Weekend in Santa Fe Itinerary: 3 Days in Santa Fe!

Santa Fe is such a singular vacation spot that’s actually like nowhere else within the United States. With orange pueblo buildings, tons of artwork galleries and stress-free spas, New Mexico’s capital metropolis is the proper place for a women getaway or a soothing lengthy weekend. There’s loads to do right here, however 3 days in Santa Fe is simply the correct amount of time to cowl every thing.

While Santa Fe is a metropolis, it feels very very similar to a small city. The downtown space is compact, so you’ll be able to simply get round on foot. Founded in 1610 as a Spanish colony, town has quite a few historic sights to see, together with the normal plaza and the Palace of the Governors. 

It’s additionally fairly canine pleasant with a number of out of doors patios and pet-friendly accommodations, so I selected to fly there with my Pomeranian, Luna. Her snow white fur bought completely coated in desert mud although, so be warned your pup would possibly find yourself trying fairly grubby!

There are additionally tons of distinctive and funky issues to do in Santa Fe, together with Meow Wolf – a wacky immersive artwork expertise – and the Sky Railway, a historic prepare that takes guests on a experience by New Mexico’s panorama.

I completely loved my time in Santa Fe and would positively suggest you go to! To aid you plan your journey, I’ve put collectively this 3 day Santa Fe itinerary, which covers all one of the best sights and locations to eat. 

How to Get to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe has its personal airport, Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF), nonetheless it’s pretty small and is especially served by personal plane and only a few airways. Airlines that fly into Santa Fe embody American, United, Delta and Alaska.

Flights to Santa Fe may be fairly costly, so most individuals fly into Albuquerque, which is what we did. Check out my information to discovering low-cost flights, which is full of suggestions for locating the most cost effective airfares.

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is about 68 miles south west of Santa Fe and the driving time is roughly 1 hour. 

We rented a automotive from Albuquerque airport and the expertise was fairly seamless. I like to recommend utilizing Rentalcars.com or Discover Cars to search out one of the best offers. If you don’t need to lease a automotive, you’ll be able to ebook a shuttle to/from the airport with an organization referred to as Groome Transportation. 

Your different choice is to take a prepare from downtown Albuquerque. If you’re coming from the airport, you possibly can catch an Uber to Albuquerque prepare station. The New Mexico Rail Runner prepare operates between Albuquerque and Santa Fe seven days every week. You’ll get off on the Santa Fe Depot, which is near the farmer’s market and quite a few eateries.

Getting Around On Your 3 Days in Santa Fe

If you propose on sticking simply to the downtown space in your weekend in Santa Fe then you possibly can get round Santa Fe primarily by strolling or taking Uber. Visiting Santa Fe is feasible with out a automotive, however you’ll need to be sure you’re staying at a downtown resort and never one which’s on the sting of city.

Santa Fe has a bus service referred to as the Santa Fe Trails bus, which operates varied routes round city. You can see the schedules and routes right here. You might additionally get round by renting a motorbike and biking – try Mellow Velo bike rental, which is positioned within the Historic Downtown space.

Personally I might suggest you lease a automotive on your 3 days in Santa Fe so you will have the liberty to go wherever you need. Renting a automotive will let you go to different locations in New Mexico, together with Taos Pueblo and Jemez Springs. It’ll additionally make it a lot simpler to get to locations which can be on the sting of Santa Fe too, resembling Ten Thousand Waves, Ojo Santa Fe Spa and Meow Wolf.

Santa Fe Itinerary: 3 Days

Now that we’ve coated the right way to get round Santa Fe, let’s get straight into this Santa Fe itinerary! You’ll spend your first two days discovering the Historic Downtown space and locations resembling Canyon Road. Your final day will probably be spent having a pleasant stress-free spa day! 

Day 1: Historic Downtown & Dinner

Start your first day of your Santa Fe itinerary by heading downtown and visiting two of town’s finest artwork museums – the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Art. Next, make your approach to the plaza and stroll across the historic heart. Most of Santa Fe’s sights are positioned inside a small radius, so every thing is inside strolling distance.

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and New Mexico Museum of Art

Located on Johnson St, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum celebrates the life and works of artist Georgia O’Keeffe, who spent a lot of her time within the southwest. Many of her works had been impressed by the panorama of New Mexico and he or she was recognized for work of flowers, leaves, rocks, shells, bones and landscapes. 

