Things to do in Santa Fe

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Santa Fe which includes a monument, a garden and a memorial
Bandelier National Monument which includes tranquil scenes
Santa Fe featuring interior views, religious elements and a church or cathedral
Santa Fe which includes religious elements and a church or cathedral
Santa Fe Plaza which includes shopping

Santa Fe Attractions

Sante Fe is a magical city located in the American Southwest. Rich in history and local lore, this community is also known for drawing artists from all over the world because of unique quality of the light featured by this part of New Mexico. Some of the best attractions in Santa Fe include local art galleries. The dry climate and stunning landscape make it a popular tourist destination, and many who visit end up returning at some future point to live as residents.

Although most American cities have their own unique styles and cultures, Santa Fe has always stood out from the crowd. Referred to as "The City Different" since the early part of the last century, Sante Fe's pueblo-style architecture, blending of the distinct cultures of the Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo Saxon peoples, and abundant natural beauty make it a truly individual community.

Numerous cultural offerings and festivals are among the many Santa Fe activities available to both residents and guests. Events frequently take place in the plaza that is located in the city's historic downtown district. A must see event for those visiting Santa Fe during July is the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Santa Fe tours include explorations of Museum Hill, which is an area close to the downtown region that contains a substantial number of museums. Other worthwhile Santa Fe excursions include the Canyon Road arts district and day trips to the Bandelier National Monument, which is located about 30 miles from Santa Fe proper.

Although summer is the most popular time of year to visit NM, many of those who return to Sante Fe on a regular basis do so during the month of September when the aspen trees in the surrounding mountains begin to put on their yearly show. Things to do in Santa Fe during the fall include attending the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe and visiting historic places such as the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.

By calling our offices here at Expedia when planning your Santa Fe sojourn, we can provide you with a map of the area's main attractions. You can also book your stay at Santa Fe's top lodging spots directly through us.

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Most popular activities in Santa Fe

Tours & day trips

See all 43 activities
Santa Fe Scenic

Santa Fe Scenic

Activity duration is 3 hours
Price is $99 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 13 activities
Explore Santa Fe's Old Town & the Museum of Art: Private Tour

Explore Santa Fe's Old Town & the Museum of Art: Private Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
Price is $380 per adult*
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 7 activities
New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza

New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza

Activity duration is 3 hours
8.8 out of 10 with 6 reviews
Price is $187 per adult
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Classes & workshops

See all 5 activities
Make Your Own Stained Glass Honeycomb

Make Your Own Stained Glass Honeycomb

Activity duration is 1 hour
Free cancellation available
Price is $100 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 4 activities
Santa Fe: Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour

Santa Fe: Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is $69 per adult
Santa Fe: Canyon Road Art & History Walking TourOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Santa Fe

Number of things to do
47
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
A Self Guided Audio Tour of Madrid New Mexico Ghost Town: $7
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Santa Fe

Free Things to Do in Santa Fe

Escaping to Santa Fe on a budget? The following can be seen for nothing.

SITE Santa Fe - If you want to get cultured, head here and enjoy the creative talent on show.

College of Santa Fe - Architecture enthusiasts will certainly enjoy admiring the modern design of this landmark.

Cross of the Martyrs - Feel like you've taken a step back in time while wandering around this historic site.

Santa Fe Plaza - This buzzing location is a favorite of visitors and locals alike.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi - Connect with your spiritual side or simply take in the peaceful ambiance at this holy place.

Winsor Trail - Unwind and let nature's rugged beauty here soothe your soul.

Skateboard Park - If you're into working in your garden, this place will captivate your inner green thumb.

Things to Do in Santa Fe with Kids

There's fun for all the family wherever you roam in Santa Fe. Here are some family friendly experiences you can try together that promise to make your break a blast:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Santa Fe? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Santa Fe

Santa Fe Plaza which includes religious elements, a church or cathedral and street scenes

Santa Fe Plaza

4.5/5(1,686 reviews)

Home to many landmarks in the heart of the city, this spacious square evokes echoes of the Spanish colonial era with its markets, bandstand and live music.

Santa Fe Plaza
One of a kind destination: art installation meets mystery house. It’s a multi-sensory experience and wonderfully bizarre.

Meow Wolf

4.5/5(576 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Meow Wolf during your travels in Santa Fe. Visit the stunning cathedral and shops in this walkable area.

Meow Wolf
Loretto Chapel showing a church or cathedral

Loretto Chapel

4.5/5(764 reviews)

A mysterious spiral staircase with no known origin is the highlight of this former church that now acts as a wedding chapel and museum.

Loretto Chapel
Santa Fe Opera showing a city

Santa Fe Opera

4.5/5(179 reviews)

Listen to the enchanting sounds of classic opera in an open-air theater with views of the Jemez Mountains, the sunset and the stars.

