Santa Fe Visitor Guide: Where to Eat, Drink, Play & Stay

Santa Fe has it all – arts, culture, history, outdoor recreation. And, of course, green chiles. Many visitors come for the green chiles alone, which can be on pizzas, in mac and cheese and added to stews, sauces and spreads. When you’re ready for margs, historic architecture, fine art galleries, trendy boutiques and a celebration of Native American heritage, Santa Fe is ready for you. Here are our top picks on where to eat, stay and visit while in Santa Fe.

For outdoor lovers, there are some fantastic hiking trails in Santa Fe, particularly in Diablo Canyon Recreation Area, which is one of the more popular area hiking destinations. Diablo Canyon’s stunning natural beauty is a major draw. Look for towering rock formations, unique geological formations and breathtaking views across the high desert landscape. There are hiking trails for all levels, too. A favorite six-mile hike guides visitors along the canyon floor with soaring sandstone walls on either side. Diablo Canyon is also known for rock climbing, birding and mountain biking.

If you feel like immersive art installations are all around you, you’re right: Santa Fe has plenty of them. Meow Wolf is a mind-bending, fantastical art experience that borders on psychedelic. It got its start in 2008 by a collective of Santa Fe artists, and has since popped up in Denver and Las Vegas. Meow Wolf Santa Fe’s House of Eternal Return allows visitors to explore more than 70 colorful, chaotic and curious rooms featuring neon forests, wormholes, treehouses and spaceships. After your visit, it’s a short six-minute walk to the renowned Kakawa Chocolate House. Yum-o.

The Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe is a top stay in Santa Fe. For one, it allows you to feel worlds away, tucked into the high desert landscape, yet you’re not more than a 15-minute drive from Santa Fe Plaza. Luxurious casitas feature wood-burning fireplaces and private patios for desert sunrises and sunsets, allowing for true relaxation in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Amenities include an outdoor pool, spa treatments, elevated dining and an on-site adventure center, which offers guided hikes and private mountain biking tours. In winter, a ski butler program allows for a frictionless ski experience at nearby Ski Santa Fe.