When the mountains are calling, you must go.
We road-tripped North Central New Mexico to explore its landscape, culture, and culinary scene. Santa Fe exceeded my expectations, and it’s a city I’ll gladly revisit.
Established in 1607, Santa Fe is rich in history and offers modern attractions that tourists love. Use this pocket guide of go-to places as a reference for your next trip to The City Different.
Top Activities to Experience During a Weekend in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Go Shopping on the Plaza for Momentos
The Plaza in Santa Fe is the place to shop one-of-a-kind gifts for yourself or someone you love. The majority of the businesses in the area sell apparel, jewelry, and tourism keepsakes.
Local vendors sell indigenous-inspired jewelry every day in front of the Palace of the Governors. You’ll see the most extensive collection of vendors available on Saturday morning.
Indeed, Historic Plaza is the hot spot for handcrafted gifts and boutique-style treasures. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll realize you could easily spend an entire day strolling from shop to shop, perusing inventory.
Most plaza shops carry variations on the same theme – all things Southwestern from clothing to housewares. But if you’re like me, you’ll appreciate a handful of unexpected business like Los Padres Records, which sells classic rock and country music vinyl records.
Tour Museums Honoring New Mexico’s History
Visit The Oldest House in the United States
Not only is Santa Fe considered the oldest capital city in the United States, but it’s also home to the Oldest House in the USA (215 E. De Vargas Street).
I don’t want to spoil your experience with a description of its interior; however, it is well worth viewing it first-hand to appreciate how early residents lived in a small space. It’s mind-blowing.
The gift shop carries similar gifts you’d find in most touristy shops downtown.
Palace of the Governors at the New Mexico History Museum
At the advice of others, we started our Santa Fe experience at Palace of the Governors (105 W. Palace Avenue) because viewing it establishes a visitor’s understanding and appreciation of the region’s people and cultural traditions.
The building was constructed by the Spanish in 1610 for the use of colonial administrators. It is the oldest continuously used public building in the United States. Open to the public, the National Historic Landmark features rooms containing Spanish-Pueblo artifacts and artwork.
PRO TIP: Skip the short line. Buy your tickets online to tour the Palace of the Governors and the New Mexico History Museum for one admission fee.
New Mexico History Museum
The New Mexico History Museum (113 Lincoln Avenue) is a must-visit attraction north of The Plaza. Museum highlights include three floors of collections detailing New Mexico culture, people’s lifestyle, and the artwork representing the state’s past and present.
If you only have an hour to tour the museum, you’re going to have to do it quickly if you want to see its entirety. Two hours for a tour is more appropriate.
I found its current exhibit, “Setting the Standard: The Fred Harvey Company and Its Legacy,” the most fascinating because the hospitality entrepreneur lived in Kansas, my home state, for many years. He invented the passenger train dining car experience.
PRO TIP: If you don’t have time to visit the museum, view its virtual exhibitions in video format and walk-thru presentations.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
For years, I wanted to visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (217 Johnson Street), and it was worth the wait. Beginning in 1929, the artist made a trip to New Mexico, which inspired her paintings of landscapes, flowers, and skulls. The museum’s collections consist of nearly 150 painting and works on paper.
The Georgia O’Keeffe: Make a Life exhibit provides an insight into how she lived when she wasn’t in the studio painting. It details her hobbies, and showcases clothing, furniture, and art tools. It’s an intimate glimpse into her life.
PRO TIP: It’s essential to buy tickets in advance and select your arrival time. Bring earbuds for the audio tour. The museum doesn’t loan them.
New Mexico Museum of Art on the Plaza
The New Mexico Museum of Art on the Plaza (107 W. Palace Avenue) is not to be missed whether you’re an artist or simply appreciate others’ handiwork. The two-story museum is an affordable self-guided tour of visiting exhibitions showcasing various mediums.
I preferred the artwork on view upstairs with access to a reading library of art books. This museum supports artists of all mediums, which I found refreshing as some historical museums tend to lean into the same subject matter.
PRO TIP: Exit outdoors to the courtyard to indulge in the fragrance of wisteria while viewing an additional sculpture.
Indulge in a Meal in a City That Never Stops Eating
Tia Sophia’s
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a write-up about Santa Fe’s restaurant scene that doesn’t highly praise Tia Sophia’s (210 W. San Francisco Street), and I’m also a big fan. You can order red and green chili entrees anywhere in town, but the signature meals at Tia Sophia’s are some of the most sought-after.
The enchiladas, savory beef and cheese wrapped in tortillas and smothered with chili sauce, are eye-closing, good bite for bite. My meal conjured up thoughts of a family member in the kitchen slowly stirring sauce on the stove, a secret recipe only they knew.
I was thrilled to discover that the red and green chili enchiladas served “Christmas Style” lived up to the hype. A roasted, medium-spice flavor dominated the meal, a local food tradition you must experience firsthand. View the menu.
PRO TIP: Plan for dessert. Toward the end of your meal, complimentary sopapillas served fresh from the fryer with honey will arrive at the table.
Tres Colores Restaurant
Previous food reviewers were correct. Tres Colores Restaurant (101 W. Marcy Street) presents authentic Southern Mexican cuisine using good-tasting recipes. Upon arrival, we were promptly seated without a reservation at a small indoor table. Meanwhile, the open kitchen bustled with activity as new guests steadily arrived to occupy the remaining tables.
In a chile-crazed town, I was keen to order chile rellenos, a cheese-stuffed, deep-fried pepper smothered in red sauce. It was one of the best I’ve eaten in years. The shareable Chiquito Nachos were prepared to my Nacho Queen standards with every layer of tortilla chips touched by savory meat and garnishes.
Preview the menu.
