Santa Fe is the sort of distinctive vacation spot that’s truly like nowhere else within the United States. With orange pueblo constructions, lots of artwork galleries and stress-free spas, New Mexico’s capital town is the very best position for a ladies getaway or a soothing lengthy weekend. There’s so much to do right here, however 3 days in Santa Fe is solely the correct amount of time to hide the entirety.
Whilst Santa Fe is a town, it feels very just like a small the city. The downtown house is compact, so you’ll simply get round on foot. Based in 1610 as a Spanish colony, the town has a lot of historic sights to peer, together with the standard plaza and the Palace of the Governors.
It’s additionally lovely canine pleasant with so much of outside patios and pet-friendly accommodations, so I selected to fly there with my Pomeranian, Luna. Her snow white fur were given completely lined in wilderness mud regardless that, so be warned your puppy would possibly finally end up having a look lovely grubby!
There also are lots of distinctive and funky issues to do in Santa Fe, together with Meow Wolf – a wacky immersive artwork revel in – and the Sky Railway, a ancient teach that takes guests on a experience thru New Mexico’s panorama.
I totally loved my time in Santa Fe and would undoubtedly suggest you talk over with! That can assist you plan your go back and forth, I’ve put in combination this 3 day Santa Fe itinerary, which covers the entire highest attractions and puts to consume.
The best way to Get to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe has its personal airport, Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF), alternatively it’s slightly small and is basically served through personal airplane and only some airways. Airways that fly into Santa Fe come with American, United, Delta and Alaska.
Flights to Santa Fe will also be reasonably pricey, so the general public fly into Albuquerque, which is what we did. Take a look at my information to discovering reasonable flights, which is stuffed with pointers for locating the most affordable airfares.
Albuquerque Global Sunport (ABQ) is set 68 miles south west of Santa Fe and the using time is kind of 1 hour.
We rented a automotive from Albuquerque airport and the revel in used to be lovely seamless. I like to recommend the usage of Rentalcars.com or Uncover Automobiles to seek out the most productive offers. For those who don’t need to hire a automotive, you’ll e book a go back and forth to/from the airport with an organization known as Groome Transportation.
Your different possibility is to take a teach from downtown Albuquerque. For those who’re coming from the airport, you might want to catch an Uber to Albuquerque teach station. The New Mexico Rail Runner teach operates between Albuquerque and Santa Fe seven days every week. You’ll get off on the Santa Fe Depot, which is with regards to the farmer’s marketplace and a lot of eateries.
Getting Round On Your 3 Days in Santa Fe
For those who plan on sticking simply to the downtown house to your weekend in Santa Fe then you might want to get round Santa Fe basically through strolling or taking Uber. Visiting Santa Fe is imaginable and not using a automotive, however you’ll need to you should definitely’re staying at a downtown lodge and no longer one who’s at the fringe of the city.
Santa Fe has a bus carrier known as the Santa Fe Trails bus, which operates quite a lot of routes round the city. You’ll see the schedules and routes right here. You must additionally get round through renting a motorcycle and biking – take a look at Mellow Velo motorcycle apartment, which is situated within the Historical Downtown house.
In my view I’d suggest you hire a automotive to your 3 days in Santa Fe so you might have the liberty to head anywhere you need. Renting a automotive will mean you can talk over with different puts in New Mexico, together with Taos Pueblo and Jemez Springs. It’ll additionally make it a lot more straightforward to get to puts which can be at the fringe of Santa Fe too, similar to Ten Thousand Waves, Ojo Santa Fe Spa and Meow Wolf.
Santa Fe Itinerary: 3 Days
Now that we’ve lined how one can get round Santa Fe, let’s get immediately into this Santa Fe itinerary! You’ll spend your first two days finding the Historical Downtown house and puts similar to Canyon Highway. Your closing day will probably be spent having a pleasant stress-free spa day!
Day 1: Historical Downtown & Dinner
Get started your first day of your Santa Fe itinerary through heading downtown and visiting two of the town’s highest artwork museums – the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Artwork. Subsequent, make your approach to the plaza and walk across the ancient heart. Maximum of Santa Fe’s sights are situated inside of a small radius, so the entirety is inside of strolling distance.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and New Mexico Museum of Artwork
Situated on Johnson St, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum celebrates the existence and works of artist Georgia O’Keeffe, who spent a lot of her time within the southwest. Lots of her works have been encouraged through the panorama of New Mexico and he or she used to be recognized for artwork of flora, leaves, rocks, shells, bones and landscapes.
The museum properties 3,000 items created through O’Keeffe, together with 140 oil artwork, 700 drawings and loads of others created over the process her occupation.
Close by you’ll additionally in finding the New Mexico Museum of Artwork, which is devoted to New Mexico artwork and is stuffed with artwork, sculptures, drawings, pictures and quite a lot of mixed-media works.
The development used to be designed through architects Isaac Hamilton and William Morris Rapp and finished in 1917. Its ‘Pueblo Revival’ architectural genre makes use of trendy development fabrics made to appear to be the ancient adobe church buildings that may be discovered all over New Mexico.
Santa Fe Plaza
On the middle of the town is Santa Fe Plaza, which is a significant amassing position and Nationwide Historical Landmark. It has the feel and appear of a standard Spanish plaza and contours grass, timber and benches to take a seat on. Crimson chile ristras hold from the timber and a 33 toes (10 m) stone cenotaph known as “The Soldier’s Monument” stands within the heart.
Palace of the Governors
To the north of the plaza is the Palace of the Governors, which is a huge adobe construction that dates the entire as far back as 1610. Constructed through the Spanish as an administrative development, it served because the seat of the New Mexico govt for hundreds of years. These days, many native artisans promote their wares and handicrafts underneath the lengthy walkway out of doors it.
Lunch at The Shed
Subsequent up to your Santa Fe itinerary – lunch time! Stroll to The Shed, which is an overly well-known family-run spot with a lovable courtyard patio. The doorway is fairly discreet however you’ll simply spot it from the colourful wood signal striking out of doors. The Shed serves New Mexican delicacies and is understood for its purple chile enchiladas and yummy margaritas.
