Santa Fe Plaza
Time Needed: full-day, half-day
Experience Type: cultural heritage, historic landmark
Santa Fe Plaza, the historic and cultural heart of New Mexico’s capital, has been a gathering place for more than 400 years. Surrounded by adobe buildings, galleries, and cafes, it’s where Spanish, Mexican, and Native American traditions converge in a lively celebration.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Stroll the Santa Fe Plaza – Explore this 1610 landmark, shop local boutiques, and meet Native artisans selling jewelry and pottery beneath the portal of the Palace of the Governors.
- Tour the Palace of the Governors – This adobe landmark is America’s oldest public building. Exhibits within the New Mexico History Museum chronicle 400 years of cultural heritage.
- Wander Canyon Road’s Art Galleries – Discover more than 100 galleries showcasing everything from classic Southwestern art to bold contemporary pieces in historic adobe buildings.
- See the Loretto Chapel Staircase – Marvel at the “miraculous” spiral staircase built without nails or visible support inside this elegant Gothic-style chapel.
- Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – Admire the world’s largest collection of O’Keeffe’s work, from her desert landscapes to her modernist explorations of color and form.
Itinerary Idea: Taste your way through Santa Fe. Book a walking food tour to sample local favorites, from tacos to green chile dishes and sweet treats. Learn about the city’s history as you visit landmarks like San Miguel Chapel and the Palace of the Governors.
Photo Credit: Tourism Santa Fe