santa fe field trips

11 Amazing Field Trips Every New Mexican Took As A Kid (And Should Retake Now)

Juliet White

Staff writer for Only In Your State and freelance writer. Juliet can be reached on Twitter @JulietWrites.

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During field trips, some of us were more focused on having a day out of school rather than on our actual destination. Or maybe you enjoyed field trips, but the memory of them has become hazy over time. Either way, returning to these attractions as an adult can be a surprisingly rewarding experience. Here are 11 New Mexico field trips that are well worth taking a second – or first – time.

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What was your favorite field trip as a kid? Have you been back to any as an adult? Let us know on the Only In New Mexico Facebook page .

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Field Trips to City Trails

June 2015: First group to bag Picacho Peak!

Field Trips to Dale Ball Trails  (flyer)

Through the support of the City of Santa Fe, the S.L. Gimbel Foundation, the Lineberry Foundation, and Partners in Education, the Santa Fe Conservation Trust is pleased to offer guided field trips on city trails for children in Santa Fe Public Schools and City Summer Camps.

As of the end of May 2017, we have taken over 1,300 schoolkids out to local trails!  Trips for our first thousand kids’ trips are summarized here:  Summary of Field Trips, 2014 to 2016

We focused on trips to Dale Ball Trails for fourth-graders from El Camino Real Academy (formerly Agua Fria E.S.) and for kids from City Summer Camps during the first year of activities, 2014/15.  In the Summer of 2015, we made our first trip to La Tierra Trails, where we continued school field trips through Fall of 2015.

Capital High School’s “Outdoors Club” ready to start a trail work session, Oct. 2015

Thanks to increased foundation support, we tripled the level of activity in the Fall of 2015 by offering field trips to fourth- and fifth- graders at Camino Real Academy as well as to fourth-graders from a second south-side school, Nina Otero Community School.  We also took Capital High School’s Outdoors Club out on a work day on Tierra Contenta trails.

Fifth-graders from El Camino Real Academy show off their “Passports to Trails” at La Tierra Trails, Nov. 2015 (photo by Sara Castillo)

Throughout 2016 we continued the expanded level of field trips, returning to Dale Ball Trails, adding visits to La Piedra and Little Tesuque Trails, and even making our first summits of Atalaya Mountain – first by a new school group from Tierra Encantada Charter School in May, and then by a group of City Summer Campers in July.  Our final group of City Summer Campers in 2016 participated in a demonstration trail work day near Cerro Gordo Trailhead before heading off to “bag” Picacho Peak.

In Fall of 2016 we added returning Fifth Graders from Nina Otero Community to the list of classes.  By the end of the year, with 13 more outings to Dale Ball Trails, including another work day with Capital High School’s Outdoors Club, we had brought our 1,000th schoolkid to local trails!

Leaving the trail head for Dale Ball Trails, Central: The first group to complete their passports and get a Camelbak! (May 2016)

May 2017 brought new records in number of field trips (14), number of kids (301), and number of adults (47) as we visited Dale Ball Trails’ Central Section, and the adjoining Santa Fe Canyon Preserve.

All field trip participants in 2015-17 received our “ Passport to Santa Fe’s Foothill Trails ” with maps, descriptions, and incentives to visit all of our city trails.  Many of the fifth graders have now completed four trips and redeemed the passport for a hydration pack!

Tierra Encantada Charter School summits Atalaya Mountain, May 2016

The following links describe the fun we have had, which of course begins only after participants fill out a liability waiver (in  English or Spanish ) and receive an orientation on the trails and hiking safety.

Field Trips to Dale Ball Trails for Camino Real Academy and Nina Otero Community School , May 3-18, 2017

Field Trips to Dale Ball Trails for Camino Real Academy and Nina Otero Community School , October 11-27, 2016

Capital High School Outdoors Club, Dale Ball Trails Work Day , Oct. 14, 2016

Trail Work Demonstration and Hike to Picacho Peak with City Summer Campers , July 29, 2016

Hike with City Summer Campers to Atalaya Mtn. , July 11, 2016

Hikes with City Summer Campers , June 20 and 23, 2016

Hike with City Summer Campers , June 9, 2016

Field Trips for Camino Real Academy, Nina Otero Community School, and Tierra Encantada Charter School , May 5-18, 2016

Field Trips to La Tierra Trails with Camino Real Academy 5th Graders, Oct.-Nov., 2015

Field Trips to La Tierra Trails with Nina Otero Community School 4th Graders, Oct.-Nov., 2015

Field Trips to La Tierra Trails with Camino Real Academy 4th Graders, Sept.- Oct., 2015

Tierra Contenta Trail Work Day with Capital High School’s Outdoors Club, Oct. 16, 2015