The French Pastry Shop
Surprisingly, Santa Fe is home to a real-deal French bakery serving picture-worthy pastries as well as early-morning breakfast and mid-day entrees. At The French Pastry Shop (100 E. San Francisco Street), guests are welcomed as if they’ve stepped inside a European café, where the espresso machine never rests.
I’d decided to dine alfresco ordering a slice of traditional spinach quiche and a freshly baked croissant to go. Each decadent, soft bite of my breakfast competed for all-star status. I could have dined there daily.
Preview the menu.
Kakawa Chocolate House
Kakawa Chocolate House (1050 Paseo De Peralta) is a place where high-style Instagrammers make videos, and you wonder if drinking chocolate elixirs deserves the fanfare. It does.
The sweet aroma of chocolate welcomes you as you enter a tiny retail store. Taking my place in a short line, I was offered a sample of a couple of liquid elixirs before ultimately choosing a chocolate drink that tasted like the best hot chocolate I’ve tasted. If you prefer chocolate truffles or homemade ice cream, their unique offerings will delight your senses.
Snap Photos of Santa Fe’s Beautiful Doors
In Santa Fe, it’s common to spy artfully designed doors on homes and buildings – each varying in style and color. For example, you’re likely to spot a turquoise door. The color is considered sacred amongst Native Americans offering spiritual protection to the home’s residents.
I discovered handcrafted doors of noteworthy design everywhere we traveled, from courtyards in museums like the Pueblo-style door pictured above to the intricate carvings of church doors.
The ornamental doors make a fabulous backdrop for a photo, adding to the historic charm of Santa Fe’s authentic architecture.
Stroll Through a Historic Church
Numerous cathedral churches in the region support a Roman Catholic community, particularly in Santa Fe. Many of them are open to the public year-round, and the following places of worship deserve a visit.
Loretto Chapel
Loretto Chapel (207 Old Santa Fe) receives dozens of visitors an hour seeking to glance at its interior and famous staircase. After paying a small admission to view it, we quietly entered the chapel, where a helix-shaped, self-supporting staircase to the balcony drew onlookers. The architectural wonder was handcrafted by an anonymous carpenter who disappeared after completion.
Referred to as the Miraculous Stair, a central pole supports it and consists of 33 stairs with a two-turn spiral to the choral loft.
The church is more of a museum, and a place where we witnessed visitors in awe of its architectural design. If you go, respect the museum’s request to remain quiet. Restless children will not find it as appealing.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Built in 1598 before the founding of Santa Fe, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (131 Cathedral Pl) is a must-have experience even if you don’t practice the Catholic faith. A tour of its interior reveals a Romanesque design commissioned by Archdiocese Bishop Lamy.
We were awe-struck by the mesmerizing beauty, from the decorative tiles on the ceiling to the patterned wood floors. Tall Gothic windows illuminated the space, and we admired the display cases containing artifacts from saints who once visited the parish.
Like us, you’ll likely encounter worshipers praying quietly as you meander the church when a mass is not in session.
PRO TIP: The church’s meticulously landscaped grounds are ideal for sitting and people-watching from a bench. We watched a painting class lecture.
Shop and Sip at Santa Fe Railyard
Railyard Artisan Market
The Railyard Artisan Market (1607 Paseo de Peralta) must be included on your itinerary of quintessential things to do in Santa Fe. Vendors converge on the railyard grounds every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., offering shoppers homegrown produce, herbs, original artwork, and travel souvenirs.
A live band or musician typically plays outdoors while shoppers mill about the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Pavilion.
I regret not eating before attending the market, as there are several vendors and an on-site mini restaurant serving breakfast items. Bring your appetite.
PRO TIP: Arrive when the market opens at 10:00 am for premium, free parking. The market is wheelchair accessible.
Second Street Brewery
Second Street Brewery (1607 Paseo De Peralta) is an ideal second stop at The Railyard for craft beer, wine, and food selections. The brewery is also known for its build-your-own and specialty burger menu. Our server recommended its popular appetizers to accompany pints of IPA and Kölsch beers. Each one was approachable and recommendable.
PRO TIP: The taproom’s patio makes for an excellent place to enjoy the sunshine. Check their Facebook page for current promotions.
Play a Round of Disc Golf in the Desert
Jaguar Ridge DiscGolfPark
A blue sky day in Santa Fe beckons disc golfers to play a round of 18 holes at one of several courses in the area. At Jaguar Ridge DiscGolfPark (located at SWAN Park), golfers throw meandering amongst public park goers from sunrise to sunset.
You’ll want to be aware of cacti after exiting turf tee pads, and most players suggest using the UDisc app to help navigate the medium-difficulty course during play.
PRO TIP: If you need to practice putting, look for a dedicated basket near the parking lot.
Relax at a Comfortable Vacation Home Near the Plaza
The Ella
When a day of exploring winds down, there is no better place to do it than at your comfortable VRBO near the plaza. We were pleased with the upscale accommodations for a two-night stay at The Ella.
The high-rated vacation home is ideal for a couple or solo traveler wanting the privacy of a first-floor, one-bedroom, one-bathroom setting with modern finishes.
On night two, we skipped the downtown dining scene opting to read books in the comfort of an air-conditioned living room while sipping margaritas. A makeshift meal was easy to prepare thanks to a full kitchen setup.
We rose each day to explore Santa Fe’s plaza within a five-minute walk from the home’s front door. Other perks at The Ella include private parking, an outdoor patio, and a community library with a fireplace, making it one of the best vacation rentals we’ve experienced.
I hope this go-to guide makes quick work of your travel planning. Bonus! Before traveling to New Mexico, view my Instagram videos about Albuquerque’s downtown scene and BioPark, a can’t-miss botanical garden.
