Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Santa Fe?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Santa Fe?
Many travelers spend two to five days in Santa Fe during their visit. After all, the artsy historic town has plenty to explore such as the historic old town, the restaurant scene, and the quaint shops.
Santa Fe is located in the Sangre de Cristo foothills and it has a long running history as a Spanish colony and the state capital of New Mexico. It is filled with Pueblo-style architecture and has a charming old town. The city also has its own local cuisine and many interesting museums.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Santa Fe? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Santa Fe?
With a variety of sights and attractions, Santa Fe is a fairly popular choice for tourists. So with three days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions around the city. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the artsy historic town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to five days to fully enjoy the historic town even though it's not huge. If you have three days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend 3 days in Santa Fe
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. As the 2nd oldest city in the United States, the old town historic district is filled with charm. The Pueblo-style buildings are brightly colored and there are churches throughout.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Railyard Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe ($119)
- Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour ($70)
- Ultimate Santa Fe History Walking Tour ($130)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. There are many local restaurants that use regional ingredients and offer great flavors. There are also cafes and bistros where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch. Local dishes include sopaipillas made with Native American fry bread, slow-cooked beans, and anything made with red and green chili peppers.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Railyard Arts District ($189)
- Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor' ($209)
- New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza ($184)
Santa Fe is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the historic town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The historic district is walkable and it's easy to visit most of the tourist sights in this area on foot.
Shopping in Santa Fe is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are many unique shops and art galleries that feature local artists and craftsmen.
Santa Fe is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. This cultural city has a unique beauty that is hard to find anywhere else.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Railyard Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe ($119)
- Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour ($70)
- Ultimate Santa Fe History Walking Tour ($130)
Perhaps the most famous spot in Santa Fe is the Museum of New Mexico Complex, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Live music is very popular in Santa Fe, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.
Is 4 days enough time in Santa Fe?
Four days is the perfect amount of time in Santa Fe, as many people prefer to spend two to five days here. You'll be able to admire the historic sights, sample the delicious cuisine, browse the shops, and ski down the slopes. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.
Sante Fe, New Mexico, USA
How to spend 4 days in Santa Fe
With 4 days in Santa Fe, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the historic town has to offer.
The winter season revolves around snow skiing, so it's highly recommended to spend at least one day on the slopes. There are a few good ski resorts not far from Santa Fe. Popular options include Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Santa Fe.
Is 5 days enough time in Santa Fe?
Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Santa Fe at your own pace to experience the historic old town, the restaurant scene, the quaint shops, and skiing and snowboarding. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend 5 days in Santa Fe
If you have more than 5 days in Santa Fe, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the historic town has to offer.
You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Head to the Museum of New Mexico Complex, which has four museums that give a great overview of the history of the area. Also make sure you visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- The Best of Santa Fe & The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum: Private Tour ($210)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Santa Fe.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Santa Fe, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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