What to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico – A Deep Travel Guide
One Planet Journey’s Chiara Crisafulli, a Santa Fe resident, presents a complete guide on what to do, where to stay, as well as what to eat, drink, and experience in the oldest capital in the US. Understand Santa Fe and its soul in this deep travel guide with additional information about culture and major events throughout the year.
I remember my first time in Santa Fe, New Mexico, almost three years ago, like it happened yesterday. Leaves from slender aspen trees carpeted a European-style square. Wooden logs extended out of one- or two-storey clay buildings, evoking the atmosphere of Clint Eastwood films. A seemingly infinite number of art galleries spread across the city, each staffed by a manager who welcomed me with the same greeting: “Hello, where are you from?”
With a huge sky that is sunny year-round and a commitment to preserving its centuries of history, it doesn’t take much to understand why locals and visitors alike call Santa Fe “The City Different”. Its founding by Spanish settlers in 1610, makes Santa Fe, which translates to ‘Holy Faith’ in Spanish, the oldest capital of the U.S.
Over two centuries later, the city served as the western anchor of a historic trading trail that stretched east 1448 kilometres (900 miles) from the town’s square to Missouri. Today, its unique blend of cultures and ethnicities, including Hispanic; Latino; U.S.; and 23 Native American tribes, nations, and pueblos, shape a rich lifestyle that is easy to fall in love with.
Last year, I became one of the city’s 87,000 residents and, now, I’d like to share a deep travel guide to provide inspiration on what to do in Santa Fe. Let’s start with where to stay.
Where to Stay in Santa Fe
When it comes to accommodations, Santa Fe has no shortage. The city opens its doors to about two million visitors each year.
Inn on the Turquoise Bear
The Inn of the Turquoise Bear has nine private guest rooms, each uniquely designed in Santa Fe’s signature Southwestern style with mud walls and kiva fireplaces. Since 1886, the boutique B&B has welcomed travellers who, in those days, arrived after long, dusty journeys. Among them, novelist D.H. Lawrence and artist Georgia O’Keefe. Today, guests can relax in the communal garden surrounded by lilacs and wild roses or enjoy a slice of freshly made pie on one of the property’s many outdoor patios. The Inn’s daily gourmet breakfast features local delicacies such blue corn pancakes with Pinion (pine) butter and green chilli chicken soup.
342 E Buena Vista St; standard rooms starting at $393 per night
Palace Modern
The Palace Modern blends past and contemporary elegance, mere steps away from the centrally located Santa Fe Plaza. The hotel’s luxury style unfolds with silky curtains and crystal chandeliers that harmonise with a subtle, updated Southwestern backdrop of neutrals and earthy browns. Each of the property’s 16 sunlit rooms are calming and spa-like, with walls covered in sandy coloured wooden panels, glass room partitions, and rugs inspired by Native American designs. Four lifelong friends from Santa Fe opened Palace Modern in August 2024; however, the building has a rich history dating back to 1881 when it served as one of the most famous hostels in the Southwest.
105 E Marcy St; standard rooms starting at $194 per night
Inn on the Alameda
Those who prefer a central location with the most popular tequila bar in town might consider staying at the Inn on the Alameda. The property offers 72 rooms across five distinctive sections, each designed in a clean southwestern style. Guests can unwind in rooms with fireplaces glowing under rustic wooden roofs, walls adorned with Native American textiles woven in warm palettes, and beds covered in crisp whitewashed linen. The sense of authentic Santa Fe comfort greets you at the front reception, where welcoming staff and nutty pinion wood furniture and ceiling set the tone. Two hot tubs, a complimentary breakfast, and an outdoor wine and cheese tasting every afternoon help complete the experience.
303 E Alameda St; standard rooms starting at $183 per night
Pecos Trail Inn
The Pecos Trail Inn evokes memories of coast-to-coast road trips, much thanks to the famous Route 66, which ran through Santa Fe until 1938. The place has welcomed guests for seven decades in a no frills type of style. You will find simple rooms of various sizes and themes, or two-bedroom casitas with full kitchens. As with many accommodations in New Mexico, southwestern décor details such as animal skulls and woven baskets adorn the walls. There’s also an outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and a bike repair station.
2239 Old Pecos Trail; standard rooms starting at $136 per night
What to Eat & Drink in Santa Fe
Il Vicino
Recommended for its laid-back atmosphere and fabulous Margherita pizza, Il Vicino accommodates large families as well as solo travellers, with plenty of seating indoors or on the outdoor patio. Juan Alvarez, manager, greets guests with a big smile saying, “Everyone who works here, no matter where they’re from, enters a big family”. Il Vicino is the only place in Santa Fe where I take time to savour my pizza and prosciutto – trust me, I’m Italian!
321 W San Francisco St, Price range: $
Kakawa
If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t leave Santa Fe without stopping by Kakawa. It’s a boutique chocolate house named after the Olmec word for chocolate. My favourite? The chilli cacao hot chocolate, but should you happen to visit during the summer, Kakawa’s organic mango ice cream is the perfect choice for a refreshing feeling. All products honour Mesoamerican, European, or Colonial American recipes and the staff’s artisanal craftsmanship brings them to life with inspired twists. The store also sells kits that allow you to prepare and enjoy chocolate drinks at home; these make a great souvenir and are easier to pack than a tray of hand-rolled truffles.
