Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Santa Fe?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in Santa Fe?
One week is more than enough time to see everything that Santa Fe has to offer. After all, it's not such a huge city. Many visitors prefer to spend two to five days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the historic old town, the restaurant scene, the quaint shops, and skiing and snowboarding at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend a week 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:
- Santa Fe: Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour ($70)
- Private 2.5h Walking Tour to Discover Santa Fe ($185)
- Santa Fe Ultimate 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:
- Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting ($18)
- Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor' ($209)
- New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza ($187)
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:
- Santa Fe: Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour ($70)
- Private 2.5h Walking Tour to Discover Santa Fe ($185)
- Santa Fe Ultimate 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.
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.
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:
- Santa Fe Culture: 3-Hr Private Tour with Georgia O’Keeffe Museum ($220)
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.
Known for it's hiking, Santa Fe sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Because it's located right by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there are many beautiful hikes right outside of town. Popular trails include the Picacho Peak Trail and the Nambe Lake Trail. Bandelier National also has many places to hike.
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.
Santa Fe offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. The rich history gives this town a unique charm.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Santa Fe: Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour ($70)
- Private 2.5h Walking Tour to Discover Santa Fe ($185)
- Santa Fe Ultimate History Walking Tour ($130)
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 2 weeks enough time in Santa Fe?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Santa Fe, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Admire the historic sights, sample the delicious cuisine, browse the shops, and ski down the slopes. You could also use Santa Fe as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
Sante Fe, New Mexico, USA
How to spend 2 weeks in Santa Fe
With 2 weeks in Santa Fe, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the historic town has to offer.
After you've explored most of Santa Fe, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Santa Fe. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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.
With added time, spend another day on the ski slopes. After all, that's one of the main attractions here. You'll probably improve your skills every day, so check out some of the runs you haven't spent much time on yet.
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.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Santa Fe, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Santa Fe. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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.
With added time, spend another day on the ski slopes. After all, that's one of the main attractions here. You'll probably improve your skills every day, so check out some of the runs you haven't spent much time on yet.
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.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Santa Fe, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
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
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