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Known as “The City Different” New Mexico’s capital city, Santa Fe, is like no other city. Santa Fe has a rich culture that honors its diverse history and heritage. It’s a world class art destination, with incredible outdoor activities, and amazing places to eat.

There are so many unique things to do in Santa Fe. This post groups the best things to do in Santa Fe by art, history, outdoor, and food related activities. While many of the Santa Fe attractions are interchangeable, if you have a particular interest this will lead you in the right direction.

There are plenty of natural and historic sites around Santa Fe, but this guide will keep you busy right in the capital city. You don’t need a car to visit Santa Fe. Read my full Albuquerque and Santa Fe guide for everything you need to know about getting around in each city, where to stay, and where to eat.

Unique Things to Do in Santa Fe

Art Things to Do in Santa Fe

After NY and LA Santa Fe has the largest art market in the US! With over 250 art galleries and numerous art museums, it’s no surprise that a lot of the cool things to do in Santa Fe involve art.

Santa Fe Art Galleries

If you can’t find an art gallery in Santa Fe, you’re really not paying attention. Whether you are a serious art collector or a casual browser, there is an art gallery for you. Santa Fe art galleries represent artists who produce all types of art from fine art sculptures to contemporary paintings. Western art and Native American art is quite common with many galleries selling turquoise jewelry, Pueblo pottery, and classic Old West paintings.

While Santa Fe’s art galleries are spread throughout the city, there are three main areas where a lot of the galleries are clustered. The first is in the historic downtown. There are many tourists around the Plaza in the Old Town, but that doesn’t mean that the galleries aren’t high quality.

The next is the Canyon Road Arts District with about 80 art galleries. Many are within former residential homes. It’s a lovely, walkable part of the city that covers about a half mile along Canyon Road. A few restaurants and boutiques are tucked in between the galleries.

The Railyard District is another area full of galleries. It was a hub of transportation in the early days of Santa Fe and still has an active railroad. Now it’s also a hot spot for entertainment, shopping, dining, and art. It’s the place to visit for contemporary art galleries.

Santa Fe Art Gallery Events

The galleries in Santa Fe are open year-round, but there are several special events throughout the year that provide an inside look.

Every October many Santa Fe artists open their studios for special viewings, demonstrations, workshops, and studio talks. I was lucky to visit during one of the weekends and enjoyed touring several studios that are typically closed to the public. As many galleries are not run or owned by the artists themselves, it was a unique opportunity to see artists at work and talk with them about their work.

Avid art lovers will enjoy the Santa Fe art tours. These guided art tours will take you to the most popular art galleries as well as hidden gems. They delve into interpreting the art and give background information about the art, artists, galleries, and neighborhoods that you wouldn’t discover on your own.

Art walks often take place in all three of the main arts districts. Usually galleries are open late during art walks and the artists are often present. The last Friday night of the month the Railyard Arts District hosts a free art walk. Canyon Road’s art stroll also takes place Friday nights. The Christmas Eve Farolito walk along Canyon Road is a special holiday tradition in Santa Fe.

Santa Fe Artist Markets

Several artist markets take place in Santa Fe that showcase how multicultural the city is. The world’s largest international folk art market takes place every July in Santa Fe. Artists from around the world sell their handmade work. The traditional Spanish market also happens annually in July with a variety of art from Hispanic artists. Every August is the Indian market with traditional and contemporary Native American art.

The Santa Fe Artists Market at the Railyard takes place Saturdays from March until December. It’s a great way to see the local art scene in a different way.

New Mexico Museum of Art

There are not quite as many art museums in Santa Fe as art galleries, but there are more than enough to choose from. The New Mexico Museum of Art is a good place to start. The 1917 pueblo revival style building is a work of art itself.

Within the museum walls are several rotating exhibits. Other than the frescos in the courtyard, all of the exhibits change about once or twice a year. There is usually a mix of exhibits showing different art mediums that can include paintings, sculpture, pottery, glass, and photography.

The museum recently expanded and opened Vladem Contemporary in the Railyard. It is included in the admission and focuses on modern art in a modern space.

The museum is included on the New Mexico culture pass. For only $30 you receive admission to 15 places around the state. The pass is valid for one year. The art museum is one of four places within Santa Fe.

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture

“Here, Now, and Always” is the museum’s main, permanent exhibit about the Indigenous people of the southwest. It flows through one big room with sections on different topics including ancestors, the home, trading, arts, and resilience.