Field Trip to La Tierra Trails with City Summer Campers, July 21, 2015

Field Trip to Dale Ball Trails Central with City Summer Campers, July 7, 2015

Field Trip to Dale Bale Trails North with City Summer Campers, June 23, 2015

Field Trip to Dale Bale Trails South with City Summer Campers, June 9, 2015

Field Trips to Dale Ball Trails with El Camino Real Academy 4th Graders, May 19-20, 2015

Hike with Camino Real Academy students: Ms. Young’s Fourth-Graders, Oct. 16, 2014

Hike with Camino Real Academy students: Mr. Bass’s Fourth-Graders, Oct. 9, 2014

Hike with Camino Real Academy students: Mr. Gorman’s 4th- and 5th-Graders, Oct. 1, 2014

Hike with Camino Real Academy students: Mr. Tyson’s Fourth-Graders, Sept. 25, 2014

Hike with City Summer Campers, July 16, 2014: E.J. Martinez Site

Hike with City Summer Campers, July 9, 2014: Carlos Ortega Teen Center

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23 Best Things to Do in Santa Fe — From Sculpture Gardens to a Margarita Trail

New Mexico's capital is home to world-class galleries, stunning nature trails, mouthwatering cuisine, and more.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

As far as capital cities go, Santa Fe is a bit of an anomaly. It's on the smaller side, at least for New Mexico's size, with just over 90,000 people. Set in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it has Pueblo-style buildings instead of skyscrapers. The entire city revolves around a traditional plaza where arts and handicrafts are still sold to this day.

Santa Fe's deep-rooted Native American heritage and stunning desert landscape have inspired countless artists, making the city one of the world's top art destinations. But there's more to it than art and history. From hiking the trails to trying "Christmas-style" burritos and sipping the city's best margaritas, here are 23 of the best things to do in Santa Fe.

Explore Meow Wolf.

The art on display at Meow Wolf bends the mind. This 70-room art installation has one foot set firmly in another world. Under the narrative "House of Eternal Return," the interactive exhibit is the brainchild of a collective of Santa Fe artists.

Get inspired at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

Many famous artists have called Santa Fe home over the years, but arguably none as renowned as Georgia O'Keeffe. Her paintings of enlarged flowers and New Mexico landscapes are on display at her namesake museum , which also tells the story of her life. Just make sure to reserve your ticket early, as they do sell out.

Visit Bugs Bunny and co. at the Chuck Jones Gallery.

Chuck Jones is the artist behind many of the world's most beloved characters: Daffy Duck, Road Runner, and Marvin Martian, to name a few. Each character — and the artist behind them — gets plenty of love at this gallery, which also houses work by animators like Dr. Seuss and Charles Schulz.

Get a drink on the "oldest hotel corner in America."

La Fonda on the Plaza was built in 1922 on what is now reportedly the "the oldest hotel corner in America." The Santa Fe landmark is on the site of an inn that dates back to when the city was founded by Spaniards in 1607. Today, you can look out over the plaza, with a drink in hand, at the rooftop Bell Tower Bar.

Treat yourself at a Japanese-inspired spa.

You don't have to travel to Japan to experience the country's iconic hot spring resorts. Just outside downtown Santa Fe, near the national forest, is a Japanese-style sanctuary with private hot tub suites — each with its own cold plunge and sauna. And while you're there, you might as well take it to the next level and book a shiatsu massage.

Check out the "miraculous" staircase at Loretto Chapel.

Loretto Chapel is a beautiful old church, but most people visit to see the "miraculous" staircase. According to legend, the Sisters of Loretto prayed a nine-day novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, for help building a staircase to the choir loft. After nine days, a skilled carpenter showed up out of the blue, built a helix-shaped spiral staircase, and then disappeared without receiving thanks or payment.

Order your burrito smothered in green chile — or better yet, "Christmas style."

New Mexico is known for its green chile. And the celebrated ingredient is used at every opportunity (no complaints here!). While you're in town, you'll want to do as the locals and smother everything in the good stuff. Or you can order it "Christmas style" for a mix of red and green chile.

Hike the Aspen Vista Trail.

One of Santa Fe's most beautiful trails is the Aspen Vista Trail , a six-mile route that leads you through aspen forests to the top of Aspen Ski Basin. The trail is beautiful year-round but really pops in the fall, when the aspen trees turn shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Go gallery hopping in the Railyard.

The vibrant Railyard District southwest of downtown is the place to be for contemporary art, live music, film screenings, and cool architecture. Pop in and out of galleries and museums — including Site Santa Fe , a contemporary art museum — shop for interiors and fine jewelry, or just sit back with a beer at Second Street Brewery , which has live music almost nightly.

Experience the Canyon Road art destination.

Canyon Road packs more than 100 galleries, restaurants, and boutiques into a mere half mile. But rest assured quantity does not negate quality. The strip is a destination for art collectors who go to peruse everything from traditional to abstract art by artists from all over the globe.

Sip your way around town on the Margarita Trail.

