Ahhh, Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer in Santa Fe! You can not only bet on beautiful sunny weather and mild temps, but a wealth of fun options for activities, so plan a long weekend in The City Different and experience some of the best of what our vibrant community has to offer with the following 5 ideas.
1. Explore the Art
As the 3rd largest art market in the United States, The City Different surely has a lot of opportunities to experience art year-round, however Memorial Day Weekend brings the inaugural Native Elements Art Festival + Market, with the work of approximately 180 Native artists at the LEED-certified Santa Fe Community Convention Center both Saturday and Sunday, as well as the New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild, a collection of juried artists and craftspeople showing their jewelry, metal, glass, painting, weaving, photography, leather, textiles, pottery, and more, or on Saturday, venture out to ArtWalk Santa Fe at the Baca Railyard, a block party with music, art, food, and family friendly fun!
Need some additional inspiration? Consider focusing your time in the Railyard at the Santa Fe Farmers' Market on Saturday morning for some freshly baked confection and community spirit, check out the Santa Fe Artists Market, El Mercado, or SITE Santa Fe, where you can enjoy cutting-edge contemporary art and free admission. On Sunday, the Railyard Artisan Market is the spot to meet local artisans and shop their handiwork. Two other great spots include Museum Hill. For more, read our blog, The Insider's Guide to Visiting Museum Hill or the Native American Artisans Portal in front of the Palace of the Governors for authentic, handcrafted works for sale all weekend long!
2. Take a Tour or a Class
You'll quickly learn Santa Fe is a community that wants to share its history and culture, so embrace it and learn a thing or two and take a tour with one of the city's many educated and enthusiastic guides. Or in honor of the unofficial start of summer, consider an Outdoor Tour on a bicycle. If the culinary arts are more your style, you will not be disappointed if you jump on the Santa Fe Margarita Trail to taste 50+ special cocktails at popular bars and restaurants (download the app or visit any Visitors Information Center for a Passport or register for a cooking class to hone your skills in making Southwestern cuisine.
3. Immerse Yourself in Nature
In the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos at 7,000 feet, Santa Fe has ready access to the natural world. Enjoy a late afternoon hike on miles of excellent trails to that range from easy to challenging. This handy map should give you a good sense of distance, elevation, and context for what you'll see. If you're keen to increase the distance you travel, go deeper into the wilderness, or love the cowboy/cowgirl culture, consider exploring our trails on horseback!
4. Step Out to Dine and Enjoy a Dance Performance
Santa Fe enjoys more than 400 restaurants, many of which are independent and have won numerous awards for excellence, including the coveted James Beard Foundation Award. Peruse our dining page for an establishment that will delight your palate or flip through the pages of our latest Menu Magazine for ideas. At both Entreflamenco and El Farol, you can enjoy Spanish tapas and wine AND a thrilling flamenco performance dinner-theater style. Reserve ahead! Also check out the happenings at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, our historic downtown theater.
5. Relax in Our Tranquil Waters
It's great to be on the go and creating constant memories, however a few hours soaking at one of our outdoor pools can only refocus you for what's to come. In town, reserve tub time at the Japanese bathhouse-inspired Ten Thousand Waves or a day pass for the many pools at 77-acre Ojo Santa Fe Resort. If you have a little more time, consider traveling 1 hour north to sister spa Ojo Caliente or 1 hour west to Jemez Hot Springs. Read more with our blog, Find Your Inner Calm in Santa Fe's Waters--Pools, Springs, and Spas.
Get a taste of The City Different! Order your Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide now or browse our deals and specials to help you plan your next trip to Santa Fe.
