Day Trips from Santa Fe

1. Acoma Pueblo

• What is Acoma Pueblo?
  • Acoma Pueblo is a National Historic Landmark and an indigenous community located approximately one hour west of Albuquerque.
  • It is home to the federally recognized Acoma Pueblo indigenous tribe.
• Why is Acoma Pueblo historically significant?
  • Acoma Pueblo consists of four villages: Sky City, Anzac, Acomita, and McCartys.
  • It is considered the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S., having been occupied for more than 2,000 years.
• How many people live in Acoma Pueblo?
  • Approximately 4,000 tribal members live throughout the Acoma communities.
  • Around 50 residents still live within Sky City in its primitive earthen homes or inside the historic 1640 San Estévan del Rey Mission.
• Are tours available at Acoma Pueblo?
  • Yes! Indigenous Acoma guides offer tours of Sky City throughout the year.
  • These tours provide insights into the village's history and cultural significance.
• What other attractions can visitors explore?
  • Visitors can explore the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum.
  • The museum is known for its amazing exhibits of Pueblo pottery and Southwestern indigenous art.

P.O. Box 310, Acoma Pueblo, 87034, Phone: 800-747-0181

Acoma Pueblo is 2 hours from Santa Fe (125.3 mi) via I-25 S and I-40 W.

2. Albuquerque

• What is Albuquerque known for?
  • Albuquerque is the largest metropolis in New Mexico, located along the Sandia Mountain range on the banks of the Rio Grande River.
• What is the elevation of Albuquerque?
  • The city sits at an elevation of nearly 6,700 feet above sea level.
• What historic sites can visitors explore?
  • Albuquerque’s Old Town district is famous for its historic adobe buildings.
  • A key landmark is the San Felipe de Neri Church, a historic Spanish mission-style church.
• What family-friendly museums are in Albuquerque?
  • Visitors can explore the Albuquerque Museum, which showcases regional art and history.
  • The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science offers exhibits on dinosaurs, space, and geology.
  • The Albuquerque Biological Park is a zoological complex featuring a zoo, an aquarium, and a botanic garden.
• Where can visitors enjoy live music performances?
  • Concerts and events are held throughout the year at venues like the Isleta Amphitheater and Tingley Coliseum.
• What major annual event takes place in Albuquerque?
  • The city hosts the annual International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest hot-air balloon gathering, drawing visitors from around the globe.

3. Bandelier National Monument

• What is Bandelier National Monument?
  • Bandelier National Monument is a stunning national monument that preserves over 33,000 acres of mesa and canyon terrain.
  • The site includes an historic Ancestral Pueblo settlement, which was inhabited for hundreds of years before European arrival in North America.
• What happened to the Ancestral Pueblo inhabitants?
  • Around 1550, severe droughts forced the indigenous groups to move to the Rio Grande region.
  • Their descendants became known as the Cochiti Pueblo.
• What historical and archaeological sites can visitors explore?
  • Visitors can explore preserved petroglyphs and archaeological excavations at Tsankawi and Frijoles Canyon.
  • These areas can be traversed via self-guided nature trails.
• What exhibits and programs are available at the visitor center?
  • The visitor center offers cultural exhibits and documentary showings.
  • Ranger-led programs include walk-and-talk events and night sky programs.

15 Entrance RD, Los Alamos, NM 87544, Phone: 505-672-3861

4. Jemez Springs

• What is Jemez Springs known for?
  • Jemez Springs is a charming village in Sandoval County, located within the Santa Fe National Forest.
  • It is home to the Jemez State Monument, which preserves the indigenous culture of the Pueblo of Jemez and the region’s Spanish Colonial mission history.
• Where is Jemez Springs located?
  • The village is located along the Jemez River, within the picturesque red rocks of San Diego Canyon.
• What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy?
  • The area offers year-round outdoor recreation, including:
    • Fishing in the Jemez River.
    • Hiking through scenic canyon trails.
    • Cross-country skiing during winter.
• How is the indigenous history represented in Jemez Springs?
  • The village showcases its rich indigenous history through family-owned galleries and stores selling indigenous pottery and crafts.
• Are there hot springs in Jemez Springs?
  • Yes! Visitors can relax at several natural hot springs in the area, including:
    • Jemez Hot Springs
    • Jemez Springs Bath House

5. Las Vegas New Mexico

• What is Las Vegas, New Mexico?
  • Las Vegas, New Mexico is a lovely town in San Miguel County, not to be confused with the famous resort city in Nevada.
• What is Las Vegas, New Mexico, known for?
  • The town is famous for its northern New Mexico architecture and its charming Old Town Historic District.
  • It features many bookstores, antique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
• How many historic structures are in Las Vegas, New Mexico?
  • More than 900 structures in the city are preserved on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Many of these buildings have connections to the historic Santa Fe Trail.
• What outdoor recreational areas are near Las Vegas, New Mexico?
  • Several outdoor destinations are just minutes away, including:
    • Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
    • Lake McAllister
    • Storrie Lake State Park
    • Montezuma Hot Springs
• What other activities can visitors enjoy?
  • Visitors can camp at the many campgrounds along the Gallinas River.
  • The city's Plaza Park is a great spot to relax.
  • History enthusiasts can explore the City of Las Vegas Museum, which showcases exhibits on local history.

