A “City Different” with a rich and legendary history, enchanting art, vibrant culture, and traditions. In Santa Fe, you will find the perfect amalgamation of Native American, Mexican, Spanish, and Anglo-American cultures. Truly a city like no other, with emphasis on art, culture, entertainment that goes all year round, and sumptuous food that’s going to leave you smacking your lips. Here, we bring to you 10 things you can do in Santa Fe to experience the city differently.
1. Take a Self-Guided Tour
Santa Fe offers you some fun and interesting self-guided tours that you can take to make your trip an unforgettable experience.
- The Santa Fe Margarita Trail- in this tour you will taste 45 of the best margaritas in the world.
Santa Fe Brewery Trail- try local craft beers at Santa Fe’s microbreweries and discover some of the different and award-winning craft brews.- Chocolate Trail- this tour will let you indulge in artisanal chocolates made using New Mexico’s native and organic ingredients such as chile, pinon nuts, and lavender.
- Coffee Lover’s Tour- a tour of Santa Fe’s coffee and tea houses where you will find everything from espresso to cappuccino and even international tea.
- Literary Landmarks Tour- visit the sites where prominent writers such as author, playwright, and essayist Mary Austin, British novelist D.H Lawrence, poet Witter Bynner, novelist Willa Cather lived and gathered.
- New Deal Art Legacy Tour- The New Deal, a plan by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression, employed at least 167 artists of New Mexico who produced thousands of works of art across the state, including paintings, murals, and interior design elements (hand-carved furniture, tin work, pottery, and other items).
2. Plan a Visit to Santa Fe Art Markets
The city’s culture and history are thoroughly represented in its art. You can plan your visit around June to be a part of the International Folk-Art Market and the vibrant Spanish Market, or you can visit the Indian Market held in August. There are many unique and interesting art galleries in the city available all year round apart from the summer art markets. One of the recent art installations is the Meow Wolf. It is an art and entertainment collective with hidden doorways, portals, mysterious hallways, strange music, and artworks. Visiting this interactive installation is fun and fascinating for the whole family.
3. Peruse the Museums
A trip to this city is incomplete without visiting the Museum of one of America’s most illustrious artists, Georgia O’Keeffe. The museum displays some of the finest collections of her work and special exhibits are curated twice a year. The Museum Hill features four museums- The International Folk-Art Museum (featuring folk arts and crafts from around the world), The Wheelwright (showcasing antique Native American art), Spanish Colonial, the museum building designed by John Gaw Meem is a sight to behold in itself (features objects from the Spanish Colonial World), and Indian Arts and Culture. Visiting these museums will equip you with the history of this beautiful city. Apart from the ones mentioned here, there are many other museums in Santa Fe you can visit according to your interests. There is something for everyone in the City Different.
4. Take a Stroll through the Plaza
The Plaza is the busiest hub of Santa Fe, filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and whatnot. If you love jewelry, then this is where you will find some intricate and unique pieces of Native American jewelry. The place is ideal for shopping and getting some Santa Fe souvenirs. The Plaza is also the place where most of the city’s cultural celebrations take place, from hosting Indian and Spanish markets regularly to September’s Santa Fe Fiesta. The plaza is also surrounded by plenty of ancient buildings like The Palace of Governors, and the San Miguel Mission. Just a few minutes away from the Plaza is a rental home that is the perfect mix of luxury and comfort. You can look for some vacation rentals in Santa Fe to spent an amazing time with your loved ones while at the same time staying close to the heart of the city.
5. Immerse yourself in the History and Architecture of Santa Fe
The Palace of the Governors showcases 400 years of history of the place. There are artifacts such as a stagecoach that dates back to the days of the Santa Fe Trail. Situated behind this National Historic Landmark is the New Mexico History Museum which features an array of exhibits from the past. You will also find Native American craftsmen selling handmade jewelry, crafts, and souvenirs outside the Palace. This is the best place to learn about the history of New Mexico. Talking about history, the place is also home to old churches like the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Loretto Chapel, and the Chapel of San Miguel, also known as the oldest church. The historic La Fonda Hotel is also a must-visit.
6. Indulge in Fun Outdoor Activities
If you enjoy outdoor activities, then you are certainly going to love Santa Fe as there are countless activities to choose from such as hiking, biking, and many outdoor workshops. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains just nearby Santa Fe is a great place for hiking, skiing, biking, and horseback riding. Hiking through the Bandelier National Monument you will find remnants of Native American settlements. There are wooden ladders available to climb and explore the cave dwellings from the inside. You can also go for a hike in the nearby Tent Rocks where you will see hundreds of limestone formations in shapes that look like teepees.
7. Relax and Unwind at a Spa
A vacation is incomplete without having some relaxation time. In Santa Fe, you can get some of the most relaxing spa treatments and massages from master healers and experts. Traveling to this place for its healing properties and to renew the body, mind, and spirit is very popular. You can go to the Nidah Spa at the Eldorado Hotel or the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. There are endless possibilities of spa treatments and one can come to this place only to spend time rejuvenating one’s body and soul.
8. Stroll through the Canyon Road
Here you will find the works of artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Peter Hurd, Miro Kenarov, and Gustave Baumann. Canyon Road is where you will find art galleries lined up one after the other. Many of these art galleries are in the form of historical buildings or Pueblo architecture. There are more than a hundred art galleries, showcasing paintings, sculptures, pottery, and even jewelry. You will also get to see some of the cultural treasures like hand-woven Navajo rugs and Southwestern wood carvings.
9. Try the Local Cuisine
Santa Fe’s culinary palate is a mouthwatering mix of Indigenous American, Spanish, and Anglo cuisines. This place has over 400 restaurants ranging from fine to casual dining options. The red and green chiles are a staple and can be consumed in a variety of ways. You will find them atop enchiladas and tamales as well as in the form of meat and vegetable stews. If you cannot decide between red or green, you can say “Christmas” and they will serve you a combination of both. Some must-try New Mexican dishes include breakfast burritos and the red/green chile stew. If you are confused about where to eat, the locals will help you find a place and you won’t be disappointed anywhere you eat.
10. Take a Road Trip
Take a road trip to the nearby areas of Taos, Abiquiu, Chama, Los Alamos, Madrid, Pecos, or Las Vegas while you are having a vacation in Santa Fe as they are only a few kilometers away. It will also help you explore the landscape and cultures of the surrounding regions. You will find the ruins of ancient Indian and pueblo architecture as you travel through the scenic roads of New Mexico.
Some of the road trips you can take are-
- Taos and the High Road
- Pecos and Las Vegas
- The Eight Northern Pueblos
- Abiquiu, Ghost Ranch, and Chama
- Jemez Mountain Trail, and Madrid
- New Mexico Excursions
This article was written by Wandering Lia for Tropical Destination Vacations.