Loretto Chapel
When you’ve stuffed your abdomen with tasty Mexican meals, stroll on over to The Loretto Chapel, which used to be as soon as a Roman Catholic church however now operates as a museum and marriage ceremony venue.
The chapel (commissioned in 1873) is legendary for its staircase, which has two entire 360 stage turns without a heart pole for structural give a boost to. All the weight of the staircase rests at the backside stair, which is lovely superb whilst you take into accounts it!
In line with legend, the Sisters of Loretto prayed a 9 day novena to St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Carpenters. The architect of the chapel had died sooner than get entry to to the choir loft used to be constructed they usually prayed to the saint to lend a hand them remedy the issue.
Supposedly at the 9th day of prayer, a wood worker confirmed up with just a hammer and wood worker’s sq.. After he constructed the staircase he disappeared and not using a hint and so the sisters of the chapel attempted searching for him however couldn’t in finding him. Some other folks imagine he used to be Saint Joseph himself, whilst others imagine he used to be despatched through Saint Josef.
At the start the staircase didn’t have banisters, however those have been added about 10 years later to enable you to climb the steps.
Margaritas at Coyote Rooftop or L. a. Fonda at the Plaza
After an extended day of sightseeing you’ll most probably need to sit back and calm down. I’d counsel you head to a rooftop so you’ll have one thing to drink and benefit from the perspectives over Santa Fe.
The Bell Tower Bar at L. a. Fonda at the Plaza is arguably the most productive rooftop in Santa Fe and is the very best position to observe the sundown. Situated at the fifth flooring of the lodge, it gives panoramic perspectives over the town.
However you might want to talk over with Coyote Rooftop & Cantina, which has a colourful mural-painted rooftop and serves tasty southwestern delicacies.
Dinner at Sazón
Finish your day with dinner at Sazón – some of the highest eating places in Santa Fe. The entirety at the menu is astounding and the bar personnel are very a professional. This upscale eating place serves Mexican dishes with a modern twist and provides a nine-course degustation menu with distinctive creations from the eating place’s acclaimed chef, Chef Olea.
I didn’t check out the degustation menu however I did check out a couple of dishes from the menu, together with the chef’s signature soup, pan seared tuna with purple cabbage, and the Crepes de Cajeta. The dessert used to be severely some of the highest cakes I’ve ever tasted, and I don’t also have a lot of a candy enamel.
Day 2: Museum Hill, Ten Thousand Waves, Canyon Highway
Museum Hill
Start your day through visiting Museum Hill, which is situated 2-miles southeast of Santa Fe’s ancient heart. I’m no longer in most cases a lot of a museum particular person so I puzzled if this is able to be value it, nevertheless it completely used to be!
Museum Hill is a cluster of museums which can be perched on peak of a hill, providing breathtaking perspectives all over the place Santa Fe and past. Although you don’t pass within any of the museums, undoubtedly forestall up right here to have a drink out of doors Weldon’s Museum Hill Cafe and absorb the fantastic landscape.
The hill is house to 4 museums:
- Museum of Spanish Colonial Artwork
- Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
- Museum of Indian Arts & Tradition
- Museum of Global Folks Artwork
Whilst I didn’t pass throughout the museums, I did talk over with Santa Fe Botanical Lawn, which is a beautiful lawn full of cacti and different flaura/fauna which can be local to the New Mexico panorama. Dotted across the lawn you’ll see quite a lot of sculptures and artworks – it’s an excellent stress-free position that’s undoubtedly value your time.
Lunch at Ten Thousand Waves
After visiting Museum Hill, pressure on over (or Uber) to Ten Thousand Waves, which is a Eastern-style spa situated northeast of Santa Fe.
Arriving at Ten Thousand Waves I felt like I’d been teleported immediately to Japan. All the lodge has been modeled within the genre of a standard Eastern mountain onsen and is extremely non violent.
We didn’t in fact soak right here (we selected to talk over with the Ojo Santa Fe Spa for that), we did have lunch within the lodge’s izanami eating place. This upscale izakaya serves unique Eastern delicacies, together with seafood that’s flown in immediately from Tokyo.
Many of the eating place’s beef, hen and wagyu red meat is natural or sustainably raised, and there are many gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan pieces at the menu. The entire cakes are made in-house and there’s an in depth Eastern sake menu should you like sake!
The entirety we ate at izanami used to be scrumptious and it used to be some of the highest foods we had at the go back and forth. We dined out of doors as a result of I had my canine with me, however the eating place has quite a lot of seating choices, together with cubicles, desk seating and conventional tatami flooring seating.
Kakawa Chocolate Area
Remember to go away somewhat room for some dessert, since your subsequent forestall will probably be Kakawa Chocolate Area, which is situated close to Canyon Highway. This area of expertise chocolate corporate makes quite a lot of ancient consuming sweets the usage of recipes that date from the time frame 1000 BC to the mid-1900s AD.
Along with consuming elixirs, Kakawa additionally sells selfmade ice lotions, truffes, agave caramels and difficult sweets, which might be made in small batches. The corporate makes use of contemporary, seasonal substances and makes use of some distinctive flavors similar to pomegranate, cherry-chili, prickly pear, and mezcal.
Canyon Highway
After sampling sweets at Kakawa, head to Canyon Highway, which is Santa Fe’s well-known artwork boulevard. Santa Fe is house to loads of galleries and has the second one largest artwork scene after New York Town.
Canyon Highway is covered with artwork galleries that includes nice artwork created through probably the most highest artists in the US – and the arena.
Spend your afternoon surfing the artwork after which forestall through the Ahmyo Wine Lawn, which serves wine and artisanal meals in a calm wilderness oasis lawn surroundings. It’s the very best position to relaxation your weary legs after an afternoon of sightseeing!
