Santa Fe

outdoor experiences | spa & wellness | visual arts | cuisine | family fun

Santa Fe

The history-steeped place now known as Santa Fe has inspired art and expression—among Native Americans, Spanish Pueblo architects and modernist icons, as a short list—for nearly a thousand years. Just outside the city limits, the environs teem with variation and life: vast forested public lands, towering mountains, winding river plains and shrubby red-tinged earth collectively challenge notions of what you might expect to find in New Mexico. A wellness oasis with a penchant for margaritas; a hub of activity where easy sophistication meets family-friendly; an art destination where traditional and experimental coexist harmoniously—Santa Fe doesn’t fit into any kind of box, and that’s exactly why it’s so inspiring.

Part of what makes “The City Different” so special is the ease with which one can go from, say, a spicy burrito breakfast in town to a mountain trail through alpine forests and blooming meadows. The Dale Ball trail system, with trailheads set just outside town, spans 24 miles in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Among the routes there, you’ll find easy 2-mile loops; challenging 10-mile bike rides traversing multiple peaks; and connections to surrounding trail systems for even richer possibilities. And this is just the beginning—there are dozens of maintained trails to explore through diverse terrain, within an easy drive of the city. The mountains intersect with the Santa Fe National Forest Pecos Wilderness Area, where you can enjoy hikes with sweeping mountain vistas, or pack a picnic to savor amid the emerald spruce trees, alpine lakes and seasonal wildflowers.

Santa Fe is also an exceptional destination for skiing, with 89 powdery, high-elevation slopes open from late November to early March. The local resort area, Ski Santa Fe, is popular; arrive early to beat the rush. And be sure to allow time for acclimation when engaging in any high-elevation activities. (Fun fact: At 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe is the highest capital city in the U.S.)

Regal mountains & pristine forests

Exhilarating adventures

will be your muse

in collaboration with:

BACK TO THE TOP

Whatever new year's reset you're craving—a health reboot, a renewed creative focus or a spiritual immersion—you'll likely find the ingredients to address it in Santa Fe. Aptly named Santa Fe Workshops connects accomplished local photographers with those seeking in-depth guidance via multi-day courses. Meanwhile, yoga enthusiasts can tote their mats to nonprofit Santa Fe Community Yoga. The studio offers a full list of by-donation or low-cost classes—covering everything from breath-focused hatha to slow vinyasa to spirited laughter yoga. For those who'd like a spa treatment post-savasana, Body of Santa Fe offers kundalini, and ashtanga sessions, among others, plus massage therapy infused with Reiki, shiatsu or deep tissue techniques. Time your visit to coincide with their monthly New Moon Ceremonies, which combine a variety of healing techniques in a 2-hour evening session.

Energizing workshops

Modern-day wellness oases

Today, Santa Fe's wellness opps are richer still. You can soak in the area's natural, mineral-rich hot springs—treasured by Indigenous inhabitants since ancient times—at Ojo Santa Fe, which also touts an expansive, aquifer-fed saltwater pool. Ten Thousand Waves employs Japanese hot spring bathing traditions and offers guests self-contained hot tub, sauna and changing rooms for each party. From waterfall-style cold plunges to Japanese bath house-style showers, each experience is competely unique—advance reservations required. Local spas (Nidah Spa at the Eldorado Hotel; Wo' P'in Spa at Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder; and Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, for example) employ a blend of ancient and modern healing techniques, earth-sourced herbs and oils plus energy-balancing bodywork in their therapies.

Healing history

Santa Fe was nature-made for wellness, with its clean arid air, ample sunshine, volcanic hot springs and high elevation (of note, high-altitude living has been linked to longer lifespans). It first caught on as a hotbed for healing during the late 1800s, when the tuberculosis epidemic literally had people heading for the New Mexico hills in search of ideal recovery conditions. Sanitoriums aimed at curing tuberculosis and other ailments attracted an eclectic mix of people from across the United States, including artists, architects and other creatives. Many of these stayed on after they recoverd—a fact which amplified Santa Fe's already diverse cultural milieu.

