Things To Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico is the oldest capital in the U.S. which naturally makes it so unique and diverse. The diversity can be attributed to the area being inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years and the Mexican & Spanish colonial settlements in the 16th century. The adobe style and Santa Fe aesthetic of the buildings and homes are remnants of this rich history. This is one of my favorite U.S. cities due to its proximity to nature, cultural diversity, thriving arts, and various ethnic cuisines. Santa Fe has the options for a budget-conscious traveler OR those seeking a luxurious experience. There are so many things to do in Santa Fe; easy day hikes, natural hot springs, museums, live music, markets, and authentic cuisine are everywhere. With the stunning backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, outdoor enthusiasts can explore trails, parks, and breathtaking views that enhance Santa Fe's one-of-a-kind aesthetic, making it a must-visit for those seeking an authentic experience.
Outdoors
Santa Fe offers many opportunities to explore the outdoors from hiking, hot springs, to fishing, and skiing. Santa Fe Mountain and Carson National Forest boast grandiose mountains in New Mexico within a short drive.
Hot Springs
The abundance of unique hot springs surrounding Santa Fe makes it special and a reason to make a trip. There are various levels of the hot spring experience from resorts with natural pools to hike-in hike-out springs immersed in nature.
Cost: Communal Soaking $45 M-T $65 F-Sun — Private Soaking $75 for 2 guests (50 min only)
Founded in 1868 these iconic hot springs can be a bit of a trek from Santa Fe (a little over an hour's drive), but they are well worth it. What makes it unique is the different minerals in each pool and the particular healing properties they can provide. They offer a mud pool that is rejuvenating for the skin. The water in the pools is also sourced directly from a spring nearby. There are a plethora of massages & facials to experience and if you spend $365 in the spa, the communal soaking tubs is included. Every guest will receive a small towel and robes are available to rent for an extra $18. There are 9 different communal soaking pools and a dry and wet sauna to enjoy. If you opt for the communal soaking you do not have a time constraint and can enjoy a full day at the spa.
Cost: Communal Soaking $45 M-T $65 F-Sun — Private Soaking $75 for 2 guests (50 min only)
A sister resort of Ojo Caliente, this hot spring is more conveniently located in Santa Fe. They also have various massages to choose from if you’re looking to elevate your hot spring experience. They have 3 large communal pools all containing different minerals. Guests staying overnight can enjoy unlimited access to the pools. The mineral-rich water and serene surroundings make it a must-visit for anyone looking to relax and recharge.
Cost: Communal Soaking $62/person for 90 minutes — Private tubs $82/person for 90 minutes
Just 10 minutes outside of Santa Fe, this resort is inspired by the great Japanese mountain hot spring resorts boasting 9 different pools with various options to be paired with wet/dry saunas and cold plunges. They also have options to include massages or facials for the ultimate relaxation experience. If you are staying at the resort or booking another spa service (massage or facial) you have access to the Grand Bath. All reservations include a towel, robe, sandals and locker.
Cost: $25/person for 1 hour $50/person for 2 hours
I loved this hot spring for its natural immersion with the river and mountain backdrop. Jemez felt more “no frills” and is purely a place to enjoy nature and springs. This hot spring is a bit of a trek from Santa Fe but I suggest enjoying Jemez with a day hike nearby while you’re in this area. Highway 4 Cafe & Bakery has a delicious elk breakfast burrito with obligatory green chile sauce that I highly recommend.
McCauley 3.4 miles from parking lot
Cost: Parking $5 at Battleships Rock Campground, Access to hot spring is FREE
This hot spring is a bit of a hike and the springs are not super hot. I thoroughly enjoyed this one because the hike was so warm that getting in mildly warm water at the end was super refreshing. We also had these springs completely to ourselves which can be rare with any hot spring nowadays. It took us roughly 1.5 hours to reach the springs also please be mindful of the time of year/day you are hiking due to the extreme heat of the canyon.
San Antonio 0.7 mile hike from the parking lot
Cost: FREE
This was one of the most gorgeous natural setting hot springs I have been to. That being said, just know you will not be the only ones there. It’s roughly a 15-minute hike with mild elevation as it overlooks a mountain backdrop. These hot springs were VERY hot for my liking and would be better enjoyed at colder times of the day/year. Be mindful that this parking lot requires a 4x4 vehicle and high clearance. If you park before the road gets rough it’s 5 miles one way!
Best Day Hikes Near Santa Fe
Windsor Trail to Big Tesuque Canyon - 8.8 miles 50ft elevation gain ~ moderate hike
Hidden Valley Trail in Valles Caldera National Preserve - 3.4 miles 200ft elevation gain ~ easy hike
Hidden Valley was a perfect quick hike to get out in nature. You can peruse more of the Valles Caldera National Preserve and learn more about the formations of this valley at the visitors center further down the road.
Tesuque Creek North Fork Trail - 3.4 miles 1706ft elevation gain ~ hard hike
Raven’s Ridge Trail - 5.7 miles 2378ft elevation gain ~ hard hike
Trampas Lakes Trail - 11.7 miles 2525ft elevation gain ~ hard hike
Lower Trampas Lake
We loved backpacking Trampas Lakes but there were plenty of day hikers! BEWARE this road is a rough 4x4 road and requires high clearance to get to the trailhead. It’s a solid 30-45 minutes down an unmaintained road. Along our hike, we foraged so many raspberries and took an icy dip once we got the lakes.
