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A three-day Santa Fe itinerary is the perfect amount of time to introduce you to the adobe-style pink city that is rich in history and art. From exploring world-class museums and galleries to shopping for local crafts and indulging in the flavors of Southwestern cuisine, Santa Fe is a bright spot that should be included in any New Mexico vacation.

I spent a long weekend in Santa Fe with several of my college friends. We played, ate, and drank our way through Santa Fe. Using my research, experience, and feedback from a friend with family in the area, I crafted this three-day Santa Fe itinerary that hits all the highlights.

Day 1 Santa Fe Itinerary

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Iconik for Breakfast and Coffee

Fuel up before heading out on a fun-filled day of adventure in Santa Fe at Iconik Coffee Roasters. Known for delicious coffee and a relaxed vibe, Iconik is a great way to kick-start your day. For non-coffee drinkers like me, Iconik has several tea options. I enjoyed my tea and muffin while my friends sipped their coffee and ate their creative breakfast dishes.

Explore Santa Fe on Foot With a Walking Tour

Now that you are full, it’s time to learn about Santa Fe’s rich history and culture. You can either take a walking tour or explore Santa Fe yourself. If you plan to create your own walking tour, make sure to hit the following highlights:

Historic Plaza and Shopping

The quintessential adobe pink buildings surround the Historic Plaza at the center of Santa Fe. This national Historic Landmark is home to celebrations, ceremonies, and powwows.

While in the area, stop into some of the local shops to check out the pottery, clothing, home goods, art, and jewelry.

Palace of the Governors

The oldest public building in the United States is the Palace of the Governors. History buffs may enjoy the Palace of Governors, which is also home to the State of New Mexico History Museum. As you walk into the Palace of Governors, stop at the jewelry stalls, where talented Native American artists sell handmade goods.

Loretto Chapel

The Loretto Chapel is known for the “Miraculous Staircase” because legend has it that after nine days of praying to St. Joesph, a carpenter showed up and built the beautiful, functional staircase even though it doesn’t have center supports, nails, or wood from the area. The carpenter then disappeared as quickly as he appeared. The staircase allowed the Sisters to access the second floor of the Chapel. Check it out for yourself to see what all the hype is about.

San Miguel Church

San Miguel Church is the oldest church in the United States, dating back to the early 1600s. A visit reveals the original adobe walls and altar. It is believed that if you ring the bell inside, you are destined to return to Santa Fe. I rang the bell, so I hope the story is true!

Lunch at Tia Sophia

After a morning of walking, you are bound to be hungry. For lunch today, try Tia Sophia’s, a Mexican and Southern-style restaurant. Locals have been frequenting this popular breakfast and lunch spot for thirty years. 

Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is a must-stop in Santa Fe. O’Keeffe is known for her paintings of skyscrapers and depictions of flowers. The museum includes a collection of nearly 150 paintings.

Pro Tips:  A free audio tour is available to those who come with their own earbuds. Please note that only small purses are allowed inside the museum.

Wine Tasting in Santa Fe

The Gruet Winery Santa Fe Tasting Room is the ideal place to relax and unwind after a day of playing tourist. Indulge in a tasting flight as you reminisce about the best things you did earlier in the day.

Pro Tip:  Reservations are highly recommended. Even during the low season, it was hard to get a table.

Dinner at Tomasita’s

A staple in Santa Fe is Tomasita’s, a casual New Mexican-style restaurant. For the last fifty years, it has been known for its locally sourced comfort food. The large portions and margaritas hit the spot after a day of sightseeing. Tomasita’s is also known for its “Christmas style” entrees (red and green hatch chile sauces).

Day 2 in Santa Fe

Breakfast at The French Pastry Shop

Since today is a spa day, you might want to have a light breakfast. Start with a pastry at The French Pastry Shop inside the shopping area in La Fonda on the Plaza. The French Pastry Shop also offers a breakfast menu with sweet and savory crepes and quiche options.

Alternatively, if you are in Santa Fe on a Sunday, you can head to the Railyard to walk around the Farmers’ Market and check out the vendor booths in the arts district. 

Spa Time – Ten Thousand Waves Spa 

After a leisurely breakfast, head to Ten Thousand Waves Spa. I had never been to a Japanese bathhouse and didn’t know what to expect. However, several people had told me good things about Ten Thousand Waves Spa, so I was excited about the day.

The Grand Bath

Before you start your massage, make sure you check out the Grand Bath. An outdoor area with a shallow warm pool, a cold plunge (55-60 degrees), a sauna, and lounge chairs. We used the Grand Bath for about a half hour before our massages. Alternating between the hot and cold pools was invigorating. 

I popped my head into the Grand Bath area after my massage and was surprised to see so many people. A friend had suggested we book a private bath, and after seeing the afternoon crowds, I understand why. The morning was not busy, but the afternoon sure was.

