The Historic Santa Fe Plaza & Palace of the Governors. The beating heart of Santa Fe since 1610, this National Historic Landmark anchors the city with its Spanish Colonial adobe portal where Native American artists sell handcrafted jewelry under the eaves — an 80-year living tradition. The Palace of the Governors is the oldest public building in continuous use in the…
Canyon Road Gallery District. A half-mile of 100-plus galleries housed in centuries-old adobe structures, Canyon Road is the highest-density art corridor in the United States, showcasing everything from Pueblo pottery to contemporary sculpture. The street comes alive during Friday evening openings and the beloved Christmas Eve Farolito Walk.
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. The world's largest collection of work by Georgia O'Keeffe occupies a stunning downtown adobe campus, tracing her path from New York to the New Mexico desert that defined her iconic imagery. Advance tickets are recommended as capacity is limited.
Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return. Santa Fe's most talked-about modern attraction, this 20,000-square-foot immersive art installation built inside a former bowling alley sends visitors through 70 surreal, artist-created rooms woven around the mystery of a disappearing family. Equal parts puzzle, playground, and contemporary art exhibition.
Museum of International Folk Art. The world's largest folk art museum sits on Museum Hill with more than 130,000 objects from over 100 countries, anchored by Alexander Girard's breathtaking permanent installation of miniature scenes and figurines from every corner of the globe. A deeply joyful, visually overwhelming experience.
Santa Fe Opera. Few opera experiences on earth match Santa Fe's open-air hilltop theatre, where world-class summer productions unfold against the Jemez Mountains at sunset. The season runs July through August; arrive early to tailgate picnic-style in the parking lot before the curtain rises.
Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa. A Japanese mountain spa perched in the pines 15 minutes from the Plaza, Ten Thousand Waves offers private and communal hot spring soaking pools, massage, and the acclaimed Izanami izakaya restaurant — all channeling the spirit of a traditional Japanese onsen resort.
Bandelier National Monument. A 40-mile drive from Santa Fe, this 33,000-acre monument preserves Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings, kivas, and petroglyphs dating back over 10,000 years. The 1.4-mile Main Loop Trail leads visitors past cave rooms carved into volcanic tuff — a genuine wonder requiring minimal hiking effort.
Top-rated tours & activities in Santa Fe
Santa Fe Ultimate History Walking Tour — 4.9★ (581 reviews)
Small-Group E-Bike Adventure Tour through Hidden Santa Fe — 4.9★ (307 reviews)
Rio Grande Gorge Full Day — 4.9★ (198 reviews)
Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting — 4.8★ (25 reviews)
New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza — 4.8★ (499 reviews)
Hot Air Balloon Rides in Santa Fe — 4.8★ (45 reviews)
Santa Fe Scenic — 4.6★ (76 reviews)
Santa Fe Sweet & Spicy Food Tour: Churros, Biscochitos & More — 4.6★ (21 reviews)
Santa Fe Ultimate History Walking Tour — 4.9★ (581 reviews)
Small-Group E-Bike Adventure Tour through Hidden Santa Fe — 4.9★ (307 reviews)
Rio Grande Gorge Full Day — 4.9★ (198 reviews)
Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting — 4.8★ (25 reviews)
New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza — 4.8★ (499 reviews)
Hot Air Balloon Rides in Santa Fe — 4.8★ (45 reviews)
Santa Fe Scenic — 4.6★ (76 reviews)
Santa Fe Sweet & Spicy Food Tour: Churros, Biscochitos & More — 4.6★ (21 reviews)