24 brilliant things to do in Santa Fe: Meow Wolf, adobe galleries and green chile

Discover the best things to do in Santa Fe with this guide, from adobe art galleries and a mind-bending art house to snowy hikes, mountain hot tubs and plenty of delicious eats along the way.

There’s a lot of fuss about Santa Fe, or “the City Different” as it’s widely known, and justifiably so.

This quirky, relaxed city is arguably New Mexico at its best, an inimitable mix of Native American culture, a thriving arts scene and some of the best food you can lay your hands on in the country. It’s one of my favourite cities, and it really won me over.

I spent a few days here in February, at the end of a road trip through New Mexico and before driving on to Sedona. I arrived before I could check in, so after lunch I headed straight up into the snowy foothills for a hike (it was February in Santa Fe, after all). The days that followed were a happy blur of chile-smothered breakfasts, adobe museums, a bonkers art installation, a steak I still think about and a long, snowy soak in the mountains.

I could talk about my love for the city all day, but I’d rather just show you the best of it instead. Whether you’re into art, history or just plain fun, rest assured, Santa Fe will deliver. Let’s get into it.

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The best things to do in Santa Fe

Step through the fridge at Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return

Immersive art experiences seem to be having a bit of a moment right now, but Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return is the original (and the best). It opened in 2016 in a former bowling alley on the south side of town, with early backing from George R.R. Martin, and more than 100 artists spent around two years building it.

Enter into a mind-bending world that invites you to explore a mysterious Victorian house that looks as if it comes from another dimension. What sets Meow Wolf apart is how visitors engage with the art. Rather than simply viewing pieces from a distance, you can touch, climb and interact with the installations, across more than 70 rooms and hidden spaces.

I didn’t know what to expect around each corner. One moment I was sliding through a tunnel behind a washing-machine door. The next, stepping into a portal through an innocuous-looking fridge. It’s kind of bonkers: the size and range of the installations is absolutely mind-blowing, and “OMG, this is so fun” was pretty much my running commentary. This is immersive art on a grand scale, and definitely one of the most fun experiences in New Mexico.

Yes, the entrance is pretty pricey. I paid $35 booking online, and I did think that was a lot, but it was spectacular and absolutely worth it. General admission now starts at $33 for a set entry time (prices vary by day), or $54 for an anytime ticket that lets you turn up whenever you like on your chosen date. Opening days and times change through the year, so check the calendar before you go.

Order your breakfast burrito “Christmas” at Tia Sophia’s

If there’s one meal you should make sure you have when you’re in the city, it’s breakfast at Tia Sophia’s. It was the most epic breakfast, and it’s an absolute must. This family-owned restaurant on West San Francisco Street, a block from the Plaza, has served traditional New Mexican cuisine since 1975 and has become a beloved local institution.

Santa Fe claims to be the birthplace of the breakfast burrito, and they say this is where it was invented. The burritos get filled with scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheese and your choice of bacon, sausage or chorizo.

They then smother them in red or green chile, or both for a spicy kick. Ordering both is called “Christmas” style, and that’s how I had mine. It cost me around $14, and the portions are HUGE.

The rest of the menu celebrates the region’s culinary heritage too, with classics like huevos rancheros and green chile stew. It’s open for breakfast and lunch only and fills up quickly, so get there early.

Trust me, this is what you need to fuel a day of exploring. That is how you start your day.

Don’t miss the teeny sculpture garden at the New Mexico Museum of Art

Housed in a historic Pueblo Revival building just off the Plaza, the New Mexico Museum of Art features a range of art from the Southwest and beyond. It opened in 1917, and its architect, Isaac Rapp, based the façade on the mission churches of pueblos such as Acoma, so the building is a work of art in itself.

To be quite honest, there are so many museums in Santa Fe and I definitely recommend picking and choosing the ones you want to visit most (or extend your trip to see them all). Trust me when I say that this one is well worth making some time for.

The collection runs to more than 20,000 works, with a focus on artists influenced by the landscape and culture of the Southwest, from Ansel Adams and Gustave Baumann to Georgia O’Keeffe. And don’t miss the teeny sculpture garden at the side of the building.