Massages at Ten Thousand Waves

One of the best things to do in Santa Fe is to get a massage at Ten Thousand Waves Spa. Everyone in our group selected the body and sole massage. My relaxing 80-minute massage was held in one of the many treatment rooms. The room itself was plain, but it didn’t matter much since my eyes were closed during the massage. The body and sole massage includes a concentrated foot massage, which helped to relieve the pressure in my feet from a recent hiking trip.

Foot Soak

After my massage, I took advantage of the foot-soaking area with views of a waterfall and koi pond.

Pro Tips:

• Reservations are a must if you want a massage. We called about a month out, and half of the day was already booked.
• Private outdoor Japanese bath experiences are available, and there are several different private baths to choose from.
• It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach Ten Thousand Waves from downtown Santa Fe.
• Arrange transportation both ways in advance if you do not have a car.
• Try to arrive an hour or so before your massage so you can relax at the Grand Bath and have time to shower before your massage.

Lunch at Izanami

In our relaxed state, we walked across the parking lot to Izanami for lunch. Instead of changing back into our clothes, we opted to wear our lightweight spa robes. You are free to wear your robes to lunch, but we were the only people in the restaurant who did. 

Lunch was fabulous. I ordered the chirashizushi, a light and fresh bowl of raw fish, cucumbers, and rice. The group ordered a variety of dishes, and everyone had great things to say about their meals.

Shopping and Relaxing in Town

After your spa treatment, you might be thinking it’s time for a nap. If you still have energy, like I did, you might want to head back towards the Plaza for more shopping. I stopped in Señor Murphy Candymaker to buy a box of the chile cream dark chocolate truffles. The chile hits you as an aftertaste once the chocolate flavor is already in your mouth. The heat from the chile cream accentuates the chocolate flavor that makes your taste buds come alive. They are amazing! I wish I had bought a few more boxes. 

Santa Fe is known for its chiles. If you need to buy a souvenir, then you have lots of other chile options, like chile seasoning, chile ristas, chile honey, or anything shaped like a chile.  

Watch the Sunset at La Fonda Bell Tower

Before heading out for the night, consider going to the La Fonda Bell Tower to watch the sunset. This was on my list of things to do, but my timing was always off. 

Dinner at Geronimo

You don’t want to miss dinner at Geronimo. It is one of the best dining experiences in Santa Fe. This award-winning fine-dining restaurant excels at offering flavorful dishes and cocktails and a high level of service. My favorite night of our trip was the night we had dinner at Geronimo. Everything was seamless. Plus, I laughed so hard with friends that I cried. 

Pro Tip:  Try to make a reservation as soon as possible. Geronimo has a romantic vibe with soft uplighting, creating the perfect date night ambiance. But it also works well for friends and groups. If you are traveling solo, opt for a seat at the bar.

Day 3 in Santa Fe

Brunch at Café Pasquel’s

Café Pasquel’s is another local favorite. To beat the rush, try getting up a little earlier than you hoped or put your name in and walk around town while you wait for a table.  The organic menu of h entrees like machaca / carne seca scramble, huevos barbacoa, and chile relleno con huevos have lead to a loyal customer base. 

While you are waiting to be seated, check out the art gallery and café shop.

Meow Wolf

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If you have not been to a Meow Wolf, then you are in for a treat. The bizarre immersive experience is something right out of Tom Petty’s Last Chance with Mary Jane video. As you enter the creepy house in the dark, the world behind you opens into secret passageways and portals to other worlds. The effect of the lights, mirrors, and staging creates a unique, out-of-this-world experience. 

We spent about two hours at Meow Wolf. It is one of the top things to do in Santa Fe.  

Pro Tip:  The anytime tickets are worth an extra few dollars, so you are not locked into a specific time for your experience. As a group of five, coordinating transportation and dealing with afternoon traffic took more effort than anticipated. We were happy we were not in a rush.

Canyon Road

A weekend in Santa Fe is not complete without visiting Canyon Road. You might find anything from a hand-painted small piece of art to a giant red bull waiting to be installed in your front yard. Some of my favorite pieces were the outdoor kinetic sculptures at the Wilford Gallery of Santa Fe.

While on Canyon Road, stop into Kakawa Chocolate House for a distinctive, rich blend of liquid hot chocolate. You will not be the only one trying to order a hot chocolate. Kakawa is known for its hot chocolate elixir, which has roots that originate from the Aztec people. You can buy the elixir as a souvenir.

If you are in the mood for something sweet, you might try one of the truffles infused with local ingredients. 

Kakawa’s chocolatiers also use fresh ingredients to bring chocolate lovers one-of-a-kind truffles.

