Things To Do
Meow Wolf Santa Fe
“The mysterious multiverse of Meow Wolf brilliantly blends interactive art installations with a fantastical fun house in “House of Eternal Return,” the permanent exhibit created by a collaborative group of young artists. Housed in a former bowling center that’s morphed into a giant play park, Meow Wolf’s wild journey begins in a Victorian mansion with a mind-bending mystery and quickly unfolds into otherworldly realms of tunnel and secret passages."
Canyon Road Arts District
"Stroll Santa Fe’s fabled Canyon Road and in just a half-mile, you’ll find more than a hundred galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. Meet fascinating gallery owners exhibiting stellar work by artists from around the globe. Peek into a studio and you might find a painter setting up an easel or a jeweler placing the finishing gemstone on an exquisite bracelet. Check out Canyon Road’s vibrant Friday night art openings, an enduring tradition. This is the very heart of the city’s longtime, lauded art scene."
Museum Hill
"Santa Fe is a celebrated mecca for museum-lovers, but with more than a dozen museums scattered across the city, it’s a challenge to visit them all in in a day or two. That’s why Museum Hill is the perfect place to start your exploration. Situated on a picturesque hill east of downtown, Museum Hill offers stunning views of the city along with four fine museums—the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and the renowned International Folk Art Museum. When your museum legs kick in and you need a break, enjoy dining, shopping, an outdoor labyrinth and the fragrant pathways of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, all on the same hill."
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Go see the amazing collection of works by Georgia O'Keefe! Advanced reservations are required at this time...they sell out fast so make sure to get your tickets ahead of time! 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday - Monday
Santa Fe Railyard Arts District
"Head to the edgy Santa Fe Railyard District—just a 20-minute walk from the plaza—to browse the various contemporary galleries that have taken up residence there. Stroll through the small parks, enjoy a meal at offbeat Southwestern eateries like La Choza and Tune-Up Café, and of course, visit the bountiful farmers' market to check out the local produce and, in season, the famous Hatch green chile peppers." Be sure to check out the Railyard District! One of the coolest areas in Santa Fe. Lots going on here: Free live music on Fridays at 7:00 pm Tuesdays & Saturdays - Farmer's Market from 7:00 am - 1:00 pm (great prepared food options) Sundays - Artisan Market from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
New Mexico Museum of Art
"A handsome pueblo revival adobe building with a peaceful garden and courtyard, the New Mexico Museum of Art mounts small, rotating exhibits from its impressive 20,000-piece permanent collection. It includes well-known artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Gustave Baumann, and members of the Taos Society of Artists (Ernest L. Blumenschein, Bert G. Phillips, Joseph H. Sharp), and noted 20th-century Southwest photographers like Ansel Adams. Don't miss the special exhibits or the free Friday evenings (5–8 p.m.). The adjoining gift shop is a great place to pick up books, postcards, and jewelry."
Consignment & Vintage Shopping
Santa Fe is a great town for vintage and consignment shopping! This link has some great recommendations of where to go. I have only been to "Double Take"...but it is pretty amazing! It is right down the street from Cowgirl BBQ restaurant...so you could go and put your name in for lunch and then browse Double Take while you wait! Get the green chile cheeseburger
Garcia Street Books
"Walk just a block off Canyon Road and get lost in this small independent bookstore with a wide-ranging inventory of bestsellers, art, literature, design, cookbooks, history, and biography, as well as numerous books about native artists, nature, and the cuisine of the Southwest and New Mexico. Don't miss the outdoor bargain bin, and check the schedule for visiting authors who may overlap with your time in town. Right at the corner next to Garcia Street Books, the beloved Downtown Subscription café pours coffee and espresso perfect for sipping as you peruse your new book purchases."
Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse
"Take your time and sift through the well-culled selection of travel and art books including an ample amount of Southwestern subjects (from history to art to literature). Inside, you can sip organic coffees and pastries and outside, a patio allows for cracking open the first pages of your book purchase."
Shiprock Santa Fe
"Located on the historic Plaza, this venerable well-curated mainstay gallery-shop (est. 1984) run by Navajo trader Jed Foutz showcases historic and contemporary Native American wares, including an impressive selection of colorful, labor-intensive Navajo weavings and museumworthy Wide Ruins rugs. Other coveted objects include turquoise jewelry, textiles, pottery, and sculptural baskets alongside a chic vintage-modern clothing line."
