Exploring The City Different? Once you’ve seen all there is to see in Santa Fe, it’s time to venture further. From Taos to Madrid, hit up one of these brilliant Santa Fe day trips.
There might be plenty of things to do in Santa Fe, but trust me, there’s tonnes to do around it, too.
From the magical moonscapes of White Sands National Park to the bustling urban paradise of Albuquerque, it’ll amaze you how many incredible places you might’ve missed if I wasn’t here to tell you all about them.
Luckily, I am. And I’ve done the legwork for you and written this guide to the best day trips from Santa Fe. What are you waiting for?
The Best Day Trips From Santa Fe
Taos
If you’re looking for somewhere closeby, head out on a Taos day trip. This super cute, artsy town is where indigenous culture meets contemporary New Mexico in a laid-back fashion.
You can visit grand attractions like Taos Pueblo (just check ahead that it’s open and don’t make the same mistake as me!)and the Harwood Museum of Art, or simply grab an excellent cup of Joe at The Coffee Apothecary.
Fancy a thrill? Taos Valley also has some of the best skiing for advanced skiers if you’re in the area between late November and early April. You’ll find over 300 inches of bone-dry powder ready for skiers and snowboarders along the untamed bowls and glades.
How to Get There: Take the bus from the Santa Fe Depot to Guadalupe Parking Lot.
Average journey duration: 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Albuquerque
As far as Santa Fe day trips go, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Albuquerque.
I seriously loved ABQ on my first visit; it’s a relaxed and friendly town, with a killer food scene. Head to Sawmill Market for a foodie paradise – get a margarita or two from Flora Restaurant and thank me later.
But there are plenty of adventures to be had, from hot air ballooning (an absolute must) to the Sandia Peak Tramway, which I thought would be underwhelming, honestly. But it was so cool. The Tramway just completely proved me wrong and blew me away.
The Petroglyph National Monument also holds wonders for you to explore, with more than 25,000 petroglyphs to behold (incredible, right?).
How to Get There: Take the bus from Water Street and Sandoval Street to Albuquerque International Sunport.
Average journey duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The Northern Pueblos
There are many pueblos in New Mexico, and making the effort to take a day trip from Santa Fe to visit some of them is a must. The most famous are the Eight Northern Pueblos, where Puebloan communities live to this day in ancient adobe dwellings.
The Eight include Taos, Santa Clara, Ohkay Owingeh, Nambé, Tesuque, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Picuris.
History buffs and culture lovers alike will adore visiting these intriguing communities, but be aware they’re not always open – they tend to close on special celebration days, so plan in advance to avoid disappointment.
How to Get There: This will depend on which pueblo you choose to see, but they’re all accessible by bus and taxi and are mostly beside each other.
Average journey duration: 20 minutes to 2 hours and 44 minutes.
Bandelier National Monument
One of my favourite day trips from Santa Fe, the Bandelier National Monument is a 33,677-acre area near Los Alamos. Here your inner culture geek will revel in the thousands of dwellings carved into the cliff sides by the Ancestral Puebloan people.
Some date all the way back to 1150 AD, while more recent ones come from 1600 AD. There are a couple of trails to hike to get to see the best the monument has to offer: the Pueblo Loop Trail and Alcove House Trail are quite popular choices.
How to Get There: Take the bus from Sheridan Avenue Transit Centre to Los Alamos, then take a taxi the rest of the way.
Average journey duration: 1 hour and 33 minutes.
Madrid
No – not the one in Spain, unless your definition of a “day trip” is a whole lot different from mine (wink). Madrid was a ghost town in the 70s but has become an enclave of artists and a quaint but picturesque little place to visit.
The Ortiz Mountains form the backdrop for brightly painted houses, and artisanal stalls line the streets. Stop by some of the many galleries for an injection of culture, or visit Mine Shaft Tavern to learn more about the town’s coal mining history.
How to Get There: Take the Line 290 bus from Sheridan St Transit Centre to the Santa Fe Adult Detention Facility, then take a taxi for the remainder of the journey.
Average journey duration: 55 minutes.
White Sands National Park
Okay, so this one is a little bit of a trek to undertake as a day trip, but it’s totally worth it. White Sands National Park is one of the Santa Fe, New Mexico, day trips you can’t miss.
The pure white gypsum sand dunes of White Sands National Park, spotted with pale desert brush, are a wonder to behold – they look a little bit like a desert with a light dusting of snow.
One of the best things to do in White Sands is to go sledding down those dunes and end up with rare white sand in all the wrong places. Or you can take a hike along one of the trails instead and keep your crevices sand-free.
How to Get There: Take the train from Santa Fe Depot Station to Albuquerque. Once there, take the bus to Las Cruces, and a taxi the rest of the way.
Average journey duration: 7 hours.
Top tip: Wear a buff and sunglasses, and make sure you take plenty of water with you.
