34 Best Things to Do in Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a city with a small-town feel and a huge Indigenous influence. The adobe buildings and turquoise jewelry are reasons enough to visit. But there are so many fun and unique things to do in Santa Fe beyond those highlights.

I’ve visited Santa Fe on several occasions and recommend spending at least a couple of days in this New Mexico gem. From outdoor attractions to historic and cultural sites, there’s something for everyone in this destination. Before you scroll, be sure to bookmark my guide on where to stay in Santa Fe!

Best Things to Do in Santa Fe

Santa Fe Plaza

Wander around the adobe establishments and take photos of quintessential Southwestern architecture.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 955-6200 | Website | 👉 Book a Historic Walking Tour

Wander around the adobe buildings of the enticing Santa Fe Plaza. This huge courtyard is lined with luxury jewelers, fur jacket boutiques, second-story restaurants, and souvenir shops. There are also Indigenous merchants against the far side of the plaza selling their locally-made wares. I recommend buying turquoise from these vendors to support small businesses.

A historic walking tour is a great way to explore Santa Fe Plaza and learn more about the city. But if you’re on a budget, this self-guided audio tour is a good choice, too.

Canyon Road

Browse around more than 100 art galleries in an adobe village.

📍 Google Maps | Website

This photo-worthy road is lined with chic art galleries, quaint boutiques, and the occasional coffee shop — all adobe, of course. Canyon Road has an impressive 100 galleries in a half-mile radius. Be sure that comfortable walking shoes are part of your New Mexico packing list! The exhibits only get better as the road progresses.

Taos

Visit an ancient Indigenous pueblo that has been continuously inhabited for nearly 1,000 years.

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book a Cultural Tour of Taos

Taos is less than 90 minutes northeast of Santa Fe and the perfect day trip from the big city. Situated high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it’s home to famous adobe structures and a Native American reservation that’s open to the public. Taos Pueblo is the most popular of the area’s attractions. This World Heritage Site has been inhabited for nearly 1,000 years.

In town, you’ll find a variety of hipster cafes and boutiques. There’s also a plethora of art galleries, being that it’s an artist enclave much like Santa Fe. See my guide on where to stay in Taos if you’d like to extend your visit.

🚗 Need a Car? The best way to get around town and to nearby places like Taos is with a rental car. Discover Cars is the most reliable way to find a rental in the area.

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

View works from a famous Santa Fe artist who was inspired by the surrounding desert landscape.

About a 7-minute walk from Santa Fe Plaza, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum pays tribute to the late and great American modernist artist. She produced over 2,000 works over the course of her career, showing the artist’s dedication to her craft.

The museum is small and shouldn’t take more than 2 hours to view. There is also no on-site public parking. I recommend either walking from the plaza area if the weather is agreeable or parking in a nearby garage close to the museum.

Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

Take photos near one of the most famous, artsy landmarks in town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 428-5912 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon & Wed-Sat, 11 am – 4 pm Sun, Closed Tues | Entrance: $10 adults, $5 students, seniors & New Mexico residents, free under 16; free every Fri

The Museum of Contemporary Native Arts is one of the most visited sites in Santa Fe. It displays contemporary art on history and Native culture. Find it on the back side of the plaza, right across the street from the Basilica of St. Francis Assisi. Many first-timers visit this museum to take photos of the colorful exterior alone.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Admire the centuries-old architecture of this famous town landmark.

The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi sits at the top of downtown Santa Fe. Just north of the main plaza, this church is a must-see. Also known as the “mother church of Santa Fe,” the cathedral was built in 1610 and rebuilt in 1693 following the Indian Revolt of 1680.

Visitors can see the interior of the basilica during open hours or attend a Saturday or Sunday mass. Include this destination in a self-guided walking tour of all the top sights in downtown.

Loretto Chapel

Wind your way up the spiral staircase located inside this historic chapel.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 982-0092 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $5 adult, $4 seniors, $3 youth ages 7-17, free under 7

Only a few minutes walking distance from the cathedral, Loretto Chapel is famous for its helix-shaped interior staircase. Once a Roman Catholic church, this establishment is now a wedding chapel near the Santa Fe Plaza.

This Gothic-style chapel from the 1800s is a popular tourist destination for photos. The small museum inside pays tribute to the chapel’s Spanish history.

Outdoor Attractions

Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Explore the different types of native flora in this small but abundant botanical garden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 471-9103 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon-Tue | Entrance: $16 adults, $8 youth 4-17, free under 7

This Museum Hill activity is perfect on an afternoon with a good book and a thermos of tea. Enjoy the company of native New Mexico flora in the juniper-piñon woodland landscape of the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens.