For those who don’t really feel like consuming alcohol you might want to forestall through The Teahouse, which gives an in depth menu of loose-leaf natural teas and distinctive botanicals. The teas are sustainably sourced and imported immediately from the growers, then combined in-house through grasp tea blenders.
Dinner at El Farol or Geronimo
For dinner there are a few nice choices on Canyon Highway. El Farol is legendary for its Flamenco Dinner Display, which takes position each and every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night time. The display begins at 8pm and features a Pre-Fixe dinner that includes entrees similar to pan-seared salmon, red meat medallions and Spanish paella.
However you might want to make a reservation for Geronimo, which is a nice eating eating place housed in an adobe house constructed through Geronimo Lopez in 1756. The eating place has received a lot of awards and used to be voted some of the peak eating places in the United States. At the menu you’ll in finding quite a lot of a los angeles carte dishes in addition to a four-course vegetarian tasting menu, which prices $80 consistent with head.
Day 3: Railyard, Ojo Santa Fe Spa Hotel, Meow Wolf
Day 3 of your Santa Fe itinerary will probably be just a little extra at ease, with the chance to wash in a sizzling spring and talk over with the strange Meow Wolf.
Ikonik Espresso Roasters
Get started your day with a espresso from Ikonik Espresso Roasters, which is considered one of Santa Fe’s highest espresso retail outlets. Housed in a former college development, the espresso store boasts a big ethereal house with antique chandeliers, at ease armchairs and lengthy communal tables for operating. For those who didn’t have breakfast at your lodge then you definately’ll in finding plenty of breakfast pieces right here, together with breakfast tacos, croque madame waffles, benedicts and Egyptian dukkah.
Railyard Arts District
Subsequent, take a look at the Railyard Arts District, which options seven fresh artwork galleries housed in spacious warehouse genre constructions. On Saturdays the railyard additionally hosts the Santa Fe Farmers Marketplace, which is stuffed with loads of various distributors promoting all varieties of agricultural produce.
Ojo Santa Fe Spa Hotel
Probably the most highest spas in Santa Fe, Ojo Santa Fe Spa Hotel boasts a number of spring-fed thermal swimming pools and 77 acres of lush gardens. It’s the very best position to assuage your frame, middle and thoughts.
The lodge’s communal bathing spaces forget a small lake and are surrounded through cottonwood timber and living room chairs. It’s a truly stunning surroundings and I felt so at ease right here! Spend your afternoon soaking within the mineral-rich waters, then revel in lunch within the lodge’s Blue Heron Eating place.
The eating place serves farm-to-table dishes made with substances from the Ojo Caliente Farm and native Southwest area. We ordered the The Butcher The Baker & The Farmer grazing platter – it used to be superb!
To get to Ojo Santa Fe you truly desire a automotive, because it’s situated about 15 miles southwest of downtown Santa Fe so that you’ll want to pressure to get there. Uber is from time to time to be had, however it may be tricky to snag one.
Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf is an immersive artwork revel in that began in Santa Fe however has since expanded to Las Vegas and Denver. Santa Fe’s revel in is named The Area of Everlasting Go back and contours over 70 rooms of immersive artwork which can be appropriate for adults and kids of every age. It used to be built at the website of a former bowling alley and has since transform a highly regarded Santa Fe appeal.
I had completely no concept what to anticipate once we covered up for it, however I’m so happy I went! It’s so tricky to give an explanation for, nevertheless it used to be form of like stepping right into a Tim Burton film. Suppose Alice in Wonderland meets Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility meets…Eastern Kawaii Monster Cafe?
It principally begins in a dwelling, aside from it’s no longer your commonplace dwelling. Open the fridge door and also you’ll find a tunnel that ends up in any other measurement. Move slowly during the fireside and also you’ll in finding your self in a room full of strange artwork. It’s very interactive and there are all varieties of secret passageways and issues to climb.
Be expecting to spend about 2 hours at Meow Wolf and take a look at to head within the overdue afternoon when it’s much less busy. That’s why I’d counsel visiting the spa first after which you’ll do that within the afternoon.
The revel in is open until 8pm on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so don’t try to pass then!
Dinner at Radish and Rye or Eating place Martin
My favourite eating place in Santa Fe used to be Eating place Martin – it used to be so excellent we ate there two times! Any other nice eating place we attempted used to be Radish and Rye, which serves farm-to-table delicacies.
Issues to Do Close to Santa Fe
When you have greater than 3 days in Santa Fe, hire a automotive so you’ll see extra of New Mexico. I LOVED the surroundings and using on empty open roads. Some peak day journeys to incorporate to your Santa Fe itinerary come with:
Bandelier Nationwide Monument
This nationwide monument protects over 33,000 acres of land that includes proof of the Ancestral Pueblo folks that dates again hundreds of years.
Maximum of Bandelier is solely desert, nevertheless it does include quite a lot of petroglyphs, masonry pueblos and dwellings carved into the cliffs. If you wish to be told extra concerning the monument, get started on the Customer Heart, which includes a museum, bookstall, 14-minute film, giftshop, snack bar, and picnic house.
From the Customer Heart you’ll take the Major Loop Path, which is a brief 1.2 mile loop that leads thru excavated archeological websites in Frijoles Canyon. Any other fashionable hike is the The Tsankawi segment of the park, which includes a 1.5 mile mesa-top path with 4 ladders. You’ll get to peer petroglyphs, an unexcavated Ancestral Pueblo village, and wonderful vistas alongside the way in which.
Jemez Springs/ Spence Springs
Any other fashionable day go back and forth from Santa Fe is a go back and forth to Jemez Springs, which is understood for its therapeutic mineral springs and mountain surroundings. The village is situated at the Jemez Mountain Path Scenic Byway, which is with regards to Valles Caldera Nationwide Park.
Points of interest right here come with the Jemez State Monument (Jemez Historical Website), which dates again loads of years, and the sixteenth century San José de Guisewa (Jemez) Church) – some of the biggest missions in the US.
