Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Santa Fe, New Mexico. #Top Attractions

Preparing to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico? You are on the right page! Here is our hand-picked list of the top activities and attractions in Santa Fe, New Mexico, so you can make the most of your time there. Scroll down for the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the best places to visit in Santa Fe, New Mexico. As a Web 3.0 travel startup, Wondrous Drifter aspires to make a huge impact on the world.

Astronomy Adventures

If you want to get even closer to the cosmos, Astronomy Adventures is the place to go.

In Santa Fe, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful sights on the ground and in the sky.

A trip with Astronomy Adventures will allow you to see the night sky as you’ve never seen it before.

Astronomy Adventures are a great way to get to know other astronomers and marvel at the wonders of the night sky.

Guests are taken to see the stars as they were designed to be seen by this firm.

Light pollution will not interfere with the ethereal beauty of these heavenly bodies.

Also, paying attention to your tour guide is a ton of fun.

With the telescope they have on hand, you’ll see the stars and other celestial objects like the moon in incredible detail.

For sure, these images will stay with you for a long time.

When you gaze up at the stars in the future, you’ll be reminded of just how many marvels there are yet to be discovered.

Address: 201 W. Marcy St. Santa Fe, NM

Bandelier National Monument

The Bandelier National Monument is one of the top attractions in New Mexico.

Native American city-states ruled the Southwest millennia before Europeans arrived in North America.

There are still ruins to be seen in the Bandelier National Monument.

Ancestors of the Pueblo tribe lived in old cave shelters and stone buildings at the foot of Frijoles Canyon.

In addition to following the paved path through the town, you may also climb wooden ladders to access caverns.

The neighboring park, with its 33,000 acres of backcountry wilderness, animals, and over 70 miles of hiking trails, is a great place to spend time after you visit the monument.

While getting here from downtown Santa Fe might be a hassle, visitors say it’s well worth the effort if you want to take in the scenery and explore.

Climbing the ladders and peering into the cave houses will hit families with young children.

Bring lots of water with you, and ensure you’ve dressed appropriately for trekking.

Address: 15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM

Canyon Road

If there was doubt that Santa Fe is a top destination for art lovers, one need only take a drive down Canyon Road.

Canyon Road used to be a commercial route that led to Pecos, a small town on the eastern side of the Rockies.

More than a hundred artists’ studios, galleries, and workshops are currently housed there, many specializing in indigenous crafts and traditions worldwide.

The numerous galleries and shops along the street offer everything from jewelry and pottery to handbags and paintings.

The road itself is a work of art in and of itself.

Antique adobe homes adorned with vibrantly colored flowers house many of the galleries, and artwork is frequently shown outside.

According to recent visitors, the best approach to discovering this art district is to stroll along the street.

This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with art without being restricted to a specific building or organization.

Restaurants like Geronimo and The Compound are also known for their powerful chili pepper odors, which permeate the air.

While roaming about, there are plenty of places to dine and relax, including teahouses, cafes, and restaurants.

Address: Canyon Rd Santa Fe, NM

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El Rancho de Las Golondrinas

The El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is one of the best things to do in New Mexico.

Consider this place in your list of places to see when visiting Santa Fe.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, a living history museum about 10 minutes south of Santa Fe, is a historic Spanish property that dates back to 1710.

Historic structures from all throughout the state have been transferred to this 200-acre property, including 33 original structures.

Also, there are treasures in El Rancho de Las Golondrinas.

As a 16th-century Spanish hacienda, it has been transformed into a fascinating look at how people formerly lived.

A general store, a schoolhouse, and a mill are also included in this collection of buildings.

Interpreters specializing in living history give hands-on experiences in traditional skills, such as weaving and spinning, cooking and tinsmithing, farming, and blacksmithing.

Additionally, the ranch offers several events throughout the year, including traditional corrals.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is a great place to have a good time while learning a lot.

Address: 334 Los Pinos Rd, Santa Fe, NM

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

From an unquestionable master of her art, you may wonder at this museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico with your family or loved ones.

O’Keeffe is one of America’s best painters. Indeed, she is a symbol of the American West.

In Santa Fe, the biggest collection of O’Keeffe’s work may be seen in the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which has over 3,000 pieces by the artist.

Every visit to the collection is different since different areas are open to the public at different times of the year.

Besides O’Keeffe and other modernists like Pollock, Levine, and Warhol, the museum offers special exhibits of their work.

