UPDATED: I have updated these blog articles, but Please contact the establishments directly before visiting, just to make sure of their status and offerings. For a complete list of my curated suggestions on where to stay, eat, things to do, shop etc., please reference our categories at SantaFeSelection.com Travel Guide. Each listing contains contact info for you to double check directly prior to your visit. Thank you for using SantaFeSelection.com Travel Guide. 🙂
FREE MAPS: To get acquainted with our area, email me at Maria@santafeselection.com with your full name and mailing address in the U.S and I will mail you the best FREE Mini Guide Map. Maps include the downtown area, City Major Streets and northern New Mexico day trip points of interest, and my top curated recommendations on where to eat, and play and shop etc.
We are so lucky to have such a wide array of unique and fun things to do in and around Santa Fe. In addition to the many fantastic markets, fairs and festivals, a visit to Santa Fe isn’t complete without having some time to explore the character of the area. From the expansive and varied terrain to the culinary delights, here are ten things to do, both indoors and out, that will pique your interests and tickle your tastebuds.
Remember, that if you’re planning on visiting, it’s always best to book in advance of your arrival to ensure availability on any tours. For specific pricing, please visit the links listed for contact information of each guide.
Explore the majestic outdoors with Great Southwest Adventures. They’ll take you into the heart of Northern New Mexico’s varied terrain, historic villages, ruins, and fascinating points of interest with a half-day or full day trip, or customize an outing for your private party, whatever the size. Their extensive knowledge of the history and culture of the area makes for an adventure you’ll always remember.
Great Southwest Adventures – Anasazi Kiva Ruin
Call (505)455-2700 and their expert guides will take you in their comfy Mercedes vans – and en route you’ll learn so much more about the area’s culture, history and traditions. The excellent guides at GSWA will make this a journey filled with memories you’ll cherish long after you return home. Remember to mention Santa Fe Selection when you call.
Great Southwest Adventures’ expert guides take you to amazing places you wouldn’t find on your own. View from Chimney Rock at Ghost Ranch. Cerro Pedernal is in the background.
The Rio Grande and Chama are great for whitewater rafting during high water, and kayaking, and float trips even when the levels get lower. There are many rafting, paddle-boarding, kayaking and floating opportunities offered by NMRA. They are also well-known for bringing the best food to the rivers for their guests.
Rafting on the Chama River with NMRA
Whitewater and Wine Tasting Day Trip
This excursion with NMRA includes a half-day rafting trip on the Rio Grande’s Racecourse section of the river, followed by a picnic and wine tasting tour around some of the north country’s award-winning boutique wineries. Yes we have the oldest wine country in the U.S. (yes, it is older than California’s).
New Mexico River Adventures also offers specialty outings along the Rio Grande and Chama rivers. From Beers & Cheers trips to fun Music trips, each year they come up with something new and exciting.
New Mexico is an excellent fly-fishing destination, year-round. Jarrett Sasser of High Desert Angler and his crew of expert guides know the best public and private access spots that will satisfy your inner angler. They are the top fly-fishing outfitter in New Mexico.
A nice catch with Jarrett of High Desert Angler.
Southwest Safaris Scenic AirVentures
Or take to the skies with a scenic adventure by air with Southwest Safaris Scenic AirVentures. Since 1974, Bruce and Anna Adams have been whisking folks skyward over the dramatic, majestic landscapes of the Great Southwest, year-round, in their extremely safe high-wing, omni-view, Cessna aircraft. Enjoy half-day or full-day ventures for sightseeing, photography, hiking(optional), or four-wheeling at amazing locations. Have a picnic lunch on the Rim of the Grand Canyon, or Monument Valley, or choose from many other stunning locations such as; Canyon de Chelly; Mesa Verde; Arches/Canyonlands; Painted Desert; Chaco Canyon; Bisti Badlands; Carlsbad Caverns, Capulin Volcano, Oak Creek Canyon, Lake Powell and remote Indian country.
Mention Santa Fe Selection when you call. Advance bookings required. (505)988-4246.
On the rim of the Grand Canyon, enjoying a picnic lunch.
More Fun Adventures Indoors
Take a food tour around one of our popular historic or contemporary districts. Tickle your tastebuds with the flavors of New Mexico, and acquaint yourself with some of our top chefs, distilleries, wineries, and breweries.
Food Tour New Mexico is the top operation in Santa Fe for their fun and delicious food tours. They offer a variety of tours in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. In Santa Fe explore the popular Railyard District, historic Plaza area, and Canyon Road. You’ll be stopping at various culinary venues to taste the food and libations, learn of the area’s history and traditions, and meet some of the talented chefs who contribute to making Santa Fe one of the top foodie destinations in the country. Use the promo code at this link to book and get a special Santa Fe Selection discount off your tour.
If you prefer to roam further afield then I recommend visiting Black Mesa Winery & Cidery in Velarde NM, en route toward Taos, but only about 40 minutes’ drive from Santa Fe along route 285N to route 68 that runs alongside the Rio Grande. This isn’t far from the HQ for New Mexico River Adventures, so you could plan a rafting ride, and a stop in Black Mesa on your way back to Santa Fe.
Black Mesa Winery & Cidery.
Black Mesa Winery & Cidery is an award-winning boutique wine and cider establishment that also offers tours of their operation and monthly geology tours of their amazing petroglyph cliff with an expert geologist and labyrinth. Call ahead to book a tour, or take a scenic easy drive and enjoy a tasting of locally grown hard apple ciders and wines. Remember to mention Santa Fe Selection when you call or stop in!
Delicious Chocolate Experience on the Chocolate Trail
I love chocolate and I don’t know many folks who don’t, so add this one to your list…Just at the southside of Santa Fe, (if you’re driving into town, it’s right as you exit the I25 at exit 278, in the Santa Fe Fashion Outlet mall. Stop by to visit Sweet Santa Fe Artisan Confections & Cafe for the best hand-made, hand-rolled truffles, sipping chocolates and numerous unique, multi award-winning confections. If you want savory first, you can enjoy a full lunch menu at the cafe, followed by a wide variety of delicious truffle flavors, including but not limited to: Margarita, Mango Habanero, Strawberry Champagne, Raspberry Chipotle, Blackberry Balsamic, Pina Colada, Jalapeno Lime, Grand Marnier, Mexican Traditional, Cherries Jubilee, Expresso, Marcha, Lemon Lavender, Mint to mention a few.
Just one of the many varieties of Sweet Santa Fe’s award-winning truffles.
Did you know there are 13 steps to making traditional Chocolate Truffles? You can very often find Cindy and Diana at work on any one of their numerous unique truffle flavors. When you stop by, mention Santa Fe Selection for a sweet treat!
For many more of my recommended day trips, tours, attractions, and unique fun things to do in and around Santa Fe year-round, plus lodging and restaurant recommendations, go to SantaFeSelection.com Travel Guide.
To get your free Mini Guide Map mailed to you in the U.S, please send me your complete name and U.S mailing address via email to Maria@santafeselection.com.
Thank you for reading my blog. If you’d like to receive my monthly articles about Santa Fe attractions, its people, traditions, art, events and culture, please send me an email to Maria@santafeselection.com