The museum homes 3,000 items created by O’Keeffe, together with 140 oil work, 700 drawings and lots of of others created over the course of her profession.

Nearby you’ll additionally discover the New Mexico Museum of Art, which is devoted to New Mexico artwork and is full of work, sculptures, drawings, pictures and varied mixed-media works. 

The constructing was designed by architects Isaac Hamilton and William Morris Rapp and accomplished in 1917. Its ‘Pueblo Revival’ architectural type makes use of fashionable development supplies made to seem like the historic adobe church buildings that may be discovered all through New Mexico.

Santa Fe Plaza

At the guts of town is Santa Fe Plaza, which is a significant gathering place and National Historic Landmark. It has the feel and appear of a standard Spanish plaza and options grass, timber and benches to sit down on. Red chile ristras dangle from the timber and a 33 ft (10 m) stone cenotaph referred to 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 big adobe construction that dates all the best way again to 1610. Built by the Spanish as an administrative constructing, it served because the seat of the New Mexico authorities for hundreds of years. Today, many native artisans promote their wares and handicrafts beneath the lengthy walkway exterior it. 

Lunch at The Shed

Next up in your Santa Fe itinerary – lunch time! Walk to The Shed, which is a really well-known family-run spot with a cute courtyard patio. The Shed serves New Mexican delicacies and is understood for its purple chile enchiladas and yummy margaritas. 

Loretto Chapel

Once you’ve stuffed your abdomen with tasty Mexican meals, stroll on over to The Loretto Chapel, which was 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 full 360 diploma turns with no heart pole for structural assist. The complete weight of the staircase rests on the underside stair, which is fairly wonderful when you concentrate on it! 

According to legend, the Sisters of Loretto prayed a 9 day novena to St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Carpenters. The architect of the chapel had died earlier than entry to the choir loft was constructed and they also prayed to the saint to assist them clear up the issue. 

Supposedly on the ninth day of prayer, a carpenter confirmed up with solely a hammer and carpenter’s sq.. After he constructed the staircase he disappeared with out a hint and so the sisters of the chapel tried searching for him however couldn’t discover him. Some folks imagine he was Saint Joseph himself, whereas others imagine he was despatched by Saint Josef. 

Originally the staircase didn’t have banisters, however these had been added about 10 years later to make it simpler to climb the steps.

Margaritas at Coyote Rooftop or La Fonda on the Plaza

After an extended day of sightseeing you’ll in all probability need to chill and chill out. I’d recommend you head to a rooftop so you’ll be able to have one thing to drink and benefit from the views over Santa Fe. 

The Bell Tower Bar at La Fonda on the Plaza is arguably one of the best rooftop in Santa Fe and is the proper place to look at the sundown. Located on the fifth ground of the resort, it presents panoramic views over town.

Alternatively you possibly can go to Coyote Rooftop & Cantina, which has a colourful mural-painted rooftop and serves tasty southwestern delicacies.

Dinner at Sazón

End your day with dinner at Sazón – among the best eating places in Santa Fe. Everything on the menu is wonderful and the bar employees are very educated. This upscale restaurant serves Mexican dishes with a up to date twist and presents a nine-course degustation menu with distinctive creations from the restaurant’s acclaimed chef, Chef Olea.

I didn’t strive the degustation menu however I did strive just a few dishes from the menu, together with the chef’s signature soup, pan seared tuna with purple cabbage, and the Crepes de Cajeta. The dessert was significantly among the best desserts I’ve ever tasted, and I don’t even have a lot of a candy tooth.

Day 2: Museum Hill, Ten Thousand Waves, Canyon Road

Museum Hill

Begin your day by visiting Museum Hill, which is positioned 2-miles southeast of Santa Fe’s historic heart. I’m not often a lot of a museum individual so I puzzled if this could be price it, however it completely was!

Museum Hill is a cluster of museums which can be perched on prime of a hill, providing breathtaking views throughout Santa Fe and past. Even when you don’t go inside any of the museums, positively cease up right here to have a drink exterior Weldon’s Museum Hill Cafe and absorb the unbelievable panorama.

