Location: Santa Fe
Top Things to do in Santa Fe
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Santa Fe, New Mexico (NM)
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. The Wine Spot
3. Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By robertrV6476DJ - Davis, United States
We are collectors of Pueblo pottery and have high expectations for galleries retailing this art. Andrea Fisher meets and exceeds them all. We have been dealing with the gallery for a long time and are always impressed by the selection available from a wide range of pueblos, the expertise and knowledge of the sales staff, and care they take to make sure the customer gets just what they are looking for. The items they stock are all quality items and extend all the way up in to the collector stratosphere but they work hard to help you find just what you are looking for. The best part for me is that the prices are very reasonable for what one gets. There is no tourist junk here but if you want a good piece of pueblo pottery you can be assured walking in the door that you will not be overcharged. Having dealt with most of the other galleries in the region, this is always my first and last stop. You just cannot go wrong.
4. Hat Ranch Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Hat Ranch Gallery, located on historic Turquoise Trail, provides a unique and truly authentic Santa Fe experience in which to view and acquire art of all media and price range. We offer a beautiful gallery and immersive art and cultural experiences where you can unwind, explore and enjoy the original Santa Fe spirit. We are a destination gallery and when you are here -you will feel like family.
Reviewed By anlianna76
If you want a truly Santa Fe experience please visit this authentic western gallery, The art is truly wonderful and the gallery is located off the beaten path just off the iconic turquoise trail, easy to find. Once you get there you will be treated as is if you are an old friend coming to visit and I guarantee you will leave with a beautiful piece of Santa Fe art lovingly created by local artists.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Loretto Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,035 reviews
This chapel contains a mysterious spiral staircase built without nails, dowels or any visible support.
Reviewed By StevenP3559 - Pueblo, United States
This small chapel is known by people world round for its "miraculous stairway" that winds to the choir loft above the church's nave. It is a beautiful little chapel and well worth a visit while in downtown Santa Fe.
9. Rainbow Man
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Art gallery featuring Indian art.
Reviewed By nancya805
We have been visiting Rainbow Man for decades to see the best local folk art (mostly carved & painted wooden animals) plus vintage jewelry of the American Southwest.
10. San Miguel Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 878 reviews
Constructed in 1610 by the Tlaxcalan Indians of Mexico, who came to New Mexico as servants of the Spanish, this is the oldest church still in use in the country.
Reviewed By KLE2013 - Centreville, United States
An outstanding example of preserved Adobe architecture, San Miguel Chapel is considered to be the oldest church structure in the United States. The chapel is thought to have been built around 1610 and rebuilt and restored multiple times over the centuries. The wooden altar screen dates from 1798 and its painting of various Saints date back to the mid 18th century. Around the walls of the sanctuary are 14 stations of the cross carved of pine. Just beyond the communion rail is a bit of the original dirt floor and sanctuary steps. On the afternoon of our visit a pianist and violinist were rehearsing for a concert and the chapel was filled with beautiful music. Admission was a mere $1.00
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