If you wish to soak in a herbal sizzling spring with fantastic perspectives, I’d counsel visiting Spence Springs, which is out there by the use of a brief climbing path. The new spring is situated off NM State Freeway 4 and has a small parking house that matches about seven automobiles. The spring includes a small pool with water that sits round frame temperature, so it’s highest to talk over with right through the hotter summer time months when it’s no longer too chilly.
Within the the city of Jemez Springs there are a selection of business sizzling springs and bathhouses the place you’ll soak and revel in quite a lot of spa remedies. Take a look at Jemez Scorching Springs, Jemez Springs Bathtub Area, Canon del Rio Retreat & Spa, and Adobe Morning Day Spa.
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is a chosen UNESCO Global Heritage Website, situated about 73 miles (a 1 hour 40 minute pressure) from Santa Fe. You’ll take the scenic Santa Fe to Taos Prime Highway to get there. The village is ready on the base of the gorgeous Sangre de Cristo Mountain vary and is composed of many multi-storied adobe constructions which were often inhabited for over 1000 years.
It’s nonetheless a dwelling Local American neighborhood with a inhabitants of round 4,500 other folks, so it’s vital to be respectful in their privateness and regulations whilst you talk over with.
Access to the pueblo prices $16 for adults and $14 for seniors or scholars. Kids below 10 pass unfastened. The pueblo is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so don’t attempt to talk over with on in this day and age. Test the Taos Pueblo site for up-to-date opening occasions.
Madrid and the Turquoise Path
For those who’re using from Santa Fe again to Albuquerque on your apartment automotive, you’ll pressure alongside the Turquoise Path Scenic Byway, which extends for roughly 50 miles alongside Freeway 14. This scenic pressure will take you previous outdated mining cities of Golden, Madrid and Cerillos.
I’d counsel creating a forestall in Madrid, which is a unusual artist’s neighborhood that used to be as soon as a coal mining the city and ghost the city. This small the city is filled with colourful constructions, artwork galleries, cafes and retail outlets, so it’s the very best spot to prevent off for a espresso on how one can Albuquerque.
The place to Keep For Your 3 Days in Santa Fe
For this Santa Fe itinerary I’d counsel staying as with regards to downtown as imaginable. There are a lot inexpensive accommodations at the outskirts of the city however you’ll then must invest in Ubers if you wish to drink, otherwise you’ll be searching for parking downtown.
There are lots of lovable boutique accommodations in downtown Santa Fe, however those are probably the most highest ones:
The Parador Santa Fe
I stayed at The Parador Santa Fe, which is a lovable boutique lodge that’s a couple of 10 minute stroll from the plaza. The lodge has its personal car parking zone and there’s a scrumptious a los angeles carte breakfast served each day within the breakfast room. You’ll learn all concerning the lodge in my Parador evaluation.
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
I all the time in finding Rosewood accommodations to be very sumptuous and this one isn’t any exception. The lodge is located only a stone’s throw from the primary plaza and its interiors pay homage to the realm’s local Anasazi tribe. Rooms on the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi function hand made furniture, native artwork, conventional wood ceilings, and both double or king beds.
Inn & Spa at Loretto
The Inn & Spa at Loretto gives 136 well-appointed suites and visitor rooms, an award-winning spa, a year-round heated lawn pool, and a number of other on-site galleries and boutiques. A lot of people talk over with the lodge’s eating place, Luminaria, which has a romantic out of doors patio serving southwestern fare. The lodge is situated adjoining to the Loretto Chapel and is housed in a big adobe development that’s harking back to Taos Pueblo.
The Inn of the 5 Graces
Housed in a standard adobe and stone construction, The Inn of the 5 Graces is a high-end boutique lodge with stunning courtyards, round the clock concierge and a Tibetan-inspired spa. Visitor suites are embellished in colourful colours with hand made items and one-of-a-kind treasures from the Silk Highway that when related Europe and Asia. All of them have kiva wood-burning fireplaces and a few of them have their very own personal balconies.
Resort St. Francis
Situated within the heart of the city, Resort St. Francis is the oldest lodge in Santa Fe. This ancient lodge has a stupendous foyer and a steakhouse with out of doors patio known as Marketplace Steer. For those who fancy a drink after an afternoon of sightseeing, head to the Secreto Front room, which serves “Lawn-To-Glass” cocktails the usage of contemporary end result, greens and herbs.
Las Palomas
Situated no longer a long way from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Las Palomas is a boutique lodge with artfully embellished rooms and a bistro serving scrumptious breakfast burritos. The lodge has a comfortable, Southwestern atmosphere and each and every room is other. Some function rustic wood décor and hand-woven rugs, whilst others boast mid-century furniture and spacious dwelling spaces.
A Ultimate Phrase…
I am hoping you revel in this Santa Fe itinerary! A weekend in Santa Fe is undoubtedly one thing you must imagine should you like artwork, scrumptious Mexican meals and stress-free spas. The surroundings in New Mexico is fantastic and I beloved simply using across the state!
3 days in Santa Fe will mean you can see the entire main sights, even if I’d spend perhaps 4 to five days right here if you wish to talk over with puts like Taos Pueblo, Bandelier Nationwide Monument and the herbal sizzling springs.
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E-book Your Commute
Don’t put out of your mind commute insurance coverage: Heymondo is the most productive commute insurance coverage corporate and provides inexpensive insurance policies. Safetywing is best possible for long-term vacationers and virtual nomads.
E-book your flights: To find reasonable flights the usage of Google Flights or Skyscanner. To get commute offers despatched immediately for your inbox, join Going or Jack’s Flight Membership. Obtain the Hopper app for his or her algorithm-powered value predictions.
Reserving your lodging: I take advantage of Reserving.com to e book all my accommodations. Their Genius loyalty program permits you to earn praise credit no bookings and 10%-20% off lodge costs. You’ll additionally check out Google Resorts and TripAdvisor to go looking costs throughout plenty of websites. Agoda is the most productive website for reserving accommodations in Asia.
