attractions in Southwest US

Nicknamed “The City Different” because of Santa Fe’s unique heritage and architectural style. Santa Fe New Mexico is certainly one of the most enchanting cities in the southwest and one of the oldest cities in the United States.


Santa Fe NM boasts a distinctive historical heritage unrivaled by other US regions. The city is a melting pot of Native American, Spanish and English cultures.

If you are traveling to Santa Fe New Mexico for the first time, the city is home to charming narrow streets, adobe buildings and picturesque plazas, giving Santa Fe such a raw feel of the Old American West.

Best time to visit

Visiting Santa Fe New Mexico during the shoulder seasons of spring, autumn and winter are some of the best times to enjoy a vacation here, especially if you’re looking to avoid the large crowds and over inflated tourists attractions.

Autumn and winter are the best times to enjoy the outdoors, as well as activities and events in New Mexico.

If you’re planning on undertaking many things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico outdoors, try and book a trip to the city in February, as it is one of the driest months.

If you prefer traveling during the peak season of summer, be aware that August is the wettest months.

Things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico: Outdoor Activities

Urban Parks

Santa Fe New Mexico boasts plenty of green areas and parks offering many recreational opportunities such as picnicking and cycling.

Some of the largest parks within the city include: Hillside Park, Amelia white Park, Salvador Perez Park, Ashbaugh Park, Frank S Ortiz Park

Biking & Hiking

Three miles east of Santa Fe, you’ll find Dale Ball Trails, which is one of the best locations for bikers and hikers of all levels.

The trails start at Cerro Gordo and are well marked so there is no chance of getting lost. The trails are suitable to all, but be aware that some sections have sharp turns so they can be rather challenging.

Scenic Drive

If you are traveling on your own car or are planning on hiring one, you can enjoy a scenic drive along Santa Fe’s byways.

For instance, from Old Fort Marcy Park, along Hyde Park Road, (475-highway) the highway runs deep into Santa Fe National Forest, offering gorgeous views on the way.

Camping

Santa Fe National forest is a gem of place for enjoying outdoors activities, and the forest has many campgrounds to suit both primitive and RV camping. However, camping spaces are on a first come, first served basis.

If you prefer to book your camping spot, there are other campgrounds to choose from such as Tesuque Pueblo RV Campground (located around 10 miles from downtown Santa Fe), and Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground (located around 8 miles from Santa Fe’s downtown area) both offering plenty of camping spaces for RV’s and tents.

Fishing

If you enjoy fly fishing or bait casting, TwoMile Reservoir Dam is just less than 3 miles from downtown Santa Fe and the reservoir boasts a variety of fish such as carp, rainbow trout and bigmouth buffalo.

Things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico: Places of Interest

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

If you are interested in the life of Georgia O’Keeffe or are interested in art, the museum features many works by O’Keeffe, a short movie on O'Keefe, as well as complementary works by other artists.

Palace of the Governors

The Palace of the Governors is another interesting stop and a worth while visit if you are interested in Southern US.

The Palace is a great place to learn about the history of New Mexico, from early Native Americans to Spanish control.

Shidoni Galleries Sculpture

The gallery is located in Tesuque (around 15 minutes drive from Santa Fe’s downtown), but it is worth a visit, since admission is also free.

You can walk around the outside gardens and learn the process of sculpturing, as well as glassblowing demonstrations.

La Loreto Chapel

Visiting La Loreto Chapel is another of the popular things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico. The chapel is a beautiful architecture with vibrant stained glass windows, lovely mosaic tiled ceilings and beautifully wooden carved choir loft sits.

New Mexico State Capitol

If you are looking for more things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico, the New Mexico State Capitol is open to the public for self-guided tours, and it is worth a visit. Amongst other things, you can see the governor's gallery and the Capitol art collection

Museum of International Folk Art

The Museum of International Folk Art is another popular attraction in Santa Fe as it includes a huge and eclectic collection of exhibits such as orchestral instruments, Indonesian Shadow Puppets and more.

