Day Trips

GO Afield!

NORTHERN NEW MEXICO DAY TRIPS TO ENRICH YOUR SANTA FE STAY

Santa Fe will keep you captivated for days, however, a day trip here and there from your base in The City Different can make for an inspiring excursion.

The High Road to Taos

In New Mexico, Old Spain is still very much alive along the High Road to Taos. On the scenic 56mile route that winds through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, stop at Chimayó, a town known for generations of legendary weavers and for El Santuario de Chimayó. Sugar Nymphs Bistro in Peñasco is the perfect lunch stop, and the massive adobe walls of San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos are a must-stop photo-op. Once in Taos proper, grab a cup of joe at World Cup Cafe, amble through the shops on lively Bent Street and take a spin around the Plaza, then consider a diversion up to the sweet village of Arroyo Seco, where you can refresh yourself with one of Taos Cow’s all-natural, housemade ice cream treats. Make your day trip a loop by taking the Low Road back to Santa Fe, stopping in the villages of Dixon or Embudo along the way.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Located 45 minutes south of Santa Fe, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument offers visitors a full immersion into the geological processes that shape the unique natural landscapes found across Northern New Mexico. The coneshaped tent rock formations, created by volcanic eruptions that occurred more than six million years ago present an otherworldly hiking experience. The 1.2 mile Cave Loop Trail is rated an easy walk, while the more difficult 1.5 mile Canyon Trail offers a steep climb to the mesa top, yielding stellar views of the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, and Sandia mountains. Visitors take note that pets are not allowed within Tent Rocks.

Los Alamos

Home of Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Manhattan Project’s historical development of the Atomic Bomb during World War II, Los Alamos is also the gateway to three different National Parks: Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Bandelier National Monument, and Valles Caldera National Preserve. Visitors can get a glimpse into the workings of the National Laboratory via the Bradbury Science Museum, and if you’ve more of an appetite, learn about the ancient and recent history of the town and surrounding area at the Los Alamos History Museum. The Pajarito Environmental Education Center is perfect for kids with myriad interactive exhibits, hosted hikes, and planetarium shows!

Abiquiú

Take a drive and discover the iconic rock formations of Abiquiú—a source of inspiration for generations of photographers, filmmakers, and artists, like Georgia O’Keeffe! Stop off at Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center to hike among many of the vistas she painted before heading to Abiquiú Dam & Lake Recreation Area for a refreshing dip. Roam the white rock formations of Plaza Blanca, another popular hiking area, or through the Benedictine Monastery of Christ in the Desert, nestled next to the Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River, offering pristine surroundings for a self-directed retreat.

Turquoise Trail: Cerrillos and Madrid

Head south down Highway 14, also known as the Turquoise Trail, to the neighboring artist communities of Cerrillos and Madrid for a perfectly quaint, and sometimes quirky New Mexico town experience. Madrid’s watering hole, the Mine Shaft Tavern, offers visitors and locals alike live music, drinks, and dining. Learn about the region’s history of mining for gold, silver, and turquoise at the Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum, located within the Casa Grande Trading Post in Los Cerrillos, a fun stop for artifacts, relics, and gems—also, a mini petting zoo of sorts!

Las Vegas

Once the largest community in the Southwest due to the railroad, Las Vegas is 65 miles east of Santa Fe. It’s a history buff’s dream with 900 buildings on the Historic Registry and two beautifully restored historic hotels—the Plaza Hotel (circa 1882) on the original Plaza and the Castañeda (circa 1898, a Fred Harvey Hotel) on the rail. Stop in for a bite or stay the night. Bridge Street offers some great shopping, Storrie Lake some fun fishing or canoeing, nearby Hermit’s Peak some excellent hiking, and on the way, check out that castle you can see from the road—it houses United World College, a former resort.

TAKE A THEMED TRIP!

HISTORY BUFF

Bandelier National Monument Just one stunning hour from Santa Fe, you’ll find the ancient cliffside dwellings within Bandelier National Monument. Meander the main Pueblo Loop Trail and you will discover an 850-year-old Ancestral Pueblo metropolis. Popular stops along the trail include Big Kiva and Alcove House, a large recess resting 140 feet above the floor of Frijoles Canyon accessed by climbing four wooden ladders. Breathtaking views and a reconstructed kiva offer a taste of what life was like for the 25 residents of this historic high-rise.

On your way, stop at the difficult-to-find trailhead of Tsankawi (a part of Bandelier). Grab a map at the entrance to draw your attention to interesting spots along the way. Use caution when hiking Tsankawi—this challenging trail is exposed in some areas, so ensure the weather is thunderstorm free.

PATRON OF THE ARTS Studio Tours

Spring, summer, and fall, you can find a handful of nearby Northern New Mexico communities hosting seasonal art studio tour events. Taos, Abiquiú, Dixon, and Galisteo are just a few of the many artist communities that support annual weekend-long studio tours. Artists open their workspaces to the public, offering them a rare glimpse of their creative habitat. Beyond supporting artists directly, these festivals present the perfect excuse for exploring more of the natural beauty that is Northern New Mexico. Not up for a drive? Schedule your trip during the annual Santa Fe Studio Tour and explore artist studios within The City Different.

GIRLS TRIP

Natural Hot Springs There is no shortage of amazing hot spring resorts in Northern New Mexico, but the more adventurous at heart may want to soak in a naturally occurring, free-to-the-public hot spring.

Just outside of Jemez Springs lie the San Antonio Hot Springs, a trio of crystal-clear pools that offer a pleasantly heated soak after a solid drive or hike in. Another good option in the area is Spence Hot Springs. Up around Taos, in the town of Arroyo Hondo, the intrepid make the short hike in to the Black Rock Hot Springs, which sit shimmering on the Rio Grande. These two pools are clothing optional. You may need to be patient for your chance to take a dip, so it’s fortunate that the river is a beautiful spot for waiting.

FAMILY OUTING

Ski Santa Fe’s Fall Activities Take the whole fam up to Ski Santa Fe to participate in their fall activities. The Super Chief Quad chairlift ride takes you to 11,250 feet, offering expansive views of changing aspen groves, distant cottonwoods, and New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains to the west of Santa Fe. Disc golf, a beer garden, grill, and live music round out this great day trip option, just 30 minutes from downtown.

Don’t want to drive to the top? Stop off at Hyde Memorial State Park or Aspen Vista picnic area for a bite to eat and an amble through the aspens along a wide and gently rising trail.