Santa Fe, New Mexico – The Ultimate Guide On Things To Do –

San Francisco De Asis Mission Church; Ranchos De Taos

The most photographed church in the United States. It was located very close to Taos Pueblo. We made the mistake of not seeing this while in Taos and had to make the return drive on a different day. If you are in the region, you should combine Taos Pueblo and San Francisco De Asis Mission Church. It was built somewhere between the 1700s and early 1800s. It is worth seeing for yourself, but it will only take you 30 minutes to an hour at most to view.  In spring, the locals “enjarre,” or re-mud. It was essentially adding another layer of mud to keep the building intact. While there, we saw the piles of red adobe awaiting this tradition.

Santa Fe Farmers Market 

Over 150 local growers and vendors now participate in the Santa Fe Farmers Market since it was founded in 1968 by a small group of farmers. Located in the Santa Fe Railyard, just a stone’s throw from the city center, it is a lively yet laidback place to visit.

Visitors to this market can also shop for souvenirs, sample some local foods, and stop off for a coffee or snack, in addition to perusing endless stands and stalls piled high with fresh produce and colorful foods. There are smaller markets to stop by on Tuesdays and Sundays and a Saturday market with live music.

Santa Fe Indian Market

Santa Fe Indian Market is held annually in August, bringing in thousands of artists, vendors, tourists, and collectors. The colorful and chaotic cultural celebration showcases more than 1,200 Native American artists from more than 220 tribes and pueblos.

The city’s central plaza and surrounding streets are a multitude of stands and stalls selling everything from gorgeous beadwork and basketry to glistening jewelry, textiles, and sculptures. The most exquisite artworks will also receive prizes in juried competitions when you visit open studios and galleries.

Santa Fe Opera House – The Crosby Theater

The first opera house was built on 199 acres of newly acquired land by John Crosby, the founding director of the Opera Association of New Mexico. Every summer festival since July 1957, the company has presented operas of the standard operatic repertoire and new operas.  This is a stunning outdoor venue! Guests can dine here as well as watch opera. And, it’s not uncommon for people to tailgate outside the venue. If you like the theater or opera, this is one of the most unusual venues you’ll want to experience.

Santa Fe New Mexico Restaurants

Where to start! The food in New Mexico is spectacular. Everything is fresh, handmade, and nothing processed. If you stick to local fare, you will not be disappointed, even if Mexican food is not your thing. It’s not mine, and anyone who knows me will tell you I am picky. Getting a food endorsement from me is the equivalent of a Nikki Oscar. Then there is liquor, specifically tequila. Brian and I have tasted quite a bit on our travels, but many places out here have 300/400 tequila’s for you to try. If you like a tipple, New Mexico is for you for the food and drinks alone.  The tequila choices out here compete with what you would expect from Mexico.

Here are two places we ate at that are worth calling out:

• Maria’s – Hands down the best food we ate. This place is so rustic and authentic. All the bread is made fresh on-site, and you can watch it being made. This place was recommended to us by a local, and it was terrific. This place has an extensive tequila selection that is overwhelming!
• Sopaipilla Factory Restaurant – The food here was excellent, and you should try it. Just know it’s not fancy or rustic. Decoration-wise, it’s a bit like a diner, but don’t let that fool you. There was a line out of the door for this place!

Speaking of drinks. If you order shots – like you do when tequila is the norm, be prepared, most places will fill a large shot glass to the brim. At Sopaipilla Factory Restaurant, we had a good chuckle at the shots’ size; they were more like a 10th  a bottle per shot. But hey, when in Rome.

Santa Fe Plaza

With more than four hundred years of history, Santa Fe Plaza is the city’s heart. A scenic square surrounded by historic houses and ancient adobe buildings in the center of the town, it is dotted with monuments and museums.

As well as excellent art galleries and boutiques, many Native American vendors sell Native American art and crafts at the Plaza, as locals simply call it. This city is always something to do or see since it regularly hosts markets, music events, parades, and festivals. Santa Fe’s plaza is impossible to visit without passing through at least once or twice, thanks to its many souvenir shops, restaurants, and museums.

San Miguel Chapel

Despite its simple appearance, the San Miguel Chapel is believed to be the oldest surviving church in the United States. Despite the current chapel’s date of 1710, it was preceded by another chapel that was burned and destroyed during a revolt almost a century ago.

A charming chapel built by Franciscan friars and Tlaxcalan Indians now boasts attractive adobe architecture and a simple bell tower. Despite its earth-colored exterior, the inside is painted white with unique artwork and an impressive altar. The San Miguel Chapel is worth visiting in Santa Fe’s historical center for its religious and historical significance.

Ski Santa Fe

Assuming you visit during winter and skiing is your thing, Santa Fe has you covered! One of the area’s most accessible and attractive resorts is Ski Santa Fe, which boasts sensational, snow-covered slopes just northeast of the city. There are 88 fantastic trails and a tantalizing terrain park for you to try out with some eye-catching views from up high.