If you are visiting this museum, it’s worth checking out the other museums within the vicinity such as the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, New Mexico Museum-Indian Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.

Things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico: Shopping

If you’re interested in doing a bit of retail shopping during your vacation here, the largest mall in Santa Fe New Mexico it's 'Santa Fe Place', which are two enclosed malls home to many popular anchor stores and a food court.

If you are visiting Santa Fe New Mexico for the first time, one of the best places for shopping opportunities is at the nearby town of Tesuque where you can visit the flea market.

At the flea-market, you can buy lovely jewelry, beads and art to take home for yourself or as a souvenir-gift for your loved ones.

Things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico: Nightlife & Entertainment

If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a meal as well as live entertainment, Santa Fe Brewing Company (located around 10 minutes drive from the downtown area) is a great place to enjoy a nice night out as it features live music and events.

Entertainment-wise, if you’ve never attended a Spanish flamenco venue, the JS Flamenco Theater in downtown Santa Fe is an excellent place to catch some intense and passionate flamenco entertainment.

Apart from live venues, Santa Fe has many bars, pubs and a few clubs worth checking out such as club Alegria in West Alameda Street and club Tequila in Cerrillos Road.

Things to do in Santa Fe New Mexico: Events & Festivals

Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

If you are traveling to the city during the summer, one of the most popular events worth catching it’s the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival that takes place in July at the Lensic Performing Arts Center.

The event spans over five weeks or so and includes chamber music, jazz concerts and open-air rehearsals.

Santa Fe Desert Chorales Festival

If you love choir music, the Santa Fe Desert Chorales Festival is another popular musical event that happens around the same time as the Chamber Music Festival, and it also spans over five weeks.

Santa Fe Symphony

The Santa Fe Symphony is another popular music event featuring the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus and famed soloists.

The event normally starts in late September at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, and lasts for a whole season.



See. Things to see and do in Albuquerque
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 Interesting places to visit in New Mexico

Sights to see in Colorado

If you are traveling to Fort Collins for the first time, the city is home to the Colorado State University and miles of paved cycling trails along the city center.


If you are looking to enjoy plenty of recreational activities as well, there are plenty of green spaces in the city, but within a short drive west of the city, you’ll find both the Lory State Park and Roosevelt National Park, which offer outdoor opportunities such as camping and rafting along the Cache Poudre River.

Apart from the many things to do in Fort Collins Colorado, if you fancy exploring nearby Colorado, Fort Collins is just an hour's drive from Denver .

Things to do in Fort Collins Colorado: Outdoor Activities

Hiking & Boating

If you fancy hiking and boating, Lory State Park is a just a short drive from the city center, and offers plenty of outdoor opportunities such as picnicking and plenty of easy trails ideal for hiking and biking.

For boating opportunities all year-around, you can head to the Horsetooth Dam (a couple of miles from Lory State Park) where you’ll find the closest boat ramp for launching your canoe or Kayak.

However, if you are traveling to Fort Collins Colorado between May and August, the popular Cache Poudre River offers more challenging runs ideal for experienced kayakers and rafters.

Cycling

Cycling is one of the most popular things to do in Fort Collins Colorado, and it's a fun way to explore the city center.

There are around more than two hundred miles of paved cycling trails in Fort Collins which span the downtown area, Southridge Greens and Fossil Creek Reservoir areas.

Some of these popular paved cycling trails in Fort Collins Colorado include Spring Creek Trail, Poudre Trail, Power Trail and Fossil Creek Trail.

Fishing

If you love fishing, Fort Collins Colorado is an angler’s paradise and you can find angling opportunities in the city’s reservoirs and lakes, Lory State Park and Roosevelt National Park.

In fact, the Horsetooth Reservoir is just miles from Lory State Park, and the west side of Horsetooth Reservoir features five coves where you can fish for bass, trout, and walleye.

Also, along Cache La Poudre River you can find a couple of sections designated for trout fishing.

