Things to Do in Santa Fe
The oldest state capital in the country, built of adobe and full of art.
See top-rated activities »About Santa Fe
Santa Fe was founded as the capital of a Spanish colonial province in the early 1600s, and it still feels like a town planned around a central square. The Plaza is the place to start. The Palace of the Governors along its north side is one of the oldest public buildings in the country, and Native American artists sell jewelry and pottery under its portal most days through a long-running program run by the New Mexico History Museum. A block east stands the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, and a short walk south brings you to the Loretto Chapel, known for its spiral staircase, and the San Miguel Chapel.
Strict building rules since the 1950s keep most of downtown in Pueblo Revival or Territorial style, and the result is a city that looks unlike anywhere else in the country. Canyon Road, which climbs east from the center, packs dozens of galleries into about half a mile of old adobe houses. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, a few blocks west of the Plaza, holds the largest collection of her work, and Museum Hill on the south side groups the Museum of International Folk Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and others around a shared plaza.
Newer Santa Fe lives in the Railyard district, with a farmers market, galleries and the train depot, and on the city's south side at Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return, an immersive art installation in a converted bowling alley that has become one of the state's most visited attractions. For a slower afternoon, Ten Thousand Waves offers Japanese-style hot tubs in the hills above town.
Santa Fe also makes a good base for day trips. Bandelier National Monument, about 45 minutes west, protects cliff dwellings and ladders you can climb into carved alcoves. The High Road to Taos passes through Chimayo, whose small adobe church draws pilgrims every spring, and through weaving villages in the mountains. In summer the Santa Fe Opera stages its season in an open-sided theater north of town, where the sunset over the Jemez Mountains is part of the show.
Don’t Miss
A 17th-century adobe seat of government and the state history museum behind it, with Native artists selling work under the front portal.
The largest single collection of O'Keeffe paintings and drawings, a short walk from the Plaza.
Roughly a hundred galleries, studios and restaurants along a narrow road of old adobe homes.
A walk-through art installation with hidden doors and themed rooms; allow two hours and book timed entry ahead.
A huge collection of folk art from around the world, next to other state museums on Museum Hill.
A Gothic Revival chapel known for its spiral staircase with no central support.
Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings in Frijoles Canyon, reached by an easy loop trail.
A small 19th-century adobe church on the High Road to Taos, a pilgrimage site during Holy Week.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Santa Fe
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 31, 2026. Best in New Mexico may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in Santa Fe
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »Santa Fe — FAQ
How many days do I need in Santa Fe?
Two full days covers the Plaza, Canyon Road, one or two museums and Meow Wolf. Add a third day for Bandelier or the High Road to Taos.
Is downtown Santa Fe walkable?
Yes. The Plaza, the O'Keeffe Museum, the Railyard and the bottom of Canyon Road are all within about 15 minutes on foot. Museum Hill and Meow Wolf are a short drive or bus ride.
When is Santa Fe busiest?
July and August, when Indian Market, Spanish Market, the Folk Art Market and the opera season overlap. Book lodging early for those weeks.
More of New Mexico