Seven ski lifts serve its snowy slopes, suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike. Along with skiing and snowboarding, guests will also find great shopping, dining, hiking trails, and mountain bike paths on the mountain.

Taos Pueblo

Sometimes referred to as  Pueblo de Taos (settlement of Taos). The only living Native American community designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark.  One of the many reasons to visit New Mexico. This is not a day out; it’s about a couple of hours at the most, so combine this with another outing. Once you arrive, choose from a self-guided or guided tour. The guided tour is included with admission.  The buildings will capture your imagination; how do people live here? The sense of community will make you think about our complex gadget-plagued lives. What’s fascinating about this place is its heritage. It is hard to comprehend that this is a lived-in community honoring decades of tradition in 2018. While you are here, buy some bread cooked in a Horno. A traditional mud adobe-built outdoor oven.

White Water Rafting on the Rio Grande

We have rafted before in Seattle and Tennessee. Hands down, Tennessee was the best. I won’t go into Tennessee’s details here because I will eventually write about Tennessee as one of my favorite five places in the USA. We wanted to raft in Santa Fe because we had the Monkey with us, who had not rafted before.  Most everyone has heard about rafting the Rio Grande. We made a 1/2-day trip on the Rio Grande with Santa Fe Rafting. I don’t think the company you use means much other than price. Your experience will be in the hands of your guide. We had a great guide (but I can’t recall his name).

The water was low, and the rapids were slow. It required a lot more paddling labor than anticipated. Overall, I enjoyed our rafting, but it was expensive compared to other states and, as I mentioned, not the best.

One thing that put me off rafting this river is the photo setup. Typically, you pay a fee to download all images or get a CD. In this case, raftphoto  (aka southernexposurephoto) would like you to pay $15 per digital downloaded picture. Remember that numerous companies go out daily and use the same company. It’s not like the only opportunity to make money was our tour. Add to this; there were seven photos of us to choose from. Lame, to say the least.  Seriously, out here on a river in New Mexico? This isn’t any Disney, folks, and guess what? We didn’t buy them on principle alone. For this reason, I would not recommend rafting out here. There are better rivers, better deals, and in most cases, a reasonable photography package.

Kasha-Katuwe National Monument

The “Tent Rocks,” as people call them, are a must-do for hikers! We did not go to this park; we were not even slightly prepared to take this one. It’s a 4-mile round trip hike. To see the views, you have to climb and descend 650 feet. To put this into context, that’s 65 stories up and down at 95 degrees. We may have attempted this one if it was a more relaxed day and we had brought lunch and supplies. If you do, go prepare to spend at least half a day. Note that you will need food, water, sunscreen, etc.

Hidden Gem in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Lastly, there is one hidden gem that you can only find in New Mexico! If you are a Breaking Bad fan like me. Well, it was filmed in New Mexico.  Not in Santa Fe but in Albuquerque, which is only an hour or so south. We flew into Albuquerque, so we did this tour on our last day.  See my post on a DIY Breaking Bad tour.

Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Fe, New Mexico

Is Santa Fe, New Mexico, worth visiting?

Absolutely! There’s more to see and do in Santa Fe, New Mexico, than in most states. It’s by far the most culturally different. So much so that you’ll feel like you’ve landed in Central America.

Why is Santa Fe, New Mexico, so popular?

New Mexico’s capital city has everything known for its relaxed pace, stimulating culture, delicious food, historic architecture, and more.

Is Santa Fe, New Mexico, an excellent place to live?

The tranquility of Santa Fe makes it one of the best small cities in America. As a result of Santa Fe’s natural beauty and beautiful weather, residents enjoy a slower pace of life, which makes it one of the best places in America for a fresh start.

What is Santa Fe most known for?

Santa Fe is the highest and oldest capital of the United States, located in the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains. In 1607, it was founded. Today, it’s the second oldest city in the country. Statehood was granted to New Mexico in 1912.

Does Santa Fe get a lot of snow?

It rains an average of 14 inches per year in Santa Fe. The snow season occurs from November through April, with 32 inches of snow on average in town and 300 inches in ski resorts.

Is Santa Fe wealthy?

Due to soaring housing prices, Santa Fe has a slightly higher cost of living than the national average. Many of the most expensive homes in the state can be found in this city. Santa Fe’s average living cost is three percent lower than average, excluding housing costs.

Closing Thoughts

Santa Fe, New Mexico, is one of the fifty’s least cosmopolitan and stereotypical states.  Aside from the dramatic landscape, the history and culture influencing the area make a visit here unforgettable. A week is nowhere near enough time to see and do it all – not even close. Santa Fe caters to all interests, and it’s impossible not to find something you’ll love. Lastly, if you enjoy great fresh food, history, architecture, and tequila, this place is for you!

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