Santa Fe loves a good margarita — and if you do, too, you can experience more than 40 of the city's best on the Santa Fe Margarita Trail . The self-guided, tequila-fueled tour will take you all over town as you collect stamps in your paper passport or app. (Plus, you'll get $1 off the signature margarita at each participating location.)

Shop for turquoise jewelry at the Santa Fe Plaza.

The Santa Fe Plaza is the true heart of the city. In addition to being a National Historic Landmark, the plaza, or city square, is still where Native American vendors go to sell traditional jewelry and artwork in front of the New Mexico History Museum .

Catch a show at the open-air opera house.

A trip to the Santa Fe Opera is a memorable way to spend an evening in New Mexico's capital. The venue has seen performances like "Madama Butterfly" and "The Barber of Seville" in its open-air theater. Just make sure to pack a jacket for when the temperature drops.

Swing by one of the nation's oldest and largest farmers markets.

The farmers market in Santa Fe might put your local operation to shame. At times hosting as many as 130 vendors, the market is hyper local, only selling goods from New Mexico farmers and producers. The Saturday market runs year-round in the uber-hip Railyard District.

Visit the oldest church in the U.S.

Although very little of the original structure is still present, the San Miguel Chapel just south of downtown Santa Fe is thought to be the oldest church in the U.S. The original structure was built around 1610 as a Spanish colonial mission church.

Take a glass-blowing class from a master.

Blowing glass is something many people want to try but never get the opportunity. Book a Friday, Saturday, or Monday class at Liquid Light Glass , a glass-blowing studio and shop that was established in 1986. The artists will help you create any number of things, from paperweights to flower vases.

Rent a bike and cruise the La Tierra trail system.

When it comes to mountain biking, Santa Fe continually tops the charts. One of the best and most accessible trail systems is La Tierra , which has more than 25 miles of trails rated easy to moderate. The best part? All the trails are just a few miles outside of town.

Catch a sunset from the top of the Cross of the Martyrs.

Just northeast of the plaza is a hilltop park with a cross that gets some of the best sunset views in town. The cross itself was erected to commemorate the death of 21 Franciscan friars during a revolt against colonial occupation. The history, which is outlined on plaques that line the path to the top, is worth a visit on its own, but if you can make the trip at dusk, you'll be treated to a stunning sunset .

Meander through Allan Houser's sculpture garden.

On a sunny day, head just south of Santa Fe to the Allan Houser Sculpture Garden and Gallery . You can walk amongst more than 70 pieces of the artist's best and biggest works, then duck inside the gallery to see smaller pieces. Tours are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, weather permitting.

Hop in the car and drive to the Bandelier National Monument.

Less than an hour down the road is a national monument that protects the land and homes of the ancestral Puebloans. You'll get a glimpse into their way of life by climbing in ancient cave dwellings and gazing at petroglyphs carved into the soft rock.

Road trip to the religious pilgrimage site in Chimayo — and pick up a woven rug while you're there.

Every year, more than 300,000 Catholics make the pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayo , a religious shrine and National Historic Landmark, to ask for healing. From central Santa Fe, your pilgrimage is short, just 40 minutes, and is well worth the drive. Plus, the community of Chimayo is also famous for its stunning, handcrafted weavings.

Grab a fish taco from Bumble Bee's Baja Grill.

When you think of land-bound Santa Fe, seafood probably doesn't come to mind. But Bumble Bee's Baja Grill is working to change that. Swing by for a fish taco and an aguas fresca and enjoy your meal outside. Then, go back in for more.

Visit the largest collection of international folk art in the world.

Santa Fe may be small, but it has a long and rich cultural heritage. One place you can experience that heritage is at the Museum of International Folk Art , which is heralded for holding the largest collection of folk art in the world. Inside you'll find pieces from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and of course, New Mexico.

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Virtual Science Adventures

For teachers.

 **Free for all schools**

We invite you to join us for a dynamic interactive learning experience. Have Planetarium Coordinator Asis Gonzalez come right to your screen to deliver live-streamed education on a variety of STEM-related topics.

We offer the newest technology in interactive software to take your class to the furthest corners of our universe (on Zoom or Google Meet, etc) – from deep space to the bottom of the ocean floor – there is no limit to where you can travel on a Santa Fe Children’s Museum’s  Virtual STEM Ready! Science Adventures !

Every show meets the following state standards per grade level:

Culturally and linguistically responsive, stem ready, common core standards.

**Each Virtual STEM Ready! Science Adventure features an interactive lecture (30 – 60 minutes, depending on grade level)  & a live Q & A session with our museum STEM educator/expert.** A shorter program can be adapted for younger learners and topics can be adapted to your class.

In-person visits can be scheduled in Northern NM (especially for rural and Tribal schools) with a minimum of three classes scheduled on the same day, and a dark room to set up a projector and meet the class.

Pre K – 2nd Grade Topics

Fun in space, an introduction to space science.