Arts & Culture
MUSEUMS
Meow Wolf is a living art installation that should not be missed for what they call a “dynamic interplay between art and entertainment”. With over 70 rooms made by local artists, this is an incredible museum experience.
Other notable museums that are worth seeing are the Georgia O’keeffe Museum and the International Museum of Folk Art.
LIVE MUSIC & SHOPPING
The Reporter is the best source for live music, dance, arts, and other cultural events going on in town. You can find various concerts from open-air lively bands to small shows in chic boutique hotels. We stumbled upon a small show in the refurbished hotel El Rey Court and had some of the most incredible cocktails and mocktails in town.
There are so many FREE live music options and other ways to experience the arts that The Reporter does a great job of sharing.
The shops around the plaza are unique and interesting but I loved the thrift stores, especially Double Take. I’m a sucker for fun jewelry and thrift stores have so many options at better-than-plaza prices. If you’re looking for unique western wear you are bound to find something in Santa Fe.
FARMERS MARKETS
The Santa Fe Farmers Market was one of the best markets I have ever been to. There are soo many goodies such as ornamental ristras, beautiful produce, and baked goods. One of our favorite parts was watching (and smelling) the locals roast farm-grown green chiles of all varieties before our eyes.
Chile Rellenos & Ristras
EXPLORE TAOS
A day trip to Taos is one of my favorite things to do when I’m staying in Sante Fe! It is very similar architecture to Santa Fe and they also have an old Pueblo that is considered a Unesco World Heritage Site. It’s the only living Native American community and represents the Pueblo Indians of Arizona and New Mexico. Taos Pueblo is an outstanding example of a traditional architectural complex from the pre-Hispanic period in the Americas, distinct to this region. Taos is about a 1.5-hour drive from Santa Fe and a great place to spend your day!
UNESCO World Heritage Site ~ Taos Pueblo
FESTIVALS & MARKETS
Santa Fe hosts an Annual Indian Market that boasts over 100,000 people in attendance showcasing Native American art from more than 100 tribal communities in North America and Canada. Numerous events are held in tandem to the main event throughout Indian Market week. These include museum and art gallery openings, a Native American film festival, a trending Native fashion show, dancing, demonstrations, and other various shows and auctions. It’s incredible to see the vibrant Native American culture continuing their traditions through these arts and I highly recommend planning a trip to Santa Fe around this time of year (August)!
Zozobra is another unique festival that dates back to 1924 when Santa Fe artist William Howard Shuster created a 6-foot effigy inspired by the Yaqui Indians' tradition of burning an effigy of Judas during Easter Holy Week to symbolize the eradication of evil. The term “Zozobra” itself conveys feelings of anguish, anxiety, or gloom in Spanish. Zozobra is a giant marionette effigy constructed of wood, wire, and cotton cloth that is built and burned on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. During the burning of the Zozobra, you can enjoy live music, dances, vendors, and food trucks.
Effigy of Zozobra
Best Restaurants in Sante Fe
Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the U.S., with a rich history shaped by generations of Spanish, Mexican, Indigenous, and American influences. Thankfully this cultural heritage continues to thrive especially in its vibrant restaurant scene.
If you’re craving authentic Oaxacan flavors, this spot is a must-visit. The chile rellenos were hands-down the best I’ve ever had, and the unique mole sauces brought together a perfect blend of Southwestern and traditional central Mexican influences. The ambiance is vibrant and colorful, paying homage to the chef’s Mexican heritage with every detail, from the decor to the warm, inviting atmosphere.
This African & Carribbean cafe was one of the most unique restaurants in Santa Fe and should be on everyone’s list. The chef is from a small island off the coast of Kenya which influences his dishes. Jambo is a well- executed fusion of Swahili, Indian, Arabic, and European influences. The jerk chicken is a must but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
I feel spoiled that I grew up with home-cooked Indian food from family friends and I can confidently say nothing came close to her cooking until I tried Paper Dosa. These dishes are so rich and perfectly balanced. The dosas are large but light and crispy. Be sure to try their unique dishes that weave local ingredients into traditional dishes like the green chile dosa.
This is THE spot for your quintessential New Mexican cuisine. Their award-winning red and green chiles are what keeps the wait out of the door and the margaritas are strong and tasty.
I really admired this upscale Mexican restaurant for it local sourcing and committment to quality ingredients like their 100% organic blue corn that is nixtalmized in house. The elote was one of the best dishes we had!
Craft coffee, a savory breakfast with top-notch pastries is my favorite combo for a cafe. This was by far my favorite cafe in Santa Fe.
Kakawa Chocolate is an artisanal shop that draws on chocolate's long history, re-creating original Mesoamerican, European and Colonial chocolate elixir recipes, and using them to inspire new creations. I highly recommend the drinking chocolate as that is what they are most known for!
In conclusion, Santa Fe is worth a trip for its rich culture, vibrant art scene, and natural beauty. Whether you’re exploring the best things to do in Santa Fe, from visiting historic sites to enjoying local cuisine or embarking on scenic Santa Fe hikes in the surrounding mountains, this charming city offers something for every traveler. It is THE place to experience the unique blend of history, art, and nature that makes New Mexico a must-visit destination.