Use your telephone in another country: Acquire an Airalo eSIM so you’ll steer clear of hefty information roaming fees whilst touring.
Go back and forth on the cheap: Staying in hostels is a good way to fulfill other folks and is highest should you’re on the cheap. You’ll in finding a variety of superior hostels with Hostelworld.
To find Excursions: For day excursions and multi-day journeys I all the time use GetYourGuide and Viator.
Condominium Automobiles: Seek the most productive apartment automotive offers on Rentalcars.com or Uncover Automobiles.
Santa Fe is the sort of distinctive vacation spot that’s truly like nowhere else within the United States. With orange pueblo constructions, lots of artwork galleries and stress-free spas, New Mexico’s capital town is the very best position for a ladies getaway or a soothing lengthy weekend. There’s so much to do right here, however 3 days in Santa Fe is solely the correct amount of time to hide the entirety.
Whilst Santa Fe is a town, it feels very just like a small the city. The downtown house is compact, so you’ll simply get round on foot. Based in 1610 as a Spanish colony, the town has a lot of historic sights to peer, together with the standard plaza and the Palace of the Governors.
It’s additionally lovely canine pleasant with so much of outside patios and pet-friendly accommodations, so I selected to fly there with my Pomeranian, Luna. Her snow white fur were given completely lined in wilderness mud regardless that, so be warned your puppy would possibly finally end up having a look lovely grubby!
There also are lots of distinctive and funky issues to do in Santa Fe, together with Meow Wolf – a wacky immersive artwork revel in – and the Sky Railway, a ancient teach that takes guests on a experience thru New Mexico’s panorama.
I totally loved my time in Santa Fe and would undoubtedly suggest you talk over with! That can assist you plan your go back and forth, I’ve put in combination this 3 day Santa Fe itinerary, which covers the entire highest attractions and puts to consume.
The best way to Get to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe has its personal airport, Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF), alternatively it’s slightly small and is basically served through personal airplane and only some airways. Airways that fly into Santa Fe come with American, United, Delta and Alaska.
Flights to Santa Fe will also be reasonably pricey, so the general public fly into Albuquerque, which is what we did. Take a look at my information to discovering reasonable flights, which is stuffed with pointers for locating the most affordable airfares.
Albuquerque Global Sunport (ABQ) is set 68 miles south west of Santa Fe and the using time is kind of 1 hour.
We rented a automotive from Albuquerque airport and the revel in used to be lovely seamless. I like to recommend the usage of Rentalcars.com or Uncover Automobiles to seek out the most productive offers. For those who don’t need to hire a automotive, you’ll e book a go back and forth to/from the airport with an organization known as Groome Transportation.
Your different possibility is to take a teach from downtown Albuquerque. For those who’re coming from the airport, you might want to catch an Uber to Albuquerque teach station. The New Mexico Rail Runner teach operates between Albuquerque and Santa Fe seven days every week. You’ll get off on the Santa Fe Depot, which is with regards to the farmer’s marketplace and a lot of eateries.
Getting Round On Your 3 Days in Santa Fe
For those who plan on sticking simply to the downtown house to your weekend in Santa Fe then you might want to get round Santa Fe basically through strolling or taking Uber. Visiting Santa Fe is imaginable and not using a automotive, however you’ll need to you should definitely’re staying at a downtown lodge and no longer one who’s at the fringe of the city.
Santa Fe has a bus carrier known as the Santa Fe Trails bus, which operates quite a lot of routes round the city. You’ll see the schedules and routes right here. You must additionally get round through renting a motorcycle and biking – take a look at Mellow Velo motorcycle apartment, which is situated within the Historical Downtown house.
In my view I’d suggest you hire a automotive to your 3 days in Santa Fe so you might have the liberty to head anywhere you need. Renting a automotive will mean you can talk over with different puts in New Mexico, together with Taos Pueblo and Jemez Springs. It’ll additionally make it a lot more straightforward to get to puts which can be at the fringe of Santa Fe too, similar to Ten Thousand Waves, Ojo Santa Fe Spa and Meow Wolf.
Santa Fe Itinerary: 3 Days
Now that we’ve lined how one can get round Santa Fe, let’s get immediately into this Santa Fe itinerary! You’ll spend your first two days finding the Historical Downtown house and puts similar to Canyon Highway. Your closing day will probably be spent having a pleasant stress-free spa day!
Day 1: Historical Downtown & Dinner
Get started your first day of your Santa Fe itinerary through heading downtown and visiting two of the town’s highest artwork museums – the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Artwork. Subsequent, make your approach to the plaza and walk across the ancient heart. Maximum of Santa Fe’s sights are situated inside of a small radius, so the entirety is inside of strolling distance.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and New Mexico Museum of Artwork
Situated on Johnson St, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum celebrates the existence and works of artist Georgia O’Keeffe, who spent a lot of her time within the southwest. Lots of her works have been encouraged through the panorama of New Mexico and he or she used to be recognized for artwork of flora, leaves, rocks, shells, bones and landscapes.
The museum properties 3,000 items created through O’Keeffe, together with 140 oil artwork, 700 drawings and loads of others created over the process her occupation.
Close by you’ll additionally in finding the New Mexico Museum of Artwork, which is devoted to New Mexico artwork and is stuffed with artwork, sculptures, drawings, pictures and quite a lot of mixed-media works.
The development used to be designed through architects Isaac Hamilton and William Morris Rapp and finished in 1917. Its ‘Pueblo Revival’ architectural genre makes use of trendy development fabrics made to appear to be the ancient adobe church buildings that may be discovered all over New Mexico.
Santa Fe Plaza
On the middle of the town is Santa Fe Plaza, which is a significant amassing position and Nationwide Historical Landmark. It has the feel and appear of a standard Spanish plaza and contours grass, timber and benches to take a seat on. Crimson chile ristras hold from the timber and a 33 toes (10 m) stone cenotaph known as “The Soldier’s Monument” stands within the heart.