Ojo Caliente Springs
In need of a pamper? Ojo Caliente Springs is one of the attractions near Santa Fe that promises rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. The retreat is only an hour from Santa Fe and calls to travellers and wellness seekers alike.
You can hike around the beautiful surroundings or simply luxuriate in the mineral-rich springs, or perhaps enjoy a tailored spa treatment or two. All of the above sounds good to me.
How to Get There: Take the bus from Santa Fe Depot to Embudo Medical Centre, then a taxi the rest of the way.
Average journey duration: 2 hours.
The Very Large Array
Ready for a sight like no other? Take a ride to the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (original title, right?). It’s a massive arrangement of satellite dishes in the plains of San Agustin that form the most powerful radio telescope on Earth.
It helps detect the intricacies of our cosmos, and even SETI uses it to look for extraterrestrial life. You can stop by the visitor centre and take a self-guided tour around the 27 enormous dishes, each 82 feet in diameter.
How to Get There: Take the train from the Santa Fe Depot Station to Belen Station, then hop on a bus to Socorro Transportation Office. From there, grab a taxi to Highway 60.
Average journey duration: 5 hours.
Valles Caldera National Preserve
Fancy a hike or three, anyone? Valles Caldera National Preserve is a gorgeous escape to nature in the large embrace of a volcanic caldera.
There are almost a million acres of wilderness to explore with every type of landscape, from grasslands to desert badlands, waiting to be traversed.
Countless lakes also dot the area with the Jemez Mountains in the background, so the scenery is fab. Plus, there are 24 glorious trails to hike – the Cerro La Jara Loop Trail is one of the best treks, even though it’s short.
But, don’t worry, there are several longer ones to take advantage of, too.
How to Get There: Take the bus from Sheridan Avenue Transit Centre to Los Alamos, then take a taxi the rest of the way.
Average journey duration: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Jemez Springs
A quaint little village west of Santa Fe nestled amongst the scenic Los Alamos country, Jemez Springs’ biggest draw are the hot mineral springs. They’re even said to have healing powers, and who am I to say that’s not true?
The village itself is also delightful, with a small-town charm surrounded by 1.6 million acres of the Santa Fe National Forest (yes, you can go hiking!). There’s also the Jemez Historic Site, museums and plenty of monuments to see in the town.
How to Get There: Take the bus from the Sheridan Avenue Transit Centre to Los Alamos, then a taxi to Jemez Springs.
Average journey duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Abiquiu Ghost Ranch
An hour outside of Santa Fe is the educational retreat centre, Abiquiu Ghost Ranch. It’s not haunted (that I know of), but it’s a gorgeous place to visit with plenty of activities, from horseback riding to hiking and whitewater rafting.
You can check out the museum’s many offerings in archaeology and palaeontology, and even see some of Georgia O’Keeffe’s works. Listen to stories about dinosaurs, cattle rustlers as well as the ghost of one particularly giant rattlesnake.
How to Get There: Take the bus from Capitol to Ghost Ranch.
Average journey duration: 2 hours and 35 minutes.
Chimayo
If it’s an easy day out from Santa Fe you seek, another charming village full of history is Chimayo.
Sitting snugly amongst the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it’s home to a National Historic Landmark — the El Santuario de Chimayó historic church.
It’s a Catholic pilgrimage site with “el pocito” (Holy Dirt) that draws 300,000 annual visitors for its magic healing powers. Weaving is also a common theme here, with shops that feature the weavings of the Trujillo and Ortega families.
How to Get There: Take the bus from Capitol to Nm-76 and Cr-96. A taxi is much faster, though.
Average journey duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Tent Rocks National Monument
On the Pajarito Plateau sits the Tent Rocks National Monument in the Jemez Mountains foothills. Its unique conical formations made from ash, pumice and tuff are six to seven million years old and a glorious sight to behold.
Hike the 1.2-mile Cave Loop Trail for an easy walk, or tackle the 1.5-mile Slot Canyon Trail for a challenge. Your reward will be the incredible vistas of the Rio Grande Valley, Sangre de Cristo and Sandia Mountains.
How to Get There: Take the train from Santa Fe Depot Station to Kewa Station, then a taxi the rest of the way.
Average journey duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Practical Tips for Easy Day Trips From Santa Fe
- Driving to your chosen destination is often much faster than taking public transport. If you plan on seeing some attractions that are slightly further afield, then renting a car is your best option to get the most out of your day trips.
- If you plan on going on a trekking excursion, make sure you bring a good pair of hiking shoes along – the Tropicfeel Geyser’s are my top pick, FYI.
- Plan your travels ahead of time so you get the most out of your day trip. Spontaneity can be great if the location is close by, but the ones that are further away will need extra planning if you’re taking the longer public transport option.
- Bring snacks and water for your journey. No one wants to end up hungry midway through a two-hour bus ride.
Map of Day Tours from Santa Fe
Santa Fe Day Trips: Read Next
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