Santa Fe oozes history and culture.
With its Native American heritage, art scene, historic square, beautiful landscape, and food – did I mention the food – you will be hard-pressed to decide where to start.
On our 17-Day Southwest road trip, Santa Fe was a highlight.
I could have stayed for weeks.
Here is our guide to planning your own weekend adventure.
Friday
Option 1 – indoors
Meow Wolf
Santa Fe is nicknamed ‘the city different.’ Nothing embodies this attitude more than Meow Wolf.
An interactive art exhibit that defies definition – it’s part mystery, part sci-fi, part playhouse – Meow Wolf is fun for all ages.
In addition to the ongoing exhibits, Meow Wolf also offers a full event calendar.
Live music, workshops, art therapy, and community events pack this amazing bowling alley turned multi-media extravaganza.
Option 2 – indoor/outdoors
Historic Plaza
Spend the morning exploring Santa Fe’s Plaza.
We enjoyed a trolley tour of the plaza and surrounding streets. Our guide was full of new information on the history, culture, architecture, and food on the Plaza. It was a fabulous way to get our bearings and add layers of meaning to the rest of our time in Santa Fe.
Take in the New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors.
Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and Loretto Chapel to enjoy the architecture. The Cathedral is beautiful at night.
Have lunch at a plaza restaurant or food cart.
You can easily fill a long day exploring the museums, boutiques, art, and food.
In the evening, enjoy a drink at Draft Station, overlooking the Plaza.
Option 3 – indoors
Flamenco at El Farol
For a unique night on the town, take in a Flamenco Dinner Show at El Farol.
Dinner
El Farol
Well known for Spanish Tapas, El Farol is a special place to eat.
Make it even more special by taking in a Flamenco performance. (see above)
Second Street Brewery at the Railyard
Great beer and pub grub.
They often have live music.
Beautiful, open space in the Railyard-Guadalupe District.
The Railyard area is a fun section of Santa Fe to explore – shops, bookstores, galleries, and a year-round Farmer’s Market.
Saturday
Breakfast
Boultawn’s Bakery, Cafe and Gallery
Serving delicious breakfast classics and baked goods.
It’s a few blocks off the Plaza.
Travel Bug
You might overlook this travel store when it comes to eating.
Not only do they carry maps, an extensive selection of guidebooks and every travel gadget you can imagine, they also serve food.
Morning espresso, breakfasts, and salads.
It’s the perfect combo for travel enthusiasts.
Inn of the Governors
If you stay at the Inn of the Governors – and I highly recommend you do – you will be treated to a Mountain Sunrise Breakfast Buffet.
We spent 3 glorious mornings eating the Southwestern hot dishes, fresh fruit, pastries, and bacon.
The complimentary buffet is exclusive for guests of the inn.
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Saturday morning activity
Option 1 – indoors
Museum Hill
Santa Fe has conveniently gathered five unique museums in one place.
Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
Museum of International Folk Art
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Santa Fe Botanical Garden on Museum Hill
They’ve also provided a free shuttle to get you between the Historic Plaza, Museum Hill, Railyard and Canyon Road.
If you plan to visit multiple museums around Sante Fe check into the Culture Pass.
Option 2 – indoors/outdoors
Canyon Road Art District
We spent a happy day walking up and down Canyon Road watching artists at work, and talking to them about their process.
Art galleries usually don’t top my list on vacation, but Santa Fe is second only to New York as the art capital of the USA.
Meeting the painters, sculptors, and fiber artists made this an interesting and unique experience.
Option 3 – outdoors
Take a Tour
Walking tours by Historic Walks of Santa Fe.
Walking tours by guide Stefanie Beninato.
Cultural tours by Seven Directions.
Pink Lady custom walking tours.
And Loretto Lines open-air trolley tours.
You have many tours to choose from, depending on your interests.
Lunch
Tia Sophia
Our favorite! See my restaurant profile on Tia Sophia.
Mangiamo Pronto!
Italian lunch (and breakfast) cafe a few blocks off the Plaza.
Outdoor seating.