1050 Paseo De Peralta, Price range: $$
Mille
Let your taste buds linger in Europe as we travel to the French island of Corsica where Marcel, one Mille’s owners and a former scientist, hails from. He chose to follow a long lineage of bakers, working first in Los Alamos and, now, in a bakery and café named after his family’s original patisserie in Ajaccio, Corsica. The hardest part of dining at Mille? Choosing from a full array of homemade pastries that includes rich cakes dotted with local pine nuts, colourful macarons, and delicate croissants that melt in your mouth. The café is my favourite place in town for brunch. I love to pair a slice of their savoury quiche Lorraine with tender mussels drowned in white wine and butter sauce. It is also my go-to spot when I’m craving a cappuccino that tastes like home.
451 W Alameda St, Price range: $
Ozu
The first time I stepped into this small Japanese restaurant, I felt as if inside a spotless surgical room. At the centre, Chef Jeffrey Ozawa stood behind a counter combining vinegar with Japanese rice to form the base of Ozu’s best-selling menu item: bento boxes. This intimate spot seats fewer than 10 people, and they don’t accept reservations. In other words, be sure to get there on time. And here’s a hot tip. The special onigiri made with sake is a must!
1708 Lena St STE 101, Price range: $$
La Mama
La Mama’s pancakes are the perfect start to the day. How can it not, with hearty grain bowls, charcuterie boards, and fresh green salads rounding out the menu of nourishing lunch options? Whatever your choice, the atmosphere brings a feeling of home. In the mood to relax? Sip or dine on the cosy terrace beside apricot trees or upstairs on the mezzanine beneath the sloping wooden roof. The diverse selection of specialty goods for sale in their marketplace sparks wanderlust, with aged Italian cheeses sitting alongside Swedish fish candy and tins of salty Portuguese sardines. La Mama also takes care of local businesses, hosting workshops, global wine tastings, and a daily happy hour.
225 E Marcy St, Price range: $$
Casa Chimayo
This is a savoury opportunity to enjoy authentic and traditional local cuisine while you’re in New Mexico. Don’t confuse New Mexican food with that of Mexico, it’s an easy mistake. Casa Chimayo is located in the 1939 home of the Cordova family. Since 2021, Chef Joaquin Quintana has drawn inspiration from the 17th-century roots of the Cordovas. Quintana’s Navajo heritage shines through in dishes complemented by New Mexican tradition, such as bison filet paired with green chile risotto, asparagus, toasted Pinon butter, and a red wine demi (half dry).
409 W Water St, Price range: $$
Rudy’s
The Texas-based barbecue chain Rudy’s delivers a Southern identity in its purest form. A local recommended it during my first visit to Santa Fe and I never go away disappointed. Dining at Rudy’s feels like eating in a familiar scene from a small-town in the U.S. All of their restaurants feature baseball and football games on T.V.s. There are neon signs on the walls, and tables topped with red-and-white chequered table cloths and extra-large bottles of sauce heavy enough to sculpt your biceps. But don’t let this cover fool you! From tender beef brisket sandwiches to pork ribs slow-cooked for hours over an open flame, Rudy’s offers an authentic paradise fit for any meat enthusiast.
6581 Cerrillos Rd, Price range: $
What to do and experience in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Architecture
When the Spanish arrived on the American continent in the 1600s, the indigenous population lived in small houses built with layered straw, pine logs, and puddled clay and mud. The new arrivals brought with them a technique using similar materials and wood moulding forms. It resulted in rectangular mud bricks, which the Spanish called ‘adobe’. One of the things to do in Santa Fe is stopping by De Vargas Street House. It’s the oldest house in the city, and possibly the country. The historical landmark gives an idea of what pre-Spanish construction looked like.
Used as an event space throughout the year, it attracts visitors and locals alike. Enjoy artist talks, workshops, fellowships, and tours. It’s a great example of how adobe architecture, a hallmark of New Mexico, evolved over time.
215 E De Vargas St, free entry
Santa Fe Plaza
You come to the Santa Fe Plaza if you’re into art and culture and want to discover how it lives on in the local community. Since 1609, the trading trail between Santa Fe and Missouri made the Plaza an economically and culturally important site as the route’s western terminus. If you visit today, there is a large square surrounded by honey locust trees, arcades, shops, and restaurants. During various parts of the year, you can enjoy a wide variety of cultural events at this meeting place, such as Indian and New Mexican markets, concerts, art exhibitions, craft fairs, and festivals.
63 Lincoln Ave
St. Francis Cathedral
The first church built on this site dates back to 1610, the same year as Santa Fe’s founding. Today, all that remains of the original church is a small adobe chapel housing a statue of the Virgin Mary – the oldest known figure in the U.S. – which Spanish missionaries carried over in 1625.
Construction on the present-day cathedral began in 1869. Dedication followed eighteen years later, in 1887, named in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, the city’s official Patron Saint. With French architecture and Italian stonework, the Cathedral features a garden with mulberry, apricot, and apple trees and sculptures that display the Stations of the Cross in the artistic tradition of New Mexico.