Palace of the Governors
To the north of the plaza is the Palace of the Governors, which is a huge adobe construction that dates the entire as far back as 1610. Constructed through the Spanish as an administrative development, it served because the seat of the New Mexico govt for hundreds of years. These days, many native artisans promote their wares and handicrafts underneath the lengthy walkway out of doors it.
Lunch at The Shed
Subsequent up to your Santa Fe itinerary – lunch time! Stroll to The Shed, which is an overly well-known family-run spot with a lovable courtyard patio. The doorway is fairly discreet however you’ll simply spot it from the colourful wood signal striking out of doors. The Shed serves New Mexican delicacies and is understood for its purple chile enchiladas and yummy margaritas.
Loretto Chapel
When you’ve stuffed your abdomen with tasty Mexican meals, stroll on over to The Loretto Chapel, which used to be as soon as a Roman Catholic church however now operates as a museum and marriage ceremony venue.
The chapel (commissioned in 1873) is legendary for its staircase, which has two entire 360 stage turns without a heart pole for structural give a boost to. All the weight of the staircase rests at the backside stair, which is lovely superb whilst you take into accounts it!
In line with legend, the Sisters of Loretto prayed a 9 day novena to St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Carpenters. The architect of the chapel had died sooner than get entry to to the choir loft used to be constructed they usually prayed to the saint to lend a hand them remedy the issue.
Supposedly at the 9th day of prayer, a wood worker confirmed up with just a hammer and wood worker’s sq.. After he constructed the staircase he disappeared and not using a hint and so the sisters of the chapel attempted searching for him however couldn’t in finding him. Some other folks imagine he used to be Saint Joseph himself, whilst others imagine he used to be despatched through Saint Josef.
At the start the staircase didn’t have banisters, however those have been added about 10 years later to enable you to climb the steps.
Margaritas at Coyote Rooftop or L. a. Fonda at the Plaza
After an extended day of sightseeing you’ll most probably need to sit back and calm down. I’d counsel you head to a rooftop so you’ll have one thing to drink and benefit from the perspectives over Santa Fe.
The Bell Tower Bar at L. a. Fonda at the Plaza is arguably the most productive rooftop in Santa Fe and is the very best position to observe the sundown. Situated at the fifth flooring of the lodge, it gives panoramic perspectives over the town.
However you might want to talk over with Coyote Rooftop & Cantina, which has a colourful mural-painted rooftop and serves tasty southwestern delicacies.
Dinner at Sazón
Finish your day with dinner at Sazón – some of the highest eating places in Santa Fe. The entirety at the menu is astounding and the bar personnel are very a professional. This upscale eating place serves Mexican dishes with a modern twist and provides a nine-course degustation menu with distinctive creations from the eating place’s acclaimed chef, Chef Olea.
I didn’t check out the degustation menu however I did check out a couple of dishes from the menu, together with the chef’s signature soup, pan seared tuna with purple cabbage, and the Crepes de Cajeta. The dessert used to be severely some of the highest cakes I’ve ever tasted, and I don’t also have a lot of a candy enamel.
Day 2: Museum Hill, Ten Thousand Waves, Canyon Highway
Museum Hill
Start your day through visiting Museum Hill, which is situated 2-miles southeast of Santa Fe’s ancient heart. I’m no longer in most cases a lot of a museum particular person so I puzzled if this is able to be value it, nevertheless it completely used to be!
Museum Hill is a cluster of museums which can be perched on peak of a hill, providing breathtaking perspectives all over the place Santa Fe and past. Although you don’t pass within any of the museums, undoubtedly forestall up right here to have a drink out of doors Weldon’s Museum Hill Cafe and absorb the fantastic landscape.
The hill is house to 4 museums:
- Museum of Spanish Colonial Artwork
- Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
- Museum of Indian Arts & Tradition
- Museum of Global Folks Artwork
Whilst I didn’t pass throughout the museums, I did talk over with Santa Fe Botanical Lawn, which is a beautiful lawn full of cacti and different flaura/fauna which can be local to the New Mexico panorama. Dotted across the lawn you’ll see quite a lot of sculptures and artworks – it’s an excellent stress-free position that’s undoubtedly value your time.
Lunch at Ten Thousand Waves
After visiting Museum Hill, pressure on over (or Uber) to Ten Thousand Waves, which is a Eastern-style spa situated northeast of Santa Fe.
Arriving at Ten Thousand Waves I felt like I’d been teleported immediately to Japan. All the lodge has been modeled within the genre of a standard Eastern mountain onsen and is extremely non violent.
We didn’t in fact soak right here (we selected to talk over with the Ojo Santa Fe Spa for that), we did have lunch within the lodge’s izanami eating place. This upscale izakaya serves unique Eastern delicacies, together with seafood that’s flown in immediately from Tokyo.
Many of the eating place’s beef, hen and wagyu red meat is natural or sustainably raised, and there are many gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan pieces at the menu. The entire cakes are made in-house and there’s an in depth Eastern sake menu should you like sake!
The entirety we ate at izanami used to be scrumptious and it used to be some of the highest foods we had at the go back and forth. We dined out of doors as a result of I had my canine with me, however the eating place has quite a lot of seating choices, together with cubicles, desk seating and conventional tatami flooring seating.
Kakawa Chocolate Area
Remember to go away somewhat room for some dessert, since your subsequent forestall will probably be Kakawa Chocolate Area, which is situated close to Canyon Highway. This area of expertise chocolate corporate makes quite a lot of ancient consuming sweets the usage of recipes that date from the time frame 1000 BC to the mid-1900s AD.
Along with consuming elixirs, Kakawa additionally sells selfmade ice lotions, truffes, agave caramels and difficult sweets, which might be made in small batches. The corporate makes use of contemporary, seasonal substances and makes use of some distinctive flavors similar to pomegranate, cherry-chili, prickly pear, and mezcal.
