One helpful strategy for exploring Santa Fe over the course of three days is to devote roughly a full day to one neighborhood. For example, you could devote one day to the Plaza and environs, another to Museum Hill and the East Side, and your final day to the Railroad District and points south.
Day 1
Plan on spending a full day wandering around Santa Fe Plaza, strolling down the narrow lanes, under portals, and along ancient adobe-lined streets. Sip coffee on the tree-shaded Plaza, take in a museum or two (or three), and at some point be sure to marvel at the late 19th-century cathedral. The Palace of the Governors and adjoining New Mexico History Museum are great places to start to gain a sense of the history and cultures that influence this area. It’s well-worth taking one of the free docent-led tours offered by the museums—these are a great way to gain invaluable insight into the collections.
Break for lunch, perhaps at casual and historic Tia Sophia’s (a terrific spot for breakfast, too). In the afternoon, take a walk through the exceptional New Mexico Museum of Art and singularly fascinating Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Be sure to set aside some time to visit the many galleries and curio shops lining the streets near the Plaza. A good way to wrap up your adventure is with a cocktail at Secreto Lounge, on the inviting covered patio of the historic Hotel St. Francis.
Day 2
A few miles south of the Plaza on Museum Hill, you’ll find four world-class museums, all quite different and all highly relevant to the culture of Santa Fe and northern New Mexico. There’s also the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, which offers a lovely open-air break from touring these mostly indoor attractions. Start at the intimate gem, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, where you’ll gain a real sense of the Spanish empire’s influence on the world beyond Spain. The Museum of International Folk Art is thoroughly engaging for both young and old. Next enjoy the creative lunch fare at the bright and airy Museum Hill Café, before visiting the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and finally—if time and energy permit—the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. There is a path linking all these museums together, and the walk is easy. A tip for arts, crafts, and books collectors: the museum shops are all outstanding.
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From Museum Hill, it’s a pleasant 10-minute drive or 25-minute walk through a historic residential neighborhood to one of the nation’s most impressive gallery districts, Canyon Road, which winds downhill to the eastern edge of downtown and should definitely be explored on foot. Most galleries here are open daily 10–5, so consider heading over early in the afternoon if you’re keen on doing a lot of art browsing. On Friday nights, you can also attend the Canyon Road Art Walk, during which galleries stay open until 7 and often offer refreshments and present special exhibits.
As you’re wandering through, take any of the side streets and stroll among the historical homes and ancient acequias (irrigation ditches). For a more extensive adventure, keep going up the road past Cristo Rey Church, where the street gets even narrower and is lined with residential compounds. At the top is the Randall Davey Audubon Center, which draws bird-watchers and has a few beautiful, relatively easy hiking trails. For dinner, the venerable El Farol has been going strong since 1835 and offers an extensive menu of tasty tapas and Spanish fare.
Day 3
You can spend your final day exploring the lively Railyard District, which bursts with energy and development from bustling Railyard Park and the many galleries and boutiques that surround it. The Santuario de Guadalupe is a great place to start. Head south from there and enjoy the shops, cafés, art galleries, farmers’ market (open Saturday year-round and Tuesday May through December), and Railyard Park. The expanded and impressively redesigned SITE Santa Fe is also here, with its cutting-edge modern art installations, making it a must for art aficionados. Among the many lunch options in the Railyard District, bustling La Choza is a long-time favorite for classic New Mexican fare.
In the afternoon, you can hop into your car and venture out to one of the city’s attractions located a bit farther afield, perhaps El Rancho de las Golondrinas or even the Turquoise Trail if you’re feeling ambitious. But of all the places you might explore outside Santa Fe’s central core, the absolute must-see is Meow Wolf, the electrifyingly imaginative interactive arts space. Drinks and/or a bite to eat in Meow Wolf’s inspiring Float Café & Bar make for a great end to your visit.