From the town’s historic plaza to its vibrant art scene, Santa Fe, New Mexico presents more than enough activities to keep you busy for a month. The following is a narrowed-down selection of what to see, where to eat and what to do in a weekend visit to America’s oldest state capitol.
Be warned though: you’ll need to plan frequent trips back to see everything this flavorful town has to offer.
The plaza
Santa Fe’s heart lies in the downtown plaza, where its history first began more than 400 years ago. It’s here that Pueblo Indians first lived, before the town was conquered by the Spanish and settled by Mexicans. By 1821, when Mexico gained its independence from Spain and trade was opened up to America, the plaza marked the end of the journey for settlers on the Santa Fe Trail.
Today, the plaza is filled with shoppers, tourists and locals alike, all listening to live music from the bandstand, and all bidding for a chance to purchase hand-crafted jewelry from Native American artisans who set up shops on the sidewalks outside the Palace of Governors.
The Santa Fe area is home to several historic structures, including the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the De Vargas House—reputed to be the oldest house in the U.S.—and the Loretto Chapel, where, in 1881, a mysterious two-story spiral staircase was built without any visual means of support.
Soak in the distinctive southwestern architecture that has been preserved around the plaza. Featuring adobe exteriors, vegas as structural elements and one-foot-thick walls, these buildings were created using local resources and natural components. Needless to say, today’s architecture has not been able to improve upon this classic construction.
Museums
If you’re a fan of Georgia O’Keeffe’s work, you’ll love the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Filled with her paintings and sketches, the museum offers great insight into the artist’s life and legacy. You can also purchase tickets to tour her home and studio in Abiqui, New Mexico at the museum.
Learn more about the state’s colorful past at the New Mexico History Museum. Featuring exhibits from The Manhattan Project of Los Alamos to large photo archives from as far back as the 1850s, the museum provides a great overall view of the state’s history.
The IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts has collections and exhibitions of progressive native artwork and installations. With a permanent collection of over 7,500 pieces, as well as rotating art shows for local talent, it’s the only museum of its kind in the country.
Did you say art?
Santa Fe is well known for its enormous collection of art galleries, exhibits and festivals, due in large part to the city’s welcoming attitude toward new and established artists. The result: the creation of an environment rich in creativity and exploration.
It’s not surprising to find traditional Native American pottery in one gallery and Greek myths depicted in base relief in the next. Sculpture, paintings, wood carvings, photography, weavings, and prints are all well represented all throughout town.
If you’re looking for a centrally based area of art galleries in which to spend an afternoon, take a walk down Canyon Road. The street is guaranteed to overwhelm your senses with gallery after gallery, each full of wonderfully displayed artwork.
Performance art
In addition to more traditional art forms, performance art is also a mainstay in Santa Fe. Just north of town is a stunning outdoor amphitheater that houses the Santa Fe Opera every summer. Tickets go fast, but if you plan a trip during the summer months, be sure to add this venue to your to-do list and listen to Puccini under the stars.
Meow Wolf—otherwise known as the House of Eternal Return—is an interactive art experience that might come under the impression of performance art, only in reality you will be the performer. Step inside Meow Wolf and you’ll find yourself navigating through rooms, tunnels, and even refrigerators with dozens of other visitors, as you interact with art in a highly unusual venue.
Farmers market
Leave it to Santa Fe to create a unique take on the typical farmers market. Located in the Santa Fe Railyard Arts District, this market is open year-round, providing passerby with local produce, artwork, food, and entertainment. When you’re finished shopping outside, wander inside to find several shops and restaurants to continue your experience.
Hungry?
Santa Fe is the ultimate destination for genuine New Mexican cuisine. If you crave enchilada montada—or stacked enchiladas—you’ve come to the right town. In all honesty, this capitol city has become a foodie’s dream, with fine dining venues specializing in everything from Mediterranean and Caribbean dishes to French and African entrees to Middle Eastern and Southwestern deserts.
Don’t let the displays of chili peppers fool you—Santa Fe has international tastes for every palate, with a wide variety of restaurant offerings and price points.
Come for a visit
The desert southwest has given Santa Fe some beautiful, photogenic surroundings, and the city’s history—filled with stories of conquerors, as well as cohesive community—makes Santa Fe a highly desired travel destination.
The Christmas season is a great time to visit, as the town celebrates its Spanish, Mexican and Native American heritage with lights and festivals. Not to mention, you can avoid the summer heat, and still immerse yourself in the magic of Santa Fe.
Rent an RV from Outdoorsy, head to Santa Fe for the weekend and prepare to be entranced by the town’s unique charm!
