When it comes to things to do in Santa Fe, the list is long, but we’ve pulled together our top 25 picks. As you explore our wonderful city, check out this list. One adventure leads to another, so you’ll never run out of things to do in Santa Fe.
1. Performance Santa Fe
Performance Santa Fe is dedicated to bringing unparalleled music, dance, and theater to the city. Founded in 1937, this arts organization contributes to Santa Fe’s cultural scene with its carefully selected season of performances that engage and move audiences.
This non-profit also offers educational programs that benefit more than 3,000 students each year, giving a boost to arts education within schools. Performance Santa Fe presents an array of shows in iconic Santa Fe locations, including the Lensic Performing Arts Center, Scottish Rite Temple, and the St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art, ensuring each event is as memorable as it is transformative.
2. Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf has consistently been on our list for its unparalleled combination of interactive art and captivating entertainment. In its permanent exhibit, “House of Eternal Return,” a collective of innovative artists has transformed a once-ordinary bowling alley into an expansive adventure park.
This adventure starts within the confines of a Victorian mansion, where visitors are introduced to a perplexing enigma. From there, it rapidly expands into fantastical dimensions filled with tunnels and hidden corridors. Make sure not to overlook the souvenir store or the whimsical Float Cafe and Bar. Throughout the year, Meow Wolf hosts an array of events, from educational workshops and engaging talks to exciting musical performances.
3. Canyon Road Arts District
Wander down the renowned Canyon Road in Santa Fe, and within half a mile, you will encounter over a hundred galleries, artist studios, boutiques, and eateries. Here you can engage with gallery proprietors who showcase exceptional artwork from international artists.
Venture into a studio, and you may see an artist preparing their canvas or a jeweler meticulously adding the final touch to a stunning piece of jewelry. Don’t miss the lively Friday night art openings on Canyon Road, a cherished tradition. This area serves as the central hub of the city’s celebrated art community. Check out some of our favorite galleries.
4. Ski Santa Fe and Ski Taos
The Rocky Mountains in New Mexico provide the premier skiing experience in the Southwest, catering to adrenaline-chasing skiers who desire challenging slopes and mighty moguls, as well as beginner snowboarders looking for gentle descents. The region is renowned for its abundant sunshine, clear blue skies, and flawless snowy landscapes, establishing it as a top destination for skiing enthusiasts.
Just 16 miles from the heart of the city, Ski Santa Fe boasts 83 trails suitable for both skiers and snowboarders, featuring a ski-able vertical drop of 1,725 feet, a base altitude of 10,350 feet, and an annual snowfall averaging 225 inches. When it’s time to refuel, La Casa Lodge provides a variety of dining options including grilled dishes, pizza, and pasta, among other popular choices for families. Alternatively, you can relax right by the slopes at Totemoff’s Bar, enjoying a burger and live music on their outdoor deck on Saturdays.
Taos Ski Valley, with its 3,274 vertical feet and some of the finest snow conditions in the Western United States, is iconic. The resort was founded in 1954 by Swiss-German ski enthusiast Ernie Blake, who was inspired by the sight of the magnificent mountain from his Cessna aircraft. The welcoming European-style hospitality initiated by the Blake family persists, highlighted by an 80-room mountain lodge and spa. The mountain welcomes downhill skiers and snowboarders alike. Visitors should also be on the lookout for bighorn sheep in the area!
5. sky railway
Prepare for an unforgettable journey! Step onto the Sky Railway, launched in 2020, and brace yourself for a series of surprises as you ride the iconic railway connecting Santa Fe and Lamy, New Mexico. Aboard Sky Railway, you’ll be treated to entertainment, music, exquisite dining options, and beverages.
Under the guidance of George RR Martin, the creative force behind Sky Railway has crafted a series of entertainment-filled adventure rail journeys that establishes it as one of the most innovative, creative, and thrilling short-line railroads in the nation, perfectly complementing the unique essence of the City Different. All aboard for an extraordinary experience!
6. Puye Cliff Dwellings
A designated National Historic Landmark, the Puye Cliff Dwellings served as the home for 1,500 early Puebloans, ancestors of the modern Santa Claran community. These individuals cultivated the land and pursued game from the 900s until 1580 A.D. Currently, their descendents live 10 miles to the east, within the Santa Clara Pueblo.