Santa Fe hosts a revolving door of thought-provoking art on a daily basis. But the city also pulls out all the stops for three iconic annual art markets: International Folk Art Market (July 11-14), Traditional Spanish Market (July 27-28) and SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market (Aug. 17-18). Each of these long-running events (the Spanish Market, for one, got its start 98 years ago) preserves the dwindling tradition of creating art and objects by hand, using techniques passed down through generations. Spring brings the Canyon Road Spring Art Festival (May 11). The fest is a sort of plein air art extravaganza; resident artists convene outside their galleries to demonstrate their processes live. And monthly events go on year-round—for example, art walks through the downtown and Railyard Arts districts (1st and last Fridays, respectively), plus pottery throwdowns at Paseo Pottery (first Fridays) for those who like their art hands-on.

Art events

Indigenous art

Santa Fe is also one of the best places on earth to see works from Indigenous peoples. IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts is a prime example; it's the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to progressive work by contemporary Native artists from around the world. The museum, which was ranked among the top 10 museums in the country by USA Today readers last year, will unveil new exhibits this season, including a film installation from Inuit artist Inuk Silis Høegh and a collection of works by Indigenous female artists from the Brazilian rainforest. Shop one-of-a-kind creations made by Native American makers at the iconic Palace of the Governors in historic Santa Fe Plaza. From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, artisans display their handmade wares as part of the Native American Artisans Portal Program. Traditional pottery and jewelry crafted of New Mexico-mined turquoise are among the high-quality items.

A rich gallery & museum scene

"Pound for pound, Santa Fe, NM is the world champion of visual art." These words from a recent Forbes article are underscored by the city's frequent appearance on both domestic and international art-related "best-of" lists. In Canyon Road's rustic adobe buildings, more than 80 galleries and studios invite art fans to explore locally created paintings, sculptures and pottery. The artistic intrigue continues in the Railyard Arts District, where spacious warehouse-style buildings—including the brand-new and much-anticipated New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary—showcase world-class works with a focus on New Mexican artists. Of course, you can't talk about art in Santa Fe without mentioning the city's most celebrated former resident, Georgia O'Keeffe. The museum dedicated to the modernist's work will reopen select galleries in mid-February after undergoing roof maintenance.

Next to its iconic chiles, sweet, tangy and salt-rimmed margaritas are one of Santa Fe's best-loved specialties. As expected in a place fueled by creativity, variety is rich. You'll find margaritas made with smoked sage, poblano peppers, apricots—and even one named after a local ghost. Margaritas are such serious business here, the city has created a trail map that leads to 50 of the area's best mixology spots. When you download the Santa Fe Margarita Trail Passport app (or purchase a paper copy), you can start tasting your way across the trail, while saving $1 on each venue's signature margarita. You can earn up to two passport stamps per day; redeem anywhere from five to 30 stamps for t-shirts, mixology books and bartending kits, among other prizes.

Santa Fe Margarita Trail

Fan-favorite dining

In a city where the food offerings are as inspired as the art scene, the list of must-try restaurants is long. Start the day with an organic burrito stuffed with eggs, gouda, salsa, hash browns and (of course) green chiles at Cafe Pasqual's. There's often a wait, but if you're open to a spot at the communal table, you may dig in faster (and make new friends). Zacatlán serves authentic Southwestern cuisine (enchiladas, tacos and chilaquiles), plus thoughtful vegetarian options and a dash of fun (there's a "chicken and waffles" dish that involves churros and cotton candy). Headed by a James Beard Award-winning chef, Sazón offers a refined yet adventurous tasting menu that in itself is worth a trip. Family-friendly spots include Cowgirl BBQ, where the slow-roasted ribs, local brews and outdoor kids' play area all get high marks. Hit up Whoo's Donuts or Kakawa Chocolate House for rave-worthy desserts.

Local flavors

Santa Fe's cuisine is as distinctive as the city itself, blending traditions from Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican and American Southwest kitchens to create an exciting and diverse array of flavors. When in town, seek out Santa Fe-famous Frito pie (chili, beans, cheese and fixin's poured atop some corn chips—and potentially eaten right out of the bag), and anise-laced biscochito, the official cookie of the state of New Mexico. There's one food item you won't have to look for in Santa Fe—and that's because they're everywhere. Locally grown chiles. Red, green or both (the locals call this "Christmas,") these sweet and hot peppers are a source of local pride and a default inclusion inside tamales, tacos, stews and omelets, for starters.