~Most Popular Topic~

Astronomy Program

Uses a mixture of programs like Space Engine, Universe Sandbox and Stellarium (can be up to an hour and other topics range from 30-45 minutes)

Plants and Animals

An introduction to life science, 3rd – 8th grade topics, physical science, earth and planetary science, life science, biology and ecosystems science.

~BILINGUAL SHOWS & SPANISH-ONLY SHOWS AVAILABLE~ 

PRESENTED BY:

Refer a Teacher!

Win 6 passes to the Museum if you refer someone who schedules a Virtual Field Trip!

Not in New Mexico? Not a problem!

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum is happy to provide our Virtual Field Trips to anyone…ANYWHERE!

Space Creations

Developed by New Mexico Highlands University Media Arts and Technology

MISSION & CONCEPT

Designed to foster creativity and imagination, the  Space Creation Virtual Game  is an original creation, developed by  New Mexico Highlands University Media Arts & Technology Department , based on themes that visitors of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum know, and love! This easy-to-play web-based game lets any user imagine life on a faraway planet, providing everyone with endless learning, possibilities, and play! 

Educational Value

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, The Space Creation Virtual Game is built on the pillars of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). It is never too early to start building on these concepts by teaching children key problem solving and life skills.

Private Parties & Special Events*

A Virtual Field Trip is a perfect interactive activity for virtual birthday parties or any organizational events!

Price: $55 per 30-minute show $85 per one-hour show 

Have fun in space with one of these party themes: Stars | Planetary Science | Galaxies | Black Holes | Space Exploration

Learn about the Earth through these shows:

• Evolution of life (Not Just Dinosaurs)
• How the Land Beneath Your Feet Moves over Time!

*CONTENT CAN BE MADE TO FIT THE INTERESTS OF YOUR GROUP! (Fun for adults/children of all ages) *Funding support is available for those who qualify (i.e. non-profit partners, service programs, etc) 

14 Best Day Trips from Santa Fe (New Mexico)

By: Author Susan Moore

Posted on Last updated: March 13, 2024

New Mexico has a diversity of cultures, with a clear Native American, Hispanic, and Latino influence that has shaped everything from the architecture to the region’s customs.

Santa Fe is surrounded by jaw-dropping landscapes, stunning abode architecture, and relics from pre-colonial communities.

It’s the perfect place to explore New Mexico from, as you can get to such a variety of sites and landscapes all within a short drive from the city.

Whether you’re looking for cultural experiences, hiking in the mountains, or a Route 66 road trip you’ll find it all near the capital of New Mexico.

So let’s have a look at the best Santa Fe day trips .

Best Day Trips from Santa Fe (New Mexico)

1.  bandelier national monument.

Historians and nature lovers alike will find Bandelier National Monument an enthralling day trip.

The landscape includes rugged reddish color stone and rocky hills dotted with pine trees. There are plenty of hiking opportunities too.

Tsankawi Ruins Trail is a short 1.6 mile loop of moderate difficulty where you will see cave dwellings and petroglyphs.

For short easy hikes try the Pueblo Loop Trail (Main Loop Trail) or the Alcove House Trail.

The main thing that attracts visitors to this spot are the ancient cave-dwellings and ruins left behind by the Ancestral Puebloans who called this area home.

Bandelier is an interesting day trip from Santa Fe with a good selection of hiking trails.

The Big Kiva at Bandelier is one of the points of interest on Pueblo Loop Trail

2.  La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs

Technically La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs site is in Santa Fe, but you’ll feel worlds away when you get lost exploring one of the largest collections of rock art in the US.

Walk for a short while through the dry New Mexican landscape and you’ll arrive at the La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs Site and thousands of petroglyphs.

This educational day trip from Santa Fe combines nature and history in equal parts.

Take in the pre-colonial petroglyphs carved into tall boulders.

You’ll notice that birds and flute players are some of the most prominent images sketched into the rock, though their meaning remains a mystery.

3.  Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

(Tent Rocks remains closed in 2024 – allegedly due to C0vid-19)

When Tent Rocks reopens you can explore the stunning rock formations hidden away in the Jemez Mountains. These are the ancestral homelands of the Cochiti.

The Slot Canyon and Cave Loop trail leads through interesting terrain with cone-shaped rock formations (hoodoos) and excellent views at the top. It’s a bit of work to get to the top but so worth it, the views are great and I enjoyed doing this hike in 2016 and I would like to visit again when they reopen… if they ever reopen!

The area is known for its sparse landscape, imposing rocks and cliffs, and beautiful views.

Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Hike is one of the most popular hikes near Santa Fe

4.  Albuquerque

In only an hour you can drive from Santa Fe to Albuquerque to spend a day exploring New Mexico’s largest city.

Albuquerque is famous for its annual hot air balloon festival in October. But you’ll find lots of things to do in Albuquerque during any season of the year.

Spend some time in the museums of Albuquerque including the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science which has cool dinosaur skeletons.