131 Cathedral Pl
Literature
Collected Works Bookstore has entertained Santa Fe locals for 46 years. Located a short walk from the Plaza, locals know it as ‘CWB’. On several days each month, the bookstore and coffeehouse transform into a gathering space for talks, lectures, book launches, workshops, and exhibitions for the art displayed on its walls. At normal times, the café welcomes everyone, from coffee lovers who appreciate browsing books to retired couples watching life slowly unfold through its wide windows. Solo travellers wanting to explore local guides or purchase postcards are also welcome!
202 Galisteo St
Art
Santa Fe is home to 250 art galleries, including more than 100 along Canyon Road alone. Among them, the sleek design of SITE always catches my eye, making it my favourite exhibition space in town. Expect to find local and international exhibitions, with some cutting-edge performances. The vision for SITE sprang to life 35 years ago when a group of artists created an indoor and outdoor space for the community and its visitors.
1606 Paseo De Peralta
A walk to Antieau Gallery is as inspiring and thought-provoking. I particularly admire the owner, fibre artist Chris Roberts-Antieau, as her success embodies the spirit of the self-made woman. She didn’t go to traditional art school but mastered her craft through perseverance and deliberate hard work. People often describe her fabric appliqué and embroidery artwork as “fabric painting.” It includes materials that audiences might find macabre, such as draping a taxidermied animal with delicate patterns depicting flora and fauna native to the animal’s habitat.
130 Lincoln Ave Suite F
Santa Fe’s streets and shops brim with geometrical patterns, ceramics, and turquoise – all drawing from Native American traditions. To avoid stumbling upon counterfeit art, head to The Palace of Governors on the north side of the Santa Fe Plaza. Every day, members of 41 local pueblos and tribes gather to sell art, jewellery, and other artisanal products through the “Native American Vendor Program,” an initiative of the Department of Culture.
105 W Palace Ave
Outdoor Activities
The Santa Fe area is an outdoor lover’s paradise with 120 trails for hiking, walking, cycling, running, and horseback riding. Here’s my tip for a pretty easy walk, but with an unforgettable sunset overlooking the city. Follow the 2.6 kilometre (1.5 mile) Sun Mountain Trail along the Old Santa Fe Trail. If you’re more of a city person, stroll the River Trail, around 9.7 kilometres (6 miles).
If you happen to be in Santa Fe on a Saturday, don’t miss the Farmers’ Market. It opens every Saturday year-round and Tuesdays May-September. It’s especially lively in the summer when 150 farmers, produce sellers, bakers, and musicians move outdoors alongside the Railyard. You can shop with confidence knowing that a jury ensures products remain 100% local and authentic.
1607 Paseo De Peralta, from 8 to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
What to do in Santa Fe: Seasonal Events
Feb – March
As Santa Fe sits at 2,000 metres above sea level, harsh winters are a fact, with snow and temperatures well below freezing. On the plus side, you can visit the area’s ski resorts during snow season, sometimes as early as November.
May
In mid-May, along with the blossoming of cotton trees, passionate readers and some of the best writers in the country flock to the 3-day International Literary Festival. #SFILF
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Native Fashion Week launched last year and presents the best Native American and Indigenous designers.
June – August
Hot summer days mean spectacular thunderstorms and refreshing evening breezes. You have many outdoor events, some of them free, including concerts and movies.
Among the numerous festivals, the International Folk Market stands out, attracting over 20,000 visitors in July.
September – October
Not too hot, and still far from the darkness of winter, these two months remain a favourite for locals.
September kicks off with the city’s most important event of all, the Fiesta de Santa Fe. This annual celebration commemorates the resettlement of the city in 1692 and features local music, parades, and a week of traditions.
In October, the Indigenous Day weekend celebrates Native American tribes with dances and parades.
November – December
Straight after Halloween, is the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival, which has showcased local artists, vendors, and its own fashion show for over 25 years.
December’s first snow transforms Santa Fe into a fairy-tale city. If you love Christmas traditions, don’t miss the candlelit procession of Las Posadas on December 8, and the Farolito Walk on December 24.
Santa Fe as a Deep Travel Destination
Living in Santa Fe allows me to experience a depth of culture, traditions, and diversity unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere in the US. A local jeweller once told me, “Santa Fe is the Renaissance of America,” and I couldn’t agree more. The initial awe I felt as a visitor returns whenever a writer launches a book, a gallery unveils an exhibition, or the community gathers for a special occasion. Without a doubt, what to do in Santa Fe has many answers, no matter the time you visit.
Some places like Santa Fe struggle beneath the weight of their own beauty and end up carrying the label of ‘tourist town,’ but deep and meaningful travel entails more than visiting a destination. Being a deep traveller means accepting the job of peeling back every layer and uncovering what’s real and unique.
Have you been to Santa Fe, New Mexico? What did you like most? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from travel guides, sustainable tourism and luxury travel tips, insightful interviews, and inspirational places to visit. One Planet Journey – The World’s First Deep Travel Magazine.
