Santa Fe is known as the City Different because of the mingling of Native, Spanish and Anglo traditions that exist here. There are so many things to see and do in Santa Fe but my sole purpose for this trip was shopping!! I love Native American art, whether it be home décor, paintings, or jewelry I will be interested, and Santa Fe does not disappoint! I also love Christmas and there are two wonderful Christmas shops here that I never miss when I’m here, Susan’s Christmas Shop and The Shop A Christmas store.
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Shopping

As I mentioned if you like to shop, there is a wide assortment of stores in Santa Fe. I love shopping around the plaza in Old Town, but Santa Fe has lots of shopping all over the city. If Native American jewelry is something you are interested in, then you must stroll through the vendors who set up on the Plaza in front of the Palace of the Governors. Just looking at all their wares is amazing, and you know you are getting authentic products. For a different kind of shopping experience check out Meow Wolf. Make sure you also check out La Fonda Hotel. Not only is it one of the oldest hotels in the city, but it has great shopping and restaurants.
Art Galleries and Museums

There are many art galleries here, including Georgia O’Keeffe’s gallery. There is also a shop devoted to the works of RC Gorman. If you love art, you should really take a walk-up Canyon Road, where there are many art galleries for you to explore. Just the sculptures alone are worth the walk.
If you like museums, make sure you check out the New Mexico History Museum and Govenor’s Palace. If you head up to Museum Hill there are 4 museums there that include, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, this is my favorite with so much history and beautiful arts and crafts. The other museums are Wheelwright Museum of American Indian, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and the International Folk Art Museum.

Common Tourist Spots
There are so many things to do in Santa Fe, from shopping to outdoor adventures, I’ll list a few that are most common for tourists. The Loretta Chapel, San Miguel Chapel (this is oldest chapel in US history) and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi are three things you shouldn’t miss. So much history and beauty. A couple of tourist attractions that aren’t so well known here are Burro Alley where there is a replica of a burro carrying wood. Back in the day when it was a small town and no roads, the burros were used to bring firewood from the mountains to Santa Fe. The other place you might want to check out is 109 E. Palace St., this is where the Manhattan Project headquarters was. If history is your love, you can take a guided tour of the city. Also, check into other tours to visit nearby pueblos and historical sites. The Railyard is another area that has been revitalized with shops and restaurants. Worth checking out.
Restaurants

I don’t know about you, but food is always on my list of things to check out when I’m on vacation and Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint! The plaza alone has so many great restaurants whether you’re looking for great New Mexican cuisine or a quick bite there are many options. One of our favorite places is Plaza Café Downtown. If you love Native food, try their blue corn enchilada with red sauce. Sooo good! When eating in a New Mexican restaurant here, don’t be surprised if they ask if you want red, green or Christmas chili sauce. Christmas is a mix of both. Just a little head’s up! If you aren’t looking for New Mexican cuisine, there is not only a great assortment of cuisines around the plaza, but many other choices around town. Another thing Santa Fe is known for is the Margarita Trail. If you love margarita’s, you should check this out. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll be introduced to some great restaurants. I don’t think you’ll have a problem finding some great food while you’re visiting here.

Conclusion
I haven’t even begun to talk about all the things to do in Santa Fe, but these are just some of the highlights for a quick trip to this great city. Just a few other noteworthy things, if you’re looking to relax check out the many spas in Santa Fe. There are plenty of places to hike in the area and not far from town. And so much more within a few hours’ drive in any direction. If you’re thinking of taking a trip to the southwestern US, I recommend putting Santa Fe on your list. I hope this has given you a few tips on things to do here. We hope to inspire you with our blogs and videos to find your own adventures and experiences! If you’re interested in seeing more of Santa Fe, click for our video here