Day Trips

GOAfield!

NORTHERN NEW MEXICO DAY TRIPS TO ENRICH YOUR SANTA FE STAY

Santa Fe will captivate you forever, however, a day trip from your base in The City Different can be an inspiring excursion. For additional guidance, see santafe.org/tours.

Taos Pueblo

High Road to Taos

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A drive featuring cultural and scenic stops

On the scenic route that winds through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, consider stops at Chimayó, a town known for generations of legendary weavers and for El Santuario de Chimayó. Enjoy lunch at Rancho de Chimayó or Sugar Nymphs Bistro in Peñasco. Once in Taos, amble through the shops on lively Bent Street and take a spin around the Plaza. From here, tour the Taos Pueblo and consider a diversion up to the village of Arroyo Seco and beyond to Taos Ski Valley. Drive the Low Road (NM-68) back to Santa Fe, along the Rio Grande, stopping along the way in the artisan village of Dixon at either the Vivác or La Chiripada wineries.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

A hike in natural surroundings

In this otherworldly hiking experience south of Santa Fe off Highway 25 on the Cochiti Pueblo, you’ll walk among coneshaped tent rock formations, created by volcanic eruptions that occurred over six million years ago. 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. Visit

blm.gov/visit/kktr

for updates on access.

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Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks

Los Alamos

A history and science lover’s day

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 National Parks, including Bandelier National Monument and Valles Caldera National Preserve. Consider a stop at the Bradbury Science Museum and the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, perfect for kids with interactive exhibits, hosted hikes, and planetarium shows!

visitlosalamos.org

An awe-inspiring tour of natural beauty

Discover the iconic rock formations of Abiquiú, once the home of Georgia O’Keeffe! Schedule a tour of her in-town home in advance through the Welcome Center. Walk among the many vistas she painted at Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center before heading to Abiquiú Dam & Lake Recreation Area for a refreshing dip. Roam the white rock formations of Plaza Blanca or tour the Monastery of Christ in the Desert along the Rio Chama. A stop at the Bodes General Store is a must for lunch, supplies, or a souvenir.

Abiquiú

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Town of Madrid

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SantaFeNMTrue.com

Turquoise Trail: Cerrillos & Madrid

A historic drive through mining country

Head out on Highway 14 (Turquoise Trail) to the artist communities of Cerrillos and Madrid for a perfectly quaint and quirky experience. Tour the shops along Madrid’s only street and refresh yourself at its watering hole, the Mine Shaft Tavern, known for live music. In Cerrillos, learn about the region’s history of mining at the Casa Grande Trading Post, also fun for artifacts, relics, gems—and a petting zoo! turquoisetrail.org

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Las Vegas Cowboy Reunion Parade

Las Vegas

Equal doses history and adventure

Once the largest community in the Southwest due to the railroad, Las Vegas is a history buff’s dream with 900 buildings on the Historic Registry and two beautifully restored historic hotels—the Plaza Hotel (circa 1882) and the Castañeda (circa 1898, a Fred Harvey Hotel). 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 (a former resort) you can see from the road—it houses United World College. visitlasvegasnm.com

New Mexico TRUE

Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier National Monument

Actively absorb some ancient history

Meander the ancient cliffside dwellings within Bandelier National Monument, including the main Pueblo Loop Trail and its 850-year-old Ancestral Pueblo metropolis. Popular stops 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 in this historic high-rise. And don’t miss the Tsankawi Trail, along a narrow mesa of solidified volcanic ash. nps.gov/band

Wandering Wheatleys

Art Studio Tours

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Support the artisans of Northern New Mexico

Spring, summer, and fall, you can find a handful of nearby Northern New Mexico communities, including Taos, Abiquiú, Dixon, Pecos, Eldorado, and Galisteo hosting seasonal art studio tour events. Artists open their workspaces, offering a rare glimpse of their creative habitat. Beyond supporting artists directly, these tours present the perfect excuse for exploring more of the natural beauty that is Northern New Mexico. Some Santa Fe artists welcome you year-round with advance notice (santafe.org/artist-studios). Or schedule your trip during the October Santa Fe Studio Tours.

