Santa Fe is a city located in New Mexico, and it is among the most beautiful places in the Southwest and the United States of America. This city features stunning landscapes, museums, and historic buildings, among others, that you will love to see and entertain yourself with during your visit.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico:
# 10 – Canyon Road
While visiting Santa Fe, in New Mexico, you should visit this historic road. During your visit to Canyon Road, you will be entertained by several galleries. Besides, Canyon Road in Santa Fe is home to a slew of art galleries that you will enjoy viewing during your visit. There are renowned artworks from famed artists like Fernando Botero and cultural treasures like hand-woven Navajo rugs and Southwestern wood carvings that you will enjoy seeing during your visit to this road. Additionally, along Canyon Road, there are jewelry, potteries, sculptures, and paintings that are very beautiful and amazing that you can buy and enjoy viewing. Lastly, you can visit some restaurants along Canyon Road to catch some traditional foods that you will like to quench your hunger.
# 9 – El Rancho de Las Golondrinas
It will be a blessing to visit the El Rancho de Las Golondrinas during your visit to Santa Fe. This expansive 200-acre facility is located 10 minutes south of Santa Fe, and it has been in place since the year 1710. Additionally, in the 200-acre facility, there are over 30 historic buildings, including originals plus the relocated historic buildings from around the state of New Mexico that you will enjoy viewing during your visit.
You will be able to see a variety of homes, barns, and mills, among others, during your visit that will keep you entertained. In this 200-acre facility, you will find everyday life interpreters that will provide you with demonstrations like spinning, weaving, tin-smithing, and blacksmithing and among others that you will enjoy viewing and learning during your visit to the region. Finally, this 200-acre facility hosts traditional corrals and special events throughout the year that you can attend to keep yourself entertained while in the region.
# 8 – Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
A visit to Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is going to provide a variety of things for you to learn about while in the region. While in Santa Fe, you should visit this museum since it is the home to the largest collections of O’Keeffe’s work in the world with over 3000 of her paintings, drawings, and assorted works. You will enjoy viewing several of her different works during your visit. Additionally, this museum exhibits different parts of the collection throughout the year that will give you a unique experience every time you visit. Moreover, during your visit to this museum, you will view special exhibitions of O’Keeffe’s work and other modernists like Pollock, Warhol, and Levine that you will enjoy. Last, during your visit, you can attend the lectures, workshops, and kid’s activities to learn.
# 7 – Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary
Do you like bird-watching tours and nature walks? Well, while in Santa Fe, you should never fail to visit this center and sanctuary. A visit to this 135-acre property while in the region will allow you to enjoy watching over 200 different birds species. Additionally, you will see the various ecosystems that these over 200 species of birds live in throughout the sanctuary during your visit. You can also take a hike in this sanctuary. Moreover, when you are tired or need meditation, you can sit quietly and observe the birds, different butterflies, and other wildlife found in the sanctuary.
# 6 – Peyton Wright Gallery
If you love art, then a visit to Peyton Wright Gallery during your visit to Santa Fe will allow you to see one of the most collections of modern and historical art. Most of the art in this gallery focuses on 20th-century post-war and contemporary American artworks. Additionally, while in this gallery, you will be able to entertain yourself by viewing significant holdings like 17th, 18th, and 19th-century Viceregal paintings, pre-Colombian textiles and artifacts, and impressive collections of Spanish Colonial silver and furniture. Finally, during your visit to this gallery, you will also enjoy watching the works of modern artists and pieces by William Lumpkins and Oskar Fischinger that are showcased here.
# 5 – Kokopelli Rafting Adventures
Are you looking for a challenging adrenaline fix or a relaxing amble down the river? Well, during your visit to the region, you should visit the Rio Grande River to enjoy an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure. When the water levels are high during the spring, you should visit this river to take a tour through the magnificent basalt gorge near the historic Pueblo revolt of 1854. Along the way, you will get an opportunity to swim and boat surf. Moreover, you can also relax and soak up the beautiful scenery while floating past the dolling hillsides and rugged rock canyons in an oar-powered raft or paddleboat.
# 4 – Museum of Indian Arts and Culture – Laboratory of Anthropology
Would you like to know about the material culture of the Native Americans in Santa Fe? You can visit this museum, founded in 1909, to preserve the Native Americans’ material culture in the region. The laboratory of anthropology is to the study of the cultures of the Southwest. During your visit to this museum, you will be able to entertain yourself with hosts of impressive collections of jewelry, pottery, basketry, and saddle blankets. Additionally, you will get entertained by the regular performances of Native American music, dances, storytelling, and other traditions that will also help you learn a lot about the region. Finally, this museum is home to extensive archives and research collections like photographs, ethnographic records, and archaeological materials.
# 3 – Liquid Light Glass
The liquid light glass studio and gallery is a must place to visit when in the region. During your visit, you can entertain yourself by admiring the finished pieces, watch as the artists shape new creations, and even learn by taking a class. You can learn how to design and make your glass creations, paperweights, blown glass cups, and flowers. Further, you can walk along with the Baca Street Arts District that the Liquid light Glass studio is located, to visit unique shops and galleries. You can decide to visit the quirky eateries located around the studio to catch a bite when hungry.
# 2 – Museum of International Folk Art
If you love folk collections, then when in Santa Fe, you should take your time to visit this museum. The museum was established in 1953, and it is home to the most extensive collection of international folk art in the world. During your visit to this museum, you will get a chance to several international folk arts like baskets, textiles, wood carvings, and ceramics. Moreover, to vividly understand the folk arts, the collections are divided by geographical regions, i.e., Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, contemporary Hispano and Latino, European, North America, and Latin America. Additionally, you will be able to visit sections that cover Spanish colonial and textile7 costumes. During your visit, you will be able to entertain yourself by viewing the temporary exhibitions featured in the museum and events held there.
# 1 – Santa Fe Farmer’s Market
Do you want to understand, mix, and socialize with the Native people of Santa Fe? A visit to the Santa Fe farmers market will allow you to meet and socialize with the local people. Additionally, during your stay, you can get a chance to buy the local produce from the local vendors. In the market, you will find the best locally-sourced fruits and vegetables, poultry, meat baked goods, and other delights that you will enjoy eating and buying during your visit.
Above are some of the best things that will keep you entertained during your visit to the city of Santa Fe, in the great and beautiful state of New Mexico. Canyon Road, Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, and Museum of Indian Arts and Culture – Laboratory of Anthropology, among others, are the best places that, if visit during your tour of stay in New Mexico, will make your trip memorable and worthwhile.