Since 2023, the museum has had a second home in the Railyard, the Vladem Contemporary, which shows contemporary work, and one ticket covers both. Entry is $12 ($7 for New Mexico residents). Both buildings open from 10am to 5pm, but from November to April they close on Mondays.

See contemporary Native art at MoCNA

Another of the city’s best museums is the Institute of American Indian Arts’ Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), which showcases the work of Native American and Indigenous artists, with a focus on contemporary art forms. Everything from traditional oil on canvas, to those central to Native American culture, like jewellery, is covered.

The museum has ever-changing exhibitions in a 1922 Pueblo Revival building on Cathedral Place, opposite the Cathedral Basilica, and offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Native American history and cultures. Which you definitely should be doing during your visit. I wasn’t allowed to film inside, so you’ll have to see it for yourself.

Visiting and buying from the museum shop is a great way to support artists and their communities. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for an exciting and educational experience, MoCNA is a must-see. Entry is $10 and free on Fridays and for Native and Indigenous visitors. It’s closed on Tuesdays.

Soak in the snow at Ten Thousand Waves

If you do one indulgent thing here, make it Ten Thousand Waves. Set in the pine-covered foothills about ten minutes’ drive up Hyde Park Road, this Japanese-style mountain spa is a tranquil and peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city.

The spa offers traditional Japanese-style bathing, with private outdoor hot tubs and a communal bath, and plenty of unique treatments too. It would be rude not to.

After more than a week on the road, it was exactly the treat I needed. The sauna was hotter than hell, then I stepped outside to snow all around, which was just perfect. I had an 80-minute CBD massage (the Cannabliss) and it was, well, blissful. Check it’s still offered when you book, though: it no longer appears on the spa’s main massage menu. It’s a feeling I’d love to capture again, and I’d give the whole experience a full five out of five.

Buy straight from Native artists at the Palace of the Governors

The Palace of the Governors, on the north side of the Plaza, dates back to 1610. It’s the oldest public building in continuous use in the United States built by European settlers, and it’s now part of the New Mexico History Museum, with exhibits on Native American history and cultures, Spanish colonialism and the story of the city.

The best bit is free. Under the palace’s long portal, Native American artisans from 23 tribes, pueblos and nations across New Mexico lay out jewellery, pottery and other work, and you buy directly from the person who made it.

Museum entry is $12 ($7 for New Mexico residents), and it’s open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Go gallery hopping on Canyon Road

Canyon Road is definitely one of the cooler places to visit in Santa Fe. More than 100 galleries, studios and boutiques line this narrow, half-mile street of adobe buildings, showcasing works by some of the most talented artists around.

I loved the Longworth Gallery and Kay Contemporary, but my advice is to go into as many as you have time to. Spend at least a couple of hours gallery hopping, as there are so many to choose from. It’s the perfect place to find a unique and beautiful piece of art to take home as a souvenir.

If you’re in town on Christmas Eve, come back after dark for the Farolito Walk, when the street is lined with paper lanterns and small bonfires.

Get to know an icon at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Another must-visit museum, this spot celebrates the life and work of one of America’s most successful artists, Georgia O’Keeffe, who made northern New Mexico her home. It features a stunning collection of her paintings, as well as photographs, sculptures and other works, shown in changing exhibitions.

With its engaging exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with a unique and inspiring experience. I highly recommend swinging by, even if you’re not a huge art nerd.

Bigger things are on the way: work is under way on a new museum on Grant Avenue, due to open in summer 2028. Until then, the galleries stay at 217 Johnson Street, a few minutes’ walk from the Plaza, open daily from 10am to 5pm. To see where she lived and painted, the museum also runs seasonal tours of her home and studio in Abiquiú, about an hour’s drive north-west (see my guide to day trips from Santa Fe).

Puzzle over the “miraculous” staircase at Loretto Chapel

Another place you need to visit is the Loretto Chapel, famous for its spiral staircase, which makes two full turns with no central pole and no visible means of support.