Canyon Highway
After sampling sweets at Kakawa, head to Canyon Highway, which is Santa Fe’s well-known artwork boulevard. Santa Fe is house to loads of galleries and has the second one largest artwork scene after New York Town.
Canyon Highway is covered with artwork galleries that includes nice artwork created through probably the most highest artists in the US – and the arena.
Spend your afternoon surfing the artwork after which forestall through the Ahmyo Wine Lawn, which serves wine and artisanal meals in a calm wilderness oasis lawn surroundings. It’s the very best position to relaxation your weary legs after an afternoon of sightseeing!
For those who don’t really feel like consuming alcohol you might want to forestall through The Teahouse, which gives an in depth menu of loose-leaf natural teas and distinctive botanicals. The teas are sustainably sourced and imported immediately from the growers, then combined in-house through grasp tea blenders.
Dinner at El Farol or Geronimo
For dinner there are a few nice choices on Canyon Highway. El Farol is legendary for its Flamenco Dinner Display, which takes position each and every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night time. The display begins at 8pm and features a Pre-Fixe dinner that includes entrees similar to pan-seared salmon, red meat medallions and Spanish paella.
However you might want to make a reservation for Geronimo, which is a nice eating eating place housed in an adobe house constructed through Geronimo Lopez in 1756. The eating place has received a lot of awards and used to be voted some of the peak eating places in the United States. At the menu you’ll in finding quite a lot of a los angeles carte dishes in addition to a four-course vegetarian tasting menu, which prices $80 consistent with head.
Day 3: Railyard, Ojo Santa Fe Spa Hotel, Meow Wolf
Day 3 of your Santa Fe itinerary will probably be just a little extra at ease, with the chance to wash in a sizzling spring and talk over with the strange Meow Wolf.
Ikonik Espresso Roasters
Get started your day with a espresso from Ikonik Espresso Roasters, which is considered one of Santa Fe’s highest espresso retail outlets. Housed in a former college development, the espresso store boasts a big ethereal house with antique chandeliers, at ease armchairs and lengthy communal tables for operating. For those who didn’t have breakfast at your lodge then you definately’ll in finding plenty of breakfast pieces right here, together with breakfast tacos, croque madame waffles, benedicts and Egyptian dukkah.
Railyard Arts District
Subsequent, take a look at the Railyard Arts District, which options seven fresh artwork galleries housed in spacious warehouse genre constructions. On Saturdays the railyard additionally hosts the Santa Fe Farmers Marketplace, which is stuffed with loads of various distributors promoting all varieties of agricultural produce.
Ojo Santa Fe Spa Hotel
Probably the most highest spas in Santa Fe, Ojo Santa Fe Spa Hotel boasts a number of spring-fed thermal swimming pools and 77 acres of lush gardens. It’s the very best position to assuage your frame, middle and thoughts.
The lodge’s communal bathing spaces forget a small lake and are surrounded through cottonwood timber and living room chairs. It’s a truly stunning surroundings and I felt so at ease right here! Spend your afternoon soaking within the mineral-rich waters, then revel in lunch within the lodge’s Blue Heron Eating place.
The eating place serves farm-to-table dishes made with substances from the Ojo Caliente Farm and native Southwest area. We ordered the The Butcher The Baker & The Farmer grazing platter – it used to be superb!
To get to Ojo Santa Fe you truly desire a automotive, because it’s situated about 15 miles southwest of downtown Santa Fe so that you’ll want to pressure to get there. Uber is from time to time to be had, however it may be tricky to snag one.
Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf is an immersive artwork revel in that began in Santa Fe however has since expanded to Las Vegas and Denver. Santa Fe’s revel in is named The Area of Everlasting Go back and contours over 70 rooms of immersive artwork which can be appropriate for adults and kids of every age. It used to be built at the website of a former bowling alley and has since transform a highly regarded Santa Fe appeal.
I had completely no concept what to anticipate once we covered up for it, however I’m so happy I went! It’s so tricky to give an explanation for, nevertheless it used to be form of like stepping right into a Tim Burton film. Suppose Alice in Wonderland meets Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility meets…Eastern Kawaii Monster Cafe?
It principally begins in a dwelling, aside from it’s no longer your commonplace dwelling. Open the fridge door and also you’ll find a tunnel that ends up in any other measurement. Move slowly during the fireside and also you’ll in finding your self in a room full of strange artwork. It’s very interactive and there are all varieties of secret passageways and issues to climb.
Be expecting to spend about 2 hours at Meow Wolf and take a look at to head within the overdue afternoon when it’s much less busy. That’s why I’d counsel visiting the spa first after which you’ll do that within the afternoon.
The revel in is open until 8pm on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so don’t try to pass then!
Dinner at Radish and Rye or Eating place Martin
My favourite eating place in Santa Fe used to be Eating place Martin – it used to be so excellent we ate there two times! Any other nice eating place we attempted used to be Radish and Rye, which serves farm-to-table delicacies.
Issues to Do Close to Santa Fe
When you have greater than 3 days in Santa Fe, hire a automotive so you’ll see extra of New Mexico. I LOVED the surroundings and using on empty open roads. Some peak day journeys to incorporate to your Santa Fe itinerary come with:
Bandelier Nationwide Monument
This nationwide monument protects over 33,000 acres of land that includes proof of the Ancestral Pueblo folks that dates again hundreds of years.
Maximum of Bandelier is solely desert, nevertheless it does include quite a lot of petroglyphs, masonry pueblos and dwellings carved into the cliffs. If you wish to be told extra concerning the monument, get started on the Customer Heart, which includes a museum, bookstall, 14-minute film, giftshop, snack bar, and picnic house.
From the Customer Heart you’ll take the Major Loop Path, which is a brief 1.2 mile loop that leads thru excavated archeological websites in Frijoles Canyon. Any other fashionable hike is the The Tsankawi segment of the park, which includes a 1.5 mile mesa-top path with 4 ladders. You’ll get to peer petroglyphs, an unexcavated Ancestral Pueblo village, and wonderful vistas alongside the way in which.