The hill is house to 4 museums:

• Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
• Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
• Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
• Museum of International Folk Art

While I didn’t go contained in the museums, I did go to Santa Fe Botanical Garden, which is a beautiful backyard full of cacti and different flaura/fauna which can be native to the New Mexico panorama. Dotted across the backyard you’ll see varied sculptures and artworks – it’s a brilliant stress-free place that’s positively price your time.

Lunch at Ten Thousand Waves

After visiting Museum Hill, drive on over (or Uber) to Ten Thousand Waves, which is a Japanese-style spa positioned northeast of Santa Fe. 

Arriving at Ten Thousand Waves I felt like I’d been teleported straight to Japan. The complete resort has been modeled within the type of a standard Japanese mountain onsen and is extremely peaceable. 

We didn’t truly soak right here (we selected to go to the Ojo Santa Fe Spa for that), we did have lunch within the resort’s izanami restaurant. This upscale izakaya serves genuine Japanese delicacies, together with seafood that’s flown in immediately from Tokyo. 

Most of the restaurant’s pork, rooster and wagyu beef is natural or sustainably raised, and there are many gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan gadgets on the menu. All of the desserts are made in-house and there’s an in depth Japanese sake menu when you like sake!

Everything we ate at izanami was scrumptious and it was among the best meals we had on the journey. We dined exterior as a result of I had my canine with me, however the restaurant has a variety of seating choices, together with cubicles, desk seating and conventional tatami ground seating.

Kakawa Chocolate House

Make certain you permit a bit room for some dessert, since your subsequent cease will probably be Kakawa Chocolate House, which is positioned close to Canyon Road. This specialty chocolate firm makes varied historic ingesting sweets utilizing recipes that date from the time interval 1000 BC to the mid-1900s AD.

In addition to ingesting elixirs, Kakawa additionally sells selfmade ice lotions, truffes, agave caramels and laborious sweets, that are made in small batches. The firm makes use of contemporary, seasonal substances and makes use of some distinctive flavors resembling pomegranate, cherry-chili, prickly pear, and mezcal.

Canyon Road

After sampling sweets at Kakawa, head to Canyon Road, which is Santa Fe’s well-known artwork avenue. Santa Fe is house to lots of of galleries and has the second largest artwork scene after New York City.

Canyon Road is lined with artwork galleries that includes wonderful artwork created by a number of the finest artists within the United States – and the world. 

Spend your afternoon looking the artwork after which cease by the Ahmyo Wine Garden, which serves wine and artisanal meals in a peaceable desert oasis backyard setting. It’s the proper place to relaxation your weary legs after a day of sightseeing! 

If you don’t really feel like ingesting alcohol you possibly can cease by The Teahouse, which presents an in depth menu of loose-leaf natural teas and distinctive botanicals. The teas are sustainably sourced and imported immediately from the growers, then blended in-house by grasp tea blenders.

Dinner at El Farol or Geronimo

For dinner there are a few nice choices on Canyon Road. El Farol is legendary for its Flamenco Dinner Show, which takes place each Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. The present begins at 8pm and features a Pre-Fixe dinner that includes entrees resembling pan-seared salmon, beef medallions and Spanish paella.

Alternatively you possibly can make a reservation for Geronimo, which is a wonderful eating restaurant housed in an adobe house constructed by Geronimo Lopez in 1756. The restaurant has received quite a few awards and was voted one of many prime eating places within the US. On the menu you’ll discover varied a la carte dishes in addition to a four-course vegetarian tasting menu, which prices $80 per head.

Day 3: Railyard, Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort, Meow Wolf

Day 3 of your Santa Fe itinerary will probably be a bit extra relaxed, with the chance to wash in a sizzling spring and go to the bizarre Meow Wolf. 

Ikonik Coffee Roasters

Start your day with a espresso from Ikonik Coffee Roasters, which is one in all Santa Fe’s finest espresso outlets. Housed in a former faculty constructing, the espresso store boasts a big ethereal area with classic chandeliers, cozy armchairs and lengthy communal tables for working. If you didn’t have breakfast at your resort you then’ll discover a wide range of breakfast gadgets right here, together with breakfast tacos, croque madame waffles, benedicts and Egyptian dukkah.

Railyard Arts District

Next, try the Railyard Arts District, which options seven modern artwork galleries housed in spacious warehouse type buildings. On Saturdays the railyard additionally hosts the Santa Fe Farmers Market, which is full of lots of of various distributors promoting all kinds of agricultural produce. 

Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort

One of one of the best spas in Santa Fe, Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort boasts a number of spring-fed thermal swimming pools and 77 acres of lush gardens. It’s the proper place to assuage your physique, coronary heart and thoughts.

The resort’s communal bathing areas overlook a small lake and are surrounded by cottonwood timber and lounge chairs. It’s a extremely stunning setting and I felt so relaxed right here! Spend your afternoon soaking within the mineral-rich waters, then take pleasure in lunch within the resort’s Blue Heron Restaurant.

The restaurant 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 was wonderful!

To get to Ojo Santa Fe you really want a automotive, because it’s positioned about 15 miles southwest of downtown Santa Fe so that you’ll must drive to get there. Uber is typically obtainable, however it may be troublesome to snag one. 

Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf is an immersive artwork expertise that began in Santa Fe however has since expanded to Las Vegas and Denver. Santa Fe’s expertise is named The House of Eternal Return and options over 70 rooms of immersive artwork which can be appropriate for adults and youngsters of all ages. It was constructed on the location of a former bowling alley and has since develop into a very fashionable Santa Fe attraction. 

I had completely no concept what to anticipate after we lined up for it, however I’m so glad I went! It’s so troublesome to elucidate, however it was form of like stepping right into a Tim Burton film. Think Alice in Wonderland meets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets…Japanese Kawaii Monster Cafe?

It mainly begins in a home, besides it’s not your regular home. Open the fridge door and also you’ll uncover a tunnel that results in one other dimension. Crawl by the fireside and also you’ll end up in a room full of bizarre artwork. It’s very interactive and there are all kinds of secret passageways and issues to climb.

Expect to spend about 2 hours at Meow Wolf and attempt to go within the late afternoon when it’s much less busy. That’s why I’d recommend visiting the spa first after which you are able to do this within the afternoon.

The expertise 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 go then!

Dinner at Radish and Rye or Restaurant Martin

My favourite restaurant in Santa Fe was Restaurant Martin – it was so good we ate there twice! Another nice restaurant we tried was Radish and Rye, which serves farm-to-table delicacies.

Things to Do Near Santa Fe

If you will have greater than 3 days in Santa Fe, lease a automotive so you’ll be able to see extra of New Mexico. I LOVED the surroundings and driving on empty open roads. Some prime day journeys to incorporate in your Santa Fe itinerary embody:

Bandelier National Monument

This nationwide monument protects over 33,000 acres of land that options proof of the Ancestral Pueblo those that dates again 1000’s of years. 

Most of Bandelier is simply wilderness, however it does include varied petroglyphs, masonry pueblos and dwellings carved into the cliffs. If you need to study extra in regards to the monument, begin on the Visitor Center, which encompasses a museum, bookstore, 14-minute film, giftshop, snack bar, and picnic space.

From the Visitor Center you’ll be able to take the Main Loop Trail, which is a brief 1.2 mile loop that leads by excavated archeological websites in Frijoles Canyon. Another well-liked hike is the The Tsankawi part of the park, which encompasses a 1.5 mile mesa-top path with 4 ladders. You’ll get to see petroglyphs, an unexcavated Ancestral Pueblo village, and exquisite vistas alongside the best way. 

Jemez Springs/ Spence Springs

Another well-liked day journey from Santa Fe is a visit to Jemez Springs, which is understood for its therapeutic mineral springs and mountain surroundings. The village is positioned on the Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway, which is near Valles Caldera National Park.

Sights right here embody the Jemez State Monument (Jemez Historic Site), which dates again lots of of years, and the sixteenth century San José de Guisewa (Jemez) Church) – one of many largest missions within the United States.

If you need to soak in a pure sizzling spring with unbelievable views, I’d recommend visiting Spence Springs, which is accessible through a brief mountaineering path. The sizzling spring is positioned off NM State Highway 4 and has a small parking space that matches about seven autos. The spring encompasses a small pool with water that sits round physique temperature, so it’s finest to go to in the course of the hotter summer time months when it’s not too chilly.

In the city of Jemez Springs there are a variety of economic sizzling springs and bathhouses the place you’ll be able to soak and luxuriate in varied spa therapies. Check out Jemez Hot Springs, Jemez Springs Bath House, Canon del Rio Retreat & Spa, and Adobe Morning Day Spa.

