Get Lost in Art, History and Adventure During a Visit to New Mexico’s Charming Style Hub

Situated at 7,198 feet within the Sangre de Cristo foothills, the destination is a haven for Pueblo Revival style architecture, storied chapels, world-renowned cuisine, endless hiking trails, and spa resorts lined with healing and restorative hot springs. Here’s what not to miss for contemplation, relaxation and adventure in the oldest capital city in the country.

Above: Gatsby’s; San Miguel Chapel; Bishop’s Lodge lobby

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Observe and Wander

Take your walking shoes for must-visit museums, including the famed Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, opened in 1997. The space features works on paper, oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and ephemera by the American modernist, along with works by artists such as Helen Torr, Arthur Dove and Charles Sheeler. From now until November, explore Tewa Nangeh/Tewa Country, an exhibition with works from artists and scholars from six Tewa Pueblos in Northern New Mexico. A new museum and expanded campus are scheduled to open in 2028.

At Loretto Chapel—a storied Gothic Revival-style former church-turned-museum and designated Historic National Landmark—prepare to scratch your head in wonder at the 20-foot-high spiral staircase, an architectural feat known around the world as the “mysterious staircase.” Nearby, visit the San Miguel Chapel, constructed in 1610 and recognized as the oldest church structure in the continental United States.

For textiles and locally made wares, peruse boutiques and goods from makers at the infamous Santa Fe Plaza, or mosey to Canyon Road, dotted with more than 250 high-end art galleries. On Sundays, venture to the Railyard Artisan Market for silver jewelry and handmade candles from local artisans.

Hop aboard the resurrected Santa Fe Southern Railway—conceived in the late 1880s and now known as Sky Railway—for thematic rides ranging from sunset-watching and stargazing to wine tasting. At The Santa Fe Opera, located 7 miles north of town, watch performances such as The Magic Flute and Madama Butterfly, or make a reservation for a behind-the-scenes tour of the open-air venue.

Grab a water bottle, hat and sunscreen for hiking along the Dale Ball Trails, a 25-mile system including the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve Trail, which winds along two historic dams.

Above: Bishop’s Lodge exterior

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Indulge and Imbibe

Food is a main attraction here, with upscale restaurants like Geronimo and The Compound and Southwestern favorites including The Shed, Cafe Pasqual’s and Coyote Cafe.

Notable newcomer Leo’s borrows from Thai and Malay flavors with dishes from fried chicken with fermented tofu-mustard and jiao chili sauces to crispy catfish salad with pomelo, green papaya and herbs. Housed in a former family-run auto shop and gas station dating to the 1950s—most recently a furniture studio—the restaurant is helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Zakary Pelaccio, executive chef Stella Achenbach, woodworker and cook Jonathan Boyd, and cocktail specialist Ian Wolff.

Above: Bell Tower Bar

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At Market Steer Steakhouse, co-founded by executive chef Kathleen Crook and general manager Kristina Goode, choose from crispy onion rings, lobster pot pie, and a selection of prime steaks and cuts served in a modern, Southwestern space. In The Tack Room—an adjacent space adorned with saddles and competition ribbons designed as a nod to Crook’s rodeo days—order inventive bites including the Caviar Frito Pie with house-made potato chips, chives, shallots, caviar and crème fraîche tucked into a Fritos bag.

Open seasonally from May to October, the Bell Tower Bar—situated on the fifth floor of La Fonda on the Plaza—is a popular hangout for smoky pineapple margaritas and chips, salsa and guacamole. In the Railyard District, Gatsby’s serves up tuna tartare and hand-made cocktails in a glamorous, speakeasy-type space hidden behind a barber shop.

Above: Ojo Santa Fe

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Snooze and Soak

Choose from a diverse array of hotels and resorts for families, couples and solo travelers—from historic adobes and revamped roadside motor inns like El Rey Court and Pueblo Bonito Inn to spa retreats with spring-fed thermal pools such as Ojo Santa Fe. For a touch of luxury, consider Bishop’s Lodge, set on 317 acres, or check in for relaxation at The Washington Inn, a newly opened property with suites appointed with gas fireplaces and kitchenettes.

A short walk away, La Fonda on the Plaza, designed in 1922 by Isaac Rapp, is a beloved fixture with Southwestern charm and deep history. The 180-room hotel just completed a refresh to its kitchen and lobby spaces, while historic rooms will be updated with new artwork, paint and case goods later this year.

Above: The Washington Inn; Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe; Hotel Willa

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Further north in the quiet village of Tesuque, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe has 65 recently refreshed rooms and suites, a standalone spa and an adventure center with seasonal activities from private fly-fishing and mountain biking tours to full-day guided excursions to Tsi’pin, an ancestral Puebloan ruin in the Santa Fe National Forest.

For an overnight trip or scenic drive, head to Taos, located approximately 69 miles northeast in New Mexico’s high desert. Set up base camp at Hotel Willa, a reconceived 1940s motel with outdoor firepits, an artist-in-residence program and on-site restaurant Juliette.