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- Broaden your mind at the New Mexico History Museum. The New Mexico History Museum in downtown Santa Fe is a captivating testament to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the state.
- Catch a show at the Santa Fe Opera House. Just a short drive north of downtown amidst the breathtaking landscape of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Santa Fe Opera House is another one of the top Santa Fe attractions.
- Attend the annual International Folk Art Market. Another one of the best things to do in Santa Fe is browse through the handicrafts at the International Folk Art Market if you plan to visit Santa Fe in July.
- Experience immersive art at Meow Wolf. Meow Wolf is an avant-garde arts and entertainment collective in Santa Fe that has gained widespread acclaim for its immersive and interactive installations.
- Address: Santa Fe Plaza. 2 hours to Half Day. TIME TO SPEND. Since the city's founding in 1610, the Santa Fe Plaza has been its cultural hub. Today, surrounded by numerous centuries-old buildings like the Palace of the Governors, the plaza continues to be the epicenter of Santa Fean affairs, from live music to September's Santa Fe Fiesta.
- 0.8 miles to city center. Address: Canyon Road. Free, Neighborhood/Area, Shopping, Sightseeing. TYPE. 2 hours to Half Day. TIME TO SPEND.
- 1.8 miles to city center. Address: 706 Camino Lejo. Museums. TYPE. 2 hours to Half Day. TIME TO SPEND.
- 0.2 miles to city center. Address: 131 Cathedral Place. Free, Churches/Religious Sites, Sightseeing. TYPE. Less than 1 hour. TIME TO SPEND.
- Explore Meow Wolf. Art takes on a mind bending form at Meow Wolf, a 70-room art installation with one foot set firmly in another world. The interactive exhibit, under the narrative "House of Eternal Return" is the brainchild of a collective of Santa Fe artists.
- Get inspired at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Many famous artists have called Santa Fe home over the years, but arguably none as renowned as Georgia O'Keeffe.
- Visit Bugs Bunny and co. at the Chuck Jones Gallery. Chuck Jones is the artist behind many of the world's most beloved characters: Daffy Duck, Road Runner, and Marvin Martian, to name a few.
- Get a drink on the rooftop of a building that dates back to 1607. La Fonda on the Plaza is a true Santa Fe landmark, with a history that dates back to when the city was founded by the Spaniards in 1607.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Where to Stay in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Where to Eat in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- How to Get to Santa Fe
Morning: Historic Downtown Santa Fe
For your first day in town, plan to explore downtown Santa Fe on foot. This is the area where you will find many of the city’s timeless sites, and it will give you a strong sense of place as you get to know New Mexico’s capital city. Start with breakfast and coffee at Iconik Coffee Roasters on Guadalupe street. Their espresso is perfect, and the short but great menu will give you exactly the fuel you need for exploring Santa Fe. A few of the cultural highlights worth seeing downtown include t...
Early Afternoon: Take a Cooking Class
I have taken cooking classes during previous travels, so I thought it would be so much fun to take a New Mexican cooking class during our 48 hour stay in Santa Fe! Alongside four of my gal pals, we attended the “Contemporary Southwest I” course at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. Michelle Chavez was our teacher and she is a badass female chef! By the end of the course, we all had crushes on Chef Michelle! She started the class by giving us a history lesson of Santa Fe, walking us through the l...
Late Afternoon: Gallery Hopping
Santa Fe has an unrivaled native, folk and indigenous art scene. There is so much handmade beauty to see and appreciate in Santa Fe, so I would recommend dedicating at least a few hours to hopping between galleries and art fairs. Appreciating the incredible artistic talents was one of my highlights from our 48 hour visit to Santa Fe! Most of the galleries are clustered around Santa Fe Plaza and the nearby streets, so it's easy to park and explore by foot. Most of the art pieces are pretty exp...
Morning: Railyard District
The Railyard District is a cool neighborhood area south of the main tourist circuit in central Santa Fe. It centers around Railyard Park, a reclaimed park area with nice walking paths and seating areas for outdoor gatherings. With cafes and coffee shops abound, this neighborhood is a nice area to start your second day in Santa Fe. Don't miss a picture in front of the decommissioned train painted with the state flag of New Mexico. Home to the twice weekly renowned Santa Fe farmers market, try...
Early Afternoon: Visit a Museum
Because of the long and storied history of Santa Fe, it is probably unsurprising that the city has a lot of museums to offer. Whether it is history, art, or indigenous culture, there is surely a museum for you in Santa Fe! A few of the notable museums include the New Mexico History Museum, the Palace of the Governors, and the New Mexico Museum of Art. Your days could get very long if you plan to visit all of these spots, so I would recommend choosing one or two that are really important to yo...
Late Afternoon: Relax at Ten Thousand Waves
One of the nicest spas I've been to in the United States, Ten Thousand Waves is well worth the high price tag—it was a major highlight from my 48 hours in Santa Fe! Only 10 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, Ten Thousand Waves itself is inspired by the traditional Japanese onsen. Having been to Japanese onsens in Japan before, I can confirm that Ten Thousand Waves is the real deal. It is fed by local hot springs and overlooks a national forest. The setting couldn't be more serene & beautiful! Th...
There are a number of good hotel options in Santa Fe, so it really comes down to your price point and the location. Eldorado Hotel is a large adobe style hotel just a few blocks from the Plaza with comfortable accommodations and a bunch of amenities including a rooftop pool and spa. If spas are your thing, then splurging on a few nights at Ten Thou...
Santa Fe has a delicious restaurant scene with lots of great options clustered all around the downtown area, so you are guaranteed to be eating well during your 48 hours here. Most of the cuisine is focused on local + regional cuisine, particularly Southwestern and modern Mexican. Some good dinner spots include Geronimo, Luminaria, or Sazon, but fo...
Flying into Santa Fe can be a little expensive, since it is a small regional airport. If you’re looking to save your dollars to spend elsewhere during your 48 hour visit to Santa Fe, I would recommend flying into Albuquerque. There are daily shuttles from the ABQ airport to Santa Fe, so you don’t need to rent a car if you don’t want to. If you’d pr...
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Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico: See Tripadvisor's 247,408 traveler reviews and photos of Santa Fe tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in October. We have reviews of the best places to see in Santa Fe. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
Apr 6, 2021 · Our guide to the southwestern city, including what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Santa Fe's cultural highlights include Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe Historic District, the Palace of the Governors, and Fiesta de Santa Fe; the city is also known for its contributions to New Mexican cuisine and New Mexico music.
