Jimmy, here. At the time of writing this, I’ve been to 41 states, 14 countries, and a countless number of cities in each.
It’s truly one of the most unique and enjoyable places in the world, and more people need to know about it!
If you go searching for blogs about Santa Fe, you’re going to get a bunch of content telling you to go to Meow Wolf, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, and Santa Fe Plaza. Those places are really cool, and you should go to them! But, there’s so much more to the city that you really don’t want to miss!
Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) isn't a large airport, but it is serviced by a number of major US carriers. If you’re flying internationally, or just looking for a better/cheaper connection, Albuquerque International (ABQ) is about an hour drive from the city, so you can potentially save some time or money by renting a car from there!
There’s really not a bad time of year to visit Santa Fe! The summer months have highs that stay in the mid 80s. In the winter, expect some snow, but highs most days will still get into the 40s. There are some spots in town that will take a winter hiatus, so for the full effect of everything being open, April-November really is best!
1. Dive into the food scene
Santa Fe is known for its incredible New Mexican food, which, sorry Texas, but New Mexican is simply leaps and bounds ahead of Tex Mex. There are hundreds of great spots to get delicious local green chile based dishes. The Shed is the most famous, right on Santa Fe Plaza, but you’re definitely in for a wait! Or, you really can’t go wrong with breakfast or lunch at The Pantry, or Cafe Pasqual’s any time of day.
2. See some International Folk Art
By happenstance, our first time going through Santa Fe was during the International Folk Art Market. If you can be in the city during mid-July, you’re in for an incredible experience! Artists and vendors from around the world bring their work to New Mexico for two weeks for the festival, and there’s something to be found for any budget. From ceramics to textiles, you name it, and there’s somebody here dedicating their talents to making it beautiful and accessible.
If you’re not around in July, visit the Museum of International Folk Art for a great taste of what comes every year, including a number of awesome rotating exhibits.
3. Take a hike
Santa Fe as a city is tucked into a gorgeous mountain valley, and is surrounded by incredible nature. You really only have to drive 5-10 minutes outside of the Plaza to find yourself amongst some great mountain trails. Dale Ball is an easy set of trails that provide picturesque views of the entire valley, and best of all, has plenty of parking!
Nambe Lake Trail is one of the most popular, and a great hike depending on the time of the year. Even into April, you’ll still find that you probably need snowshoes to make it all the way to the lake. So, just be prepared! Picacho Peak is another super popular spot, especially on weekends. Parking is really limited at the trailhead, and the next place to park is about a mile down the hill. If you’re trying to go on a weekend after, say, 9am, I’d have a backup plan just in case!
4. Gallery hop down Canyon Road
The Canyon Road Arts District is one of the coolest places around. With over 80 businesses, including galleries across a massive range of mediums and styles, there’s something for everyone. Easily get lost for hours walking door to door, talking with artists about their work, and taking in such a massive art scene. Ask the artists about what drew them to Santa Fe - I’ll bet you’ll get some great tips on things to do and see!
5. Grab a drink from some local breweries
While Santa Fe may be known for its margaritas, it’s also home to a number of stellar microbrews. One of our favorites is Second Street Brewery. We stopped by for a little bit on a Saturday night, and brought Zero to hang out on the patio. Almost everyone there was local, and super friendly and open to sharing about their favorite places around!
6. Visit the Farmer’s Market
The Railyard Artisan’s Market is a fairly recently developed area of the city, about a 15 minute walk from the Plaza, and is filled with so many amazing local vendors. There’s also a huge park with a number of great play areas right across the street if you’re looking for a spot to sit down, or need somewhere for the kids to get some energy out!
7. Watch the sunset from Cross of the Martyrs
Set atop a hill with amazing views down into the city, Cross of the Martyrs is an incredible place to be for a sunset over the city. Leading up to the cross is a series of plaques and monuments that tell the story of the history of Santa Fe. Learn a ton about the area, and get some great views along the way.
