Welcome to the Santa Fe travel guide!
My family is from New Mexico, so I’ve grown up visiting Santa Fe almost every year.
Here, you’ll find everything from world-class dining and art, to a vibrant outdoors scene.
I think that makes Santa Fe the perfect destination for couples, families, and girls trips.
So, I put together this Santa Fe travel guide to help you plan the perfect getaway, from a (sort-of) local’s perspective. 😉
Let’s dive in.
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How To Get To Santa Fe
While Santa Fe does have a small regional airport (SAF), you’ll find a much bigger selection of nonstop flights into Albuquerque (ABQ).
From there, you’ll need to rent a car and drive the roughly 1 hour up to Santa Fe.
If you don’t want to rent a car, other options include the Rail Runner train that services Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Also, there’s a shuttle that runs between Santa Fe and the Albuquerque airport.
However, Santa Fe is a destination meant for exploring!
You’ll definitely want to get out and see some of the awesome sights past the city.
So if you’re visiting for longer than a day trip, I recommend renting a car.
Make sure to reserve your rental car in advance on RentalCars.com.
Related: 10 Best Things To Do In Albuquerque, New Mexico
Best Time To Visit Santa Fe
Santa Fe experiences four distinct, but fairly mild seasons.
Although, because of its high desert climate the temperatures can vary greatly between day and night.
That means it’s important to pack layers, no matter the season!
Summer
The most popular time to visit Santa Fe is in the summer.
The weather is warm during the day with highs in the mid 80’s, and cooler nights in the 50’s.
This is when many popular events take place, like the Santa Fe Indian Market.
Expect the highest prices and crowds at this time, so make your reservations well in advance.
Fall
I think fall in Santa Fe takes the cake!
This time of year brings beautiful fall foliage, crisp weather, and the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Fall is also considered the shoulder season, so you’ll find reduced prices and the town a little quieter.
Related: 10 Best Fall Vacations In The USA
Winter
Winter is my second favorite time to visit, especially around the holidays.
As the town glows with twinkling lights and farolitos, Santa Fe makes for a very charming holiday destination.
Not only that, this season usually brings excellent skiing conditions.
As a Texan, I think Santa Fe winters are very bearable with highs in the 40’s, to lows in the high teens.
Related: 10 Best Places To Visit For Christmas In The USA
Spring
Spring is slow to warm up, but a great time to take advantage of off-season prices.
Although the town does see an influx of visitors for spring break, the rest of spring is pretty quiet.
Where To Stay In Santa Fe
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If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly accommodations in Santa Fe, try the Silver Saddle Motel, or Santa Fe Motel & Inn.
Both motels are highly rated, and feature vintage Southwestern vibes.
There are also lots of adorable and affordable AirBnb’s near Santa Fe’s historic downtown.
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In the mid-range, you’ll find lots of charming hotels like the Eldorado, La Posada, and the Inn & Spa at Loretto.
One of Santa Fe’s landmarks, La Fonda on the Plaza is a wonderful place to stay. It’s located right in Santa Fe Plaza, has a terrific restaurant and bar, and tons of history.
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For a truly 5-star experience, I recommend the beautiful Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, just a couple blocks from the Plaza.
A bit further from town, the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe is the perfect place for a secluded getaway.
Or, for the ultimate zen atmosphere, look no further than Ten Thousand Waves.
Nestled into the wooded foothills, this upscale spa and hotel is inspired by the great Japanese mountain hot springs.
What To Do In Santa Fe
For a more detailed round-up of the best things to do in Santa Fe, head over to my 15 Best Things To Do In Santa Fe post.
I’ll give you the highlights in this Santa Fe travel guide.
Explore Santa Fe Plaza
First up is one of the most iconic activities in Santa Fe, exploring the Plaza.
The plaza, or city square, was historically the center gathering place in town.
Everything here is built in that classic adobe style, and it’s very charming.
Nowadays, Santa Fe Plaza is still the heart of Santa Fe, complete with restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.
Read more: 15 Best Things To Do In Santa Fe
Dive Into Meow Wolf
Next on the list is one of the most unique attractions I’ve ever experienced.
Meow Wolf is an immersive art installation that blends over 70 rooms of surreal art with a mysterious storyline.
The various rooms were all designed by local artists, and the gift shop showcases many of the artists’ work as well as quirky souvenirs.