Loretto Chapel
"One of the architectural jewels of Santa Fe is the Loretto Chapel, located just south of the Santa Fe Plaza. According to the legend, a mysterious man came to the unfinished chapel after the Sisters of Loretto prayed for nine days for help to complete the project. Behind closed doors the man built the Miraculous Staircase with only simple tools, then disappeared before the sisters could pay or even thank him. Regardless of the origin, the chapel and its staircase are beautiful."
Puye Cliff Dwellings
"A National Historic Landmark, Puye Cliff Dwellings once sheltered 1,500 Pueblo people—ancestors of today’s Santa Claran people— who farmed the land and hunted game from the 900s to 1580 A.D. Today, their descendants live 10 miles east, on Santa Clara Pueblo. The first of the ancient pueblos in the Rio Grande River Valley to be excavated, the site consists of split-level cave and cliff dwellings as well as mesa top dwellings and connecting paths and stairways. Guided tours reveal the majesty and mystery of the site and take you to a historic Fred Harvey House built in the late 1800s for tourists traveling by train. The only Harvey House built on Pueblo lands, the building houses an interpretive center and gift shop." Open Fridays - Tuesdays, 8-4 pm. Reservations online
Chimayó
"If you’ve spent some time exploring the city and are ready to see more of Northern New Mexico, consider a day trip to nearby Chimayó. Situated in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the village of Chimayó, New Mexico is just 40 minutes from Santa Fe along The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway. This special place has known for its historic church also features several weaving shops and delectable food." * Restaurant - Rancho de Chimayó
Dale Ball Trails
"The popular Dale Ball Trails system offers 23.4 miles of interconnected high-altitude desert trails in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where piñon and juniper forest greet sturdy ponderosa trees as you ascend to higher altitudes. The system passes pretty close to town, and navigation is simple thanks to clear trail markers. If you're so inclined, follow the steepest path along the ridge to the top of Picacho Peak. The reward for your hike is a breathtaking 360-degree view."
La Choza Restaurant
Bride's favorite restaurant in Santa Fe! Get your dish "Christmas Style" with both red and green chile AMAZING margaritas!
Cowgirl BBQ
Another favorite restaurant of the bride and groom! Highly recommend the green chile cheeseburger...followed by a nap
Cafe Pasqual's
"The Chez Panisse of Santa Fe has been helmed by the same Berkeley-bred chef-owner since the 1970s. While the restaurant isn’t for New Mexican food purists, the local dishes are solid and range from classic renditions to enchiladas gussied up with griddled organic tofu, spinach, and zucchini."
La Casa Sena
Upscale dining with a beautiful courtyard
Geronimo
"For 22 years, the venerable Geronimo, situated in a 1756 adobe, has been serving a bevy of culinary delights. From the house favorites like peppery elk tenderloin to New Mexico lamb chops, the food is accessible and the timeless milieu is intimate. Sit on the front patio with a cocktail for the full Canyon Road people-watching experience. Inside, the stylish series of small dining rooms showcases wood floors, taxidermy, fireplaces, and beamed ceilings."
Santacafe
"Since 1983, Santacafé has been a culinary destination for the chic lunch set (Tom Ford is a fan). Opt, as they do, for eclectic "classics" like crispy calamari with four-chile lime dipping sauce, shrimp and spinach dumplings with tahini sauce, or the homemade pasta of the day. Come summer, the large patio is bustling, while in winter, guests are ushered into the minimalist-yet-cozy dining room, made warm with fireplaces and cool with taxidermy."
Paloma Restaurant
"Sandwiched in between the Railyard District and the plaza, this breezy brick-and-adobe-exposed Mexican-inspired spot features a sprawl of folk art, majolica tiles, distressed windowpanes, and leather banquettes. There’s a range of diverse delights on the menu: duck carnitas, marrow tacos, grilled whole sea bass and, for vegetarians, cauliflower Frito tacos topped with Marcona almonds, raisins, and Spanish olives. For a side dish, order the warm Mexican street corn, known as esquites. To sip, it's all about house-shaken tequila, smoky mezcal cocktails, and classic Mexican brews like Sol and Bohemia."
