Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico Off the Beaten Path

Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler

After checking into my host hotel El Rey Court in Sante Fe, New Mexico, and gathering content all day, I was dead. As in I just drove there that morning with maybe five hours of sleep if I was lucky the night before and walked all over downtown. That’s honestly how I judge any place I go now… is it restful? Does it fulfill your mind, body and soul? So I allowed – or more like my body forced me to – take a juicy nap the afternoon after I arrived. It was then that I knew this place had healing energy and was speaking to me in whispers of ancestors from the past. Spring break and Mercury Retrograde were in full effect so I knew there would be confusion and miscommunication, thankfully no tech or car issues for me though minus Pearl gave me a not used to cold weather start heart attack one morning. But I thought instead of fighting against the universal chaos, just pivot with it… shuffle things around and see what fits in the space instead. So I just went with the flow and if it wasn’t flowing, I wasn’t going! I would recommend if you’re not a fan of mass people-ing, go during an off peak season which is usually the colder months. Mind you, out West, Spring break is the whole month of March as each state has different days off so plan accordingly. It seems February may be the sweet but colder spot.

Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico

And get your steps in walking around Sante Fe, New Mexico! Make sure to pack great walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and lots of layers because you may be freezing in the morning and sweating by the sun-soaked afternoon. Schedule in some roaming time to explore more and let the energy of this spiritually charged town lead you to your next adventure. Also, don’t feel like you need to stay in one spot there are so many sections of town to explore where you can drive, park and play. This is why you have to keep moving as you age, a body in motion stays in motion! Be mindful that you are now at 7,000 feet elevation so if the high altitude makes you woozy, keep chugging water and don’t drink alcohol or it may make you feel worse. That said, this list include things to do AND places to eat because we all need fuel to keep going! Let’s gooooooo!

Loretto Chapel Museum

The Miraculous Staircase at Loretto Chapel Museum defies gravity somehow in Santa Fe, New Mexico! Three mysteries surround the spiral staircase. No one knows who built it, the type of wood, and the seemingly impossible physics of its construction. Completed in 1878, there was no way to access the 22 foot choir loft. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel. Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man with an ad running in the local newspaper and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters’ prayers.

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

There are so many museums in Santa Fe but if you’re going to only choose one to explore officially like I did, it’s the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is dedicated to the artistic legacy of Georgia O’Keeffe, her life, American modernism and public engagement. It opened on July 17, 1997, eleven years after the artist’s death. It comprises multiple sites in two locations: Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Abiquiu, New Mexico. It was packed to the gills but again that was my silly choice for choosing the Spring Break timeframe of March. Her artwork as you will see is almost vulgar at points for that era of time (who’s kidding, it’s still clutch your pearls worthy even in 2026 in America at least). The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is located in downtown Santa Fe within easy walking distance of the historic Plaza. The museum collection is the single largest museum of O’Keeffe’s work in the world and they are building an even bigger space right down the street. Advance tickets are recommended because you can just show it and began viewing instead of waiting in line.

The Oldest House

Back officially now in the Barrio, The De Vargas Street House, often referred to as the Oldest House, is a historic building in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is often said to be one of the oldest buildings in United States. The original date of construction is unknown but the majority of the building is believed to date to the Spanish colonial period. For over a century, the house across the street from the San Miguel Chapel has been known as the oldest house in the city. While the structure is labeled the “oldest building” on the J. J. Stoner Bird’s Eye View of the City of Santa Fe, N.M. 1882, its actual age is not known. While tree-ring specimens taken from wooden vigas date to about 1740–67, portions of the lower walls of one room in the house are made of puddled adobe, an indigenous building technique that predates the adobe mud bricks introduced by Spanish colonists. Even though its age remains debatable, it is a tourist destination that demonstrates how long tourism has been an important part of Santa Fe’s economy.

