Santa Fe was not on my radar. It wasn’t on my list of potential places to visit. I was actually not interested. When work brought me here for a conference, my expectations were not that high. I hate to be so brutally honest, but these were truly my sentiments. Not only was I wrong, but I have since visited Santa Fe on multiple return visits. There is definitely more to see and plenty of things not to miss in Santa Fe. Below are some great ways to spend your time in Santa Fe.
Things to See and Do in Santa Fe
1. Gruet Tasting Room. If you are a fan of sparkling wines, this is the place for you. Personally, I am a huge fan of bubbles. This tasting room is located inside the Hotel St. Francis. It is small with an outdoor patio and some bar seating. I tried the heritage flight of bubbles, which included four sparkling wines. In the afternoon, they do offer a happy hour where you can get half price glasses of bubbles. I really enjoy their product as their bottles are tasty and affordable. Typically, they run somewhere between $14-$16 a bottle. Their barrel aged Blanc de Noirs is one of my personal favorites!
2. Herve Tasting Room. This is another tasting room that serves food as well. It offers a little more extensive variety of wines. Their rose was quite good and has been a previous award winner. They also offer port, which most of the wine rooms do not. I tried the Kiva as part of my selection of four in the tasting flight. The atmosphere is relaxed and the seating is a little more plentiful than at the Gruet Tasting Room.
3. Meow Wolf. I never heard of Meow Wolf before visiting Santa Fe. Today, there are many places that have Meow Wolf, but their first location was in Santa Fe. This is essentially a fun playhouse for adults. There are art installations and doors/mysteries around every corner. You could really spend quite some time exploring here, or you can walk right through for something more abbreviated. It was so much fun! We went after enjoying a tasting flight at the Gruet tasting room, which turned out to be the perfect afternoon. You cannot go to Santa Fe and not make a trip to Meow Wolf.
4. Loretto Chapel. This chapel is near the main square in Santa Fe. The mysterious “miraculous staircase” is inside. There is a small fee for entrance. You can take photos inside and listen to the story of the staircase. I won’t spoil the story before your visit. Don’t skip a visit to Loretto Chapel!
5. Window shopping. Santa Fe is a great place to do some strolling and window shopping. The city has its own style. There are many shops and galleries to enjoy. Don’t miss the opportunity for a leisurely afternoon stroll for jewelry, art, and other unique finds. Nambe is a brand of serveware and decor pieces that hails from New Mexico. It is one of many stores with some beautiful pieces.
6. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. This museum is a perfect size to keep you engaged without feeling overwhelmed. The works displayed are beautiful, and it is in a great location within walking distance of the main square. Dependent upon your interest level, plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring the museum and gift shop.
7. Ten Thousand Waves. This Japanese inspired spa feels in the middle of nowhere despite being 10-15 minutes from the main square. Consider having lunch at their restaurant izanami then spending the afternoon enjoying a massage or one of their hot tub suites.
8. Go Hiking. The Santa Fe National Forest is an option for a day trip that includes hikes such as the Aspen Vista trail that is particularly beautiful with the change in foliage during fall.
9. Enjoy the Opera. The Santa Fe Opera is an open air amphitheater sure to provide you with an amazing experience. Head to their website to check what might be available during your visit.
10. Explore the culinary scene. From casual dining to tasting menus, Santa Fe offers a plethora of fantastic restaurants. Head to my article on Best Restaurants Santa Fe for all the information you need about where to eat during your visit.
11. Browse Art Galleries. If you love art galleries, Canyon Road is where you will want to start to have your fill of more than 100 galleries.
Whether you are visiting Santa Fe for the first time or a repeat visitor, there are so many things to do within walking distance or a short drive of the main plaza in Santa Fe. I hope this list provides some insight into ways that you can spend your time and allows you to plan your perfect visit.
