Santa Fe is a special destination for many reasons. It is a city with a rich history, art and culture, stunning scenery, a variety of outdoor activities, and a range of incredible culinary options. Recently, Scott and I visited New Mexico to attend the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta & watch the annular eclipse. We spent a lot of time researching and discovering the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
I highly recommend visiting Santa Fe in the Fall, especially in October during the balloon festival. The air is crisp, the leaves are changing colors and there is generally a wonderful Autumn aroma. As usual, my recommendations are filled with dining, coffee, and cocktail spots! You don’t need more than a long weekend to experience Santa Fe. Here are a few of the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Visit Santa Fe Railyard Farmers’ Market
The best time to visit the Santa Fe Railyard Park is on Tuesday’s and Sunday’s from 8AM – 1PM, during the twice-a-week Farmers’ Market. The Santa Fe Farmers Market is one of the oldest and largest in the country, and all produce and plants are grown in Northern New Mexico. Beyond the fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, and other dry goods, there are plenty of other stalls showcasing locally made art, jewelry, baked goods, and more. Grab some hot cider and make sure to try some of the delicious baked goods!
Eat & dine at Santa Fe Railyard Park
Even if you can’t stop by the Farmers’ Market, visiting the Railyard is one of the best things to do in Santa Fe and worth visiting regardless. Walk around the Railyard to check out all the different galleries and dining options. Here are a few of the spots we loved:
- Stop at Second Street Brewery and have a beer and a bite to eat! This place felt like a local spot. We loved the food – there was a range of options, including lots of healthy options. The portions are large and the prices are reasonable. The service was great and there is the option to sit outside on the patio. Don’t miss the Sweet Potato Waffle Fries because who doesn’t love a good waffle fry?
- Alternatively, stop by Nuckolls Brewing, the Railyard’s newest beer garden, originally built as a meatpacking outpost. They have live music, over 60 beers on tap, and elevated bar fare.
- Alternatively, grab a coffee and pastry at Sky Coffee. There is plenty of seating indoors and out, and it’s a great spot for people-watching, especially during the Farmers’ Market.
- Have a craft cocktail at As Above, So Below Distillery. The bar is trendy and inviting, with plenty of seats at the bar. They have an imaginative list of cocktails and the attention to detail in the presentation adds to the experience. You know it’s a proper cocktail bar when they have fancy ice – their ice has an imprinted logo!
Explore downtown Santa Fe
There are lots of cute shops, restaurants, bars, and unique activities downtown and it’s worth a visit, even just for a few hours! Here are some of my recs:
- Stroll around the Santa Fe Plaza and pop into the numerous museums, shops and galleries.
- Shop at Sabo or Los Poblanos Farm Shop. Both have really cute and unique gifts, home goods, plants and other fun accessories. Los Poblanos Farm Shop also has a small craft cocktail bar in the back called Bar Norte. The cocktails and ambiance were excellent!
- Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
- Check out La Mama for breakfast, lunch, a coffee, or glass of wine. The space is modern and cute with lots of local homemade goods.
- Stop by the Bell Tower Bar at La Fonda Hotel for a cocktail during sunset.
- Finally, grab a cocktail and some clay and make your own ceramics at Tumbleroot Pottery Pub. This place is super cute and has communal workshop tables where you can get creative by making your own piece of pottery. They make all their own spirits, ales, lagers, and sours from scratch and by hand with 100% organic ingredients.
Explore Canyon Road & art galleries
Explore this charming Santa Fe street, Canyon Road is filled with over 80 art galleries, boutique shops and restaurants. You will find a range of galleries including contemporary, abstract, modern, western, Native American and more. You can wander on your own, or take a walking tour with a guide. Make sure you visit before 5PM as most of the galleries and shops close. I recommend this tour:
Santa Fe: Canyon Road Arts District Walking Tour
If you have time, stop by Ahmyo Wine Garden, a hidden gem tucked away on Canyon Road. Enjoy a glass of wine surrounded by their peaceful desert oasis garden.
Stop for a snack, tea or coffee at the Teahhouse, a quaint restaurant and cafe featuring hundreds of teas from around the world. They have a range of food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Take a day trip to Taos and the Rio Grande Valley
While there is plenty to see and do in Santa Fe, it’s relatively close to Taos and worth the drive. We started our day by grabbing some coffee and breakfast sandwiches from Modern General Feed and Seed. WOW. The breakfast sandwich comes on a homemade biscuit and it’s absolutely delicious (we may have gone twice while we were there!!)
Rio Grand Valley
Drive about an hour and a half to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. I recommend driving along Route 68, which hugs the Rio Grande all the way there. Throughout the drive, there are incredible views of the foliage and river. Stop along the way to stretch your legs and snap a few photos! Just a note that the drive at the end is up a steep dirt road and feels a little bit like you’re lost, but you’re not!
Stop for a quick photo of the ravine at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. You can pull over at the rest area and walk a couple of minutes to the bridge. The view is breathtaking and worth the visit.
Taos Pueblo
After you see the river, drive about 20 minutes to Taos Pueblo. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community that is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. Be respectful of their rules regarding where to park and where you are allowed to walk. The Pueblos are beautiful to see, but I highly recommend taking their free tour with one of the Tanoan people. Our tour guide was a younger woman who shared about her life growing up in Taos Pueblo.