It is full of museum artifacts and brief descriptions of each one. There are some general informational signs, but I learned the most through the interactive videos. In each area a small tablet-like screen has several videos with perspectives and narratives directly from Indigenous people. I really appreciated how the history and culture was told through their voices instead of by white historians.

Other exhibits rotate in the museum and often feature Indigenous artwork.

This museum is also included on the culture pass described above. It is located on Museum Hill which is home to four museums and the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens. Read the transportation section in my Albuquerque and Santa Fe guide to find out how to reach Museum Hill.

Museum of International Folk Art

The museum is located on Museum Hill across the plaza from the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. Originally I was really struggling on what to do in Santa Fe. There are so many options and only so much time. I ended up buying the culture pass (described under New Mexico Museum of Art) and this museum was included. I always visit the local history museum, but this museum may not have been on my list if it wasn’t for the pass.

I’m so glad I visited. I found the museum fascinating and wished I had a couple of extra hours to enjoy it more. I spent the majority of my time in the Multiple Visions: A Common Bond exhibit. The exhibit was designed by Alexander Girard and features thousands of objects from his personal collection. It’s full of scenes from cultures around the world. There is a paper guide and QR code at the entrance that provides written details describing each scene or piece.

The rest of the museum is made up of four other wings with rotating exhibits. The exhibits typically are on display for a few months to a year. There was an interesting exhibit on prison art when I visited. The Cartonería (paper mache) exhibit is on display until November 2024. The colorful display is all about the process of Mexican cartonería and its use in a variety of ways including pinatas, the Day of the Dead, and alebrijes.

Visiting the Museum of International Folk Art is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Santa Fe!

El Flamenco Cabaret

It’s not all visual arts in Santa Fe. If you are into performance art, attend a flamenco show. Flamenco is a typical dance style of southern Spain. Due to the heavy Spanish influence in Santa Fe, there are several places to watch a Flamenco performance.

El Flamenco Cabaret performs shows most of the year from March until December. Most of the musicians and dancers grew up in Spain. They are all very accomplished artists with experience around the world. I saw Flamenco shows in Spain and would have to say the dancers here have some of the fastest feet I have ever seen!

Shows frequently sell out at this intimate venue. Tickets are based on section, with the closest to the stage being the most expensive. Tickets can be purchased online for the show only. You need to call to reserve dinner and show tickets. As the dinner reviews weren’t as good, I chose the show only. You can also order off the menu. Typically seating begins at 6:15pm and the show starts at 7:30pm. I arrived slightly before 7:30pm as I ate elsewhere before the show. The show started late, around 7:40pm, and lasted until about 9:10pm with no breaks.

More Art Things To Do in Santa Fe

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum: O’Keeffe lived in Santa Fe for the last years of her life. The museum displays artwork from different periods of her artistic career.
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA): The museum is dedicated solely to Native artists who produce contemporary art.
Meow Wolf: An immersive art installation to explore at your own pace.
El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe: A Hispanic cultural and exhibit space.
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian: Focuses on Native American Art.
Museum of Spanish Colonial Art: A collection of Spanish colonial art.
Santa Fe Opera: Located north of the city, the open-air outdoor opera is a must if you visit Santa Fe during July or August.

History Things to Do in Santa Fe

Like the arts, Santa Fe has a rich history. As is the case for most of the US, Santa Fe was originally inhabited by Native Americans thousands of years ago. In the 13th century Pueblo Indians began living in permanent settlements.

The first contact with Spanish colonists was in 1540. The 1600s was full of successful and unsuccessful attempts to colonize the Pueblo Indians which led to the Pueblo Revolt. Ultimately a closed off Spanish empire was established and trade was restricted.

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain, the area became the province of New Mexico. With the opening of the Santa Fe trail a prosperous trade route began.

After the Mexican-American War, what is now Santa Fe, forcibly changed hands yet again. With the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, New Mexico was a US territory. Santa Fe was a rough, frontier town for many years. The territory finally achieved statehood in 1912.

Colonization drastically reduced the number of Indigenous people, but there are still 19 Pueblos in New Mexico and a strong Indigenous community as well as Spanish and Mexican influences. As a former western frontier town there is also plenty of old west charm.

New Mexico State Capitol

Visit the oldest and newest US capitol city in one day! The Palace of the Governors which is now home to the New Mexico History Museum is the oldest public government building in the country. The current capitol building, built in the 1960s, is the newest of all the states!

Take a self-guided tour throughout this unique capitol. It was built in the New Mexico Territorial style and forms the Zia sun symbol. It looks very different from many of the other grand marble capitals. It’s one of the few capitols without a dome.