Santa Fe Opera
Ski Santa Fe offers a nice variety of runs for a wide range of levels. The winding, scenic drive to get there is as good as

Ski Santa Fe

4.5/5(209 reviews)

Hit the slopes at Ski Santa Fe during your trip to Santa Fe. Discover the lively bars and acclaimed art scene in this walkable area.

Ski Santa Fe
Canyon Road featuring street scenes

Canyon Road

This charming road was once lined with typical adobe residences. Now art galleries, studios, restaurants and boutiques make it the most exclusive part of town.

Canyon Road
A great evening visiting the art galleries topped with a stop at a brew pub draft in the Santa Fe Railroad Artisan Museum district.

Santa Fe Railyard

4.5/5(489 reviews)

During your visit to Santa Fe, you can do some window-shopping at Santa Fe Railyard. Experience the lively festivals and fascinating museums in this family-friendly area.

Santa Fe Railyard
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi which includes heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and religious aspects

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi

4.5/5(648 reviews)

Take a tour of this 19th-century church in the center of Santa Fe to see its statues and brightly colored stained-glass windows.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
This is a fun hike and place to visit. You have to hike through the water upstream to get to the lower falls. It is a peaceful area and the water is good for getting wet, although it’s cold. We visited in early June.

Nambe Falls

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Nambe Falls during your travels in Santa Fe. Visit the shops and stunning cathedral in this walkable area.

Nambe Falls

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Santa Fe

New Mexico Museum of Art which includes a statue or sculpture and art

Downtown Santa Fe

4.5/5(1,990 area reviews)

Visitors to Downtown Santa Fe rave about its fascinating museums, popular shops, and acclaimed art galleries. You might also want to make some time to see Santa Fe Plaza or Lensic Performing Arts Center while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Downtown Santa Fe
A peak inside Meow Wolf. Love this place!

Southside

4/5(1,497 area reviews)

Southside is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Meow Wolf and International Museum of Collage, Assemblage & Construction, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Fe.

Southside
Canyon Road showing interior views and art

Historic Eastside

4.5/5(54 area reviews)

While visiting Historic Eastside, you might make a stop by sights like Canyon Road and ViVO Contemporary.

Historic Eastside
Great display of sculptures for sale. #sculpture #GreatOutdoors

Tesuque

Tesuque is noteworthy for its spas, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Shidoni Foundry and Glenn Green Galleries & Sculpture Garden.

Tesuque
The annual burning of Zozobra

Northeast Santa Fe

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Northeast Santa Fe and surrounding area, you can visit Santa Fe Plaza and New Mexico Museum of Art.

Northeast Santa Fe
The annual burning of Zozobra

North Hills

While North Hills might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary and Santa Fe Plaza.

North Hills
See our Where To Stay guide

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Santa Fe

Espanola which includes tranquil scenes

Espanola

Pecos National Historical Park showing forest scenes and landscape views

Pecos

Chimayo

Chimayo

Photo by Timothy Howard

Glorieta

Photo by RVOutlawz

Cerrillos

Photo by Exploring Jen

Pojoaque

Photo by Wanderlustfemale

Santo Domingo Pueblo

Photo by Kate Cadwell

Tererro

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Fe worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Santa Fe is explore Georgia O'Keefe Museum. Tick this major attraction off your itinerary, then experience more of this area's family-friendly attractions and nature.
How do I spend a day in Santa Fe?
Begin your day with a visit to Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and De Vargas Street House. Then, tour different parts of Santa Fe for a quick bite and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Fe?
Don't leave without visiting Georgia O'Keefe Museum, rated the top tourist attraction in Santa Fe.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Fe?
Three days in Santa Fe is more than enough to visit the city's major attractions. Many travelers stay for two days on average. Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Lensic Performing Arts Center and Museum of International Folk Art are among the top-rated sights. Like to discover more? Hang around a bit longer to explore nearby hotspots like Pojoaque.
Is Santa Fe a walkable city?
Some top sights in Santa Fe, like Georgia O'Keefe Museum and Lensic Performing Arts Center, are within walking distance. You can also discover several of the city's neighborhoods on foot. Only 0.1 miles from the city center of Santa Fe is Downtown Santa Fe and Historic Eastside is 1 mile away.
What are some activities to do in Santa Fe with kids?
If you're searching for sights and activities for all ages, have a look at these fantastic ideas for what to do in Santa Fe with kids.

What to do in Santa Fe for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Santa Fe, with activities for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Santa Fe National Cemetery or Art Vault.
Are there free things to do in Santa Fe?
From relaxing in parks to strolling around exciting neighborhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Santa Fe. If you're in need of ideas, ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. International Museum of Collage, Assemblage & Construction is a top spot for anyone looking to save on their travel adventures.