While there are many other activities you can do in and around Taos, we decided to stop at hot springs on our way back to Santa Fe. Other Taos options include hiking, biking, visiting Taos Plaza, whitewater rafting, and more.
Soak in natural hot springs
Relax and rejuvenate in one of the many natural hot springs around Santa Fe. We stopped by Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa ($65/pp on the weekends and holidays) on our way home from Taos. It’s about an hour away from Santa Fe. Even if you aren’t staying as an overnight guest in their hotel, you can buy a day pass to their many natural pools. They also offer spa treatments, yoga and dining options.
- Other options we considered but didn’t visit: Ten Thousand Waves Spa, Ojo Santa Fe, Jemez Hot Springs
Hike the Dall Ball Trails
The Dale Ball Trails is a short 5-15 minute drive depending on where you are in Santa Fe. This network of trails is at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and there is a range of lengths and difficulties. I always recommend downloading the AllTrails app and checking their extensive list of hikes to find one that suits you.
Tip: Bring water because even when it’s cooler in Santa Fe it’s extremely dry!
Dine on Canyon Road
Canyon Road has a small handful of some of the best restaurants we ate at in Santa Fe. Here are my favorites!
- Geronimo: Geronimo is tucked away on Canyon Rd. They serve eclectic American fare in an elegant space. Interestingly, the building was built in 1756 and the restaurant still features much of the original architecture (adobe walls, kiva fireplaces, and wood beams). Geronimo’s is truly an extraordinary restaurant, with a beautiful setting, amazing food, wine and cocktails, and incredible service.
- The Teahouse: After a long day of exploring and hiking, the Teahouse has a great outdoor patio to unwind and try some of the hundreds of diverse tea options they offer. I tried the Pumpkin Rooibos which was perfect for Fall! Additionally, the food is delicious and they have their own smoker if you are into barbeque!
- The Compound Restaurant: This American Fine dining restaurant is outstanding. It has a charming interior, a cozy atmosphere, and superb food.
- Ahmyo Wine Garden: After perusing the many art galleries on Canyon Road, stop by Ahmyo Wine Garden for a glass of wine and a bite to eat.
Get lost in Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf was one of the strangest, trippiest experiences I have ever had. This art installation and interactive exhibit has over 70 different rooms featuring a collective of unique artists. It’s an immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re traveling through different dimensions. You can get lost in there for hours. Tickets start at $36 per person. It often sells out on weekends so I would purchase your tickets ahead of time!
Check hot air balloon ride off your bucket list
Even if you are not attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the scenic Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here is a recommended tour:
BONUS: If you’re in New Mexico during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Make sure you book months ahead of time as accommodations and rental cars go quickly and the prices skyrocket as you get closer. We chose to stay in Santa Fe, but note that it is about an hour drive to Albuquerque, where the balloon festival is held. This allowed us to explore Santa Fe and the surrounding area, but most people stay in Albuquerque. I recommend if you are staying in Santa Fe, that you wake up at 4AM to get there in time for sunrise because there was A LOT of traffic to get in. I recommend purchasing advance admission tickets and consider a park-and-ride service to avoid the crazy traffic.
While you can watch the Fiesta from the ground, and it’s stunning to watch the balloons take off at dawn, I recommend booking a sunrise hot air balloon with Rainbow Ryders if you have the chance (book many months in advanced, as they fill up quickly during the festival weekends!). The view of the sun coming up over the rugged Sandia Mountains is truly breathtaking and it’s even more special to see the hundreds of colorful, unique balloons surrounding you. Rainbow Ryders’ is the only balloon ride company authorized to take off from Balloon Fiesta Park during the Balloon Fiesta.
How to Get to Santa Fe
The easiest way to get to Santa Fe from most cities is to fly into Alberquerque (Albuquerque International Sunport) and rent a car to get around. It’s about an hour drive to Santa Fe. I recommend renting a car as the public transport doesn’t allow you to see everything worth exploring in and around Santa Fe. There is a smaller airport, Fly Santa Fe, about 20 minutes to downtown Santa Fe. There are a few flights through American and United from nearby cities (Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver).
Best Bars & Restaurants in Santa Fe
Scott and I are always on the hunt for the top or most unique restaurants, cocktail bars, wineries, coffee shops, and bakeries. We do a lot of research and exploring to find the best ones. While I have mentioned many of these places above, truly one of the best things to do in Santa Fe is check out some of the many great eateries and bars.
- Breakfast, Lunch and Coffee
- Modern General Feed & Seed: we LOVED this spot and went back twice. Their breakfast sandwich on a biscuit is to die for!
- Teahouse
- Sage Bakehouse
- La Mama
- Dinner
- Cocktails & Wine
Where to Stay
Undeniably, there are so many great hotel and Airbnb options in Santa Fe, it’s hard to decide where to stay! As a Fora Advisor, I can get you the best hotel perks and benefits by booking through me! You pay the same, but get perks such as daily complimentary breakfast, complimentary room upgrades, resort credit for food and beverage or the spa, early check-in or late checkout, and more. Get in touch with me to help customize and book your own experience.
My favorite luxury Santa Fe hotels:
I hope you enjoyed this post on the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For more adventures, check out all destinations.
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