The Cross of the Martyrs

A morning or sunset at The Cross of Martyrs in Santa Fe is a fantastic way to soak in some of the best skyline views of town. The big cottonwood tree in the middle is just as impressive as the 25-foot tall cross that overlooks the city and the Jemez mountains as the backdrop. On top of Paseo de la Loma Hill sits the Cross of the Martyrs, to commemorate the 21 Franciscan priests and about 380 Spanish colonists who were killed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The Cross of the Martyrs refers to either of two cross-shaped monuments erected in the 20th century in Santa Fe, New Mexico, commemorating the deaths of 21 Catholic clergy during the Pueblo Revolt. The earlier of the two was near the Old Taos Highway and La Cruz Road, which is named after the memorial. Sweeping Santa Fe views from a hilltop park reached by a path lined with city history plaques. I had just woken up from a juicy nap, snarfed down some chili and was in a zen state of mind so I found a perfect place to sit on the ground and parked myself there with my Nikon and just grounded. It made for excellent pictures without all the people-ing. Make sure to get there early for parking as it gets crowded!

Hiking Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Dale Ball Trail system is a nearly 25-mile network of natural-surface trails for hikers and bicyclists in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Located about 15-20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, it is the quickest way to get from the city into the mountains. It offers great opportunities for beginners and advanced hikers alike, along with amazing views of both the surrounding wilderness and back towards the city.  Trail users can navigate the trail system through trailhead maps and a system of numbered junctions, each with a local orientation map and arrow plaques indicating how to get to a next given junction, as well as connections to surrounding trails, including the La Piedra, Little Tesuque, Santa Fe Canyon Preserve, Dorothy Stewart, and Atalaya Trails. The trails are situated in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, typically ranging in elevation roughly 6,500′ to over 7,700. Popular routes, such as the 4.1-mile north loop, offer around 550 ft of elevation gain, while longer “outer” routes can climb nearly 1,000 feet. If you are altitude sensitive like me, keep an eye out for heavy breathing, confusion and headaches – all signs to return to lower elevation.

Meow Wolf Santa Fe

Where it all began at Meow Wolf Santa Fe’s House of Eternal Return! Born in Santa Fe in 2008 as an underground art collective, the living being called Meow Wolf is made of hundreds of artists and storytellers from all over this universe. Together, these eccentric artists imagine and create new immersive worlds to explore. It’s a smaller space and by smaller, I mean still very large but smaller than the humungous spaces in Las Vegas, Nevada and Denver, Colorado. With timed ticket entrances, it’s a smart setup to explore this trippy world of imagination without tripping all over people of all ages in the process. Each world is a maze of eye candy with secret doors, tunnels, portals and more to explore including a tasty food court and shopping store for all your senses to enjoy. Featuring a wild new form of non-linear storytelling which unfolds through interactive stations of mystery and problem solving, I just went in and started wandering around for over a good hour but your could spend many more getting lost among the creative chaos. Just when I thought I was done, I went to the exit sign and popped out in a whole other room so visitors beware! Your senses are so enthralled, it is easy to get lost and even miss some exhibits so plan a leisurely stroll through to make sure you see every nook and cranny. Comparative to the one I’ve been to in Las Vegas, this is certainly my new favorite from the original source. I think when they created this space, they never know how popular it would be in its weirdness! For extra fun, get some of the 3D eye glasses or bring your own. It’s great for families of slightly older children as well as groups of adults to cherish memories forever.

Canyon Road Santa Fe

Over 100 galleries line this half mile at Canyon Road and sits in the heart of Santa Fe’s gallery scene. Your GPS will take you some wild one-way street places but follow my advice and park at the beginning of the road where you will find some free street parking if you’re lucky. It is also more accessible for those with health issues as the plaza area is tree-lined, pedestrian and sidewalk friendly. Once all private homes, the charming adobe buildings now host pieces ranging from contemporary to traditional, Western to Native American to abstract, created by artists from all over the world. I literally parked and just be-bopped around to whatever was drawing me in. Rarely did I go inside any specific gallery as I was just enjoying stretching my legs and also all the various sculptures. My walkabout also led me to some amazing places just off the street that were amazing! Give yourself time to roam with no real destination in mind and let Santa Fe lull you into its creative beauty. If you love a good whimsical holiday experience, time your visit with artist-led events and outdoor festivals, including the annual Christmas Eve Farolito Walk, and explore small eateries, cafes, and award-winning, fine-dining restaurants.