Another popular place for fishing in Roosevelt National Park is Poudre Lake which is found along Trail Ridge Road.

Scenic Drive & Camping

Another popular way to appreciate Colorado’s beautiful natural scenery it’s on the road.

One of the most popular scenic drives it’s the Fort Collins-Arapahoe Wildlife Refuge three-hour scenic drive along Poudre Canyon Highway (Route 14).

This scenic drive runs along the famed Cache La Poudre River which passes through the Roosevelt National Park.

If you are driving your RV and are planning on camping out, this scenic drive passes through a few campgrounds such as the Stove Prairie Landing Campground, the Kelly Flat Campground and the Glen Echo Resort, which has RV spaces with hook-ups.

Brewery Tours

If you love beer, you’ll be glad to know that the city of Fort Collins Colorado is popular for its brews, and touring a microbrewery is a must-add in your itinerary.

Two popular microbreweries include Odell Brewing Co and New Belgium Brewing Co, both located in the Buckingham district, which is just a few minutes drive from the Fort Collins’ city center.

Things to do in Fort Collins Colorado: Places of Interest

Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center

If you are traveling with the family and are looking for things to do with kids in Fort Collins Colorado, the Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center is a great place to be.

The museum section has an interesting collection of indigenous artifacts, while the science center section offers hands-on interactive exhibits and planetarium shows.

Swetsville Zoo

If you’ve never hear of Swetsville Zoo, you’ll be surprised to know that the place is an actual farm but the animals in it are actually made out of scrap metal.

If you know about the famous Forevertron scrap metal sculpture in Wisconsin, the Swetsville Zoo is a great example of scrap metal architecture, and some of the popular works include a Heavy Metal band and a T-Rex.

Farm at Lee Martinez Park

Visiting the Farm at Lee Martinez Park is another popular thing to do in Fort Collins with kids. At the farm, the little ones can feed and pet the animals, enjoy pony rides and roam freely through the farms fields and playing areas.

Avery House

If you are a history buff, the Avery House was the home of Frank Avery who designed the streets lay out of Fort Collins Colorado. If you want to visit this historic house, the place is open to the public for a few hours on Sundays.

Things to do in Fort Collins Colorado: Shopping

For retail shopping, you can find both the Shops at Foothills Mall and Foothills Mall located at the intersection of S College Avenue and E Foothills Parkway.

Apart from shopping malls, the city is home to small stores and shops such as Old Town Quilting shop, My Sister Knits and Hops & Berries, located in the Old Town district.

Things to do in Fort Collins Colorado: Nightlife & Entertainment

Fort Collins Colorado is a college town and since the University of Colorado is located in the downtown area, you’ll find plenty of bars, live music venues and nightclubs.

For instance, along South College Avenue, you can find the popular ‘The Dance’ and ‘The Rock’ nightclubs.

Entertainment-wise, you can enjoy a movie at one of the mall’s cinemas as well as a night of performing arts at the Lincoln Center or Bas Bleu Theater in downtown Fort Collins Colorado.

Things to do in Fort Collins Colorado: Events & Festivals

Cycling Events

If you are a cycling enthusiast and would like to participate in a cycling event, Fort Collins is home many cycling events during the summer months.

For instance, in August you can catch annually the popular one-day Criterium through Fort Collins Old Town.

Also, in August look out for the US Handcycling Race and the Rist Road Canyon Road Ride.

Fort Collins Brewers' Festival

Another popular summer event is the annual Fort Collins Brewers' Festival held for two days in late June.

If you love your beer, the Fort Collins Brewers' Festival showcases the best and finest brews produced by local breweries.

Colorado Marathon

The Colorado Marathon is usually held in early May and it is a popular activity among families and outdoor enthusiast as the marathon course runs down the scenic Cache Poudre River.

If you are traveling with the family the Colorado Marathon also includes marathon events suitable for families with kids such as a kids’ run marathon.

New Visions Dance Festival

If you love dance performances, the New Visions Dance Festival happens in late March every year at the Lincoln Center.

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