11 Can't-Miss Things to Do in Santa Fe
We might be biased, but we think Santa Fe is a traveler’s paradise (and it’s pretty nice for locals, too.) With a little something for everyone, there are activities to fill up your days and then some with fantastic food and drink, scenic vistas, museums, historic sites, and much more. Read on for tips on where to go, what to do, and (of course) what to eat!
Four Types of Things to Do in the City Different
Food & Drink: Santa Fe breweries, classic New Mexican food, our food tours
Outdoor Adventures: hikes, hot springs, historic Canyon Road
Arts & Culture: Meow Wolf, museums, El Rancho de las Golondrinas, historic downtown Santa Fe
Shopping & Leisure: spas, bookstores, theaters, galleries
1. Check out our award-winning breweries
Santa Fe has a decades-long history as a craft brewing hub, with established award-winning breweries like Santa Fe Brewing as well as up-and-coming brewers fresh on the scene. You can find classic New Mexican-style IPAs, crowd-pleasing lagers, and even innovative ciders and kombucha beers.
We recommend:
Santa Fe Brewing
Rowley Farmhouse Ales
Chili Line Brewing
Second Street Brewery
Honeymoon Brewery
Violet Crown
The Burger Stand
2. Chow down on home-style New Mexican food
“New Mexican” vs. “Mexican” style posole at La Choza, a locals favorite
If you go to a New Mexican restaurant in Santa Fe, chances are you’ll be asked whether you’d like your meal with red, green, or Christmas - referring, of course, to New Mexico’s ubiquitous hot chile. Santa Fe serves up Mexican and Southwestern classics with a unique New Mexican spin, and visitors can chow down on everything from tacos to enchiladas and everything in between.
We recommend:
La Choza
The Shed
Maria’s
Horseman’s Haven
Posa’s El Merendero
PC’s Restaurant and Lounge
Rancho de Chimayo
3. Soak the day away at a spa or natural hot spring
New Mexico was once home to several active volcanoes, and while they’re dormant today, there are a variety of natural hot springs as a result of this former volcanic activity. If you’re feeling adventurous, lace up your hiking boots and head out to a natural hot spring in the New Mexican wilderness. And if you’d rather stay in town and soak closer to creature comforts, there are a variety of spas and soaking tubs on offer.
We recommend:
San Antonio Hot Springs
Spence Hot Springs
McCauley Hot Springs
Ojo Caliente
Ten Thousand Waves
Sunrise Springs
4. Hike some of New Mexico’s most stunning trails
New Mexico is a top contender when it comes to the nation’s most beautiful parks, trails, and forests. You can explore everything from cool mountain trails to dry high desert vistas to lush river valleys - all within a short drive of Santa Fe. When exploring the area’s many scenic hikes, make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and pace yourself - the high elevation and strong sun can slow down even the most experienced hikers. There are plenty of short hikes near town, as well as longer day hikes in the area.
We recommend:
Dale Ball Trails
Aspen Vista Trail
Sun Mountain
Santa Fe Canyon Preserve
Atalaya Mountain
Picacho Peak
Winsor Trail
Bandelier National Monument
5. Enjoy Santa Fe’s many art and history museums
Santa Fe is a world-class art destination. In addition to the many art markets that take place during the summer months, Santa Fe has dozens of museums and even more art galleries scattered throughout the city. Whether you enjoy modern art, history, folk art, Native American or Colonial Spanish art, there’s a little something for everyone in the city.
We recommend:
SITE Santa Fe
Georgia O’Keefe Museum
New Mexico Museum of Art
Museum of International Folk Art
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Meow Wolf
El Rancho de las Golondrinas
6. Take a walk down historic Canyon Road
Canyon Road is a bustling stretch of galleries and shops located on Santa Fe’s historic east side. The street is part of what makes Santa Fe a special destination for art collectors and enthusiasts, with Santa Fe rivaling the much bigger cities of New York and Los Angeles for art sales each year. Just strolling around the scenic tree-lined streets and poking in and out of galleries is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon - we’ve even compiled a self-guided tour for just that purpose. And if you need more structure, our Taste of Canyon Road food tour can guide you through this historic district (with delicious food along the way!)
7. Sample Santa Fe’s best restaurants on a guided food tour
Cheers everyone! Sampling some of Santa Fe’s best eats on the Downtown Plaza Food Tour
In our option, food is one of the best ways to get to know a city. Santa Fe has a rich culinary history that blends Spanish, American, and Native cuisine, and is also home to a diverse and eclectic restaurant scene featuring cuisine from all over the world. We offer authentic, immersive walking tours of Santa Fe, focusing on the food and culture of the city. A few of our tour offerings include tours of the Santa Fe Plaza, the Railyard District, and historic Canyon Road. We’d love to show you around our city!
We recommend:
8. Browse Santa Fe’s many bookstores
Santa Fe is studded with eclectic bookstores that are the perfect place to while away an afternoon. From hole-in-the-wall used bookstores to established indies and everything in between, Santa Fe is a great place to pick up a book (or two) to get lost in.
We recommend:
Collected Works
St. John’s College Bookstore
Big Star Books
Garcia Street Books
Op Cit
The Ark
Jean Cocteau
The Beehive
9. Catch a movie at one of Santa Fe’s eclectic theaters
If you’re a cinephile visiting Santa Fe, you’re in luck. The city boasts a diverse array of eclectic theaters, many of which host special showings of films and documentaries that might be hard to find at more commercial theaters. Be sure to check out Jean Cocteau, a theater owned and overseen by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, and the Center for Contemporary Arts, an interdisciplinary theater and art venue that specializes in arthouse films. In the railyard, Violet Crown is another great stop, serving up an impressive array of beer and casual fare that you can enjoy before a show or take with you into the theater.
We recommend:
Center for Contemporary Arts
Jean Cocteau
Violet Crown
10. Check out historic downtown sights
Built in the late 1800s, The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis is one of Santa Fe’s can’t miss downtown historical sites
Santa Fe has a rich history stretching back centuries. While the state was only incorporated into the union in 1912, Santa Fe itself is over 400 years old. Having been founded in 1610 by Spanish settlers, Santa Fe holds the title of oldest capital city in America. Downtown Santa Fe is packed with historic sights and buildings, from the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi to the Palace of the Governors. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon sightseeing and soaking in the history behind the city.
We recommend:
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
The Palace of the Governors
Loretto Chapel
Cross of the Martyrs
San Miguel Mission
At Wander New Mexico, we have a passion for telling stories and creating unique gastronomic experiences that allow people to connect through food.
Join us for authentic, immersive food & history tours that allow our guests to experience New Mexico’s unique food culture, rich flavors, and intriguing history!