If you’re traveling with the kids then be sure to let them have some hands-on fun at the Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum .

Learn about the Pueblo culture while exploring the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on a guided tour. There’s also a restaurant and gift shop.

And you can finish up your day watching the sunset from Sandia Peak Tramway.

5.  Taos

From afar this little town in New Mexico doesn’t look like much but spend a little time and you’ll discover exactly why Taos is such a popular day trip from Santa Fe.

A must-see is the Taos Pueblo , which has numerous 14th century buildings. The village is still inhabited by the Taos Indians, whose ancestors lived here over 1,000 years ago.

Fans of architecture will want to visit the San Francisco De Asis Mission Church on the main plaza of Ranchos de Taos about 4 miles south of Taos.

And outdoor adventure seekers can enjoy zip lines, rock climbing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and even hot air balloon rides.

In wintertime Taos Ski Valley is one of the top places to hit the slopes in New Mexico.

Taos is always a fun day trip from Santa Fe.

Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark

6.  Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs

Nothing is quite as enticing as a long soak in a natural hot spring surrounded by New Mexico’s barren and expansive landscape.

The tradition goes way back to when indigenous communities bathed here as they believed the mineral rich water had healing properties.

Plus, if you head to the outdoor hot springs at the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa you can experience a luxurious clay bath along with your soak.

A restorative and rejuvenating afternoon is just over an hour away from Santa Fe.

7.  Ghost Ranch

Only an hour’s drive from Santa Fe there is a fascinating Education and Retreat Center, the Ghost Ranch.

There are both indoor and outdoor activities at Ghost Ranch so it’s a good day trip choice in various types of weather.

It’s 21,000 acres is set among burnt orange and red mountain landscapes and typical New Mexico flora.

For an educational experience you can visit the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology , the Florence Hawley Museum of Anthropology , and the Ghost Ranch Library .

From the museum buildings you can head out into the hills on a horseback trail ride , a fun activity for ages 8 and up.

The hiking trails at Ghost Ranch range from easy to difficult so there’s something for every skill level.

Chimney Rocks Trail is a good choice with magnificent views (2.5 miles round trip) and the trailhead is right behind the museums.

If you’re an art enthusiast, you’ll be pleased to know you can also take a tour into the little town of Abiquiu and visit Georgia O’Keeffe’s home.

You’ll find amazing views on a Santa Fe day trip to Abiquiu Ghost Ranch

8.  Georgia O’Keeffe’s Home & Studio in Abiquiu

Georgia O’Keeffe’s home is surrounded by classic New Mexican landscape and boasts a unique view from each window.

The inside of the home is elegant and classic, the perfect environment to slow down and reflect.

Tranquil and inspiring, her house and studio were a source of inspiration. It’s just outside the town of Abiquiu.

9.  Madrid

Looking for a unique experience in New Mexico? Then head for a day in trendy Madrid.

The city was a coal mining town but now is transformed and rebuilt into a hip and urban city.

Explore the quaint galleries and adorable boutique shops in town or come for the Crawdaddy Blues Festival in May and enjoy the city’s live music and fun events.

10.  Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Are you a sucker for good views? Then get yourself down to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and check out the cool vistas.

Standing almost 600 feet above the gorge, the bridge gives its visitors the impression it’s floating up in the air.

As if that wasn’t enough to make you want to get your camera out right away, the bridge also has views of New Mexico’s tallest mountain, the Wheeler Peak .

Visit at sunset for those amazing New Mexico skies.

Take a road trip from Santa Fe to Rio Grande Gorge Bridge to watch the sunset

11.  Jemez Springs

Jemez Springs is a great day trip choice for two reasons – you get to visit a traditional New Mexican town and soak in hot springs in one place.

The town has lots of retreats and a spiritual scene that draws from Native American beliefs and customs.

This charming village is just under two hours’ drive from Santa Fe.

Pack your bathing suit and enjoy a soak in the soothing hot springs for a day of rejuvenation and relaxing.

12.  Chimayo

Chimayo is small, but it sits across two counties in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Don’t miss the 19th century adobe chapel, El Santuario de Chimayo , built in 1816.

The town is just off the High Road to Taos, and it’s particularly interesting to visit in Holy Week when thousands of pilgrims line the road from Santa Fe.

13.  Sandia Peak Tramway

Spend a day in the Cibola National Forest. You can hike the trails, enjoy the best view of the Sandia Mountains, and ride the highest aerial tramway in the country.

From the summit of the Sandia Peak 360 panoramic views of the mountains greet you.

You can buy one-way or round-trip tram tickets.

Hike up to Sandia Peak and take the tram back down the mountain or take the tram up and hike down.

If you plan on doing a lot of hiking from Sandia Peak then buy the round trip tram ticket and save your energy for those trails.

Outdoor enthusiasts note that Sandia is not open for skiing in 2022/2023 but the tram is still operating and you can still do winter hikes – remember to bring crampons or microspikes for icy conditions.

14.  Drive Route 66 New Mexico

Take yourself on an iconic American road trip on the historic Route 66 in New Mexico.

Although the original Route 66 across central New Mexico is now traveled via Interstate 40 by most drivers, you can still drive a lot of the old road too.

Enjoy some of the unique highlights of New Mexico with these Route 66 stops:

• Santa Rosa – Route 66 Auto Museum
• Tucumcari – Route 66 Monument
• Glen Rio Ghost Town
• Gallup Cultural Center
• Acoma Pueblo – Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum
• Pecos National Historical Park

Get your kicks on Route 66 with an iconic road trip in New Mexico

Final Thoughts on Santa Fe Day Trips

Whether you are looking for a relaxing day soaking in hot springs or a day of strenuous hiking you will find something close by Santa Fe. With a selection of cultural experiences, historic sites, and iconic roadways you have plenty of choices in this list of best day trips from Santa Fe. The hardest part is deciding which one you want to do!

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More Things to Do in New Mexico

White Sands National Park

28 Best Things to Do in Santa Fe

Healing Waters Trail Truth or Consequences New Mexico

Linda Lorang

Saturday 8th of October 2022

You should include Pecos National Historical Park in your places on Old Route 66. If you go to https://nps.gov/peco/index.htm click on Learn about the Park and then Photos & Multimedia. There’s a rap video, “Glorieta”, which encapsulates the history. (Disclosure: my daughter is one in the group in the last scene.)

SoloTripsAndTips

Linda, Thank you for commenting! Pecos National Historic Park will be the first place I visit next trip to Santa Fe, it looks amazing. I can't wait to go there! Cheers, Susan

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Birding the Land of Enchantment

New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment, with good reason. Between its beautiful Chihuahuan Desert, the lovely forested wildernesses of the Sandia and Sangre de Cristo Mountain ranges, its rugged petroglyph-filled rose-colored deserts, and its expansive native grasslands, there is no shortage of awe-inspiring settings.

Our 2019 and 2020 trips were big hits (see the triplists here and here ). On this itinerary, based in the cool high desert of central New Mexico, we will visit many of these breathtaking habitats. A couple of the main avian targets will be the wintering Rosy-Finch fiesta (four varieties in one location!) in the Sandias, as well as the amazing spectacle of Sandhill Cranes and Snow and Ross's Geese wintering around Bosque Del Apache. In addition to these two headliners, we will be seeking high-desert residents such as Cactus Wren and Crissal Thrasher, mountain west breeders like Green-tailed Towhee, Williamson's Sapsucker, Pinyon Jay, and Juniper Titmouse, birds with a more southwestern feel, like Phainopepla and Pyrrhuloxia, and some of the denizens of the western grasslands and prairies, like Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and multiple species of Longspurs.

We'll also have a chance to experience some of the rich art scene and cultural history of Santa Fe, with a few hours spent exploring the quaint and fascinating downtown of New Mexico's capital city.

Select the KEY INFO tab or click here for our itinerary plus space requests, status, fees, limits, and guides for any departure.

Client comment "We chose this trip because we've traveled with Field Guides many times and know the excellence of the guides and overall management. The overall tour experience was excellent.The guides, Doug Gochfeld and Cory Gregory, although younger and relatively new to Field Guides are every bit as capable at all the aspects of guiding as the founders and veterans of the company. As always, office service was prompt, accurate, efficient, friendly, etc." S.B., NEW MEXICO 2019

Other Tours in USA

Itineraries • tour status • details • space requests.

• 2024 sample (PDF)
• 2025 (PDF expected May 2024)

DEPARTURES • We have 2 departures currently scheduled through 2026, with details including limits, guides, fees, and space available listed below.

Feb 1-8, 2025 Guided by: Owen Hilchey Tour Manager: Nicole Cannon Tour Limit: 7 Status: Open - Space is still available on this tour, and we are accepting provisional bookings. No deposit is required until you receive the itinerary. Click below to book space. Tour Fee: $3250 Deposit: $325 REQUEST SPACE OR MORE INFO

Jan 31 - Feb 7, 2026 Guide: TBA Tour Manager: TBA Tour Limit: 7 Status: Open - Space is still available on this tour, and we are accepting provisional bookings. No deposit is required until you receive the itinerary. Click below to book space. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2025=$3250 REQUEST SPACE OR MORE INFO

Enjoy looking through the 4 most recent Field Guides triplists for this tour linked below!

• 2023 (Jan departure guided by Doug Gochfeld)
• 2022 (Jan departure guided by Doug Gochfeld)
• 2020 (Jan departure guided by Doug Gochfeld)
• 2019 (Jan departure guided by Doug Gochfeld & Cory Gregory)

Field Trips

– no longer accepting applications for sy23-24, field trips provide learning adventures.

“I’m writing to thank Partners in Education and their donors for funding our trip to Santa Fe Community College. It made me realize I do want to go to college. Without that trip I may have never realized I wanted to go. Thank you so much!”