If you didn’t know it was a capitol, you would almost think it was an art museum. Initially I considered writing about the capitol under the best art things to do in Santa Fe as the majority of your self-guided tour will be admiring the artwork. Glimpses inside the House of Representatives and the Senate are possible, as well as a walk around the state seal in the rotunda. Other than that you will be walking through the halls full of artwork from New Mexico artists.

New Mexico History Museum

You really can visit the oldest capital by heading to the history museum next. In the Palace of the Governors you’ll learn about the early construction and uses of the palace from 1610.

The main exhibit “Telling New Mexico: Stories from Then and Now” chronologically takes you through hundreds of years of history. The exhibit is really well done and has an obvious flow with the perfect amount of information alongside artifacts. Downstairs it continues with information on New Mexico’s involvement in WWI and WWII. The sections on the Navajo Code Talkers and the Manhattan Project are interesting.

The Fred Harvey exhibit was one of my favorite exhibits of the museum. The traveler and travel planner in me found learning about this iconic period of railroad hotels and dining fascinating. Plenty of other exhibits will keep you busy for many hours if you like to read everything!

The museum is included on the culture pass described under the New Mexico Art Museum above.

New Mexico Governor’s Residence

Take a one hour tour of the New Mexico Governor’s residence. Known as the People’s House, the current governor lives in the home. Tours include the entryway, living room, dining room, kitchen, and sitting room. While there are private quarters for the governor, these parts of the home are actively used by the family as well.

Like the Capitol the Governor’s residence is full of art. Most of the governors’ residences I have toured are older, historic mansions. Similar to NM’s capitol building, this home is very unique. The residence was built in 1955 and really felt like a home.

My docent, Ann from MN, enthusiastically shared her knowledge of the home’s furniture and artwork. As a Midwesterner myself I do have to give her a shout out for how friendly and engaging she was. The added treat of biscochito cookies, the state cookie, in the kitchen was a nice touch too.

Regular tours are held the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from April through the middle of November. Make sure to email to reserve your tour ahead of time. Other holiday tours and special events take place throughout the year.

If coming from Old Town, it is about a 40 minute walk. About half of the walk doesn’t have sidewalks and only gravelly shoulders. There are no buses that go to the area.

More History Things To Do in Santa Fe

Loretto Chapel: A historic chapel known for its miraculous stairway.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi: The first church was built in 1610 on the current cathedral’s site. Walk inside the cathedral when mass is not in session.
San Miguel Chapel: The oldest Catholic church in the US. When mass is not in session you can visit.

Outdoor Things to Do in Santa Fe

With over 320 days of sunshine, you’ll want to spend as much time outdoors as you can! There are plenty of outdoor activities around Santa Fe including mountain biking, hiking, skiing, fishing, golfing, and rafting. If you don’t have a car or want to stick to Santa Fe, there are still a great deal of ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Free Walking Tour of Historic Santa Fe

As you can see a lot of the unique things to do in Santa Fe are focused on art and/or history. Most of these are indoors, but with the gorgeous weather in Santa Fe most of the year, it’s a shame not to spend more time outdoors. That’s where a free walking tour of historic Santa Fe comes in!

The two hour walking tour takes you to the top sights in Santa Fe while learning about the history and culture of the city from a knowledgeable local. I always enjoy free walking tours, but this one was exceptionally good. I enjoyed the detailed stories about Santa Fe people and events that expanded on the information within the museums. As much as I love museums, seeing the sights while learning about them is always the best experience…….especially under that beautiful, brilliant blue Santa Fe sky!

If the free walking tour doesn’t work with your schedule, do a self-guided audio tour.

Cross of the Martyrs

This is another one of the unique things to do in Santa Fe that combines history with an outdoor activity. A short .6 mile out and back paved trail leads to a large cross that honors the Franciscan friars and Spanish colonists killed during the Pueblo Revolt.

The informational plaques along the path give a brief chronological history of Santa Fe, Spanish colonization, and the Pueblo Revolt. The memorial is quite controversial as it honors those who were oppressing and driving out Indigenous people who had lived on the land for hundreds of years. It’s also the site of Old Fort Marcy.

The path is just a few blocks away from Santa Fe Plaza and easy to reach on foot. While the trail is short, it is a steady climb. The scenic views from the top are worth the trek. There is a parking lot on top if you don’t want to make the climb.

Santa Fe Rail Trail to the Arroyo de Los Chamisos Urban Trail

The paved Santa Fe Rail Trail begins at the Santa Fe Depot. It travels through the Railyard Arts District and the Railyard Park. It continues alongside the railroad for about 2.7 miles before it splits.