The Gothic Revival chapel was built for the Sisters of Loretto between 1873 and 1878, modelled on the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. There’s also a curious story about how the staircase came into existence. The choir loft sits 22 feet up, and there was no room for a traditional staircase in the small chapel, so the sisters prayed to St Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, for nine days.

On the ninth day, a mysterious carpenter arrived offering to build a staircase. He used wooden pegs instead of nails, and once it was finished, he disappeared without being paid. Was it a ghost? An act of God? Who knows, but it’s pretty fun.

The chapel is no longer a working church: it’s a privately run museum and wedding chapel, open daily, with a small admission fee. San Miguel Chapel, often called the oldest church building in the continental US, is a few minutes’ walk away on Old Santa Fe Trail, so it’s easy to see both.

Tour the art collection inside the Roundhouse

Sure, state capitols aren’t usually anything too special, but the New Mexico State Capitol is different. Nicknamed the Roundhouse, it’s the only round state capitol in the US, designed by local architect W.C. Kruger and completed in 1966 to look like the Zia sun symbol from above.

It’s one of those love-it-or-hate-it kinda buildings. Some folks think it’s a modernist marvel, while others think it looks like a spaceship that crash-landed in the middle of town.

But hey, it’s where the governor works, so it must be important, right? Plus, it’s full of art. The Capitol Art Collection holds nearly 600 works by New Mexico artists, displayed on all four floors and around the grounds, and the Governor’s Gallery on the fourth floor puts on changing exhibitions. It’s free to wander round on a self-guided tour from 7am to 6pm on weekdays.

Order the rib-eye at Radish & Rye

I’m going to take a moment to rave about dinner at Radish & Rye. This restaurant serves what it calls farm-inspired cooking with Southern sensibilities, built around local and regional produce. The menu changes with the seasons, so you can always expect inventive and delicious dishes.

I had a rib-eye steak, and, not to be dramatic here, but I think it seriously might be the best steak I’ve ever had. The bar is just as serious, with more than 175 bourbons, ryes and American single malts.

It’s on Cerrillos Road, a short walk from the Railyard, and opens for dinner only, from Tuesday to Saturday. Book ahead.

Try a blue corn doughnut at Whoo’s Donuts

At Whoo’s Donuts, the doughnuts are so fresh you’ll swear they just jumped out of the fryer and into your mouth. These are epic doughnuts, with uniquely New Mexican flavours.

This little bakery on Cerrillos Road takes its doughnut game seriously, with unique flavour combinations that will make your taste buds sing.

Want a little kick in your morning pastry? Try the green chile apple fritter. And the blueberry and blue corn doughnut is the stuff that dreams are made of. It opens at 7am every day, and from Thursday to Saturday it stays open into the evening for sourdough pizza, with blue corn crusts on the menu too.

Fill up on New Mexican plates at Palacio

The city is filled with so many cool spots to eat, but Palacio is right up there with my favourites. This relaxed café on East Palace Avenue, a couple of minutes’ walk from the Plaza, is a laid-back spot for breakfast and lunch.

I recommend it for its tantalising New Mexican breakfasts: think plates smothered in red or green chile and melted cheese, with warm tortillas on the side. If you need a break from chile, there are sandwiches too.

Sip local whiskey and apple brandy at Santa Fe Spirits

Santa Fe Spirits’ Read Street tasting room is a popular spot for both locals and visitors looking to sample some of the finest spirits that New Mexico has to offer.

The distillery’s line-up includes its Original Santa Fe Whiskey, Desert Bloom Gin, Expedition Vodka, Apple Brandy and Atapiño liqueur, and the bar mixes them into classic and seasonal cocktails, with tasting flights if you want to compare. On a cold winter evening, an apple brandy or a negroni here is a very good way to warm up.

Whether you’re a spirits enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, it’s got you covered. The tasting room is at 308 Read Street, in the Railyard district, and opens from 4pm on Wednesday to Friday and from noon at weekends.

Taste Zacatecas in New Mexico at Zacatlán

If you’re at a loss for what to do, there is always the option to eat good food. Zacatlán, on Aztec Street a few blocks from the Plaza, is chef Eduardo Rodriguez’s restaurant, and it’s one of the most exciting places to eat in town.

