Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. While many travel blogs will tell you what to do in Santa Fe, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you visit Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Don’t Visit Santa Fe if You Don’t Like Art
Santa Fe is all about art, and the best Santa Fe attractions feature a lot of art and art galleries. Performance art is also very important in Santa Fe, as well as museums and churches. Georgia O’Keeffe lived here and the museum of her artwork is amazing. If you love art, you’ll love Santa Fe. If you are not into art exhibits and galleries, you might not love visiting Santa Fe.
Don’t Miss Out on the Non-Art Attractions in Santa Fe
Ok, so there’s a lot of art in Santa Fe. But there are lots of other things to do that are not art-related. Northern New Mexico is also an outdoor paradise, so there are lots of opportunities for hiking. The Santa Fe National Forest and Bandelier National Monument are two great places to hike near Santa Fe.
Don’t Skip the Churches
In the US, churches don’t always rank high as tourist attractions, but the churches in Santa Fe are a definite exception. There’s the cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, and the Loretto Chapel has a cool spiral staircase. My favorite Santa Fe church is the Santuario de Guadalupe, which was built in the late 1700s.
Don’t Use the Train to Commute From Albuquerque
There’s a train, the Rail Runner, that runs from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. It sounds like it would be a great way to get from the Albuquerque airport to Santa Fe, but it’s not. The Albuquerque train station is not anywhere near the airport, so you’ll have to find a way to get between the two, and the train schedule is not very conducive to visitors. There are shuttles from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, or you can take rideshare, as it’s only an hour’s drive.
Don’t Miss Out on Christmas Dinner
In Santa Fe, dinnertime is Christmas-time year-round. In Santa Fe, or anywhere in New Mexico, if you order something “Christmas-style” you’ll get both red and green chile sauce, giving your meal a festive look. New Mexico is famous for chiles, so make sure you try both red and green sauces during your trip. And don’t assume all chiles are the same, heat-wise. Some of them might catch you off guard, although in general green chile is milder than red chile.
Don’t Skip the Other Cuisines in Santa Fe
The southwest food is amazing in Santa Fe, but that’s not all they have. We had excellent French and Italian food in Santa Fe, as well as really good American food. Santa Fe is a foodie paradise; you will eat really well on your Santa Fe trip. And don’t go looking for Tex Mex; New Mexico Mexican food is different than the more Americanized version you might be used to.
Don’t Forget Your “Margarita Trail” Passport
If you like margaritas, then you’re going to want to check out Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail. You can download a free app, or an upgraded version, that directs you to the best margaritas in town. You can get a stamp at each place, and you can earn swag based on how many stamps you collect. Remember that alcohol can affect you differently at this elevation, so take it easy when you first arrive.
Don’t Forget Good Walking Shoes
You will do a lot of walking in Santa Fe. Whether you are taking in some of the trails at nearby Bandelier or taking in an art walk in the historic district, you will need good shoes. Santa Fe has several areas that are great for shopping so plan to be on your feet a lot. Also, as you walk around Santa Fe, don’t forget to watch where you’re going. In the older parts of town, the doorways and walls are much lower than you might expect.
Don’t Ignore the Elevation
Santa Fe is at an elevation of over 7,000 feet, so it’s really easy to get a sunburn. You might not even plan to be outdoors, but you will be walking from one area to another, and that’s enough to get a sunburn at this altitude. There are over 300 days of sunshine in Santa Fe, so you’ll definitely need sunblock during your trip. Make sure you drink a lot of water to help with any altitude issues you might experience, too.
How to Deal with Altitude Sickness
Don’t Expect a Young Crowd
Santa Fe is a popular retirement destination, so the demographics skew a bit older. While the margaritas are good, there’s not a huge nightlife scene in Santa Fe. It’s more of a relaxing destination than a party scene.
Don’t Be in a Rush
Things move at a slower pace in the Southwest, especially the drivers. Whether it’s all of the retirees converging on Santa Fe or just a more relaxed attitude, it’s easy to get frustrated when driving here. As a driver, you should always be on high alert for tourists who might just step out into the road. That’s another reason cars drive slowly in Santa Fe!
Don’t Expect a Low Season in Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a year-round destination; there is no one “best time to visit Santa Fe.” There are festivals throughout the year so there’s never really a low tourist season in Santa Fe. October is the big international Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, and the holiday season is always busy in Santa Fe. Because of this, you don’t want to wait on booking your accommodation. Places fill quickly, and prices can be high.
Don’t Expect Santa Fe to Be Cheap
The Southwest has some great budget destinations, but Santa Fe is not one of them. Prices are higher than anywhere else in New Mexico, including hotels and food. It’s worth it, but you need to be prepared and know what to expect. Wealthy tourists love Santa Fe, so you can also expect to see some astounding prices in some of the shops downtown.
Souvenirs: What Not to Buy When Traveling
Don’t Miss Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf is one of the newer art installations in Santa Fe, and it’s really worth a visit. It’s a wild experience that is really hard to describe, but you’ll have a good time when you go. You can buy timed tickets online in advance to save some time. If you are claustrophobic or have seizures, some parts may not be suitable for you. Do some research online to see it will work for you.
Don’t Forget to Look Up
The dark skies of Northern New Mexico are perfect for stargazing. You can see a lot of stars right in town, but if you drive even a little way out of Santa Fe, you’ll see the most incredible night skies you could ever imagine. The sunsets are pretty spectacular, too.
Don’t Skip the Santa Fe Day Trips
There are some great day trips from Santa Fe. If you’re visiting for a while and have time, make sure you explore some of the nearby destinations. Bandelier National Monument is one of the best day trips from Santa Fe, and Taos is a great little ski town about 90 minutes away.
Don’t Get “Turquoised Out”
Turquoise is everywhere in Santa Fe. Nearly every store you see in Old Town has turquoise for sale, from home decor to jewelry and accessories. Don’t buy the first thing you see, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the jewelry if you plan to buy some. A reputable dealer will not be offended if you ask about the origin of the turquoise.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s a really neat city with a unique culture and cuisine to die for. I really hope you will decide to visit Sanat Fe because it’s worth it! Want more of our Southwest US travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: