Santa Fe is a diverse and fascinating place to visit. We were pleasantly surprised about the many things there are to do in Santa Fe – interactive art, breathtaking landscapes, and traditional cultural buildings. Founded by Spanish colonists in 1610, Santa Fe is the oldest city in New Mexico. The Spanish Pueblo style architecture is based on the adobe construction of the past. We spent 3 days exploring the art, culture, and history of Santa Fe and here are our recommendations:
Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Hiking to the tent rocks is a fun short hike that the whole family can complete. The trail is well marked and has relatively easy terrain. One steep section near the end will get your heart rate up, but take it slow as the views are worth it. The Tent Rocks are located about 40 minutes south of Santa Fe, entrance is $5 per car.
Travel Tip -> Arrive early to avoid a long line of cars waiting to enter. We had about a 15 minute wait. If you are in a vehicle that can handle gravel roads with difficult terrain, drive past the parking area for the Tent Rocks and continue on for a great viewpoint and another 1 mile hiking trail.
Santa Fe Railyard
This area is a bustle of activity. From here you can take the Rail Runner which travels between Santa Fe to Albuquerque a few times a day. You can purchase a Day Pass for $10 and there are discounted available tickets online. The Railyard has great food, arts, and shopping and is home to the Santa Fe Farmers Market. The Second Street Brewery is a highlight!
Farmers Market @ Santa Fe Railyard
This farmers market has been around since the early 1960s and today it is rated as the #6 Best Farmers Market in the country. The Farmers Market is open every Saturday year-round from 8am to 1pm, stop by and browse over 150 vendors of awesomeness. We tried almost everything that had hatch green chile!
New Mexico State Capitol Building
New Mexico gained its statehood in 1912 and Santa Fe is recognized as the oldest state capital city in the United States. Their uniquely round Capitol Building is a take-off of the Zia symbol found on the New Mexico State Flag. This is the only round State Capitol Building in the United States.
San Miguel Mission
Built between 1610 and 1626, this is the oldest known church in the United States. The adobe church has been restored and features restored paintings and other art. Admission to the church is $1.
The “Oldest” House
Oldest is in quotation marks because the actual Oldest House in the United States is in Saint Augustine, Florida. This building is located right next door to the San Miguel Mission, it was labeled the oldest building in the city. Admission is free and you can experience what it is like to live with low ceilings, dirt floors, and thick adobe walls.
Loretto Chapel and the Miraculous Stairway
Built in 1873, the Loretto Chapel is a quaint and beautiful building. The chapel is open daily and admission is $3 per person. I would pay that price to see this adorable chapel alone, even if it didn’t have a miraculous stairway. The miraculous stairway is the main attraction, but don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy the entire chapel. So what makes the stairway miraculous? The stairs have two complete spirals without center or side supports. This defies science and engineering logic, so the only explanation is a miracle!
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
A Roman Catholic Cathedral in the heart of downtown Santa Fe. Close to the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts and the Santa Fe Plaza, it’s worth a photo.
Palace of the Governors
Located along the outside of the Santa Fe Plaza, Palace of the Governors is the oldest public building in the United States. Today, the building houses the state’s history museum. The exterior facing the plaza is lined with Native American artists selling crafts and jewelry.
Santa Fe Plaza
Considered the heart of downtown, the Santa Fe Plaza is always buzzing with activity. The area hosts various events including Indian and Spanish markets, community gatherings, and concerts. During our visit to the plaza there was live music and many local vendors distributing giveaways. The large trees and grass in the plaza create a shaded comfortable area that you don’t want to leave!
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
This museum is a must see for anyone who is even slightly interested in art. The museum is nicely organized to display the art Georgia created throughout her life. It is a small museum and can been seen in less than an hour, be sure to watch the documentary on her life narrated by Gene Hackman. Tickets are $13 per person and can be purchased at the door. I left the museum feeling inspired that Georgia O’Keeffe pursued her dreams and as a result created a fascinating life. My favorite section of the museum was the art that was inspired from her trips around the world. Who knew Georgia O’Keeffe was such a traveler?
You can also visit Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch, located about 50 minute north of Santa Fe. This is where Georgia O’Keeffe lived for a large part of her life and she found great inspiration in the unique New Mexican landscapes.
Meow Wolf
The Meow Wolf experience is difficult to describe, but let me give it a shot. It is an interactive art experience which is as much fun for adults as it is children. After entering through the house of Eternal Return, you are not sure what to think. There is no tour guide, no specific direction to take, you are free to touch anything, read anything, go through any door. It is a strange concept at first, but pay attention to the underlying storyline.
Focusing on the story your experience will transform from asking yourself, “Why am I here?” to “This is the coolest place ever.” Give yourself plenty of time to explore every hidden room and passage way. You can easily spend 2 hours here if you want to get into the story and attempt to start figuring out what this whole place is all about.
Travel Tip -> Arrive when Meow Wolf opens and you will have time to experience the space with less people giving away the secret passages. This makes the experience a lot more interesting and fun! Overall, Meow Wolf was one of my favorites experiences in Santa Fe and should not be missed.
La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs
Looking for a short hike with some rock scrambling to view amazing petroglyphs? This hike starts out flat and then climb up rocks until you see you spot your first petroglyph. It is amazing to see so many old markings. If you are dressed appropriately and brought plenty of water with you, you can wander around the area for a good amount of time. There are many petroglyphs to discover. The trail head is located just 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe and it is completely free!
Santuarui De Chimayó
A Roman Catholic Church north of Santa Fe. This church is known as one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the United States. Many tourists take holy dirt from the church to heal family members from any ailments. It is a charming adobe churched walled off and set in a beautiful landscape.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Santa Fe, be sure to eat and drink all of our New Mexico recommendations. Check out our guides to other popular US cities: Austin, San Antonio, and Chicago.
