Santa Fe is a charming New Mexican city that really showcases the culture of the area. From amazing outdoor areas for hiking to delicious food, you will want to spend at least two days in Santa Fe as part of your New Mexico itinerary, and it is an easy drive from Albuquerque.
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History of Santa Fe
Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, has a long history. Founded in 1610 by Spanish colonists, it is the oldest state capital in the country. However, the area’s history stretches back much further. It was inhabited by Pueblo peoples for thousands of years. These Indigenous communities built complex adobe structures and developed a vibrant culture that still influences the region today.
When the Spanish arrived, Santa Fe became a key outpost for Spanish colonial administration, trade, and missionary efforts. In 1680, Santa Fe was the site of the Pueblo Revolt, a major uprising in which Pueblo people successfully expelled Spanish settlers for over a decade.
Santa Fe later transitioned to Mexican rule after Mexico gained independence in 1821, and then became part of the United States in 1848 following the Mexican-American War. Over the years, Santa Fe evolved into a unique cultural crossroads, blending Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo influences, which is still prevalent today.
When to Spend Two Days in Santa Fe
The best time to visit Santa Fe is between September and November or April and May. During this time, the weather will be milder, and it is a great time to do the many outdoor activities Santa Fe has to offer. If you visit during October, you will want to check out the Albuquerque Balloon Festival along the way.
How to Get to Santa Fe
To get to Santa Fe, you will need to fly into Albuquerque International Airport. From there, it is about an hour’s drive to Santa Fe. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights, and you can catch flights to Albuquerque from all over the United States.
Transportation in Santa Fe
You will need a rental car to get around during your two days in Santa Fe. There is not much public transportation, and you will need a car to get here from the airport. I recommend renting a car through Economy Bookings as it will search all rental car companies for you.
Where to Stay in Santa Fe
There are many amazing places to stay in Santa Fe. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Santa Fe here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
If you want the most central location, stay at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza. However, it can be quite pricey, so if you are looking for more budget options, you will want to stay outside of the main historical center of Santa Fe. We opted to stay at the Hyatt Place Santa Fe, and was a good base for day trips. Alternatively, check out the Hampton Inn Santa Fe South, the Courtyard Santa Fe, or the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Santa Fe.
What to Do During Two Days in Santa Fe
Day 1
Today, you will spend the day exploring Santa Fe proper. There is so much to see in the historic part of Santa Fe, and you will not want to miss anything! A Santa Fe Walking Tour may be a good introduction to the city.
Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return
Cost: $35 and Up
Hours: 10am-8pm
You will not want to miss the OG Meow Wolf during your two days in Santa Fe. This immersive art experience has visitors step into a vibrant installation where you can explore secret passages and piece together a mystery storyline. The Santa Fe location is the original, with others being found in Dallas, Houston, Denver, and Las Vegas. Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring the installation and make sure to grab a Meowgarita from the bar.
The Loretto Chapel
Cost: $5
Hours: 9am-5pm
The Loretto Chapel is known for its infamous spiral staircase. The building itself is in the historic Gothic Revival style and was built in the 1800s. The staircase has no visible means of support and thus makes it an attractive place to visit. You will not need long for the visit as the chapel is pretty small.
Lunch at The Shed
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm
Next, grab some lunch from The Shed, one of the best places to grab New Mexican food in Santa Fe. Located in a historic adobe building, it is super popular so plan to wait a bit or make sure to make a reservation. You will not want to miss their tacos or burritos.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
Cost: $22
Hours: 10am-5pm
Another place you will not want to miss during two days in Santa Fe is the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. This museum celebrates the life and work of Georgia O’Keeffe, who often painted New Mexico’s landscapes. It showcases her different paintings, drawings, and sculptures, along with personal artifacts. Tickets can sell out, so you will want to get these ahead of time.
New Mexico State Capitol
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5:30pm
You will not want to miss a stop at the New Mexico State Capitol when spending two days in Santa Fe. This serves as the center for the state’s government. Inside, there is also a rotating public art space featuring rotating exhibits by various artists. You can also make guided tours by appointment or self-guided tours are available anytime the capital is open.
Santa Fe Margarita Trail
Throughout your two days in Santa Fe, if you love margaritas, you will want to partake in the Santa Fe Margarita Trail. First, you will need to stop by the visitor’s center to buy a margarita trail book for $5. This will then list dozens of participating bars and restaurants. Eachone offers a unique margarita made with creative ingredients. You will collect a stamp at each one, and earn prizes along the way. Alternatively, you can take a Margarita Trail tour.
Dinner at Sazon
Cost: $$$
Hours: Mon-Sat: 5pm-9pm
No two days in Santa Fe is complete without an amazing dinner at Sazon. This award-winning restaurant blends traditional New Mexican flavors with Latin American influences. It is known for its rich moles. At the beginning of the meal, they will give you a sample flight of moles, so you can decide which one you want with your meal. It is on the pricier side, but well work every penny as it is one of the best restaurants we have eaten at.
Day 2
For the second of two days in Santa Fe, I recommend taking a day trip. You have two options for day trips: You can choose to go west or east to see a variety of parks and sites that showcase the history of the area.
If you choose to go west, you will want to head to the Los Alamos area. Here you will find these parks:
- Bandelier National Monument (1 hour drive)
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park (1 hour) -by Bandalier
If you head east, you will find the following parks:
- Pecos National Historic Park (35 minutes)
- Fort Union National Monument (1.5 hours)
Personally, if you only have two days in Santa Fe and can only choose one, I would choose to visit Bandelier National Monument and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
Bandelier National Monument
Cost: $25 or Free with the America the Beautiful Pass
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Bandelier National Monument preserves the ancient cliff dwellings and cultural sites of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Visitors can explore carved cave homes, ladders, and scenic trails while hiking through the canyon landscapes. This park offers a glimpse into early Southwestern life while also showcasing the area’s beauty.
Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Cost: Free
Hours: Visitor’s Center Fri-Mon 10am-3pm
History lovers will not want to miss the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, located in Los Alamos. This park highlights the key sites of the United States’ effort to develop the atomic bomb during World War II. This site features historic laboratories, buildings, and exhibits that tell the story of the scientists and workers who lived and worked on the compound. Plan to spend several hours exploring all the sites linked throughout the town.
Pecos National Historic Park
Cost: Free
Hours: 8am-4:30pm
Pecos National Historic Park is just a short drive from Santa Fe. This park preserves the ruins of a Native American pueblo and a Spanish colonial mission. The park offers hiking trails through scenic landscapes, along with archaeological sites and sweeping views. You will want to spend a couple of hours here.
Fort Union National Monument
Cost: Free
Hours: 8am-4pm
Fort Union National Monument preserves the remains of a U.S. Army fort from the 1800s that was a key outpost on the Santa Fe Trail. Inside the fort, visitors can learn about the military life, frontier defense, and the fort’s role in westward expansion.
More Than Two Days in Santa Fe?
If you have more than two days in Santa Fe, complete whichever day trip you did not complete above. Alternatively, you can visit some of the nearby Pueblo towns such as Acoma or Taos. No matter what you choose, the Santa Fe area is rich in history and local culture. You can easily spend a week exploring the area and what it has to offer.
Final Tips for Two Days in Santa Fe
Two days in Santa Fe is the perfect amount of time to explore the town and the surrounding area. If you have more time, you can easily fill a couple more days. You can also pair a trip to New Mexico with a trip to Arizona.
