The Perfect 2-Day Santa Fe Itinerary
Santa Fe doesn’t look like anywhere else in the US. The whole town is low, brown adobe with turquoise doors, the sky is a huge, deep blue, and the air smells of pinon smoke and roasting chile. It’s the oldest state capital in the country, founded in 1610, and it’s small enough that two days gets you a very good feel for it.
In this guide
This itinerary keeps day one on foot in the historic center and saves the car for day two, when you head out to Bandelier and back.
Day 1 morning: the Plaza
Start where everyone starts, the Santa Fe Plaza. It’s been the heart of the town for 400 years, a small square with trees, benches and a monument in the middle, and adobe buildings on every side.
Along the north side is the Palace of the Governors, built in the early 1600s and the oldest continuously used public building in the US. Under its long wooden porch, Native American artists from the surrounding pueblos sell jewelry, pottery and turquoise on blankets, every day of the year. Prices are fair and you’re buying directly from the person who made it. It’s the best place in town to buy something real.
Day 1 midday: Loretto Chapel and the Cathedral
Walk two blocks to the Loretto Chapel, a small Gothic church famous for its “miraculous staircase.” It’s a spiral staircase that makes two full turns with no central support, built in the 1870s by a mysterious carpenter who supposedly disappeared without asking for payment. Engineers still argue about how it stands. Entry costs a few dollars.
Then head to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi at the end of San Francisco Street. Unlike the rest of town, it’s built of stone in a French Romanesque style, because the archbishop who commissioned it was from France. It’s free to go inside.
Day 1 afternoon: Georgia O’Keeffe and Canyon Road
After lunch, visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. It’s dedicated to the painter who fell in love with northern New Mexico and spent the rest of her life painting its hills, bones and flowers. The museum isn’t huge, about an hour is plenty, and it’ll make the landscape you see tomorrow make much more sense.
Then walk to Canyon Road, a half-mile street lined with more than 80 galleries in old adobe homes. Some sell serious art, some sell sculpture gardens full of whimsical metal animals, and most are happy to let you browse without pressure. The street climbs gently uphill. Take it slowly, you’re at 7,000 feet.
Day 1 evening: red or green?
In New Mexico, every server will ask you “red or green?” They mean chile sauce, and it goes on everything: enchiladas, burritos, eggs and burgers. If you can’t decide, say “Christmas” and you’ll get both.
Santa Fe has a lot of great restaurants for its size. The Shed, a block from the Plaza, has been serving red chile since 1953. For a drink afterwards, the rooftop bar at La Fonda hotel looks out over the cathedral, and the sunset from up there is excellent.
Day 2 morning: Bandelier National Monument
Get the car and drive about an hour northwest to Bandelier National Monument. Ancestral Pueblo people lived here from around 1150 to 1550, carving rooms into the soft volcanic rock of the canyon walls.
The Main Loop Trail is an easy 1.2 miles past the ruins of a circular village and the cliff dwellings. At several of them, wooden ladders let you climb up into the rooms, which is the best part. Hikers can continue to Alcove House, which is 140 feet up the cliff by four long ladders. It’s not for anyone afraid of heights.
In summer and on busy weekends, you may have to take a shuttle in from the nearby town of White Rock. Check the park site before you go.
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Day 2 afternoon: the Railyard and Meow Wolf
Back in town, head to the Railyard district, a converted rail yard with a park, a farmers market on Saturdays and Tuesdays, contemporary art galleries and some good places to eat. It’s a bit more modern than the old center, and it’s where locals actually hang out.
Then go to Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, a 15-minute drive away. It’s hard to explain, which is part of the appeal. You walk into an ordinary-looking Victorian house, and then the fridge door turns out to be a portal into a strange, glowing, multi-room art world. You can wander for hours. Kids love it, and so do most adults. Book timed tickets ahead.
Where to stay
Stay within walking distance of the Plaza if you can. La Fonda is the classic, right on the square. The Inn of the Anasazi and the Hotel St. Francis are other good options, and there are plenty of smaller adobe inns and casitas a few blocks out.
Whichever you choose, book early for September and October, when the Fiesta, the chile harvest and the aspens all draw crowds, and for the week around Christmas. Outside of those dates, Santa Fe is a much easier place to find a room, and midweek rates drop a lot.
If you have extra time, add a soak at Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese-style spa in the hills above town. It’s the most relaxing way to end a Santa Fe trip.
Common questions
Is 2 days enough for Santa Fe?
Yes, for the highlights. Add a third day for Taos, Abiquiu or the High Road between them.
When is the best time to visit Santa Fe?
September and October bring cool, sunny days, the chile roasting season and gold aspens in the mountains. December is magical for the farolitos.
Do I need a car in Santa Fe?
Not for the historic center, which is very walkable. You’ll need one for Bandelier, Meow Wolf and any day trips.
How does the altitude affect visitors?
Some people get headaches or feel short of breath for a day or two. Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol the first night and take it easy.
What should I buy in Santa Fe?
Native American jewelry from the artisans at the Palace of the Governors, and a bag of dried chile to take home.