Jemez Springs/ Spence Springs
Any other fashionable day go back and forth from Santa Fe is a go back and forth to Jemez Springs, which is understood for its therapeutic mineral springs and mountain surroundings. The village is situated at the Jemez Mountain Path Scenic Byway, which is with regards to Valles Caldera Nationwide Park.
Points of interest right here come with the Jemez State Monument (Jemez Historical Website), which dates again loads of years, and the sixteenth century San José de Guisewa (Jemez) Church) – some of the biggest missions in the US.
If you wish to soak in a herbal sizzling spring with fantastic perspectives, I’d counsel visiting Spence Springs, which is out there by the use of a brief climbing path. The new spring is situated off NM State Freeway 4 and has a small parking house that matches about seven automobiles. The spring includes a small pool with water that sits round frame temperature, so it’s highest to talk over with right through the hotter summer time months when it’s no longer too chilly.
Within the the city of Jemez Springs there are a selection of business sizzling springs and bathhouses the place you’ll soak and revel in quite a lot of spa remedies. Take a look at Jemez Scorching Springs, Jemez Springs Bathtub Area, Canon del Rio Retreat & Spa, and Adobe Morning Day Spa.
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is a chosen UNESCO Global Heritage Website, situated about 73 miles (a 1 hour 40 minute pressure) from Santa Fe. You’ll take the scenic Santa Fe to Taos Prime Highway to get there. The village is ready on the base of the gorgeous Sangre de Cristo Mountain vary and is composed of many multi-storied adobe constructions which were often inhabited for over 1000 years.
It’s nonetheless a dwelling Local American neighborhood with a inhabitants of round 4,500 other folks, so it’s vital to be respectful in their privateness and regulations whilst you talk over with.
Access to the pueblo prices $16 for adults and $14 for seniors or scholars. Kids below 10 pass unfastened. The pueblo is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so don’t attempt to talk over with on in this day and age. Test the Taos Pueblo site for up-to-date opening occasions.
Madrid and the Turquoise Path
For those who’re using from Santa Fe again to Albuquerque on your apartment automotive, you’ll pressure alongside the Turquoise Path Scenic Byway, which extends for roughly 50 miles alongside Freeway 14. This scenic pressure will take you previous outdated mining cities of Golden, Madrid and Cerillos.
I’d counsel creating a forestall in Madrid, which is a unusual artist’s neighborhood that used to be as soon as a coal mining the city and ghost the city. This small the city is filled with colourful constructions, artwork galleries, cafes and retail outlets, so it’s the very best spot to prevent off for a espresso on how one can Albuquerque.
The place to Keep For Your 3 Days in Santa Fe
For this Santa Fe itinerary I’d counsel staying as with regards to downtown as imaginable. There are a lot inexpensive accommodations at the outskirts of the city however you’ll then must invest in Ubers if you wish to drink, otherwise you’ll be searching for parking downtown.
There are lots of lovable boutique accommodations in downtown Santa Fe, however those are probably the most highest ones:
The Parador Santa Fe
I stayed at The Parador Santa Fe, which is a lovable boutique lodge that’s a couple of 10 minute stroll from the plaza. The lodge has its personal car parking zone and there’s a scrumptious a los angeles carte breakfast served each day within the breakfast room. You’ll learn all concerning the lodge in my Parador evaluation.
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
I all the time in finding Rosewood accommodations to be very sumptuous and this one isn’t any exception. The lodge is located only a stone’s throw from the primary plaza and its interiors pay homage to the realm’s local Anasazi tribe. Rooms on the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi function hand made furniture, native artwork, conventional wood ceilings, and both double or king beds.
Inn & Spa at Loretto
The Inn & Spa at Loretto gives 136 well-appointed suites and visitor rooms, an award-winning spa, a year-round heated lawn pool, and a number of other on-site galleries and boutiques. A lot of people talk over with the lodge’s eating place, Luminaria, which has a romantic out of doors patio serving southwestern fare. The lodge is situated adjoining to the Loretto Chapel and is housed in a big adobe development that’s harking back to Taos Pueblo.
The Inn of the 5 Graces
Housed in a standard adobe and stone construction, The Inn of the 5 Graces is a high-end boutique lodge with stunning courtyards, round the clock concierge and a Tibetan-inspired spa. Visitor suites are embellished in colourful colours with hand made items and one-of-a-kind treasures from the Silk Highway that when related Europe and Asia. All of them have kiva wood-burning fireplaces and a few of them have their very own personal balconies.
Resort St. Francis
Situated within the heart of the city, Resort St. Francis is the oldest lodge in Santa Fe. This ancient lodge has a stupendous foyer and a steakhouse with out of doors patio known as Marketplace Steer. For those who fancy a drink after an afternoon of sightseeing, head to the Secreto Front room, which serves “Lawn-To-Glass” cocktails the usage of contemporary end result, greens and herbs.
Las Palomas
Situated no longer a long way from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Las Palomas is a boutique lodge with artfully embellished rooms and a bistro serving scrumptious breakfast burritos. The lodge has a comfortable, Southwestern atmosphere and each and every room is other. Some function rustic wood décor and hand-woven rugs, whilst others boast mid-century furniture and spacious dwelling spaces.
A Ultimate Phrase…
I am hoping you revel in this Santa Fe itinerary! A weekend in Santa Fe is undoubtedly one thing you must imagine should you like artwork, scrumptious Mexican meals and stress-free spas. The surroundings in New Mexico is fantastic and I beloved simply using across the state!
3 days in Santa Fe will mean you can see the entire main sights, even if I’d spend perhaps 4 to five days right here if you wish to talk over with puts like Taos Pueblo, Bandelier Nationwide Monument and the herbal sizzling springs.
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Use your telephone in another country: Acquire an Airalo eSIM so you’ll steer clear of hefty information roaming fees whilst touring.
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