The Arroyo de Los Chamisos Urban Trail begins at the split to the right and veers away from the railyard. You can easily walk or bike the first 2.7 miles from the railroad if you are up for several miles, but if you only want a few miles, don’t spend it on the section near the railroad.

The trail becomes much prettier at the split. While there are better hikes outside of the city, if you are visiting without a car this is a good way to get your steps amongst some trees. It was very pretty in the fall!

The entire trail is about 6.5 miles one way from the Santa Fe depot to Governor Miles Rd. For some sugary sustenance along the way check out the chocolate trail described below.

More Outdoor Things To Do in Santa Fe

Santa Fe Botanical Gardens: The Orchard Gardens, Ojos y Manos (an ethnobotanical garden), and the Piñon-Juniper Woodland make up the three main sections of the gardens.
Santa Fe Scavenger Hunt: If a guided tour isn’t your thing, you’ll enjoy a self guided scavenger hunt. You’ll still be able to enjoy time outdoors as you have fun discovering the city with clues.
E-Bike Adventure: This small group guided tour is a great way to see more of Santa Fe than you could on your own two feet, while enjoying the outdoors.

Foodie Things to Do in Santa Fe

All that learning and exploring is sure to make you hungry. You’re in luck because New Mexican cuisine is a delicious mix of Mexican with Pueblo influences. As one of the best foodie cities in the US, Santa Fe is the best place to try New Mexican cuisine.

Santa Fe Farmers Market

The Railyard also has a farmer’s market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. The Tuesday market runs from May through December. The Saturday market is year round. Typically the Saturday market is much busier, but you’ll find similar goods each day.

Vendors set up outdoors and inside the building. Produce, meats, and bakery items make up the majority of the items for sale. There are a few food vendors with ready to eat fare. Red Mesa meats sells fresh meat as well as cooked sausages.

If you have your eye on something, don’t wait until the last minute to buy it or it may be gone. It was a very sad moment when I was waiting in line for a blue corn blueberry lavender donut from Whoo’s Donuts and someone in front of me bought the last one. Luckily their brick and mortar donut shop is nearby and I was still able to try their delicious donut flavor!

Santa Fe Chocolate Trail

The Santa Fe trail, the turquoise trail, the margarita trail……there seems to be a trail for everything in Santa Fe. The Chocolate Trail has to be my favorite. It consists of five chocolate shops and bakeries in Santa Fe. Because why would you only want to try one?

Chocolate Smith is next to Whoo’s Donuts. Stop for a donut first and you may receive a discount at Chocolate Smith on your email receipt. I was immediately greeted when I entered the chocolate shop by the friendly staff as well as the delicious smell of chocolate! I was given a tour of the products and offered generous samples.

Chocolate Maven is a bakery and restaurant. When going to purchase my pumpkin white chocolate cookie the kind worker said it was on the house! Of course a free cookie is always delicious, but even if it wasn’t I would recommend it.

Kakawa Chocolate House is known for their drinking chocolates. The chocolate elixirs are based on historical drinks from Mesoamerica and Europe as well as new, contemporary versions. They also have a variety of truffles, caramels, and other solid chocolates.

Señor Murphy Candymaker has any kind of chocolate candy you could want. New Mexican favorites include the chile caramels, chile creams, chile pistachio clusters, raspberry chile creams, and piñon clusters.

Sweet Santa Fe LLC is the fifth and final stop which I unfortunately didn’t get to. It’s on my list to go back for their handcrafted truffles.

New Mexican Cuisine

One of the top things to do in Santa Fe is to try the local New Mexican cuisine. The state is known for their red and green chiles. In my guide to New Mexico chile you’ll discover all the different foods with chile to eat and where to eat them in Santa Fe.

For the best New Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe check out my full Albuquerque and Santa Fe guide.

More Food Things To Do in Santa Fe

Santa Fe Food Tour: Several different food tours will help you get to know the city as you savor the best food Santa Fe has to offer.
Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery Tour: Take an informative tour about Tumbleroot’s process of making beer. Enjoy tastings at the end.
Margarita Trail: Purchase a passport with over 40 spots for margaritas. At each place receive a discount and a stamp. Collect stamps to win prizes!
Food Festivals: If you time your visit right you may be able to enjoy one of the city’s many food festivals. I have my eye on the green chile cheeseburger smackdown in September!

With so many unique things to do in Santa Fe, you’re probably already extending your trip! If I helped you discover what to do in Santa Fe, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee!

Unique Things to Do in Santa Fe

Unique Things to Do in Santa Fe