Rodriguez grew up in Zacatecas, in Mexico, and started out washing dishes in Santa Fe’s kitchens. His menu blends the flavours of his roots with New Mexican ingredients, and the James Beard Foundation has taken notice, listing Zacatlán for Best New Restaurant and Rodriguez for Best Chef: Southwest.

Better yet, the colourful, welcoming dining room makes it an excellent spot for dinner with friends. It’s open for lunch and dinner from Thursday to Sunday only, so plan around it and book ahead.

Catch a film at George R.R. Martin’s Jean Cocteau Cinema

The Jean Cocteau Cinema is a historic single-screen art house in the Railyard district, owned by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, who bought it and reopened it in 2013.

The cinema’s namesake, Jean Cocteau, was a French writer, artist and filmmaker known for his avant-garde works. Martin, a longtime fan of Cocteau’s, chose the name as a tribute to his legacy and influence.

Today it’s a hub for film screenings, live music, comedy and other events, with a lobby bar serving wine, beer and cocktails. Check out what’s on and try to catch a movie here: you won’t regret it. It’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Grab a chicken tostada at Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill

You don’t see Bumble Bee’s in many recommendations for cool places to eat in Santa Fe. Which, I think, is a real shame. I found it completely off the cuff, and it might just be the find of your life: this Mexican counter-serve spot dishes up fantastic food at a fraction of the price of some of the more hyped places in town.

The menu features a wide range of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fresh salads and homemade salsas. The chicken tostada is elite (a mad tostada, honestly), and I very much recommend washing it down with a Jamaica agua fresca, an iced hibiscus drink.

You order at the counter, get a number card and they bring your food over. I cannot recommend it enough. Head to the original branch downtown on Jefferson Street: the Cerrillos Road branch has closed.

Hike the snowy foothills on the Dale Ball Trails

Looking for the best hikes in Santa Fe? Look no further than the Dale Ball Trails. This network of nearly 25 miles of trails in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains starts just a few minutes’ drive from downtown and is a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

It’s no wonder why: they offer a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the area without leaving town. On the afternoon I arrived, the trails were covered in snow, and they were very pretty.

I absolutely loved hiking these trails. They boast great views of the city, are well marked and you can spend anything from one hour to all day working your way around the different trails in the system. Numbered junctions with maps help you find your way.

The Sierra del Norte trailhead, off Hyde Park Road, is the easiest start, for the gentler northern and central loops. The Cerro Gordo trailhead, at the top of Upper Canyon Road, leads to the steeper southern section. Dogs are welcome on a lead, and you’ll share the trails with mountain bikers. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a beginner, the Dale Ball Trails offer a rewarding outdoor adventure that you shouldn’t miss. See my guide to the best hikes in New Mexico for more.

Browse galleries and the farmers’ market in the Railyard

The Santa Fe Railyard Arts District is like an art lover’s playground. This place used to be the city’s rail yard, and it’s now home to contemporary galleries, museums and event spaces, alongside a park, shops and restaurants. Trains still run here too: the Rail Runner Express to Albuquerque leaves from the old depot.

Big names include SITE Santa Fe, a contemporary art space, and the Museum of Art’s Vladem Contemporary, while galleries such as Zane Bennett Contemporary Art are a short stroll away. If you’re into weird and wonderful art, this is the place to be.

On Saturday mornings, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market fills the market hall and its plaza with local growers and producers. Look out for strings of dried red chile, known as ristras.

Warm up with a centuries-old recipe at Kakawa Chocolate House

Kakawa Chocolate House is one of the city’s most unusual treats. This delicious destination specialises in artisanal chocolate and, above all, drinking chocolate.

The stars of the show are its chocolate elixirs, hot drinking chocolates based on historic recipes, from Mesoamerican drinks spiced with chile to 1600s European and colonial-era blends, alongside contemporary flavours. There are truffles, barks, bars and other confections too.

It’s the perfect way to battle the cold in winter. The original chocolate house is on Paseo de Peralta, near the bottom of Canyon Road, and opens daily (from noon on Sundays), with a second shop on West San Mateo Road. With its commitment to quality and creativity, how could you resist?