Taos Pueblo

Taos Pueblo is a chosen UNESCO World Heritage Site, positioned about 73 miles (a 1 hour 40 minute drive) from Santa Fe. The village is ready on the base of the gorgeous Sangre de Cristo Mountain vary and consists of many multi-storied adobe buildings which were repeatedly inhabited for over 1000 years. 

It’s nonetheless a residing Native American neighborhood with a inhabitants of round 4,500 folks, so it’s necessary to be respectful of their privateness and guidelines if you go to. 

Entry to the pueblo prices $16 for adults and $14 for seniors or college students. Children underneath 10 go free. The pueblo is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so don’t attempt to go to on nowadays. Check the Taos Pueblo web site for up-to-date opening instances.

Madrid and the Turquoise Trail

If you’re driving from Santa Fe again to Albuquerque in your rental automotive, you’ll be able to drive alongside the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway, which extends for about 50 miles alongside Highway 14. This scenic drive will take you previous outdated mining cities of Golden, Madrid and Cerillos.

I’d recommend making a cease in Madrid, which is a unusual artist’s neighborhood that was as soon as a coal mining city and ghost city. This small city is stuffed with colourful buildings, artwork galleries, cafes and outlets, so it’s the proper spot to cease off for a espresso on the best way to Albuquerque. 

Where to Stay For Your 3 Days in Santa Fe

For this Santa Fe itinerary I’d recommend staying as near downtown as doable. There are less expensive accommodations on the outskirts of city however you’ll then need to spend cash on Ubers if you wish to drink, otherwise you’ll be searching for parking downtown. 

There are tons of cute boutique accommodations in downtown Santa Fe, however these are a number of the finest ones:

The Parador Santa Fe

I stayed at The Parador Santa Fe, which is a cute boutique resort that’s a few 10 minute stroll from the plaza. The resort has its personal parking zone and there’s a scrumptious a la carte breakfast served on daily basis within the breakfast room. You can learn all in regards to the resort in my Parador assessment.

Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi

I all the time discover Rosewood accommodations to be very luxurious and this one is not any exception. The resort is located only a stone’s throw from the primary plaza and its interiors pay homage to the world’s native Anasazi tribe. Rooms function handcrafted furnishings, native artwork work, conventional wood ceilings, and both double or king beds.

Inn & Spa at Loretto

The Inn & Spa at Loretto presents 136 well-appointed suites and visitor rooms, an award-winning spa, a year-round heated backyard pool, and a number of other on-site galleries and boutiques. Lots of individuals go to the resort’s restaurant, Luminaria, which has a romantic out of doors patio serving southwestern fare. The resort is positioned adjoining to the Loretto Chapel and is housed in a big adobe constructing that’s paying homage to Taos Pueblo.

The Inn of the Five Graces

Housed in a standard adobe and stone construction, The Inn of the Five Graces is a high-end boutique resort with stunning courtyards, round the clock concierge and a Tibetan-inspired spa. Guest suites are embellished in vibrant colours with handcrafted items and one-of-a-kind treasures from the Silk Road that after linked Europe and Asia. They all have kiva wood-burning fireplaces and a few of them have their very own personal balconies.

Hotel St. Francis

Located within the heart of city, Hotel St. Francis is the oldest resort in Santa Fe. This historic resort has a stunning foyer and a steakhouse with out of doors patio referred to as Market Steer. If you fancy a drink after a day of sightseeing, head to the Secreto Lounge, which serves “Garden-To-Glass” cocktails utilizing contemporary fruits, greens and herbs. 

Las Palomas

Located not removed from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Las Palomas is a boutique resort with artfully embellished rooms and a bistro serving scrumptious breakfast burritos. The resort has a comfortable, Southwestern atmosphere and every room is completely different. Some function rustic wood décor and hand-woven rugs, whereas others boast mid-century furnishings and spacious residing areas.

A Final Word…

I hope you take pleasure in this Santa Fe itinerary! A weekend in Santa Fe is unquestionably one thing you need to take into account when you like artwork, scrumptious Mexican meals and stress-free spas. The surroundings in New Mexico is unbelievable and I beloved simply driving across the state! 

3 days in Santa Fe will let you see all the foremost sights, though I might spend possibly 4 to five days right here if you wish to go to locations like Taos Pueblo, Bandelier National Monument and the pure sizzling springs.

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