Soaking for the adventurous

There is no shortage of amazing hot spring resorts in Northern New Mexico, but the more adventurous may prefer 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. Near Taos, in the town of Arroyo Hondo, the intrepid make the short hike into 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.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Ride the historic rails from Antonito, CO or Chama, NM

It’s a National Historic Landmark and the longest (64 miles), the highest (10,015 feet), and the most authentic steam railroad in North America. Climb aboard the steam train that crosses the Colorado and New Mexico borders 11 times as it zigzags along canyon walls, burrows through tunnels, and rolls over the 137-foot Cascade Trestle. Enjoy forests, high plains, and rocky gorges and don’t be surprised to see wildlife along the way. cumbrestoltec.com

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Courtesy of Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Puye Cliff Dwellings

Experience the ancient ancestral home of the Santa Clara People

Walk among the ancient cliff and cave dwellings made of volcanic rock and tufa stone, once occupied by Pueblo Indians from the 900s to 1580 AD. For the best access, take advantage of the mesa top and cliffside tours to gain a better understanding of this early Pueblo architecture. Also explore a restored 1930s Harvey House bed and breakfast (built by railroad hospitality magnate Fred Harvey), the only one ever constructed on Indian land.

puyecliffdwellings.com

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Pueblo Feast Days

A rare glimpse into a sacred culture

It is a privilege to attend a Pueblo Feast Day, which represents a time for community members to honor and preserve their cultural traditions. The day begins with a mass at the Pueblo’s onsite church, and then the various dances begin with members young and old dressed in traditional regalia. Enter the open door of any home to feast on traditional stews and breads and peruse arts and crafts. Bear in mind that these sacred ceremonial days are integral to a Pueblo’s ongoing cultural integrity, and you must abide by any protocols, one being that photography is not permitted. Call ahead to confirm. indianpueblo.org/feast-days

Pojoaque Pueblo drummers

Nambé Falls & Lake Recreation Area

An natural oasis for walking, picnicking, fishing, and light boating

Owned by the Pueblo of Nambé, this recreational beauty of a site is home to a spectacular lake for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, and a waterfall. Bring your sturdy shoes for the ¼-mile waterfall hike and expect to get wet as you wind your way through the canyon to the lowest pool. Nominal entry fee. Take care as you drive along the unpaved road from Highway NM-503/High Road.

nambepueblo.org

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Nambé Falls & Lake Recreation Area

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Pecos National Historical Park

Pecos

A small village for history buffs and nature enthusiasts

Start your day at the Pecos National HIstorical Park and try the Ancestral Sites Trail for a good overview. From there, venture to Frankie’s at the Casanova for an authentic Northern New Mexican lunch, and then drive up into the Pecos Wilderness Area for some hiking along the river. A favorite is the 5.5-mile out-and-back Cave Creek Trail, so named for the caves at the turnaround. Another hiking or biking option are the 20 miles of single track trails managed by Glorieta Adventure Camps, which you can access via the Baptist Bypass Trailhead just off Highway 25. nps.gov/peco

Sandia Tram

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Albuquerque

A Southwestern urban experience

If you can’t time your visit around the city’s Balloon Fiesta, when 500+ balloons ascend daily into the clear blue skies, be sure to check out the Balloon Museum instead. Definitely add a stop to Old Town (founded in 1706), the city’s cultural center, for numerous museums and more than 100 shops, galleries, and restaurants, including the food hall at Sawmill Market. And no visit to Albuquerque is complete without a trip to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, a gateway to understanding the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico via a museum and exhibition galleries. Other important spots include the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Biopark, which encompasses a zoo, a beach along the Rio Grande, a botanic garden, and an aquarium. A day within itself is a scheduled ride on the Sandia Tram, affording you an 11,000 square mile panoramic view and lunch at the delicious Ten 3 restaurant (named for its location at 10,378 feet in elevation!). visitalbuquerque.org

Sky Railway

A train trip with a high entertainment quotient

Choose your entertainment adventure on the historic rail between the Santa Fe and Lamy depots. From theatrical performances to musical acts, great food, and drink, your options on Sky Railway are bound to captivate while you enjoy the experience of rolling through a beautiful open landscape with distant mountain views.

skyrailway.com

Adventures last up to 2.5 hours

Courtesy of Sky Railway

Sky Railway

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mins El Rancho de las Golondrinas

An experiential tour of 18th- and 19th-century New Mexico

A wonderful spot for the entire family, El Rancho de las Golondrinas (Spanish for Ranch of the Swallows) is a living history museum located on 200 acres in a rural farming valley. The museum, once an important paraje (stopping place) along the Camino Real (Royal Road) from Mexico City is dedicated to providing authentic experiences of the history and culture of 18th- and 19th-century New Mexico. For a nominal entry fee, participate in a dozen heritage-related events throughout the year. golondrinas.org