Location: Santa Fe
Top Things to do in Santa Fe
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Santa Fe That You Shouldn't Miss
Venture into the unspoiled beauty of 7,000-foot Rocky Mountain vistas, marvel at the contrast of ancient native culture mixed with modern arts, feast on legendary cuisine and relax in rustic sophistication. A visit to Santa Fe, Travel & Leisure's #1 Cultural Getaway, feels a lot like a visit to Europe. The Spanish Colonial charm of this historic destination has been enchanting travelers for over 400 years. And Santa Fe shows no signs of slowing down.
Restaurants in Santa Fe
1. Nedra Matteucci Galleries
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 348 reviews
An art gallery specializing in 19th- and 20th-century American art.
Reviewed By ColoradoChilidog
Sometimes it's the setting/location that makes a place and Nedra has it in spades. The historical buildings, classic interior rooms, vault, and art would make this a must stop but add in the garden area and that makes this a very special place. Every staff member would answer questions that I'm sure they are asked dozens of times per day. It's educational along with great art viewing.
2. Santa Fe Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,097 reviews
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Plaza is the heart and soul of the city. The gathering spot for residents and tourists alike is surrounded by city landmarks, shops and restaurants.
Reviewed By jh453
My 20-something daughters and I spent an enjoyable hour in and around the charming Plaza on a gorgeous Spring day. There is something there for every budget and many time constraints and tastes. You can sit on one of the plentiful benches, on the grass, or at one of the metal tables and relax and people watch for free. You can spend a little or a lot of money at the stores that flank the Plaza or at the sidewalk vendors who sell mostly silver jewelry (most of it, apoarently, made by local Native Americans in tribal styles). You can eat in one of the nearby restaurants. The day we were there, there was just one food truck in one corner of the Plaza, selling only fajitas and tamales. I wish I knew the name, because their food was excellent- smoky, delicious, generous, and a great bargain, with fajitas at $5 and tamales at $2 or $2.50 each. I hope that truck is a regular and that my description is enough to let you find it and enjoy a tasty (and economical) lunch. I noticed that all the tables were wheelchair-accessible.
3. Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
The museum features changing exhibitions of contemporary and iconic Native American art with an emphasis on the Southwest.
4. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 857 reviews
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, one of four museums in the Museum of New Mexico system, is a premier repository of Native art and material culture and tells the stories of the people of the Southwest from pre-history through contemporary art. The museum serves a diverse, multicultural audience through changing exhibitions, public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and other educational programs.
Reviewed By kendak999 - Durban, South Africa
Another of the NM museums on the Culture Pass, I visited mid-December, hoping to get some insight into Native American culture and history. I was not disappointed. The Here, Now and Always exhibition is quite large and beautifully curated, giving you a glimpse of the life and ways of several Native American tribes who are/were in the NM region, including day to day items as well as art. Some of the pieces date from 500 AD! On the Art side, there are several galleries exhibiting Native American pottery, again, with some pieces magnificently conserved and dating back over 1000 years. What I particularly liked, both in the culture and art exhibitions, was the curation of real-people accounts from Native Americans, their remembrances and views on many aspects of the exhibits.
5. Canyon Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,969 reviews
Canyon Road is Santa Fe's historic arts district. Home to over eighty art galleries, as well as boutiques, restaurants, and historic adobe homes, it is the cultural center of Santa Fe. The galleries on Canyon Road show everything from traditional southwestern Pueblo pottery and quintessential Western art to contemporary abstraction and computer and digital art. Take time to explore; there's a little something for everyone here.
Reviewed By 66abi
A short walk from downtown this mile or so of art galleries offers a bit of everything, from crafts to really good fine art. We found happy surprises in nearly every one. My painter friend and I are art lovers so looked at everything with interest and took two days to do it, which was made easy by the presence of good restaurants and a wonderful tea house. We never knew what was behind the next doorway, in the next room and often were wonderfully surprised.
6. El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 338 reviews
This living history museum, located just south of Santa Fe, recreates 18th-century ranch life. Guides, dressed in period clothing, show how people lived in early New Mexico.
Reviewed By Preraphaelite11
Walk into El Rancho de las Golondrinas and you'll open a door and step back 300 years to experience authentic Southwest history. See first-hand how people lived, the buildings they constructed and their purpose, how they made their clothes, cooked their food and worshipped. You'll get a unique taste of everyday life in a community in the 1700s, learn about the inhabitants' hardships, their hopes and fears while exploring this exceptionally, well-maintained and preserved historic ranch. I spent 4 hours walking the grounds and talking with the knowledgeable and friendly staff. I'm a historian and learned more about New Mexico's fascinating history when visiting El Rancho de las Golondrinas.
7. Cross of the Martyrs
8. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,902 reviews
This cathedral was built in 1886, and is known for its beautiful Romanesque architecture.
Reviewed By 674sharons - Atlanta, United States
It is a beautiful church, with its inspirational stained glass windows, grand arches and baptismal. Then there was the docent, Mary, who made our visit very special, by giving us a personal tour that was educational, explaining about La Conquistadora, learning the history of how it became a Basilica, the history of the relics, the history of the stained glass windows especially the story of La Conquistadora, how she is cared for, the celebrations that are around her. There was so much more. It was a sacred visit and we felt so connected to the cathedral and the holy spirit residing here. Thank you for a supernatural experience. If you can join a tour of the cathedral it is well worth the time spent.
9. Santuario De Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Built in 1795, this church houses the oldest shrine to the Virgin Mary in the United States.
Reviewed By onelastplace
This is the oldest continuously operating shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe in the country. It is administered by the parish behind it and what a wonderfully welcoming Community. There is a small gift shop behind the shrine with a friendly worker to answer any questions. It has an interesting history of you take the time to ask some questions,
10. Hyde Memorial State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Located in a breathtaking natural setting, this park is ideal for picnics and camping.
Reviewed By 9gaylem - Santa Fe, United States
We just spent a couple of nights in a yurt in Hyde Park. Very nicely outfitted and perfect for people who don’t have a lot of camping gear but want to enjoy the outdoors. The three yurts are fairly close to each other which is too bad, but our neighbors were quiet and not a bother. The skylight is great for star gazing in the night and the 6 beds that come with the yurt were comfortable. Very close to the Borrego Trail - a lively hiking trail that is popular with Santa Feans. Also so close to town if you get tired of cooking on a campfire, it’s a 15 minute drive to downtown Santa Fe and 10 minutes to 10,000 waves.
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