Bandelier National Monument

Lorem ipsum

Outdoor experiences

Spa & wellness

Visual arts

Cuisine

Las Conchas Trailhead

Aspen Vista Hiking

Lorem ipsum

Plan your trip

Inn of the Five Graces

Las Conchas Trailhead

Native American artist, George Alexander, at his studio Ofuskie.

"Barn Dog," a steel sculpture by Don Kennell

Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort

IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

The Pink Adobe

Sazón

Reffen Street Food Market Photo credits: Lukas Bukoven (left); Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food (right)

SEE OUR OFFERS

Santa Fe Plaza

Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort

Lorem ipsum dolor

Why

Lorem ipsum dolor

Family fun

Mind-blowing archeological sites, ancient petroglyphs and ruggedly beautiful landscapes make Bandelier National Monument—a 33,000-acre protected national park—well worth the 40-mile drive from the city. Wooden ladders are placed along the family-friendly, 1.4-mile Pueblo Loop Trail (formerly called the Main Loop), inviting curious visitors to climb up and explore the cavates set inside the volcanic rock face. These small human-carved dwellings were created by Pueblo people more than 600 years ago, using only stone tools. Hundreds of petroglyphs—depicting animals, people and yet-to-be understood symbols—can also be seen along this trail, providing further evidence that this region has nurtured the creative spirit since time immemorial.

Ancient encounters

The BLOX Building (left); The Black Diamond (right) Photo credit: Daniel Rasmussen

Bandelier National Monument

Open-air adventure

At the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, your crew can walk through orchards with colorful bursts of roses and lavender that bloom in late spring; piñon-juniper woodlands starring native plants; and an ethnobotanical garden featuring traditional medicinal plants. As schools close in June, Santa Fe's living history museum El Rancho de Las Golondrinas reopens for the season (private tours by appointment are available starting in April). Set just south of the city on 200 acres of historic rural farmland, the site features adobe buildings built on original foundations dating back to the colonial era. Kids can interact with museum guides dressed in period garb, and, depending on the day, may get to witness demonstrations of traditional food preparation (with samples), garment weaving or live music.

Santa Fe Botanical Garden (left); El Rancho de Las Golondrinas (right)

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

All-ages exhibits

Santa Fe's eclecticism and fresh energy make it an easy fit for family getaways, and its kid-focused attractions make it an even bigger win. The Santa Fe Children's Museum engages younger kids with natural science-themed exhibits, an outdoor play space and Litezilla (essentially a giant Lite-Brite game). For kids fascinated by creepy crawlies, The Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum showcases an impressive collection of artifacts, fossils and natural objects—and allows kids to handle friendly bugs. But area attractions that aren't specifically aimed at kids are just as likely to be a huge hit. The 20,000-square foot Meow Wolf gallery's House of Eternal Return exhibit amounts to a kaleidoscopic 70-room adventure through neon black-lit forests and playful art installations sure to surprise and delight all ages.

Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return

BACK TO THE TOP

Rafting the Rio Grande (left); Ski Santa Fe (right) Photo Credit: New Mexico River Adventures (left))

Dale Ball trails

Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort (left); Sauna at Ten Thousand Waves (right) Photo Credit: Elliot Ross (right)

Canyon Road (left); Native jewelry by Verma Nequatewa (right)

With its wealth and diversity of natural beauty—plus an average of 320+ sunny days per year—Santa Fe is an ideal place to take outdoor adventure to another level. Watch the sun set over the horizon as you trot across the grassy steppes on horseback. Marvel at intense swirls of stars from a sleeping bag under open skies (camping is allowed almost anywhere in Santa Fe National Forest). Or join a rafting tour to navigate the churning white waters of the Rio Grande or Rio Chama rivers, about an hour outside the city.

International Folk Art Market (left); Native jewelry by Verma Nequatewa (right)

The Bell Tower Bar (left); Secreto Lounge (right)

Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe

outdoor experiences | spa & wellness | visual arts | cuisine | family fun