Workshops, seminars, and kid-friendly activities are all available to museum visitors throughout the year.

It also looks for O’Keeffe’s former Abiquiu residence, a National Historic Landmark open to the public by appointment.

O’Keeffe’s works might inspire you to see the world in a new light.

Address: 217 Johnson Street, Santa Fe, NM

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Loretto Chapel

The Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe should be on your list of must-see attractions with your family.

As a result, Bishop Jean-Baptiste Goulet, in 1850, asked the Loretto Sisters of Kentucky to send seven sisters into Santa Fe to assist him in improving the ailing educational system in New Mexico.

Lamy built this stunning Gothic Revival chapel in honor of the nuns who created the Holy Lady of Light Academy in 1853 with 300 students.

Antoine Mouly, a French architect, created the chapel’s spires, stained-glass windows and buttresses.

The chapel’s unique spiral stairway, built completely of hardwood and braced by a secret steel frame core column, creates the impression that the building is hovering in midair.

In fact, Loretto Chapel stands out from other religious structures because of its unique characteristics.

Photos of Loretto Chapel show off the chapel’s beauty.

You may scratch your eyes in amazement when you see it in person.

Address: 207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM

Liquid Light Glass

Visitors at Liquid Light Glass in Santa Fe, New Mexico, may observe glassblowers at work and even participate in making their own masterpieces.

Elodie Holmes, a renowned glassblower, founded Liquid Light Glass, a gallery and studio.

Tourists may look at the final products, see the artisans create new ones, and even sign up for a workshop.

Students may discover how to create and manufacture your own glass masterpieces, such as blown glass cups, paperweights, also flowers, in various workshop lengths and formats.

Moreover, tourists traveling throughout Santa Fe can have their final items shipped to them at the studio’s request.

At its southern end, the District of Baca Street Arts has Liquid Light glass, a portion of the former railyards.

In the center of Santa Fe’s art district, you’ll find many interesting boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.

For those with a penchant for inventiveness, a visit to Liquid Light Glass is a must.

Address: 926 Baca Street, Ste 3. Santa Fe, NM

Meow Wolf

The Meow Wolf is one of the best places to visit in New Mexico.

Meow Wolf is a fascinating interactive and immersive art project that is sure to be different from anything you’ve seen or done before.

It is a group of hundreds of artists that started making art and putting on shows in 2008.

The “House of Eternal Return,” which is the group’s most interactive piece, is called the same thing by several other people.

This immersive, out-of-this-world, impossible-to-describe exhibit is in a 20,000-square-foot room.

When it opened in 2015, the exhibit quickly became a major permanent attraction in the city. It offers a psychedelic escape into a universe full of images and settings that belong in science fiction movies.

There are secret doors, paths to other worlds, strange halls, music, and amazing art.

You can follow the strange story of the “family” who lived there and then disappeared if you want to, but you don’t have to enjoy the exhibit.

Recent visitors raved about the strange experience, saying it’s unlike anything they’ve ever seen. They recommend that others give themselves plenty of time to look into it.

A place where people of all ages can go and have fun!!

Address: 1352 Rufina Cir, Santa Fe, NM‎

Museum of New Mexico Complex

In the Museum of New Mexico Complex, there are four museums where people can learn about the history of New Mexico.

In the early 16th century, the New Mexico History Museum displays the state’s native people and colonialism.

It essentially tells how Santa Fe Trail affected the state’s economy and growth.

Moreover, the museum is part of the National Historic Landmark Palace of the Governors.

In the 17th century, this building was the center of Spanish power.

Additionally, tourists can walk around the castle and check out rooms that are decorated and furnished in the 1600s style.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the first-ever printing press used in New Mexico.

The Fray Angelico Chavez History Library, part of the complex, has archive materials and historical records.

In fact, it showcases over 750,000 photographs from the middle of the 19th century.

Don’t forget to stop by the Native American art market when you’re there.

Address: E Palace Ave. Santa Fe, NM

Museum of International Folk Art

This is the place to be if you’re looking to broaden your cultural horizons.

Learning about culture via its folk art is one of the finest methods to do it.

Since its inception in 1953, the Museum of Worldwide Folk Art has amassed the biggest collection of international folk art in existence. Items like baskets, textiles, wood carvings, and pottery fall within this category.

Groupings include African and Middle Eastern; Contemporary Hispano; Europe and North American; European and Latin American; also Latin America.