Wander the Plaza and the Cathedral Basilica

The Plaza has been the heart of the city since it was founded more than 400 years ago, and it’s still the place to start: a leafy square with benches, framed by adobe buildings, shops and the portal of the Palace of the Governors. Most of the museums, restaurants and churches on this list are within a few minutes’ walk.

A block east, the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi comes as a surprise among all that adobe. Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy had it built in Romanesque Revival style from yellow limestone between 1869 and 1887, with French architects and Italian stonemasons. Inside, the La Conquistadora chapel, the oldest part of the building, holds a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary brought from Spain in 1626.

Spend a morning on Museum Hill

A short drive south-east of the Plaza, Museum Hill gathers four museums around Milner Plaza and its neighbours: the Museum of International Folk Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, with the Santa Fe Botanical Garden next door.

If you only have time for one, make it the Museum of International Folk Art. It’s widely described as home to the world’s largest collection of international folk art, with more than 130,000 objects from over 100 countries, and its Girard Wing, packed with designer Alexander Girard’s toys, textiles and miniature villages, is a joy. Entry is $12 ($7 for New Mexico residents), and it’s free for under-17s. It’s open daily from May to October and closed on Mondays from November to April.

See an opera under the stars at the Santa Fe Opera

Visiting in summer? The Santa Fe Opera performs in an open-sided theatre on a hilltop about seven miles north of town, with views across the desert to the mountains as the sun goes down.

The season runs through July and August, and the 2027 programme includes Turandot, The Barber of Seville and Così fan tutte. A pre-show picnic in the car park is a local tradition. Buy tickets from the opera’s own box office or website, as it’s the only official seller.

Hit the slopes at Ski Santa Fe

Visit in winter, as I did, and you’ll find snow in the mountains right above town. Ski Santa Fe is 16 miles up Hyde Park Road from the Plaza, with 90 trails, six lifts and a base area at more than 10,000 feet.

The season runs roughly from November to April, depending on snowfall. The road up passes Ten Thousand Waves and the Dale Ball trailheads, so it’s easy to pair a morning on the slopes with an afternoon soak.

Tips for visiting Santa Fe

• How long to spend: you can see the city’s main sights in three days. There are a lot of museums, so you’ll probably need to cherry-pick your favourites. If you want to take it slow, spend five to seven days and add a few day trips from Santa Fe.
• When to visit: I visited in February, when it was freezing, snowy and blissfully quiet: perfect for galleries without the crowds and a hot soak at Ten Thousand Waves, and the off-season (November to April) brings lower prices too. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, with mild days, though spring can be windy. May to October is high season, with higher prices, the opera, the Folk Art Market in July, Indian Market in August and the Wine & Chile Fiesta in late September. Summer days reach around 30°C (the high 80s°F), with afternoon thunderstorms during the July and August monsoon. More in my guide to the best time to visit New Mexico.
• Altitude: the city sits at about 7,000 feet, so take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water and keep a water bottle filled at all times. Winters are cold and snowy, so pack layers (my travel gear essentials will help) and check road conditions before driving into the mountains.
• Getting around: the Plaza, Canyon Road and the Railyard are all within walking distance of each other, but you’ll want a car or a taxi for Meow Wolf, Museum Hill, Ten Thousand Waves and the trailheads.

Where to stay in Santa Fe

Stay downtown, within walking distance of the Plaza, and most of the museums, restaurants, Canyon Road and the Railyard are on your doorstep. I stayed at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, a few minutes’ walk west of the Plaza, with a rooftop pool and a spa. The rooms are spacious, if a bit dark, and overall I’d give it three out of five. For a luxury stay a few steps from the Plaza, the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi has rooms with kiva fireplaces, while the mid-range Drury Plaza Hotel, in a converted historic hospital a short walk from the Plaza, has a rooftop pool and bar.

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Read next

• What to do in New Mexico: the ultimate guide
• The best day trips from Santa Fe
• The best hikes in New Mexico
• How to spend a weekend in Santa Fe
• New Mexico road trip: the ultimate itinerary
• The best things to do in Albuquerque

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