6. Madrid

• What is Madrid, New Mexico?
  • Madrid is a charming artist's community in Santa Fe County, located within the northeastern end of the Sandia Mountains, just outside Santa Fe.
• What makes Madrid a unique destination?
  • The town sits along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, offering beautiful views and an artistic atmosphere.
  • Despite being technically classed as a ghost town due to its low population, Madrid comes alive in the summer as one of the top art destinations in the Santa Fe region.
• What can visitors explore in Madrid?
  • The town’s main thoroughfare, New Mexico State Road 14, is lined with art galleries and shops.
  • Visitors can explore restored mining town-era attractions, such as:
    • Miner's Amusement Hall
    • Coal Mining Museum
• Is Madrid known for ghost stories?
  • Yes! Some abandoned buildings on the town’s outskirts are rumored to be haunted.
  • The former Mine Shaft Tavern and other locations are said to be haunted by the famous La Llorona spirit from Mexican legend.
• What special events take place in Madrid?
  • During winter, the town hosts its annual Christmas lighting event, featuring spectacular light displays and nativity scenes.

7. Ojo Caliente Springs

• What is Ojo Caliente Springs?
  • Ojo Caliente Springs is a delightful resort destination in northern New Mexico, known as a healing and relaxing gathering place for centuries.
• What is the history of Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs?
  • The Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs were discovered in the mid-19th century.
  • They became a major sanitarium and tourist attraction, known for their rejuvenating properties.
• Are there historic buildings at the resort?
  • Yes! Many of the resort's original buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including:
    • The 1868 Historic Bathhouse
    • The 1917 Historic Hotel
    • The 1924 Adobe Round Barn
• What activities can visitors enjoy at Ojo Caliente?
  • Visitors can soak in the rejuvenating hot springs.
  • The resort offers custom spa treatments for relaxation and wellness.
  • Guests can explore the lovely hiking and biking trails set on the resort's 1,100-acre landscape.
• What dining options are available?
  • The Artesian Restaurant offers a delightful dining experience, serving seasonal Southwestern favorites.

50 Los Banos Drive, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549, Phone: 888-939-0007

8. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

• What is the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument?
  • Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a gorgeous national monument that preserves three of New Mexico's most famous Spanish Catholic missions.
  • The missions were constructed between 1622 and 1635 in the state's Mountainair region.
• When was the monument established?
  • It was originally established as the Gran Quivira National Monument in 1909.
  • It preserves the ruins of the Gran Quivira Mission, which is the largest Christian church ruin site in the United States.
• Which missions are part of the monument?
  • The park protects three historic mission sites:
    • Gran Quivira Mission
    • Mission of San Gregorio de Abó (at the Abó Unit)
    • Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Quarai Mission (at the Quarai Unit)
• Can visitors explore the missions?
  • Yes! All three mission ruins can be explored via self-guided tours along interpretive trails.
  • Visitor centers provide historical context on all three sites.

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, PO Box 517, Mountainair, NM 87036-0517, Phone: 505-847-2585

9. The Sandia Peak Tramway

• What is the Sandia Peak Tramway?
  • The Sandia Peak Tramway is the longest aerial tramway in the United States.
  • It departs near Albuquerque and stretches over the crestline of the Sandia Mountains.
• Where does the tramway take visitors?
  • The tramway ascends from the city's western site to the Sandia Peak Ski Area.
  • The ski area is located just south of Sandia Crest, at an elevation of over 10,000 feet above sea level.
• What scenic views can riders enjoy?
  • Riders can see breathtaking views of the Cibola National Forest and the surrounding Albuquerque skyline.
  • Sunset rides offer unparalleled color and scenery, while autumn rides showcase stunning fall foliage.
• What can visitors experience at the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway?
  • An observation deck provides 11,000-square-mile panoramic views of the Land of Enchantment and the Rio Grande Valley.
• What recreational activities are available?
  • Year-round recreational opportunities are offered.
  • In the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at the Sandia Peak Ski Area.

10. El Santuario de Chimayo

• What is El Santuario de Chimayo?
  • El Santuario de Chimayo is a National Historic Landmark and a Roman Catholic church located in Chimayó, New Mexico.
  • It is considered the United States' most important pilgrimage site for modern Catholic practitioners.
• How many visitors does El Santuario de Chimayo receive each year?
  • The church attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually.
  • During Holy Week, approximately 30,000 visitors make the pilgrimage to the site.
• What is the significance of the Tierra Bendita holy dirt?
  • The church is famous for its Tierra Bendita, or holy dirt, which is located in a small hole near the main altar.
  • The dirt has been believed to have miraculous healing powers for more than 200 years.
• What is the story behind the Black Christ of Esquipulas?
  • In 1810, the Black Christ of Esquipulas crucifix was supposedly found within the holy dirt three times in a row, without any church members moving it.
• How do pilgrims demonstrate their devotion?
  • Many visitors travel to the church from across the state and nation.
  • Some pilgrims walk barefoot to the church as an act of religious devotion and to pray for miracles.

15 Santuario Dr, Chimayo, NM 87522, Phone: 505-351-9961