You must plan a vacation to see Spanish America in Santa Fe for an unforgettable experience. Santa Fe, New Mexico, was actually once a part of Spain’s empire stretching up from Mexico. A majority of downtown is a historic district complete with churches, boutiques, and winding roads reminiscent of the Old World married with modern pueblo architecture. It feels not only like you have entered a whole different country, but that you’ve also stepped back into simpler times. Santa Fe locals are all about living a healthy lifestyle, eating organically grown foods, and overall just living sensibly—which makes you wonder: why aren’t other cities like this?
Some of the must-see things to do and see in Santa Fe include:
- A visit to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Loretto Chapel
- Taking in the arts at the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
- Getting active at sights like Nambe Falls, Diablo Canyon, and Cerrillos Hills State Park
- Learning some history at the Puye Cliff Dwellings and Old Fort Marcy Park
There’s really no best time to visit when it comes to Santa Fe. It really hinges on what type of vacation you want. Of the 365 days in a year, 350 of those are full sunshine in Santa Fe. Summer is peak tourist season with warm evenings and hot days. July’s high temps hover around the mid-80s to low-90s. By the end of August, you can expect monsoon season—the daily, hour-long rainfall is pretty predictable. Spring and autumn still have nice weather plus some cool festivals to attend. Winter can be pretty cold, only topping out in the low 40s, but dry—the snow keeps to the mountains making for perfect skiing powder.
Getting around is pretty easy, too. If you stay in the downtown area, you really don’t need a car, but since Santa Fe is somewhat spread out, a rental car might be nice to have. There’s also a public bus system and Uber and Lyft both operate in the region.
Where are you heading first to see Spanish America in Santa Fe?
Must-See Beaches on the East Coast