Cleopatra’s Cafe
Santa Fe Mediterranean with two locations in Santa Fe.
Greek and Middle Eastern classics.
Saturday afternoon activity
Option 1 – indoors
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
The worlds most extensive collection of O’Keeffe is on display in this adobe house.
Ten galleries showcase her work.
The Museum is a few blocks from the historic Plaza.
Sixty miles northwest of Santa Fe, you can visit O’Keeffe’s home and studio.
Reservations are required, and tours are available between March and November.
Option 2 – outdoors
Randall Davey Audobon Center
Enjoy trails leading through different Southwest habitats.
The Bear Canyon Trail, 3-miles, is a favorite.
El Temporal is a half-mile trail through a juniper habitat.
Every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. bird walks are led by local experts.
Dinner
Jambo Cafe
African homestyle cooking we love!
Santa Fe Bite
Best green-chile burger in Santa Fe.
I’m willing to believe it.
Classic diner food.
The restaurant has been closed but plans to open mid-September – check the website before you go.
Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Delicious BBQ
Cowgirl Santa Fe is a fun place dedicated to women of the West.
Outside seating, live music, pool hall, and a children’s play area make this a hot spot for families.
Bonus – it’s located in the Railyard.
The menu will make you drool.
I’m impressed by the kid’s menu, which are miniature portions of the same food the adults are eating.
Sunday
Special breakfast options
Cafe Pasqual’s
Breakfast is available until 3 p.m.
Gorgeous, creative take on breakfast classics.
The food is locally sourced and organic.
Gluten-free options.
Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen
Organic, fresh, swoon-worthy brunch dishes.
You will find items on the menu you won’t see anywhere else.
There are many gluten-free options (the restaurant itself is not certified gluten-free since they grind their flour and bake it up on-site).
Chocolate Maven Bakery
This is a local favorite for brunch.
The menu is inspired, and brunch lasts until 3 p.m.
Also, check out the High Tea.
Coffee houses
Iconik Coffee Roasters
Iconik has 3 locations in Santa Fe.
All are beautiful.
Iconik hosts the Barista Olympics in September – now that’s my kind of sport!
They also serve some good-looking food.
Ecco Espresso Gelato
Coffee in the morning and gelato the rest of the day.
One-stop shopping.
It’s only a block off the Plaza.
(See breakfast and brunch spots above for more coffee options.)
Sunday activity
Option 1 – indoors
Santa Fe Cooking School
Learn on vacation – take a class.
Santa Fe Cooking School offers a full schedule of New Mexican classes for foodies.
Learn to make Tamales, Tacos, Chile Rellenos, Mole, and more.
They also offer restaurant walking tours.
Option 2 – outdoors
White Water Rafting the Rio Grande or Rio Chama
From leisurely floats to adrenaline-pumping white-water you can find a trip to suit your taste.
Option 3 – indoor/outdoor
Rancho de las Golondrinas
Living history museum.
Costumed interpreters, historic demonstrations, and hands-on activities during Festival Weekends.
On non-festival days the site and buildings are open for exploring.
Weaving and bread baking demonstrations happen regularly. Plan your visit.
(*Our weekend getaway series is not intended as an exhaustive guidebook. Instead, we’ve rounded up the best the city has to offer and presented it, so you can design a trip that suits your interests and budget.)
If you go to Santa Fe, share a photo with us. Tag us on Instagram @jauntyeverywhere or use #jauntyeveryday.
Have you spent time in Santa Fe, New Mexico? What is your favorite activity to do there?
Choose Your Own Adventure Series:
A Weekend in Ashland, Oregon: Choose Your Own Adventure
A Weekend in Bend, Oregon- In Summer
A Weekend in Eugene, Oregon: Choose Your Own Adventure
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International Balloon Museum: Plan Your Visit
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Lowell Observatory
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Hoover Dam
Grand Canyon – 2 Day Itinerary
Make the Most of Your Trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Petrified Forest National Park
White Sands National Monument: How to Make the Most of Your Trip
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Carlsbad Caverns
Blackstone Hotsprings: Oasis in the New Mexican Desert
Duran’s Central Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM
