Quick Summary:

  • Where is Santa Fe located?
    • Santa Fe is New Mexico's lovely state capital, located within the gorgeous foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
  • What makes Santa Fe a great destination?
    • Though the town boasts wonderful Pueblo-style architecture and cultural opportunities to entertain visitors throughout the year, it also serves as a great launching-off spot for day trips to some of the state's most renowned natural areas.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Acoma Pueblo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Acoma Pueblo | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Ralf Broskvar/stock.adobe.com

2. Albuquerque ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Albuquerque | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© EKH-Pictures/stock.adobe.com

3. Bandelier National Monument

Category: Activities
Bandelier National Monument | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© ablokhin/stock.adobe.com

4. Jemez Springs

Category: Activities
Jemez Springs | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Henryk Sadura/stock.adobe.com

5. Las Vegas New Mexico

Las Vegas New Mexico | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© spiritofamerica/stock.adobe.com

6. Madrid

Madrid | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Schohn/stock.adobe.com

7. Ojo Caliente Springs

Category: Activities
Ojo Caliente Springs | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Shelley/stock.adobe.com

8. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Category: Activities
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

9. The Sandia Peak Tramway

Category: Activities
The Sandia Peak Tramway | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Amanda/stock.adobe.com

10. El Santuario de Chimayo

El Santuario de Chimayo | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Nick Fox/stock.adobe.com

11. Taos

Taos | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© giumas/stock.adobe.com

12. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Category: Activities
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© traveller70/stock.adobe.com

13. Tinkertown

Tinkertown | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Tinkertown

14. Valles Caldera National Preserve

Category: Activities
Valles Caldera National Preserve | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

15. White Mesa

White Mesa | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© photopixel/stock.adobe.com

16. White Sands National Monument

Category: Activities
White Sands National Monument | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© traveller70/stock.adobe.com

17. Truth or Consequences

Truth or Consequences | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© naoko/stock.adobe.com

18. Capulin Volcano National Monument

Category: Activities
Capulin Volcano National Monument | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© traveller70/stock.adobe.com

19. Pecos National Historic Park

Category: Activities
Pecos National Historic Park | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

20. Chaco Culture National Historic Park

Category: Activities
Chaco Culture National Historic Park | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

21. Pagosa Springs

Category: Activities
Pagosa Springs | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Billy McDonald/stock.adobe.com

22. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Category: Activities
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Vladislav Gajic/stock.adobe.com

23. Rio Grande National Forest

Category: Activities
Rio Grande National Forest | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Marco/stock.adobe.com

24. Petrified Forest National Park

Category: Activities
Petrified Forest National Park | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© ejnelson314/stock.adobe.com

25. Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo, Texas | Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico
© Jacob/stock.adobe.com

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