Santa Fe in 4 Days: What to See, Do, and Savor
Thunderous gray clouds rolled over the sprawling desert. Raindrops spattered the windshield. Ahead of us, a long, climbing stretch of highway brought us closer to a city we’d always wanted to visit: Santa Fe, New Mexico.
It was Labor Day Weekend, and I’d booked a 4-day trip for my mom and me. For some reason, I’ve always romanticized the desert. Maybe for its warmth, its vastness, its plant life, so unique and mysterious to girl born and raised in Washington State. Or, maybe, it’s the feeling that one could so easily wander for days under never-ending skies without ever encountering another soul.
Whatever the case, I was finally making it happen—I was just an hour away from planting my feet in the high desert soil. Then, just as quickly as the clouds materialized, they departed, leaving nothing but a blue expanse above.
Evening was creeping in by the time I pulled our rental car into the driveway outside the rustic adobe Airbnb, our home for the next few days. Now the only question was: how would we spend those few days so we could make the most of Santa Fe?
If you’ve got precious little time to enjoy this beautiful destination, affectionately called “The City Different,” don’t fret, there’s plenty you can squeeze in.
Day 1: Historic Downtown Santa Fe
Morning: Palace of the Governors and New Mexico History Museum
Consider starting your journey in the heart of Santa Fe at the Palace of the Governors, a low-slung adobe building that has stood watch over the plaza since 1610. Under its shaded portal, Native American artisans from nearby pueblos spread out blankets to showcase intricate silver jewelry, handwoven textiles, and other one-of-a-kind creations—each with a story, each made by hand. Just steps away, the New Mexico History Museum takes you back in time with exhibits that wind through centuries of cultural convergence, resilience, and reinvention that make this city so compelling.
Afternoon: Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and Loretto Chapel
I love a walkable city, and you can see an awful lot in Santa Fe without wheels. A short jaunt from the plaza will take you to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, an iconic Romanesque church checkered with red and yellow sandstone and an arched doorway crowned by a stained-glass window resembling a wagon wheel. Just around the corner, the Loretto Chapel draws curious crowds thanks to its “Miraculous Staircase”—a gravity-defying spiral with no visible means of support and a legend involving a mysterious carpenter who may or may not have been an angel.
Evening: Dinner at La Plazuela in La Fonda Hotel
After a full day of activity in the sun, nothing beats dinner by the fountain in La Plazuela, a courtyard-inspired restaurant tucked inside the historic La Fonda Hotel. My mom and I shared a platter piled high with pulled pork, hominy, and green chiles. A glass of Pinot Grigio and a bottle of bubbly Pellegrino added a crisp, refreshing touch. Resting our tired bodies in intricately carved, sturdy wooden chairs, we couldn’t help but notice the warm light emanating from every inch of the restaurant—from the terracotta fireplace and the ornate wrought-iron light fixtures to the hand painted windows—embracing diners in an alluring glow. Everything about La Plazuela is mesmerizing. If your feet (and stomach!) are still up for a few more steps, make sure to take a stroll down the hotel hallways to enjoy the many exhibits—one final dose of New Mexico’s enduring artistry before you turn in for the night.
Day 2: Art and Culture
Morning: Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
We kicked off the day with strong coffee and a quiet walk to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. I studied art history in college, so this felt like the opportunity of a lifetime. Tourists donning sunhats were starting to amble down the sidewalks, pausing intermittently to admire the lifelike sculptures of people and animals scattered around town. Once we arrived at the museum, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the small, intimate space wasn’t all that busy (yet).
O’Keeffe’s bold flowers—often described as euphemistic representations of female anatomy—were striking against the stark white walls. While her flowers tend to get all the glory, I appreciated the artist’s interpretation of the desert landscape. I imagined what it must’ve been like for her to regularly journey to what she called “her mountain” and spend the day alone under that massive sky, surrounded by rocky mesas that freckle the earth, pouring her soul onto the canvas. What a life!
Afternoon: Canyon Road Arts District
With the sun high and the sky clear, we made our way to Canyon Road, a narrow, winding street boasting more than 100 art galleries and studios. It’s the kind of place that begs to be explored slowly. We ducked in and out of adobe-fronted shops and quiet courtyards, each one offering a surprise—bronze sculptures half-hidden among wildflowers, vibrant abstract paintings, hand-coiled pottery that’s sure to tell you a story if you stay with it long enough. Whether you buy anything doesn’t matter. The memories you’ll carry of this magical place bursting with colors like turquoise, purple, and red is a gift that will last longer than any souvenir.