As the earliest excavated pueblo in the Rio Grande River Valley, this site features a combination of cave and cliff dwellings alongside mesa-top homes, interlinked by pathways and staircases. Visitors can enjoy guided tours that explore the grandeur and enigma of this location.
Also included is a visit to a historic Fred Harvey House from the late 1800s which was designed for rail travelers. This particular Harvey House, the only one established on Pueblo territory, now features an interpretive center and a gift shop.
7. Museum Hill
Santa Fe stands as a renowned hub for those who cherish museums, yet the presence of over a dozen museums throughout the city poses a challenge to see them all within just a day or two. This makes Museum Hill an ideal starting point for your cultural journey.
Located on a scenic hill to the east of downtown, Museum Hill not only offers breathtaking views of the city but also houses four distinguished museums — the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, and the famed International Folk Art Museum.
When you’re ready for a pause from museum exploration and your legs demand a rest, the area provides options for dining, shopping, an outdoor labyrinth, and the aromatic walkways of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, all conveniently located on the same hill.
If you still have some energy after a day of museum hopping, enjoy an evening of fine performances at Performance Santa Fe.
8. Santa Fe Breweries
For a town of its size, Santa Fe boasts an impressive beer scene. The journey began with Santa Fe Brewing more than three decades ago. Now, this brewery stands as New Mexico’s largest, offering a range of delightful beers such as the 7k IPA, Java Stout, and many other flavorful options. They’ve recently unveiled an exquisite new beer hall at their location on the town’s south side, which is a must-visit.
Blue Corn Brewery is known for its innovative beers that have garnered both local and national accolades. Their staple brews are perfect for daily enjoyment, while their seasonal selections showcase their inventive flair. Once you’ve experienced Blue Corn Brewery, explore other celebrated breweries in Santa Fe. Notably, Rowley Farmhouse Ales was the top-awarded brewery at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival, a remarkable feat for a brewery of its size. Interested in diving deeper into the Santa Fe beer landscape?Check out ourSanta Fe brewery guide.
9.New Mexico History Museum & Palace of the Governors
Explore the extensive and compelling history of our state at the cutting-edge, interactive New Mexico History Museum. Embark on a historical journey beginning with the Ancestral Puebloans, moving through the era of Spanish conquistadors and the pioneers of the Santa Fe Trail.
Continue through the times of railroad expansion, the Manhattan Project period, the era of hippie communes, and more. Among the museum’s vast collection, you’ll find Pancho Villa’s revolver, a traditional stagecoach, and memorabilia from Fred Harvey and the Harvey Girls, along with thousands of other artifacts, maps, photographs, and paintings.
The museum complex also houses the centuries-old Palace of the Governors, a National Historic Landmark and the oldest museum in the state, featuring period rooms and exhibits that span 400 years of New Mexico’s history.
10.Santa Fe National Forest
The expansive Santa Fe National Forest covers an impressive 1.6 million acres and is home to the sources of three rivers, in addition to numerous lakes and streams that are excellent for trout fishing. Navigate the Rio Grande with a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure in the summer or embrace the snowy landscapes of Ski Santa Fe during the winter months. Autumn brings its own charm, with golden aspens sparkling under the sunlight.
With over 1,000 miles of trails leading into breathtaking wilderness areas, the opportunities for exploration are endless, whether you prefer to go on foot or by horseback. Consider embarking on a wilderness pack trip. While adventuring, stay vigilant for the stunning array of wildlife in the area, which includes elk, deer, and bears.
11. LORETTO CHAPEL
A standout architectural masterpiece in Santa Fe is the Loretto Chapel, positioned just to the south of the Santa Fe Plaza. Legend has it that following nine days of prayers by the Sisters of Loretto for assistance in finishing their chapel, a mysterious individual arrived.
This person, using only basic tools and without any witnesses, constructed the renowned Miraculous Staircase and then vanished before the sisters had the chance to compensate or express their gratitude to him. Regardless of its mysterious beginnings, both the chapel and its staircase stand as stunning creations worthy of a visit.
This article was posted by Cheryl Fallstead