Sections on Spanish Colonialism and Textiles & Costumes are also available.

Florence Dibell Bartlett, the museum’s founder, donated the items that now make up the collection.

In the past few decades, the museum’s collection has grown significantly thanks to the generosity of many additional donors.

The museum hosts a slew of special events and exhibitions throughout the year.

It’s worth a visit to the Museum of International Folk Art if you’re in Sante Fe for the weekend.

Address: On Museum Hill, 706 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM

New Mexico State Capitol

Santa Fe Plaza is a short walk from the New Mexico State Capitol, the state’s administrative hub.

Because of its similarity to the Zia Pueblo’s round emblem, which is also the state symbol of New Mexico, it is colloquially known as the “Roundhouse.”

It was built in 1966 and had a distinctive mix of Territorial Revival and Neoclassical style elements.

The State Capitol building, designed by Robert E. McKee in the shape of the sun, which appears on the New Mexico flag, was called “The Roundhouse.”

The 60-foot-high rotunda is in the middle of the country’s only spherical capital, which is 232,000 square feet.

In addition to its distinctive appearance, the Capitol is a must-see for art enthusiasts.

The Capitol Art Foundation’s collection includes about 600 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and photography.

Look around at all of the great paintings portraying the history and culture of the people of New Mexico that can be seen throughout the facility.

Address: 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM

Palace of the Governors

One of the most spectacular buildings in Santa Fe’s square is the Palace of the Governors, completed in 1610.

Since it was built in 1610, the Palace of the Governors has been open to public usage longer than any other building in the United States.

The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 took place during the adobe construction. The Pueblo Indians successfully drove the Spanish out of Santa Fe.

Over 400 years of state history are now displayed at this National Historic Landmark.

Outside, Native American artisans offer their wares, including handcrafted trinkets and jewelry.

Recent visitors say they learned a lot from their time here,

Furthermore, not only were they provided with information on the building’s history and New Mexico, but they were also able to learn about various crafts and products that were for sale.

The palace’s antique treasures provide an intriguing view into the building’s, city’s, and state’s past because of its abundance of beautiful furniture and period items.

Address: 105 W Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM

St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Basilica

This is one of the most visually appealing churches in the Southwest, and it’s been around for over a century.

With its Corinthian columns, breathtaking arches, and square towers, the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Basilica is a stunning illustration inspired Romanesque Revival style.

It replaced an earlier adobe church and was constructed between years of 1868 and the year of 1885.

Moreover, the Virgin Mary statue often referred to as the “Holy Mother of Conquistadora,” is housed in the final intact section of the ancient church.

The earliest statue of its sort is in the US, and it was placed in the location of Spain by a Spanish explorer in 1626.

Stained glass from France, Brazilian stone baptismal fonts, and exquisite woodwork all contribute to the cathedral’s stunning but understated interior design.

There is a carving of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton on the keystone, among its finest characteristics and has sparked a considerable dispute over the years.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is a must-see for everyone interested in religious architecture.

Address: 131 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM

Randall Davey Audubon Center

This center in Santa Fe is absolutely for the birds.

Santa Fe’s Higher Canyon Highway, the 135-acre Randall Davey Audubon Center, offers bird-watching trips and nature hikes.

It’s a serene location with some interesting history.

Moreover, it is estimated that the facility hosts 130 different bird species due to its location within the River Watershed of Santa Fe.

The historic Randall Davey House is located in the intricate, which includes multiple structures.

Davey converted this former sawmill into his own art studio and residence.

It was inherited by his family after he passed away in 1965, and it now serves as a cultural and sanctuary center for the National Audubon Society.

To sum it up, look no further than places like Randall Davey Audubon Zoo.

You have the option of exploring on your own or joining a tour to learn more about the area and its residents.

Address: 1800 Upper Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Opera House

If you’re looking for a sophisticated place to spend time in Santa Fe, consider the Santa Fe Opera House.

Despite the fact that the opera building was just completed in 1998, it boasts a stunning design. The stage’s sound is reflected back to the audience by the ceiling’s sails.

In the summer, operas are presented in the Santa Fe Opera House, a world-famous venue for the art form.

There is no better-performing arts center in New Mexico than the Santa Fe Opera House. A wide variety of operas are included, including classics like Madame Butterfly and more recent pieces like Doctor Atomic.

Tailgating is a beloved custom in Santa Fe. It’s a strange sight to see so many people in their finery before a movie, especially in the parking lot.