The rising cost of fuel is having an impact on our field trip program.  Six years ago, an in-town field trip cost $55 per bus.  Now, that cost has nearly doubled to $100 per trip.  Partners offers teachers one in-town trip per school year. If you would like to sponsor one or more field trips for this school year, please call Partners in Education at 505-474-0240 or donate online now.

Click here to submit a Field Trip Transportation Request »

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The 5 best day trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico

Aug 12, 2021 • 9 min read

The historic Santa Fe Railway depot in New Mexico was built in 1909

There are many reasons to travel to Santa Fe – or as locals like to call it, "the City Different" – but one of the best reasons is the city's proximity to some of the most historic and culturally vibrant places in the United States. This is where the fantasies and realities of the Wild West were honed, where pre-colonial civilizations created some of their most enduring monuments, and where Spanish, Mexican and American influences fuse on every dinner plate .

Then there's the terrain. Northern New Mexico ’s high desert is some of the most biodiverse land in the country, and aeons of erosion by wind and water have carved out landscapes that are well worth hopping into the car to explore. Traveling here is a window onto a different New Mexico – following winding roads across the Sangre de Cristo mountains, you’ll discover hidden villages with unique stories to tell.

A day trip from Santa Fe is a safari into the untarnished history and culture of the Southwest . Here is our pick of the best days out from New Mexico's vibrant capital.

Located just off the famous "High Road to Taos," with one foot in Santa Fe County and one foot in Rio Arriba, Chimayo also straddles the intersections of time. This historic pueblo (village) harks back to Spanish times, and its 19th-century church is one of the country's most important Catholic shrines.

If you happen to visit during Holy Week, you'll find yourself sharing the 29 picturesque miles of road from Santa Fe with hundreds of pilgrims and penitentes (practitioners of ritual penance), engaged in the centuries-old practice of walking, crawling, and hauling crosses on their backs to this sacred site. The focal point of devotions is the Santuario de Chimayo , a Spanish colonial-style Catholic church built from adobe in 1813.

The construction of this historic church was petitioned by Don Bernardo Abeya, a member of Los Hermanos Penitentes – a secret society of Catholic penitents that is still in existence today – but the church itself is no secret. It attracts some 300,000 visitors a year as one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage centers in the United States.

In fact, Chimayo's sacred status precedes the arrival of the Spanish. The location was a holy site for the Tewa, and Spanish settlers witnessed healing miracles occur when small amounts of soil from the site was ingested. The church houses a specific room where the floor is open to the earth so visitors can take home the holy dirt or consume it on site.

Chimayo and the Santuario are located on the ancestral homeland of the Tewa, a Pueblo people who inhabited this part of New Mexico for thousands of years before the area was occupied by the Spanish in the 1600s. The Tewa were the first to acknowledge a spiritual connection with the land where the church now sits, and people from the community still refer to this area as "Tsi-Mayo," the Tewa name for the four sacred hills located behind the church.

In addition to sacred soil, the earth that runs through the upper Rio Grande Valley produces some of the most excellent red chilies in the state. The longer the chile stays on the plant, the riper and redder it becomes and the more intense its flavor. Visitors will spot dried red peppers in the chile ristras (chile garlands) embellishing doorways and portals throughout Santa Fe County.

Once harvested and dried, pods are soaked and blended into red chile sauce or ground into a powdery spice that local vendors, whose family roots go as deep into the soil of Chimayo as the local cottonwood trees, sell along Chimayo’s main street in stuffed zip-lock bags. The area is also famous for the textiles produced by the Ortega and Trujillo families, whose weaving traditions can be traced to the five thousand churro sheep that arrived with Francisco Vázquez de Coronado and his Conquistadors in 1540.

How to get to Chimayo: It's an easy 29-mile drive from Santa Fe to Chimayo along Route 84/Route 285, turning east onto State Road 76 at Española. Alternatively, you can take the scenic route, branching off Route 84/Route 285 at Pojoaque and picking up State Road 503 – the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway. Allow about 45 minutes for the drive.

Ojo Caliente

The upper Rio Grande is dotted with hot springs, most famously those at the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa . New Mexico's indigenous inhabitants had long recognized the healing properties of the hot, mineral-infused waters, and when the Spanish arrived they quickly developed an appreciation for bathing in the mineral springs, a habit that continued under both Mexican and American rule.

The first proper bathhouse at Ojo Caliente was built in 1868, and a stucco hotel was added in 1916. Today, this historic hub has been expanded into a top-of-the-line spa and resort, though some of the original architecture still stands. The enclosed bathhouse, with its wonderful pebbly floor and rock walls, is the same now as it was when frontiersmen rode the trails.

