15 Best Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico [Bucket List]

Santa Fe, New Mexico Welcome to my homelandscape.

Santa Fe, one of the most unique towns called “The City Different” in fact.

For over 400 years, the Spanish cultural influence has mixed with that of Anglo and Native American cultures in this city.

This is our civilized area with world-class dining, art, and a vibrant outdoor scene.

I come from a family of New Mexicans, we have visited every year since I can remember and it is very near to my heart.

So, today I bring you the things you must do in Santa Fe from a semi-local girl. 😉

Let’s get started.

How to Get Around Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a destination meant for exploring!

Although the city itself is quite small, you’ll definitely want to explore beyond the city limits.

So, I highly recommend renting a car.

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

List of Top Things to Do in Santa Fe

1. Explore Santa Fe Plaza

Plaza See The Plaza In Santa Fe Dive into your own adventure in Santa Fe at the famed plaza.

Traditionally, this city square was the focal point for gatherings within the town.

Each of the accommodations features a classic adobe style, rich in charm and lovely character.

Santa Fe PlazaToday, Santa Fe’s Plaza is a hub of bars & restaurants, boutiques, and galleries.

Plaza Cafe: Lunch at New Mexico’s oldest restaurant in Santa Fe. Next, shop for souvenirs at a quirky five-and-dime store or boutique.

Shiprock is also, as pictured above, one of the highlights in this plaza and easily my favorite store. Although likely out of my price range, it is a joy to browse the beautiful jewelry, pottery and textiles.

The Palace Of the Governors, from which Native American artisans sell handmade jewelry

La Fonda – a Santa Fe historic hotel in the Plaza.

In the warmer months, La Fonda opens their roof bar: The Bell Tower. Great place for that sunset cocktail.

The St. Francis Cathedral is an architectural marvel and rests just a short walk from the Plaza area

2. Stroll Along Canyon Road

Canyon Road – a quick three-minute drive or half-mile walk from the Plaza.

Spanning just half a mile, this delightful street is decorated with inviting art galleries and shops.

Whether you are a visitor who wants to do some shopping or simply enjoy wonderful art, then taking a stroll down Canyon is definitely one of those must-do things while in Santa Fe -along with the mountainous backdrop and old architecture.

Canyon Road is known for the Farolito Walk on Christmas Eve

The street will be aglow with paper lanterns and festive holiday spirit as galleries offer hot chocolate to patrons.

3. Dive into Meow Wolf

Further on the list is one of the weirdest things I have ever seen. It involves live tigers and chamber music, with a shipwreck tossed in for good measure!

Meow Wolf is a massive immersive art installation with over 70 rooms of surreal mixed-media artwork that tells the story of one complete, and some would say mythical, Victorian house.

Located in a repurposed bowling alley, Game of Thrones fans will rejoice that the writer George R.R. Martin played a huge part in bringing Meow Wolf to life. (He lives in Santa Fe did you know?)

Each one of the different rooms were created by local artists, and their work along with unique souvenirs are available in the gift shop.

Visit the Float Cafe while you are there and enjoy some snacks or a drink, they even have creative multiverse-inspired specialty cocktails! The Meow Wolf location in Santa Fe, NM frequently hosts concerts and other fun happenings.

So, all in all Meow Wolf is surely one of the best Santa Fe attractions.

The Santa Fe installation was so popular they now have Denver and Las Vegas sites.

Get tickets in advance over here: Meow Wolf Tickets.

4. Travel the Margarita Trail

The Santa Fe City was actually the first city in The New World that imported a tequila from Mexico.

I think it makes perfect sense that Santa Fe ranks among my favorite towns in the union.

And if you’re a margarita lover like me, then for sure the Santa Fe Margarita Trail is calling your name.

This trail will lead you to more than 40 of the best margaritas in town, and hold nothing back on where they are.

You can use the app to follow your journey, or pick up a paper passport and collect stamps along the way.

It is a delightful and unforgettable way to learn Santa Fe!

5. Explore Santa Fe Railyard

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this railyard became a critical interchange for large Class I railroads.

The city has since been reimagined it as a vibrant hotspot for entertainment, shopping and events.

Now, the Santa Fe Railyard includes many amenities such as a state of art premium movie theater, walkable & bikeable around an urban center park with walking and biking trails that are just steps away to much more.

6. Go to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Georgia O’Keeffe, the “Mother of American Modernism,” was one such trailblazing 20th-century artist.

O’Keeffe is recognized by her iconic flower paintings and incredible New Mexico landscapes.

After summers spent living and working in New Mexico, she relocated there permanently.

Hence, it is a mandatory destination in Santa Fe even if you don’t particularly know anything about art – hers was an amazing life worth knowing more.

7. Explore the Santa Fe Ski Area

Ski Santa Fe is a great little mountain that I have been going to my whole life.

This is a great place to take your kids for lessons as well, I strongly recommend this location if you are learning/getting into skiing or snowboarding.

For beginners, it is the absolute best mountain and has a LOT of green as well as blue runs to get you in shape.

They also offer very good coaches and lesson prices that are sure to be beneficial down the road.

Enough black diamonds and bowls to satisfy for those more advanced; small terrain park in addition.

If you haul ass through the region in early fall, summer or late spring for a picnic nothing is open — but shows off its stuff.

You will find many picturesque hiking trails with excellent high alpine vistas of New Mexico.

The ski area has it all, with amazing events and a lift for sightseeing.

One summer, I saw a black bear while riding the chair lift!