Santa Fe School of Cooking

Take a red and green chile cooking class with Marydawn Right, a former chef for Sabra Hummus at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. I am obsessed with hummus so I knew it was going to be good! Not only that, I finally learned how to make corn tortillas using masa harina or corn flour which has been on my bucket list for a while. She randomly organized us into groups and what a great group it was! Who needs tequila or mezcal when you can make ball jokes the whole time? Our team was having the best time laughing it up with inappropriate innuendos. I also learned that this process is a labor of love so if I were to do it at home, I would make mass quantities and batch it out. Maybe even gift some to friends! The green chili was my favorite with its creamy texture from half of it being blended. We also learned the meaning of sazon, which means your own special sauce. I do believe the energy you put into a meal makes it better and since we were having a hoot, those good vibes went into ours being very popular at the end tasting. I also loved that  Marydawn just joined in on the nonsense fun at our section, cracking a few of her own jokes. This is a great way to make some new friends, get out of your head and into the flavors of Santa Fe. I even ran into some of my new crew at the hot springs below later that week! Helpful hint: Make sure you eat a snack before going as your sauces may take an hour or two to simmer and then you’re just there hangry and drooling.

BODY Santa Fe

Now we enter the healing section of exploring Santa Fe, New Mexico! This was the perfect way to wind down the week and I honestly didn’t know what I had in store but boy am I happy it happened now. BODY is an affordable health and wellness destination with 8,000 square feet. Featuring a huge yoga studio, award-winning spa with massage and facials, child care center, community wellness events, sustainable living boutique with clothing for men, women and children, world-class Pilates reformer studio with daily classes, you can do all the healing modalities in one space for elevated living. Then nourish yourself at the Body Café, an all-vegan restaurant open 7 days a week as is BODY Santa Fe, offering a full range of wellness experiences from beginners to advanced practitioners. I arrived a bit frazzled, ready to relax and the lovely owner Lori Parrish gave me a tour of the space before delving into a healing energy work session with her favorite massage therapist and reiki master. She told me that she was “just visiting” Santa Fe for about 15 years before she finally gave into the energy of Santa Fe and built this beautiful concept.

Ojo Santa Fe Hot Springs

Sizzle your worries away at Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort! Just minutes from downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, sits a hidden oasis nestled amidst 77 lush acres in the La Cienega Valley. Travelers and seekers have journeyed to these waters for respite and healing for centuries. Park in the dirt lot then go through the spa to get your arm band which also serves as your locker code which reminds you on the flip side to whisper when talking as they like to keep it tranquilo (tranquil). Stash all your goodies, bust out your flip-flops, hat and sunscreen, collect your blue towel and be on your merry way to boil yourself to your delight. Submerge your senses as you explore three unique soaking areas featuring spring-fed thermal pools all gently heated to various temperatures between 98 and 104 degrees so you can soak to your body’s delight. There is also a steam room included with eucalyptus floating through the air, a chicken coup, medicine wheel, white swans swimming, a lake, stairs, the same ice old water to enjoy and refresh yourself, shaded spots and slats and even more to explore. It was packed on a Thursday afternoon for Spring Break so seating was getting hard for newcomers to find however they are doing construction and adding on some cold plunge pools probably straight from the source which will be refreshing.

I also learned that the sister location Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort And Spa is a bit further away however it offers mud baths and labeled mineral pools to cure what ails you. These days, I like a good middle of nowhere vibe so might have to return to experience that slice of heaven! Ojo in Spanish literally means “eye”, but it is most commonly used casually to mean “watch out,” “be careful,” or “look out”. I was certainly way too relaxed to drive too far afterwards! Bonus: boil yourself for free on your birthday at either location!