15 Best Things To Do In Santa Fe, New Mexico

Welcome to the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico!

Known as “The City Different,” Santa Fe is certainly a one-of-a-kind town.

A unique blend of Anglo, Spanish, and Native cultures have shaped this city for over 400 years.

Here, you’ll find everything from world-class dining and art, to a vibrant outdoors scene.

My family is from New Mexico, so I’ve grown up visiting almost every year.

In today’s post, I’ve put together the must-do things in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from a (sort-of) local’s perspective. 😉

Let’s dive in.

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Santa Fe Essentials

Top Experiences & Tours In Santa Fe

Where To Stay In Santa Fe

Budget-Friendly

Mid-Range

Luxury

How To Get Around Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a destination meant for exploring!

Although the city itself is pretty small, you’ll definitely want to get out and see some of the awesome sights past the city limits.

So, I highly recommend renting a car.

Make sure to reserve your rental car in advance on RentalCars.com.

Short on time? I recommend booking a New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza!

1. 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.

Grab lunch at Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant, the famous Plaza Cafe. Afterwards, pick up some souvenirs at a quirky five and dime store, or browse the high-end boutiques.

Shiprock, one of my favorite stores, is located in the Plaza. While it’s a bit out of my budget, it’s still so much fun to browse the gorgeous jewelry, pottery, and textiles.

Make sure to also stop by the Palace Of The Governors, where local Native artisans sell handmade jewelry.

One of Santa Fe’s landmark hotels, La Fonda, is located in the Plaza and a great place to stay.

During the warmer months, La Fonda opens its rooftop bar The Bell Tower. This is the perfect place for a sunset cocktail.

Also just steps from the Plaza is the iconic St. Francis cathedral, which is worth visiting if you love architecture.

2. Walk Canyon Road

Just a 3 minute drive, or 10 minute walk, from the Plaza is the famous Canyon Road.

Canyon Road is a picturesque, half-mile street lined with beautiful art galleries and shops.

Whether you’re actually shopping for art, or just want to admire the old-world architecture set against the mountain backdrop, walking Canyon Road is definitely one of the best things to do in Santa Fe.

Come Christmas Eve, Canyon Road traditionally celebrates its Farolito Walk.

Lined with farolitos (paper lanterns), the street glows with Christmas magic, and galleries hand out hot chocolate to passerby.

3. 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.

Housed in a renovated bowling alley, Game of Thrones fans can geek out over the fact that author George R.R. Martin helped bring Meow Wolf to life. (Did you know he lives in Santa Fe?)

The various rooms were all designed by local artists, and the gift shop showcases many of the artists’ work as well as quirky souvenirs.

During your visit, make sure to stop by the Float Cafe, where you can grab snacks, drinks, and fun multiverse-inspired craft cocktails. Meow Wolf also regularly hosts concerts and other cool events.

All in all, Meow Wolf is absolutely one of the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In fact, the Santa Fe installation was so wildly popular, they’ve now added locations in Denver and Las Vegas.

I recommend booking tickets in advance here: tickets.meowwolf.com/santa-fe/

4. Travel the Margarita Trail

Did you know Santa Fe was the first city in the New World to import tequila from Mexico?

No wonder Santa Fe has always had a special place in my heart.

If you love margaritas as much as I do, you definitely need to try the Santa Fe Margarita Trail.

This will be your guide to over 40 of the area’s best margaritas and local hotspots.

You can download the app to track your progress, or you can get a a physical paper passport, and collect stamps as you go.

So cute!

5. Explore Santa Fe Railyard

In the late 19th and early 20th century, this rail yard was a key interchange for important railroads.

Since then, it’s been revitalized by the city into a hub for entertainment, shopping, and events.

Now, the Santa Fe Railyard is home to the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, a luxury movie theater, a park with walking and biking trails, and more.

6. Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Recognized as the “Mother of American Modernism,” Georgia O’Keeffe was one of the most significant artists of the 20th century.

She was also a woman ahead of her time.

O’Keeffe is widely known for her paintings of flowers (yes, the ones that look like vaginas) and New Mexico landscapes.

She spent two decades living and working in New Mexico in the summers, until she moved there permanently.

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is dedicated to her legacy, and one of the best things to do in Santa Fe- even if you don’t know much about art!

Related: Art Instagram Captions

7. Explore Santa Fe Ski Area

Ski Santa Fe is a wonderful ski area that I’ve been going to my whole life.

I highly recommend learning to ski or snowboard here, if you’ve never been before.

It’s a very beginner-friendly mountain, with lots of green and blue runs for working on your skills.

They also have great instructors and affordable lessons, to help you through the learning curve.

If you’re more advanced, there are just enough black diamonds and bowls, as well as a small terrain park.

If you’re visiting in the early fall, summer, or late spring, the ski area is definitely still worth checking out.

There are lots of beautiful hiking trails in the area, and you’ll get to experience the high alpine scenery of New Mexico.

The ski area also holds fun events, and operates the scenic chair lift.

I once rode the chair lift in the summer, and spotted a black bear!

Ski Santa Fe is a 33 minute drive from downtown Santa Fe (depending on traffic getting up the mountain), and the drive is a beautiful trip as well.

8. Visit Bandelier National Monument

Just under an hour away from Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument makes for a fun day trip.

Here, you can explore beautiful canyon and mesa country, as well as ancient dwellings dating back over 11,000 years!

The Bandelier trails are fairly easy, and it’s rare to be able to climb up on ladders and into the cave dwellings like you can here.

This makes it a great activity for families and kids, and definitely one of the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

9. Visit Loretto Chapel

Loretto Chapel is home to the “Miraculous Staircase,” a phenomenon that has mystified historians for years.

It even inspired the 1998 movie, The Staircase.

According to legend, around the year 1880 the Sisters that ran the chapel needed a way to reach the upper choir loft.

The space presented technical challenges, so that building a normal staircase or ladder wouldn’t work.

After days of praying on it, a stranger mysteriously showed up and offered to construct a useful staircase.

He completed the work, and afterwards left just as mysteriously as he came. He was gone before the Sisters could thank him, or pay him, and never left his name.

The construction of the staircase itself only adds to the mystery.

The craftsman used no central column or visible support, yet the staircase stands.

He also used a type of wood that can’t be found anywhere near Santa Fe.

Additionally, there are 33 steps total, which is a religiously significant number.

To read more about the mystery surrounding Loretto Chapel (and the alleged answers), check out this post on historicmysteries.com.

Nowadays, Loretto Chapel is mostly a museum and corporate event space.

But, I think it’s worth a visit if you’re already in the area.

10. Soak in a hot spring

Whether you prefer to relax in a natural hot spring, or want a more luxurious vibe, Northern New Mexico has it all!

The most popular mineral springs resort in the area is Ojo Caliente, which is an hour drive north from Santa Fe.

Known for its spring-fed soaking pools set against the rugged natural landscape, Ojo Caliente makes for an enchanting stay.

In fact, the resort is so popular they’ve opened a second location right in Santa Fe!

I recommend booking a private pool, which makes the experience even more intimate.

If you’re looking for a more exclusive, spa-like atmosphere, check out Ten Thousand Waves.

Nestled into the wooded foothills of Santa Fe, this upscale spa and hotel is inspired by the great Japanese mountain hot springs.

When you stay here, wearing a wearing yukata (casual kimono) around the property and to the restaurant is even part of the experience.

Sounds like the epitome of zen and relaxation to me. 😊

However, if you want to visit a hot spring out in nature, make your way to the San Antonio hot springs or the Spence hot springs.

They’re both beautiful natural pools that offer panoramic views of the forest while you soak.

That said, they can get pretty crowded. So if you want the pool to yourself, try going early- like around sunrise!

11. Visit Tent Rocks National Monument

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, or Tent Rocks, is a geological area that’s just a 42 minute drive from downtown Santa Fe.

The site is named for its striated cone-shaped rock formations, or hoodoos.

It’s a really fun place to hike and take in the unique formations and slot canyons.

(Unfortunately, the area is currently closed due to COVID.)

Related: Sun Instagram Captions

12. Try New Mexican chile

You’ll notice that much of New Mexican culture revolves around its chile.

It is known as the “Chile Capital of the World,” after all.

In fact, New Mexico is the only state with an official state question: “Red or green?”

This is a question you’ll hear in every restaurant, because they’re asking if you want your food topped with red, or green chile. (Fun fact, you can answer “Christmas” if you want both. 😊)

And pretty much everything comes with green chile! Pizza, burgers, stew… you name it!

La Choza is one of the most iconic restaurants in Santa Fe, and the perfect place to try some delicious chile.

13. Visit a local brewery

If you’re a craft beer lover, you’ll relish in Santa Fe’s local beer scene.

Santa Fe Brewing Company first opened 30 years ago, and is now the largest brewery in New Mexico.

They recently added a beautiful new beer hall, complete with a food truck and outdoor space. (It’s kid-friendly, too.)

This local brewery is the perfect place to celebrate a sunny day with friends or family.

14. Hike the Dale Ball Trails

If you’re looking to quickly get out in nature, without heading too far out of town, the Dale Ball Trail System is for you!

This is a really nice network of hiking and biking trails in the foothills of Santa Fe.

Many of the trails start just five to ten minutes from downtown, and offer beautiful views of both the mountains and the city.

For a simple nature getaway, this is definitely one of the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

15. Take a trip to Taos

If you’re staying in Santa Fe for at least a few days, consider spending a day or two up in Taos.

The drive itself is called the High Road To Taos. This Scenic Byway winds through the beautiful, high desert scenery of the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

In true New Mexican fashion, the city of Taos centers around the Taos Plaza. Here, you can browse beautiful local art and shops.

There’s also great skiing to be found in Taos Ski Valley, complete with a cute alpine-style ski village.

Nearby, the 650-foot Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is a popular attraction.

Just outside the city lies Taos Pueblo, an ancient adobe pueblo. You can learn more about the Native culture and heritage here.

It’s also the only living Native American community to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a National Historic Landmark.

(Unfortunately, the Pueblo is currently closed due to COVID.)

Also… did you know that New Mexico is actually home to the oldest wine country in the United States?

Grapes were planted here in the 1600’s by Spanish settlers. Today, there are several wonderful wineries in the area.

Posted By: Arabella · In: new mexico, travel, usa