There’s a lot to love about Santa Fe, but for us here at Backroads, the thing that makes this high desert city so special is its rich blend of cultures, arts and gorgeous Southwestern landscapes. Earning its nickname as "The City Different," Santa Fe proudly mixes Native American, Spanish and Anglo influences in its historical adobe architecture, art galleries and celebrated annual traditions. Santa Fe stands out as a city that feels both deeply rooted in history and creatively contemporary.
Where We Visit
Here are some of the Santa Fe, Taos and New Mexico experiences we highlight on our Santa Fe Bike Tour Four-Day Getaway and Santa Fe & Taos Hiking & Walking trips:
- Taking a private guided walk through historic downtown Santa Fe
- Visiting Bandelier National Monument to see cliff dwellings and ancient Pueblo sites
- Biking and hiking through high desert landscapes, foothills, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
- Taking scenic byways and rural roads like the High Road to Taos, passing through old Spanish villages, and stopping at chapels and adobe churches
- Visiting art galleries and museums featuring folk art, indigenous art and the work of famous residents including Georgia O’Keeffe.
Pre- & Post-Trip Ideas: What to Do in Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a great place to begin or end a trip, and it’s absolutely worth adding on a few days to make the most of this special city. Here are some ideas to inspire your ideal itinerary:
1) Best of Santa Fe in a Day
Morning: Stroll between sights in Santa Fe’s historical downtown, allowing plenty of time to pause at art galleries, shops and food carts along your path. Start at the Santa Fe Plaza, soaking up the vibe and maybe stopping in at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts; then wander toward the Palace of the Governors, where Native American artisans sell jewelry, pottery and crafts. Stop in at the 19th-century Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the nearby Loretto Chapel, which is famous for its “Miraculous Staircase.”
Afternoon: Both of our Santa Fe trips include a walking tour of the Canyon Road Arts District, but with more than galleries tucked into old adobe casitas to check out, you might want to spend some more time here. For a taste of the art scene come to life, check out Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, a highly imaginative interactive installation.
2) Santa Fe’s Incredible Culture and Rich History
Morning: Spend the morning on Museum Hill, hopping between a few of Santa Fe’s most place-specific museums. Perhaps the Museum of International Folk Art, home to the world’s largest folk art collection; the Native American arts focused Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian; or the archaeology- and Pueblo-culture-focused Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.
Afternoon: Walk around the Santa Fe Railyard District and the Canyon Road Arts District. Both are full of galleries and shops, and on Saturdays, there’s a popular farmers market in the Railyard District. If you haven’t already had your fill of spa experiences at Backroads hotels, consider the short drive out of town to Ten Thousand Waves onsen-style spa.
3) Where to Stay
On our trips, we stay at spots including the iconic Bishop’s Lodge and Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado. Before or after a Backroads trip, we recommend the perfectly located La Fonda on the Plaza (it sits right on the plaza across from the Palace of the Governors); the Inn & Spa at Loretto, which sits at the end of the Old Santa Fe Trail just a few blocks from the plaza; and the small and inviting Inn on the Alameda.
4) Planning Ahead
Before you go, check the event calendar to see what’s on in Santa Fe while you’re there. In the May-June and September-October windows when Backroads schedules trips to make the most of the good weather, the city is alive with cultural and arts events including the Santa Fe International Literary Festival in May, the Currents New Media Festival in June, Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta in September and October’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day Weekend. Note that some of the city’s most famous events, including the world-class Santa Fe Opera season and the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market take place in July and August.
More Santa Fe Tips
- Santa Fe sits at 7,000 feet. At this high elevation, be sure to drink extra water, wear plenty of sunscreen (and a hat) and pace yourself until you’ve acclimated
- Downtown is delightfully walkable, so unless you’re planning on adding in some day trips, you likely won’t need a rental car
- In summer, days are hot but evenings cool down quickly. If you’re headed out after dark, be sure to bring a layer
- Don’t miss signature Santa Fe dishes such as green chile stew, tamales and posole along with sweets like sopaipillas and the anise-flavored biscochito cookie