The garden is right across from the International Museum of Folk art and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. It’s the ideal location to rest for a while and enjoy the tranquility of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Dale Ball Trails

Hike through dense forest and to the base of snowy peaks right outside of town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 955-6977 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Located in the foothills just outside of Santa Fe, the Dale Ball trails offer a nice change of pace. Pack up your hiking essentials, slide on your running shoes, or put air in your mountain bike tires for some exercising.

There are trails suited for all fitness levels here and most even welcome four-legged friends. Be sure to research conditions ahead of time, as the trails can be covered with snow in the winter.

Atalaya Mountain

Make your way to the top of one of the highest peaks in the area.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Climb to the top of Atalaya Mountain in the Santa Fe National Forest as a part of your awesome New Mexico trip. At 6.2 miles round-trip and with nearly 1,800 feet of elevation gain, this mountain peak is best suited for intermediate-level hikers.

The 360-degree views of the Indigenous adobe city from the summit are spectacular. Be sure to bring foot traction in the winter months, as the trail may be covered in snow.

Pecos National Historical Park

Stop by this historic park’s museum to learn about how the Civil War affected the area.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 757-7241 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Only half an hour southeast of Santa Fe, Pecos National Historical Park is a reserve for pueblo housing and a historic Civil War site.

This cultural crossroads is the gateway to the Plains. Many westward-bound travelers have found refuge at Pecos throughout time. Stop by the museum to catch an informative film or go hiking on one of the Ancestral Site trails.

La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs

Discover hundreds of petroglyphs quietly existing in the hills on the outskirts of town.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: Free

Located near the El Rancho de Las Golondrinas museum, the La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs site offers hundreds of petroglyphs. These carvings date from both pre-contact times and after the Spanish colonial era.

Hike through woodland terrain and find yourself immersed in past cultures. The entire loop trail is only 2.7 miles round-trip, which is doable for the whole family. Be sure to download an offline map before you go, as the hike lacks signs in some areas.

Santa Fe Trail

Follow historic trail landmarks around town like the pioneers of the olden days.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

The historic Santa Fe Trail was established by merchants pushing north from Mexico. It extended from southern Mexico City and ended in Santa Fe.

Many of the streets or hiking trails that you follow in town run parallel with this historic route. History buffs and other seasoned tourists can have some fun identifying all the Santa Fe Trail markers around town.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Get your daily dose of crisp mountain air with a trek through these rocky mountains.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

The iconic mountains that surround Santa Fe are a fragment of the famous Rocky Mountains. Named in the 1700s by a Spanish explorer who was inspired by their red-tinted snow, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are the best area to head to if you’re looking to hike in New Mexico.

The Atalaya Mountain Trail is one of the more popular hikes in the range, followed by the Dale Ball Trails and the Chamisa Trail.

Frank S Ortiz Dog Park

Give your four-legged friend the freedom to roam freely at this scenic dog park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 231-4920 | Website | Hours: 6 am-10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

If you’re like me and travel with Fido, then you are constantly on the lookout for dog parks. The Frank S Ortiz Dog Park allows your pet to run off-leash and experience some freedom.

Although some great trails in town allow dogs, they must be on a leash at all times. I recommend taking your furry friend to the mountain-encapsulated dog park to let them exercise their “zoomies.”

Sites & Attractions

Santa Fe Balloons

Soar high above town on a propane-powered blowup aircraft.

A colorful hot air balloon over Santa Fe, New Mexico — *See Santa Fe from a unique perspective*

Albuquerque is the more famous hot air balloon destination due to its annual festival. But you can ride hot air balloons year-round in Santa Fe! Companies like Santa Fe Balloons help you get above the cityscape and enjoy the high-altitude air in a hot air balloon.

You can also witness the huge Albuquerque balloon fest from anywhere in Santa Fe during the event. It’s usually hosted on the first or second weekend in October.

📚 Related Reading: Check out some of our top picks of where to stay in Albuquerque!

Meow Wolf Santa Fe

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary interactive exhibits of this unusual art installation.

This art installation is as quirky as its name implies. Trust me, Meow Wolf is unique from a regular museum visit.

Walk through a dark hall of neon trees and get lost in a maze of psychedelic wonder. You’ll surely question whether or not you were sober when you entered the museum as you stare at bizarre displays that make no sense — or do they? Meow Wolf is a place to discover hidden storylines and unleash your inner child.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas

Visit a ranch from the early 1700s and learn about the settlers in the area.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 471-2261 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun (June-Oct), Scheduled private tours (April-May), Closed Nov-March | Entrance: $10 adults, $8 seniors & students under 25, free under 13

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is located in a remote grassland suburb just outside of Santa Fe on the way up from Albuquerque. This living history museum dates back to the early 1700s and was a stop along the original Camino Real.

Visiting this museum is a fun excursion for the whole family but it is closed during the winter months. I recommend taking the Women’s History or Wetland Preserve Tours when the ranch is open.

Bandelier National Monument

Visit Ancestral Puebloan dwellings in the mountains outside of town.

View of the preserved pictographs in Bandelier National Monument — *One of the park’s best-preserved pictographs*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 672-3861 | Website | Hours: 9 am-5 pm daily | Entrance: $25 per vehicle

This national monument spanning nearly 34,000 acres features petroglyphs and Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Ladders allow you to crawl into these historic homes.

Note that many parts of the national monument may be difficult or impossible to access during winter. But this is one of the best things to do in New Mexico when the weather is warm.

Santa Fe Opera House

Enjoy a night of theater at this famous opera house.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 280-4654 | Website | Hours: Show times vary

Located just north of town, the Santa Fe Opera House showcases new, rarely performed, and standard performances. Switch things up by spending your evening entranced by professional opera singers.

San Miguel Chapel

This beautiful adobe structure is the oldest Catholic church in the country.

Exterior view of the adobe pueblan style San Miguel Mission Chapel — *(photo: Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock)*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 983-3974 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 3 pm Mon, 10 am – 3 pm Tues-Sat, 12 pm – 3 pm Sun | Entrance: Free

San Miguel Chapel claims the title of the oldest church in the continental US. Its adobe structure dates back to the early 1600s. Indigenous Mexicans, Franciscan missionaries, Spanish conquistadores, and Pueblo peoples have worshiped in its historic space.

Today, this Catholic church in downtown Santa Fe holds masses and welcomes visitors of all faiths. Stop in to view its original plaster, admire intricate art and ring its Spanish bronze bell from the 14th century.

Food & Drink

Kakawa Chocolate House

Give your tastebuds a whirl by sampling a chile chocolate bar or a Mexican hot chocolate.

View of the entrance to Kakáwa Chocolate House — *Try chocolates with a blend of Mesoamerican, European, and Colonial origins*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 982-0388 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Mon-Sat, 12 pm – 6 pm Sun | 👉 Browse Santa Fe Food & Drink Tours

The first time I visited Kakawa Chocolate House, I was expecting it to be similar to See’s Candy, selling nothing but chocolate sweets. Instead, I was surprised to be warmly greeted by an Indigenous chocolate-themed cafe.

The small interior welcomes a few customers who can quench their thirst with cacao lattes or a chile-almond chocolate drink. I tried the “Aztec Brownie,” a brownie made with blue corn, cacao nibs, chile — and love.

Santa Fe Farmers Market

Purchase the freshest, locally-sourced produce in town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 983-4098 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 1 pm Sat (year-round); 8 am – 1 pm Tues (May-Dec) | 👉 Take a Farmers Market & Railyard Food Tour

Source your produce locally from the Santa Fe Farmers Market. This is also the best place in the city to meet the locals and make some friends.

Right next to Railyard Park and REI, the farmers market is one of the oldest and largest in the state. Keep in mind, if you visit in the winter, the market will be moved indoors and will showcase fewer merchants.

Every single item sold at the Santa Fe Farmers Market is locally sourced, from the produce to the materials in the craft goods. This is the perfect Saturday morning activity for the whole family.

Museum Hill Cafe

Take a break from exploring informative museum exhibits with a satisfying cup of joe.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 984-8900 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 3 pm Tues-Sun, Closed Mon

Located in an area among many museums, Museum Hill Cafe invites visitors to take a break from observing and sit for a while with a warm coffee.

Museum Hill Cafe conveniently sits right between the Museum of International Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. The lattes are delicious but the cafe is only open for a short time, so I recommend enjoying your caffeine with a view in the early afternoon.

🛎️ Need a Hotel? Residence Inn by Marriott Santa Fe is one of the closest accommodations to Museum Hill.

Shopping

Baca Street Arts District

Admire local art inside a historic warehouse.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Santa Fe is a mecca of art. Located in the Santa Fe Railyard District, the Baca Street Arts District houses artist studios in metal warehouses — historic buildings of eras past.

Visit this area to meet local artists and stop by the Saturday farmers market right across the street when you’re done admiring the local art.

Adobe Gallery

Admire locally-crafted pottery inside this European cottage-like gallery.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 955-0550 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily, Closed Sun-Wed | Entrance: Free

This quaint, cottage-like gallery is covered in ivy with old English-style wooden doors and authentic Puebloan pottery on display.

See New Mexico’s finest, hand-crafted ceramic pieces by visiting the Adobe Gallery on the famous Canyon Road. Be sure to go ready to purchase because you will most likely be inspired by the beautiful art.

Culture & Museums

Museum of International Folk Art

Experience cultural art traditions from over 100 countries.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 476-1204 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily (closed Mon from Nov-April) | Entrance: $7 New Mexico residents, $12 non-residents, free under 17

Don’t have time to visit multiple museums? Trust me, this one is worth the trip. Located on Museum Hill, the Museum of International Folk Art exhibits over 130,000 folk art pieces from 100 countries. Take your time browsing the unique collection.

If your itinerary allows, head over to Museum Hill Cafe for a hot cup of coffee to energize you for the next-door Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.

New Mexico History Museum

Explore exhibits about all settlers to New Mexico.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 476-5200 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Sat-Thurs, 10 am – 7 pm Fri (summer) | Entrance: $7 New Mexico residents, $12 non-residents, free under 17

Located just three minutes’ walking distance from the Santa Fe Plaza, the New Mexico History Museum connects the past, present, and future of New Mexico through contemporary art.

This museum highlights the history of all of New Mexico’s inhabitants including the early lives of Native Americans, the Spanish, the Mexican era, merchants from the Santa Fe Trail, cowboys, hippies, and more.

🛎️ Need a Hotel? Rosewood Inn is across the street from the New Mexico History Museum.

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture

Learn about inspiring Native American culture through the art on display.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 476-1269 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sun | Entrance: $7 New Mexico residents, $12 non-residents, free under 17

This Museum Hill museum showcases Native American art and local artists. It tells the story of Southwestern people from prehistory to the present day through contemporary art.

Along with informative exhibits, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture also offers public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and educational programs.

SITE Santa Fe

Marvel at contemporary art from local artists.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 989-1199 | Website | Hours: 11 am-4 pm daily | Entrance: Free

This Santa Fe museum is located near the Railyard Park and the Santa Fe Farmers Market. It’s about a 10 to 15-minute drive from the main plaza area. This huge, industrial-looking space displays hundreds of contemporary art pieces and holds space for lectures and discussions.

Museum of Spanish Colonial Art

View colonial textiles and furniture at this Spanish art museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 982-2226 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 4 pm Wed-Fri, 10 am – 4 pm Sat, Closed Sun-Tue | Entrance: Free (donation suggested)

Another Museum Hill inhabitant, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art showcases art, furniture, and textiles from the Spanish colonial era in New Mexico.

Learn about New Mexico culture and traditions at this informative museum. Spanish presence and Santa Fe cannot be separated, which is why this museum is a local staple.

New Mexico Museum of Art

Pose for a photo outside of this iconic adobe structure.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 476-5063 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tue-Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: $7 New Mexico residents, $12 non-residents, free under 17

There is certainly no shortage of art in Santa Fe. Have the energy to visit more museums? The New Mexico Museum of Art is worth a visit for the adobe architecture alone.

The museum opened in 1917 and was the only building in New Mexico that was dedicated solely to art. This museum paved the way for many more art museums around the state.

Seasonal Things to Do in Santa Fe

Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta

Put your tastebuds to the test with a sampling of the state’s top chile dishes.

Dries chilies hanging over a building in Santa Fe — *Dried chiles hang over most establishments in Santa Fe*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 438-8060 | Website | Hours: Sept 23-28, 2025 | Entrance: Event prices vary

Walking the streets of Santa Fe, you’ll notice that bunches of dried chiles hang from every other establishment. This marks the significance of the chile pepper in Santa Fe’s Indigenous and Latino heritage.

The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Festival highlights the importance of this sacred spice. This annual 5-day event celebrates the best local restaurants and wineries, and receives thousands of guests each September.

Santa Fe Indian Market

Buy local, handcrafted goods at this annual festival in the plaza.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (505) 983-5220 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Mon-Fri | Entrance: Free

The Santa Fe Indian Market is one of the town’s biggest events and happens each August. This is the largest juried Native American art show in the world with an attendance of over 100,000 each year.

You can find the highest-quality Native American handicrafts at this event, from beadwork to silversmithing, precious gems, and more! Visit the central plaza to partake in this exchange of goods and cultures in Santa Fe.

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Now, you’re ready to take on the artistic adobe scene of the city! For more travel inspiration, see our guide on places to visit in New Mexico.

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