Santa Fe: The Perfect Weekend Getaway
A Santa Fe weekend getaway is the perfect escape for anyone looking to combine history, art, outdoor adventure, and incredible food in one destination. Founded in 1610 and sitting at 7,199 feet, this high-desert capital is unlike any other city in the United States. Its adobe-lined downtown reflects centuries of history, while its population of just over 87,000 makes it easy to explore in a few days. Whether you’re interested in hiking, skiing, world-class museums, or wandering historic streets, Santa Fe offers something for every type of traveler.
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Where We Stayed
As decades-long Marriot Bonvoy members, we always check Marriott properties first whenever we are looking for hotels. La Posada de Santa Fe, A Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa is a historical property that began as an 1880s mansion. The restaurant, bar, and a few guest rooms are housed in the original historic building. The remainder of the resort is spread over the six-acre property.
Set just off the plaza, La Posada de Santa Fe is an easy walk to the plaza, art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and museums.
Where We Ate
We split our time between visiting family and sightseeing so we didn’t get to try as many restaurants as we typically would while on a weekend getaway. We did get to sample a few spots for lunch and a pretty spot on the plaza for drinks. Not surprisingly restaurants near The Plaza are BUSY on weekends. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and make a reservation if possible.
The Burrito Company
A counter service restaurant on The Plaza the Burrito Company features enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, and sopapillas highlighting authentic New Mexican flavors The restaurant offers plenty of indoor seating and a patio for sunny days.
La Fonda Del Sol
This restaurant isn’t officially in Santa Fe (located approximately 25 miles north in Espanola) but if you are on one of the many scenic drives in the area this restaurant is worth a stop. The staff is super friendly and recommended Gorditas, the house specialty, so we had to try those of course! Order a sampler platter to try as many flavors as possible!
Rooftop Pizzeria and Draft Station
Located in The Santa Fe Arcade the Rooftop Pizzeria offers a pretty view of the Plaza from its outdoor balcony. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try the pizza (maybe next time), but we did get to try a few local beers and admire the nighttime view from the balcony
Where We Explored
Santa Fe Plaza – The Plaza is the historic downtown center of Santa Fe and the perfect place to start a visit to the historic city. The plaza area is teeming with boutiques, shops, restaurants, and galleries and is just steps away from most museums and historical buildings.
New Mexico History Museum
Located just steps from the Plaza, this museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in New Mexico history. Learning the state’s history first provides valuable context for exploring Santa Fe and the surrounding region. The chronologically organized exhibits (my favorite!) make it easy to follow the story of New Mexico and the people who have called it home over the centuries.
Palace of the Governors
The interior of the Palace of the Governors is accessed via the New Mexico History Museum. The building has been in use since 1610 (the longest in US History) and was the original capital of New Mexico. As of January 2022, parts of the interior were under renovation so there wasn’t a lot to see, but it was interesting to learn about the building’s history and to walk through a seventeenth-century building (which are scarce in the US and pretty much nonexistent west of the Mississippi). Outside of the building, Native American craftspeople sell a wide variety of handmade items.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Construction of the cathedral began in 1869 and finished in 1887 in the Romanesque Revival style. It stands on the site of earlier churches dating to Santa Fe’s founding in the early 1600s. The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 destroyed those original structures, and builders constructed a new church on the site in 1714–1715. A small adobe chapel from that 18th-century church still stands today and houses Our Lady La Conquistadora, the oldest representation of the Virgin Mary in the United States, brought from Spain in 1625.
San Miguel Chapel
The San Miguel Chapel is the oldest church in the United States, built around 1610. Hours are limited, so it may be necessary to plan your day around visiting the church’s interior. If you miss the opportunity to look inside the exterior of the church is quite interesting and a pretty photo op. The website has extensive information about the history of the church, interior photos, and details about the artwork found inside.
The Loretto Chapel
The Loretto Chapel is home to the famous “Miraculous Stair,” a spiral staircase known for its two complete 360-degree turns and lack of visible center support. The chapel’s Gothic Revival design was inspired by Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. At $5 per adult, admission feels a little steep if you’re only stopping in to see the staircase, but it’s well worth it if you appreciate unique architecture or fine woodworking.
Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument is a pretty, hour-long drive from Santa Fe’s Plaza and features ancient Pueblo structures dating from 1150. The Pueblo loop trail, a short 1.4-mile easy trail, allows visitors to view highlights such as Big Kiva, petroglyphs, and cliff dwellings. Visitors also have the opportunity to climb wooden ladders into some of the dwellings and get a glimpse of ancient Pueblo life. A guidebook is available for a small fee at the park store and provides detailed information about the trail’s 21 numbered sites.
Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway
An easy 30-minute drive starting at The Palace of the Governors and ending in the parking lot of Ski Santa Fe, provides visitors with beautiful views of snow-covered mountains in the winter and fiery aspen trees in the fall. There are several overlooks where drivers can stop, take in the scenery, and snap pictures of the stunning vistas.
On My List for Future Visits
A Santa Fe weekend getaway gives you enough time to experience many of the city’s highlights, but there’s still plenty left to discover. These are a few of the places we’ll be adding to our itinerary on our next visit.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – We planned to visit the museum but didn’t realize it requires timed-entry reservations. More and more museums are moving in this direction, so check availability several days (or even weeks) in advance to secure your preferred entry time.
Canyon Road – This half-mile, strollable road in Santa Fe features more than 100 art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture – Features Native American art and cultural exhibitions
Museum of International Folk Art – Houses the largest collection of International Folk Art in the world.
New Mexico Museum of Art – Home to more than 20,000 works of art emphasizing artists working in the American Southwest.
Meow Wolf – Meow Wolf is one of Santa Fe’s most unique attractions, combining interactive art, mystery, and exploration into an unforgettable experience.
Ski Santa Fe – My first ski experience ever was 14 years ago in Santa Fe. I’m not sure my knees can handle skiing, but the views from the top are spectacular and I would love to get up there and ski down at least once more in my life.
Art, History, or Food Tour – Viator and Get Your Guide offer a ton of options for any budget!
Why You’ll Love a Santa Fe Weekend Getaway
Whether you visit for its centuries of history, unique art scene, incredible food, or nearby outdoor adventures, a Santa Fe weekend getaway offers something for every type of traveler. A few days gives you enough time to experience the city’s unique blend of culture and scenery while leaving plenty of reasons to plan another visit.
Looking for more weekend travel inspiration? Check out my Boston Weekend Getaway Guide for another easy-to-plan trip filled with history, great food, and unforgettable experiences.
