The Perfect 5 day Santa Fe Itinerary

Table of Contents

These days many Americans seem to be spending their vacation further and further away. They pine over visiting places in Europe to see the history and enjoy the culture. What we often forget about if the history and culture lying right under our noses. Take Santa Fe for example. It’s the oldest capital city in North America and the oldest European community west of the Mississippi, history and culture is the backbone of their city. Discover the perfect 3 day Santa Fe itinerary.

Getting to Santa Fe

You can either fly to Albuquerque Airport or Santa Fe Airport. Albuquerque is about 1 hour from Santa Fe. There are shuttles available at both airports to bring you into the city of Santa Fe.

Getting around Santa Fe

If you are planning on venturing outside the city centre and you want to do some day trips it would definitely be worth renting a car. If you are staying close to the centre you could get by with uber and walking.

Some hotels like Hotel Santa Fe have a free guest shuttle for within a one mile radius.

Arrival – Day 1 : Santa Fe Itinerary

Check in to your hotel and settle in. Grab a glass of New Mexican wine from the hotel bar.

Visit Poeh Cultural Center to kick off your stay and give you a background on the history and culture of Santa Fe. Poeh Cultural Center was established by the Pojaoaque Pueblo’s Tribal Council to preserve and revitalise Pueblo communities. A great insight into life in a Pueblo over seasons and time.

Dinner at Sazon. Farm to table Mexican with a modern twist by chef Chef Fernando Olea. Must make reservations!

Bandelier + Wine + Cooking class – Day 2 : Santa Fe Itinerary

Day trip to Bandelier National Monument

Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities. There are multiple sections of the park to explore and if you want to get the full experience book a tour with Great Southwest Adventures. Monique Schoustra and Tom Ribe are your walking encyclopaedia guides!

Relax at Vivac Winery

This winery is run by the Padberg brothers and their wives. Vivac, a mountaineering term meaning high altitude refuge, is what the winery was named after. It is one of the highest altitude wineries in the world. Enjoy amazing wines here with incredible surroundings. World class wine you’ll definitely want to take home with you!

Take a Cooking Class at Santa Fe School of cooking

This top notch cooking school offers a range of classes from hands on cooking classes to demonstrations and more. Their speciality is American Southwest cuisine and will tell you some mind blowing food anthropology facts. Get hands on or just watch the chefs cook you up something delicious.

Arts + Shopping in Santa Fe – Day 3 : Santa Fe Itinerary

Breakfast at La Plazuela At La Fonda

A traditional New Mexican dining experience in the gorgeous La Fonda Hotel.

Take in the Museums and Culture of Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a mecca for Native arts and culture. Learn about Pueblo culture and Native arts at various venues. Observe both traditional and contemporary Native arts.

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture – A premier repository of Native art and material culture. This museum aims to tell the stories of Native people in the Southwest. A great museum to help understand the culture from pre-historic through to modern day.
SAR Indian Arts Research Center – book a tour of these precious vaults housing a multitude of Native Art. The docent told some wonderful stories behind the handmade objects in the vault which have so much meaning to the Pueblo people.
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Art– A museum dedicated to understanding contemporary Native arts. It was so interesting to see Native art in a new light. This museum is filled with so much color and creativity.

IAIA museum of contemporary art

Grab coffee at Ikonic Coffee Roasters

Shop in Santa Fe Old Town

I did not go to Santa Fe knowing I would want to spend all of my money on their unique artisan and boutique shops! There is a ton of stunning jewellery, handmade local goodies as well as products imported from other countries.

Ship Rock Santa Fe– A curated collection of historic and contemporary Navajo rugs and blankets, Native American jewellery, Pueblo pottery, sculpture, basketry, folk art and fine art by leading Native American artists. It’s one of the prettiest stores I’ve ever stepped foot in!
Magic Art Santa Fe – Mosaic lights and kilims until your hearts content!
Santa Fe Indian Market– A market for contemporary Native and traditional Native Fine Arts. It is held in August and attended by thousands. A perfect opportunity to buy authentic Native arts and even meet the artist.

Dinner at Geronimo

Fine dining in a 1756 adobe home.

Spa Day – Day 4 : Santa Fe Itinerary

Ten Thousand Waves – Ten minutes from downtown Santa Fe is a Japanese inspired spa with hot tubs and various treatments.

Ojo Caliente – A spa created around natural hot springs. It takes about an hour to get to from Santa Fe but is definitely worth it to be immersed in nature.