All year long, the opera house provides apprenticeships in all aspects of production and backstage tours in addition to performances at various periods of the year.

Theatergoers in the Southwest can’t go wrong with the Santa Fe Opera House. The place should be on your itinerary if at all possible.

Address: 301 Opera Dr, Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Plaza

You can come to the Santa Fe Plaza any day of the week and find something amazing to see or do because it hosts so many wonderful events.

The Plaza, a bustling market area, established by the Spaniards at the end of the Santa Fe Trail, serves as the beating heart of town life.

There are now various stores, galleries, restaurants, and cafes surrounding the Plaza.

The greatest spot in the city to buy Native American arts and crafts, especially jewelry, is right there for visitors to discover.

The Plaza is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, making it a great place to see the city’s daily life.

In addition, you’ll want to snap as many images as possible so that you have something to show your friends when you return.

The Plaza is a great place to spend a weekend in Santa Fe if you’re seeking something exciting to do.

Address: 63 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Farmers’ Market

A farmer’s market has its place even in the most technologically advanced towns, like Santa Fe.

At the rebuilt Santa Fe Railyard, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market attracts more than 150 local farmers and vendors every Saturday morning.

You may shop for fresh produce and other goods from local vendors while taking in the city’s happy atmosphere.

With a long history of selling everything from dry beans and peas to corn and squash and apples to breakfast burritos and bread and coffee the market has been open since 2002.

Local musicians and other artists participate during the market, enhancing the ambiance.

Also, the market’s dominant organization mandates that all commodities be produced in close proximity to where they are consumed.

More than 80 percent of the components and materials needed to produce processed goods will be supplied by Northern New Mexico.

Overall, at the Railyard Artisan Market, you’ll find beautiful artwork by local artists.

You should visit each of the four different markets.

Address: 1607 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM

San Miguel Mission Chapel

San Miguel Mission Chapel is more than just a beautiful place of worship; it also has a heartwarming backstory.

In the words of one historian, it’s “the oldest church in the continent of the US.”

The San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, dates back to 1636, making it one of the city’s oldest ecclesiastical structures.

At the beginning of the 18th century, San Miguel Mission Chapel was destroyed and rebuilt.

The high altar, which depicts St. Gertrude, dates back to 1798 and is home to a slew of beautiful sculptures.

With its open bell tower and cross sticking out of the top, this adobe construction appears to have different colors depending on the angle of sunlight hitting it.

The clean white walls and wood furnishings on the ceiling are adorned with a variety of interesting artworks.

In addition, statues of religious figures, such as St. Michael, may be found within.

San Miguel Mission Chapel is the place to go if you want to be close to something genuinely remarkable.

Address: 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Skiing

New Mexico has some of the best ski resorts in the Southwest, which may surprise some visitors.

Late fall to early spring are prime times for skiing here, with some resorts receiving up to

Santa Fe is about a two-hour drive from four major ski resorts.

While many people are aware of the challenging terrain of Taos Ski Valley, which attracts guests from all over the country.

Moreover, there is a number of surrounding resorts that provide more family-friendly skiing.

Those who don’t own a car can take a downtown shuttle to Ski Santa Fe, about 15 miles away.

It’s less than an hour’s drive from Santa Fe to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, which covers 750 acres and has 45 tracks.

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort is another good minor ski area, about an hour outside of town.

Visitors may enjoy three terrain parks, over 40 trails, and leisure amenities during the summer months.

Check the individual resort websites for lift ticket prices, trails, events, operating hours, and snow reports for those planning to ski or snowboard in the Southwest.

Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian

While in Santa Fe, New Mexico, be sure to check out the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.

You’ll get more information on the culture and contributions of Native Americans.

The museum is all about Native American arts and crafts from the Southwest.

Moreover, the art of the Navajo and other Native American tribes is on exhibit here, and it’s quite moving.

Among the exhibits of the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian is a wide variety of Native American artifacts.

For example, it contains woven textiles and silverware, and sand paintings that are all examples of its cultural heritage.

Also, there are several documents written in clay in the collection.

Exhibitions of contemporary art are also on show.

Hastiin Klah, a Navajo “medicine man” who Mary Cabot Wheelwright had known for many years and with whom she was close.

In fact, it helped her launch the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in the early 1930s.

If you don’t realize how vital Native Americans are to American culture, you can’t begin to comprehend it.

For a deeper insight, check out the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indians.

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Address: 704 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM