Top Santa Fe Day Trips

There are many Santa Fe tours out there, but this is the only one lead by a homegrown historian and author of eight books on the city. Take advantage of the guide’s deep knowledge of Santa Fe history and culture to gain a new perspective on landmarks like the Loretto Chapel, Canyon Road, Cross of the Martyrs, Route 66, and more. The tour delves into topics not often covered, including the Manhattan Project, spirituality, and Santa Fe’s role in World War II.

This tour is operated by local tour company Vigilante Guides. A 12th generation New Mexican will lead your tour offering local knowledge and insight. This will be an unforgettable journey and highlight of your trip to New Mexico. Discover the soul of northern New Mexico on a full-day, luxury tour from Santa Fe to Chimayó, Taos Pueblo, and the Rio Grande Gorge. Travel in comfort aboard a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a local guide who brings the region’s culture, history, and landscapes to life. Visit the sacred Santuario de Chimayó, the largest pilgrimage site in the United States. A sacred place with healing earth and a story that is unlike any other. Stop by the Vigil store where you can shop and purchase local spices and chiles. Explore the living history of Taos Pueblo with a Pueblo guide, and stand in awe at the dramatic Rio Grande Gorge. Enjoy a locally sourced lunch in Taos and relax with small group service, all-inclusive convenience, and unforgettable views along the way.

Explore the wineries around Santa Fe—without worrying about designating a driver—on this small-group tour, which includes pickup and drop-off at your Santa Fe hotel. Visit and sample locally produced wines at three to five wineries (tasting fees at your own expense) and stop for an included lunch along the way.

This tour is operated by local tour company Vigilante Guides. Explore ancient history and stunning landscapes on a full-day tour to Bandelier National Monument and Puye Cliff Dwellings. Travel in comfort with a local guide aboard a luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as you journey through the ancestral lands of the Pueblo peoples. Walk among cliffside dwellings, ceremonial caves, and petroglyphs at Bandelier and Puye. The morning will start with a guided tour at Puye Cliff Dwellings led by the Santa Clara people. Walk amongst pottery shards and arrow heads, the only place in the region where you will get first hand insight into this ancient civilization that dates back 1000 years. Quick stop for lunch at Pig in the Fig where you can order a meal of your choice. In the afternoon, we'll visit Bandelier Cliff Dwellings for an immersive experience walking 2-3 miles, climbing ladders into ancient caves, and full on guided experience led by a true local.

Taste the highlights of Santa Fe during this food-themed walking tour. Meet your guide in the centrally located Santa Fe Plaza, and come hungry: you’ll visit multiple local food businesses, where you can enjoy enough samples to add up to a generous meal (plus drinks on the side). As you go, you’ll also see landmarks like the San Miguel Chapel and the Palace of the Governors.

Get oriented to Santa Fe’s unique history, architecture, and culture on this top-rated walking tour. Explore the Santa Fe plaza area on foot, passing landmarks like the Loretto Chapel, Palace of the Governors, and Bario de Analco, plus places off the beaten path that most visitors miss. Hear stories not found in any guidebook, and get tips on how to make the most of your Santa Fe vacation.

See a different side of Santa Fe beyond the plaza on a fun and athletic e-bike tour that earns rave reviews from travelers. Cover more ground than you would on a walking tour, taking advantage of the bike’s battery-assisted boost to go farther without breaking a sweat. Visit places many tourists miss, like the Santa Fe Railyard and River Park that hugs the Rio Grande, while a guide shares insider history not found in the guidebooks.

Experience two sides of the Land of Enchantment with this bundle of self-guided tours: • Santa Fe Walking Tour • White Sands NP Driving Tour Explore Santa Fe’s historic streets and hear stories of the Pueblo Revolt, Santa Fe Plaza, the Palace of the Governors, Loretto Chapel, and San Miguel Chapel. Then drive through the brilliant gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park, with scenic stops, optional trails, and stories about its landscape, wildlife, and history. These tours are in separate locations and are best completed on different days. After booking, check your email or text for instructions to download the Audio Tour Guide App by Action. Enter your password, then download both tours while connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Once downloaded, they work offline. Start each tour at its designated location and follow the route in the app. Lifetime access is included with no expiration. This is not an entrance ticket. Check current hours and closures before visiting.

Take a full-day Rio Grande rafting adventure ideal for families and first-time rafters. Float through the Lower Gorge’s scenic Orilla Verde, where you’ll enjoy a delicious hot fajita lunch along the riverbanks. Experience the river’s broad canyon and rich habitat, where you can watch for wildlife like mule deer and birds of prey. Then, enjoy a thrilling encounter with whitewater during a 6-mile (9.6 kilometer) section of class 2-3 rapids.

With so much to explore, it can be hard to know where to begin in Santa Fe. This private walking tour removes the guesswork for an ideal introduction to the city’s historic plaza, charming adobe buildings, parks, and art galleries. Finish at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, with included admission so you can explore the life of this artist who immortalized northern New Mexico landscapes.

Discover the scenic highlights of Santa Fe’s Old Town, and learn about the New Mexico capital’s centuries of history, on this private walking tour. Choose from several convenient daily tour times, and meet your guide in Santa Fe Plaza. You’ll see landmarks like the Palace of Governors and San Miguel Chapel, will learn about the city’s characteristic adobe buildings, and will even enjoy a taste of local delicacies.

Discover Santa Fe’s must-try bites—and learn about the city’s history and culture—on this decadent walking tour. Meet your guide before lunch at Santa Fe Plaza, and come ready with an appetite: you’ll visit three local eateries, where you can enjoy everything from spicy New Mexican fare to tasty local chocolates. As you go, you’ll also see landmarks like the New Mexico State Capitol, Palace of the Governors, and more.

Whether it's your first time in Santa Fe or you want to delve deeper into the city’s history and legends, enjoy a private walking tour of must-see highlights plus hidden corners. Learn fascinating trivia and stories as you wander cobblestone streets and colorful alleyways that wind through the downtown plaza area and beyond, including the distinctive New Mexico State Capitol.

Take the scenic High Road to Chimayó and experience a full-day wine tour through northern New Mexico’s stunning high-elevation wine country. Visit three of the region’s highest altitude vineyards, where dramatic landscapes meet exceptional wines. Enjoy curated tastings at each stop, paired with local flavors and seasonal bites. Travel in comfort aboard a luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a local guide who shares the stories behind the wines, the land, and the culture. This small-group experience offers unforgettable views, rich flavors, and a deep taste of northern New Mexico’s unique wine scene.

Combine white-water rafting with wine tasting on this small-group tour from Santa Fe. You'll spend your morning taking a thrilling rafting ride on one of the most popular sections of the Rio Grande. In the afternoon, you’ll head out to lunch, followed by wine tastings at Vivac, La Chiripada, and Black Mesa wineries.