New Mexico is home to several museums, historic buildings, and historical sites that can be visited free of charge. Some of these include the Palace of the Governors, the Museum of International Folk Art, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, and the Museum of New Mexico Art. Santa Fe has several museums and galleries that make it a great place to spend the day. There is the Safari Museum, a museum all about the local wildlife, the Museum of International Folk Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of New Mexico History, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
What is there to do in Santa Fe New Mexico today?
Santa Fe is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. Its name is Spanish for “holy peace”, and its citizens take pride in this distinction. Santa Fe is situated about 100 miles north of Albuquerque and 90 miles south of El Paso, Texas, on the eastern edge of the Sangre de Christo Mountains. The state capital of New Mexico is the city of Santa Fe, which itself is a picturesque city in the north-eastern part of the state. The city is famous for its beautiful adobe-style buildings and traditional architecture, as well as for its rich history. It was founded in 1610, and was one of the first Spanish settlements in the Americas. It became the capital of the state in 1887, and is now the home of the University of New Mexico.
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