Day 3: Nature and History Excursion
Morning: Bandelier National Monument
We hit the road early for Bandelier National Monument, possibly my favorite experience from our trip. Towering Ponderosa Pines enveloped my mom and I as we made our way down the well-worn trail toward the main attraction. Dry pine needles and twigs crunched under our feet, barely startling the squirrels and chipmunks exploring the forest floor. They must be used to the hoards of humans by now.
Someone from another party suggested we give the trees sniff—they’d heard that they smell like vanilla and butterscotch. I pushed any doubt aside and leaned in close, inhaling the crackled, golden bark. It was true! The trees emitted a fragrant aroma, like a sweet latte from your favorite coffee shop. Now I’ve got a new spin on an old idiom: Stop and smell the trees. But I suppose the audience for that one would be quite niche.
The trail led us out of the woods and into a deep canyon skirted by rugged cliffs pockmarked with ancient dwellings. We hiked past old stone foundations and squeezed through narrow crevices formed in the rock until we reached a series of vertical wooden ladders leading up to various Ancestral Pueblo dwellings. The most intimidating climb takes you straight up the cliff via four ladders and countless stone stairs, but the journey is well worth the view. Alcove House—previously called the Ceremonial Cave—provides a breathtaking panoramic of the canyon, the forests, the mountains in the distance.
My mom sat and breathed deeply. She’d paused on the ladders and had to talk herself into continuing. Of course, I offered some encouraging words. If you’re at all afraid of heights, you might prefer to stay on solid ground and enjoy watching others scurry like ants up, up, up the porous volcanic tuff. We sat quietly, imagining what life might’ve looked like in this carved-out sanctuary centuries ago.
Afternoon: Museum Hill
Back in Santa Fe and ready to cool down, we made our way to Museum Hill. We wandered the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, where intricate beadwork, pottery, and oral histories illuminated the stories of Indigenous peoples past and present. Just next door, the Museum of International Folk Art delighted us with its kaleidoscopic displays—from miniature dioramas to handcrafted masks and toys from across the globe. We spent just as much time walking through the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, taking in the peace and quiet that only nature can bring. After the morning’s climb, sitting amongst the native plants and myriad sculptures as the sun set was just what the doctor ordered.
Day 4: Local Experiences
Morning: Santa Fe Railyard Arts District and Farmers Market
There’s something energizing about waking up in a city that feels both old and new, and the Railyard Arts District is where that contrast comes alive. What was once a transportation hub for the Santa Fe Railway has been reimagined into a sort of cultural epicenter—think industrial bones dressed up with bold murals, art galleries, coffee shops, and a sense of community that can’t be ignored. On any given day, live music, dancing, and artist talks might be heard through the hum of chatter from the crowds.
If you’re strategic about planning your trip, head to the Railyard on a Saturday or Tuesday and catch the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. Brimming with all the fruits and vegetables you could ever want, the Farmers’ Market is a must see for anyone who appreciates eating locally grown, in-season produce. You’ll also find wildflower honey, farm-fresh eggs, artisan bread, and handmade soaps. And, of course, chandeliers of chilis in every color of the rainbow.
Afternoon: Santa Fe Plaza and Shopping
For our final afternoon, we returned to the Santa Fe Plaza, where we could slow down and soak in the city one last time. Others seemed to be mulling about with the same energy, popping in and out of Santa Fe’s countless boutiques and galleries. Southwestern art lovers rejoice—silver and turquoise jewelry, woven rugs in striking geometric patterns, and hand-stitched leather bags are just a few of the treasures you’ll find on display. (Bonus: If you’re up for a short drive, The Mercado at Jackalope is a multi-vendor marketplace chock-full of eclectic home goods, pottery, and novelty gifts.)
As daylight turned to dusk, that familiar last-day-of-vacation feeling hit. While always a bit disappointing, going home is what makes visiting a place like this special. Without the bookend, it’s just another day in your ordinary life.
Parting Ways
Even if you can’t hit everything on this list, there’s still so much to see by simply roaming the streets of downtown Santa Fe. Flower displays, more chilis, street artists and musicians, architecture—the list is endless. Besides, if you miss anything, you’ll have a great excuse to return to The City Different.
Our bellies full of pupusas and corn chowder, our heads filled with memories, my mom and I settled in for our final night in Santa Fe. And just like the storm clouds that greeted us on day one, as quickly as we’d arrived, we departed.