Taco Fundacion
"For a proper taco fix, score a picnic table at this creative roadside establishment where the tasty folded offerings are stuffed with bison, goat, chicken, beef, shrimp, and fish. The traditional crowd-pleasing tacos al pastor comes with tender pork and sweet pineapple, pairing well with flaky fresh tortilla chips and salsa. There are also veggie options like the verduras—try the sweet potato and garlic kale version or the avocado and fingerling potatoes—and, of course, classic nopales. To drink, opt for fresh and tart hibiscus or sip from a brightly colored bottle of Jarritos."
Dolina Bakery & Cafe
"Cozy Dolina serves a lovely breakfast spread with an Eastern European bent. Try the nutty granola atop Greek yogurt with fruit, ricotta pancakes, and a hearty breakfast burrito with organic eggs, hash browns, and asadero cheese (topped, in good New Mexican fashion, with red or green chile). There's also robust espresso and coffee, local bone broth, and baked grab-and-go sweets like chocolate croissants, banana pie with a flaky, buttery crust, and Slovakian-style vanilla cream puffs."
Modern General Feed And Seed
"In the mornings, Modern General's the spot to grab an acai bowl, a smoothie, or a wheatgrass shot for high-altitude nourishment. This airy general store stocks an assortment of baked goods (try the tart lemon cake) and grab-and-go wares. Check out the curated lineup of chic garden tools, farm lavender soaps from Albuquerque's label Los Poblanos, and kitchen utensils. The cheery, canary-yellow coffee cups (for your almond-milk latte) are a bright addition to a friendly, busy space where locals and travelers unite."
The Compound Restaurant
"The elegant, grown-up Compound Restaurant on Santa Fe's Canyon Road caters to devoted locals and tourists alike with a Southwestern-meets-Mediterranean focus. James Beard Award–winning chef Mark Kiffin scores with entrées like roasted rack of lamb, salmon with crispy pancetta, and wild mushrooms with organic stone-ground polenta. At lunch, the bar menu is less pricey and offers a chance to sample the famed Compound Burger, made with local Lone Mountain Ranch Wagyu beef, and wash it down with a cold beer. Even with the fantastic cuisine, the best parts of this white tablecloth and custom furniture institution remain the clean adobe arches and folk-art decor created by artist Alexander Girard."
Bouche Bistro
"French native chef Charles Dale's light-filled 40-seat bistro Bouche serves farm-to-table food in a mod, casual space. The consistent menu rotates classics such as onion soup, tenderloin steak tartare with a fresh farm egg, black mussels in white wine, roast chicken, and a classic steak au poivre with pommes frites. Save room for the profiteroles au chocolat."
Radish & Rye
"As its name suggests, Radish & Rye promises a spread of fresh farm finds and over 50 varieties of bourbon. Every Tuesday and Saturday, chef David Gaspar de Alba visits the Farmer's Market to inspire his seasonal dishes with small plates like a warming corn chowder with bone marrow and green chili and steak tartare using alabria chili, lime oil and quail yoke. Bigger portions like seared lamb's rib with salsa verde, flageolet and roasted roots pair nicely with vegetable sides including braised greens. Afterwards, slip into the bar for a nightcap, cocktails are courtesy master mixologist and sommelier Quinn Mark Stephenson."
The Pantry
"You can't miss the great signage (cool cursive font) outside The Pantry on Cerrillos Road. For over 60 years, this old classic has been doling out breakfast, lunch and dinner to flocks of hungry patrons, mostly locals. Their filling breakfast sandwich is filled with bacon, scrambled eggs and green chile and an all-American breakfast of chicken-fried steak and biscuits with country sausages."
Tune-Up Café
"A longtime cook at the venerable Café Pasqual’s, chef Jesus Rivera now operates this friendly, funky, and cheerful rustic storefront serving delicious breakfast of Huevos El Salvadoreños (scrambled eggs with green onions and tomato) and the Salvadoran tamale (wrapped in banana leaf). There's also a hearty lunch and dinner, with a nice selection of beer."
Opuntia Cafe
Tea! Plants! Food!
Kakawa Chocolate House
For the chocolate lovers!