I recommend booking tickets in advance here: tickets.meowwolf.com/santa-fe/
Get Outdoors
Santa Fe has so much natural beauty that you’ll definitely want to experience.
There are beautiful hiking trails just minutes from downtown.
Or, nearby Bandelier National Monument or Tent Rocks National Monument make phenomenal day trips.
Ski Santa Fe is the perfect place to try out skiing, or peep the fall foliage on the scenic chair lift.
Read more: 15 Best Things To Do In Santa Fe
Where To Eat In Santa Fe
There is SO. much. good. food in Santa Fe.
You’ll find everything here from fine dining to casual eateries, spanning almost every type of cuisine.
So it’s certainly hard to narrow it down!
But here are the top recommendations from locals.
Geronimo
Geronimo is the fine dining establishment in Santa Fe.
It’s a James Beard award-winning restaurant, complete with impressive dishes, impeccable service, and elegant atmosphere.
They’ve been named New Mexico’s best restaurant by Business Insider, landed a spot on OpenTable’s list of the 100 Best Restaurants in the US, and received glowing reviews from Vogue.
It’s pricey, but be prepared for a culinary experience!
El Parasol
With six locations across the Santa Fe area, El Parasol is the local’s go-to spot for quick, delicious food.
Despite its unassuming nature, El Parasol has been written up in national publications such as Bon Appetit, Gourmet, New York Times and Sunset throughout a span of 50 years.
Think: fast-food, but authentic.
La Choza
Tucked into in an old adobe building in the Santa Fe Railyard, La Choza has been a local favorite for traditional Southwestern food since 1983.
Its warm interior and colorful bar feel oh-so-welcoming, and the food is delicious!
The Shed
The Shed is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant, and another Santa Fe staple.
Dating back to 1953, they are 3rd generation family-owned and serve up some of the best food in northern New Mexico.
Kakawa Chocolate House
A visit to Kakawa Chocolate House makes the perfect afternoon treat.
This specialty chocolate company features drinking chocolate elixirs inspired by traditional recipes.
Also, you can choose from their creative selection of chocolate.
Sky Coffee
Although Santa Fe is home to several great coffee shops, Sky Coffee is one of my favorites for its location.
Here, you can take your coffee to-go and stroll the highly walkable Santa Fe Railyard District.
Or, sit and sip on the patio, with sweeping views of the rail yard.
Housed in an adobe building with an industrial interior, Sky Coffee’s atmosphere offers the perfect blend of traditional and modern.
Modern General
Modern General Feed and Seed is the cutest cafe that serves health-conscious brunch and delicious coffee.
Not only that, the interior doubles as a general store, stocked with locally-sourced goods.
Vinaigrette
Next door to Modern General, you’ll find its sister bistro Vinaigrette.
Known for raising the “salad bar,” they specialize in farm-to-table gourmet salads, sustainably-harvested nutritious foods, and delicious desserts.
Cafe Pasqual’s
This James Beard Award-winning establishment has been around for nearly 40 years.
The organic Mexican/New Mexican cuisine is legendary, so expect a wait!
Izanami
Located in the Ten Thousand Waves hotel and spa, this upscale izakaya serves premium Japanese bites and sake.
They are known for their delicious wagyu and wonderful atmosphere.
Radish & Rye
Radish & Rye is known for its simple, yet innovative New American food and drinks.
Here, they hold a big emphasis on sourcing ingredients from local farmers.
Also, if you need a break from New Mexican margaritas, take a peek at Radish & Rye’s extensive bourbon menu.
Claufoutis
One of my favorite breakfast spots, Claufoutis serves French-inspired brunch and mouth-watering pastries.
This place gets packed, so come early!
Coyote Cafe & Cantina
This elegant eatery features Southwestern cuisine, and delicious cocktails with a rooftop bar.
What To Pack For Santa Fe
First of all, Santa Fe’s climate is very DRY.
If you’re not used to living in the desert, make sure to sure to pack plenty of chapstick, lotion, and moisturizer.
Because you’ll need it!
Also, layers are key.
Even if you’re visiting in warmer months, pack a jacket and long pants for the cooler nights.
If you’re visiting in the colder months, pack layers you can either: pile on when it gets really cold, or take off during the day when it’s warmer and sunny.
Next, pack some good hiking clothes and boots for your outdoors adventures, and you’ll be good to go!
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