Sangria at La Boca

If you are ready for an afternoon cocktail, head to La Boca for Sangria. La Boca has been nominated for a James Beard Award eight times!

Dinner Coyote Café

Coyote Café is a delicious upscale restaurant in the center of Santa Fe. The thoughtfully curated menu has something for everyone. As a group of five, we tried several different menu options. My favorite dish was the scallops. The expertly prepared dish was light yet full of flavor. Everything we tasted was fresh and delicious.

Props to our waitress at Coyote Cafe, who was a true professional. After countless drink orders, courses of food, and lots of laughs, she was still smiling.

Drinks at Tonic

After dinner, head to Tonic Santa Fe, an art deco bar serving craft cocktails with seasonal ingredients. Open until midnight (that is late for Santa Fe), it is one of the best bar options in town. The elevated cocktail menu and throwback décor create a festive bar scene. 

What are the best places to stay in Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is home to several luxury hotels and resorts, including the Rosewood, the Four Seasons Resort, The Inn at Five Graces, and Bishop’s Lodge (an Auberge property). The penthouse at the Inn & Spa at Loretto has insane views of the mountains and town and is close to the Historic Plaza.

For our girls’ trip, we stayed at the Inn & Spa at Loretto, which was perfect for us. The three connecting rooms made us feel like we were living together again – in the best way possible. Although it’s not fancy, it’s in a great location, allowing us to walk to numerous places listed in this itinerary.

If you are thinking about visiting New Mexico, then a weekend in Santa Fe is a must! A quick Santa Fe vacation might be all you need to refresh and rejuvenate. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Fe, New Mexico

Is Santa Fe worth visiting?

Yes, Santa Fe is worth visiting any time! There are more than enough things to do in Santa Fe to fill at least a three-day itinerary. 

How many days do you need in Santa Fe?

A trip to Santa Fe should be at least two days, but three is preferable. A long weekend in Santa Fe is the perfect amount of time to take advantage of the best things to see and do in the area. 

What should I do in Santa Fe if I have an extra day?

If you have an extra day, you might want to visit Bandelier National Monument (a 50-minute drive from downtown), a 33,000-acre park with ancient ruins, petroglyphs, and cliff dwellings. Other ideas include visiting Georgia O’Keeffe’s House Museum in Abiquiu, New Mexico, or going for a hike.

When is the best time to go to Santa Fe?

Winter is a terrific time to visit Santa Fe because there are far fewer tourists. I went at the end of February/beginning of March, and although it was cold (30s-50s), when the sun was shining, it was spectacular. If you dress appropriately, you should be fine. 

Spring and Fall:  The temperatures are comfortable, but you still need a jacket at night. There are fewer tourists than in the summer, but it is not as cold as in winter. The famous Balloon Fiesta is in October.

Summer is Santa Fe’s peak travel season. From May through September, the temperatures are mild in the 70s and 80s.

What are the best places to eat in Santa Fe?

The food in Santa Fe is at the next level. Some of the best restaurants in Santa Fe are Coyote Café, Tomasito’s, and Geronimo.  For coffee or tea stop at Iconik or Crash Murder Business. For a bit of fun, walk the Santa Fe chocolate trail or drink your way through Santa Fe on the margarita trail with fifty-three options. Please don’t tell me you completed the trail in three days, though. 

Pro Tip:  Advanced restaurant reservations are a must!

What is the best way to get to Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is about a 50-minute drive from the Albuquerque International Airport. There is also a regional airport in Santa Fe, but the flights tend to be expensive. 

Should I rent a car when visiting Santa Fe?

Generally, I would say no. We used private transportation as well as Uber/Lyft to get to/from Albuquerque International Airport and around town.

There are no taxis in the area and Uber/Lyft can be extremely slow. If you do not plan your ride, you might end up waiting a significant amount of time for a car.

Renting a car gives you the convenience of moving at your own speed.  But, you will need to pay for hotel parking, and parking in downtown Santa Fe can be difficult. 

Is Santa Fe a walkable city?

Yes! It is easy to get around Santa Fe by either walking or biking. I enjoy walking because you get to know a city and may stop into shops you would have driven right by.

There are also plenty of bike paths in the area.

What is “Christmas Style?”

You might be wondering why you are being asked about Christmas in July. Think less Hallmark and more chile—specifically, red and green chile sauces. The Christmas-colored chiles are transformed into mouthwatering sauces that complement any dish. And yes, you want to give Christmas style a chance.

What is there to see in Santa Fe, New Mexico?

Santa Fe offers many unique things to do and must-see activities. In sum, Santa Fe is known for its art and food scenes, historical significance, and adobe-style architecture. 

I hope this post has inspired you to take a trip to Santa Fe. Was there anything that you think should be added to this Santa Fe travel guide?

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