Ski Santa Fe is thirty-three minutes from Downtown (traffic pending) and the drive is a beautiful one as well.

8. Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier National Monument Less than an hour from Santa Fe, Bandelier is a great little day trip.

You can explore captivating canyon and mesa scenery as well as ancient homes that were built over 11,000 years ago in these places.

I can count the number of ladders climbs and cave dwellings here on one hand- this was not a bad thing because I wanted to see ladders up but it does make Bandelier relatively easy.

Ideal for all the family to get involved, it is one of many things to do in Santa Fe with kids.

9. Visit Loretto Chapel

The Miraculous Staircase, housed in the Loretto Chapel stands out as a historical mystery still unresolved.

This trend is so powerful that it even inspired the 1998 film “The Staircase.

Legend has it, the Sisters managing that chapel – sometime around 1880 – needed a way up to the upper choir loft.

The architectural constraints, however, made it is impossible to build a classic staircase or ladder.

For many days prayers were said and then a stranger who was a carpenter showed up on the site could build a real staircase.

The artist did the job and then disappeared as mysteriously before the Sisters financially responded to him, leaving no name behind.

The staircase is ingeniously constructed and that makes the mystery even deeper.

As such, the craftsman employed neither a central column nor any noticeable support for his staircase – it still stands today.

He also used a wood that was not native to Santa Fe.

The staircase also contains 33 steps, which is a number of key religious significance.

You can find more of the mystery (and some possible answers) on historic mysteries. com.

Now, the Loretto Chapel serves primarily as a museum and simply dons corporate events.

However, I do believe that it is worth the visit if you are already in the area.

10. Soak in a Hot Spring

Wherever you choose to take your dip, hot spring experiences in Northern New Mexico range from rustic and natural to posh.

Ojo Caliente is the most popular mineral springs resort in the immediate area, an hour north of Santa Fe.

Ojo Caliente: This may very well be the most magical place on earth-the tranquil, spring-fed soaking pools amidst a rugged landscape calm the soul and make for an unforgettable getaway.

So much so, that they have even just opened a second location in the heart of Santa Fe!

My suggestion would be to book a private pool, for an exclusive experience

Take a look at Ten Thousand Waves for some spa vibes.

Perched in the forested foothills of Santa Fe, this upscale spa and hotel is styled after a Japanese mountain hot spring.

Guests stay in the yukata, a kind of casual kimono that is worn around the property and to dinner.

To me, this sounds like the definition of relaxation and peace. 😊

For a nice hot spring in the wild, go to San Antonio Hot Springs or Spence Hot Springs.

Enjoy a beautiful view of the forest while soaking in those natural pools.

But it can be crowded. For the more solitary experience aim to go in the early hours of around sunrise and you will have it all to yourself!

11. Tent Rocks National Monument

The incredible Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, or simply Tent Rocks as it is commonly known, just 42 minutes from downtown Santa Fe.

The site contains an abundance of hoodoos formed by erosion of the surrounding sandstone.

It is a great area to hike and check out some of the very unique formations as well as slot canyons.

12. Savor New Mexican Chile

So much of New Mexican culture embraces it chile.

Hello, it is the ‘‘Chile Capital of the World”.

Only New Mexico has a state question which is ” Red or green?

Red or Green — This is the question for every restaurant asking if you want both chile on your food (You can actually answer “Christmas” to get both, FYI. 😊)

Oh yeah, and green Chile with just about everything! Italian, Pizza, Burgers and Just Stew!

La Choza – nowhere else can give you an authentic taste of Santa Fe than this, the City Different’s most iconic restaurant for getting your chile on.

13. Visit a Local Brewery

Those who enjoy craft beer will feel at home in Santa Fe.

Weighing in with a cabinet full of 30 years experience, Santa Fe Brewing Company is now the largest brewery New Mexico has (and until La Cumbre or Marble begins bottling their flagship beers it might stay that way.

They also opened this beautiful new beer hall, replete with food trucks and outdoor seating. (It’s kid-friendly, too.)

Great place for a sunny day with some friends, or even family!

14. Hike the Dale Ball Trails

For those looking to get out into a natural setting without leaving town, the Dale Ball Trail System is ideal.

Located in the rolling foothills of Santa Fe, this network offers fantastic hiking and biking trails.

Easy access: You can be hiking on mountain trails just five or ten minutes from downtown and enjoying beautiful continental divide vistas with city views to boot.

It is without a doubt, the best thing to do in Santa Fe New Mexico for if you want to whisk yourself away for an afternoon.

15. Take a Trip to Taos

If you are staying in Santa Fe for more than a day, including Taos will be quite awesome.

So, the drive itself – known as The High Road to Taos or simply just State road 76 and State rd 289- takes you through beautiful high desert scenery in the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

The town of Taos is no different and in classic New Mexican style, it turns around the sprawling compound at its centre – The Taos Plaza which houses local arts and shopping.

Taos Ski Valley, with its top-rated skiing and charming alpine-style village is a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts.

A popular nearby attraction is the 650-foot-tall Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

Nearby Taos Pueblo (which costs to visit) is a multi-storied adobe village inhabited for over 1,000 years; you can learn about Native American culture and lives. It is the only Native American community that has a living UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it also holds status as an official National Historic Landmark.

Oh, and New Mexico actually boasts the radiance of being America’s original wine country as well!

Missions were established in California and wine grapes were planted by Spanish settlers around 1600 so now there are many fine wineries to visit.