Folks who balk at the idea of eating the earth at Chimayo can find a less challenging introduction to the healing traditions of New Mexico in the form of an Ojo mud bath, where visitors literally coat their bodies in smooth, chocolatey mud and then lay out in the New Mexico sunshine to bake, a process that is believed to extract toxins from the skin. Afterwards, you can wash off with warm spring water.

How to get to Ojo Caliente: To reach the springs, follow Route 84/Route 285 as far as Española, then stick to Route 285 as it veers northeast (Route 84 heads off to the northwest towards Chama). Allow about an hour and a quarter for the drive.

While the 19 recognized pueblos (traditional indigenous villages) of New Mexico were closed to outsiders in response to the COVID-19 virus, it is still possible to learn more about Tewa life at the Poeh Cultural Center in Pojoaque , a modernised pueblo that bounced back from a smallpox outbreak in the 19th century. A 20-minute drive north of Santa Fe, the Poeh Center is located to the east of the highway, easily identifiable by its iconic adobe architecture. It's striking Tower Gallery sits on the horizon like an ethereal desert sandcastle.

Inside the tower is an art gallery where the work of Tewa artist Roxanne Swentzell and other Native American artists can be viewed and purchased, while other buildings are given over to a museum that serves as a unique hub for Pueblo culture. As well as displays on Pueblo life, the museum plays an active role in the community, promoting cultural preservation through markets, special events and exhibitions involving local Pueblo families.

If you can't get to the 1000-year-old adobe settlements at Taos or Acoma , a visit to the Poeh Cultural Center is a great way for anyone visiting the ancestral Tewa homelands of Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico to gain a deeper respect and understanding for the area and its original inhabitants.

How to get to Pojoaque: The town of Pojoaque is a 20-minute drive north from Santa Fe along Route 84/Route 285. The Poeh Cultural Center is impossible to miss beside the road as you come into town. Heading onward from Pojoaque, you can follow State Road 503–the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway – to reach Taos in about two hours, passing through stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountain landscapes .

Santa Feans often wonder why anyone would go to Europe to see art when some of the planet's most remarkable creativity can be found right here in New Mexico. From a robust Native American art community to modern legends like Georgia O’Keefe, Judy Chicago, Bruce Nauman and actor-artist Dennis Hopper, New Mexico has spawned or provided a home for more notable artists than we could ever list here.

Take a drive to Abiquiu and you'll soon grasp what draws artists to these elemental landscapes. Photos can never fully capture the drama of the red, white and black rock formations, and the way the light sculpts them into almost supernatural forms along the horizon at different times of day. It's easy to understand why Georgia O’Keefe chose to make her home at Ghost Ranch , a 20,000-acre property now operated by the Presbyterian Church as an educational and spiritual retreat offering classes, horseback riding and tours.

Just north of Abiquiu is a particularly unusual landscape known as the Plaza Blanca. This otherworldly white limestone rock formation consists of towering white hoodoos (wind eroded pillars) that have led many to credit the area with spiritual properties. The site sits on the grounds of the adobe Dar Al Islam mosque , which welcomes visitors of all faiths without any prior arrangements.

How to get to Abiquiu: Follow Route 84/Route 285 north from Santa Fe to Española, then bear northwest along Route 84 when the two routes split. It's about an hour to the village of Abiquiu; the Dar Al Islam mosque is just north of the main road signposted on a track leading up into the dry hills from the bottom of the valley. Ghost Ranch is a few miles northeast of Abiquiu, signposted off Route 84, beyond the reservoir.

Bandelier National Monument

Head an hour west of Santa Fe and you’ll find yourself on a time-travel journey through human history, going back at least 11,000 years. The Bandelier National Monument site is home to incredible cliff dwellings carved from volcanic tuff, which were hollowed out by the ancient ancestors of the Keres and Tewa communities that still inhabit pueblos to the north and south of the cliff dwellings. The largest village in Bandelier’s main canyon retains its Keres name of Tyuonyi, while the main ancestral Tewa village is called Tsankawi Owinge.

This national park also has more recent historical ties. During the New Deal of the 1930s, the federal government created the Civilian Conservation Corps, rescuing many young men from unemployment by putting them to work renovating the site. Several pieces of southwestern art deco architecture are still visible, along with priceless murals created by artist Pablita Velarde from the  Santa Clara Pueblo as part of the Public Works of Art Project, which employed many New Mexico artists during the Great Depression.

How to get to Bandelier National Monument: The national monument covers 33,000 acres, so there's a fair bit of ground to cover. Self-guided hiking trails criss-cross the site, and ranger led-walks run from the Frijoles Canyon visitor center. You can drive right up to Frijoles Canyon in winter, but from mid-May to mid-October, you'll need to take a mandatory shuttle bus from the visitor center at nearby White Rock. Driving from Santa Fe, go north on Route 84/Route 285 to Pojoaque, then bear west along State Road 502 and State Road 4 to reach White Rock, then Bandelier.

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Lectures / Field Trips

The annual program from september to may includes monthly dinner/lecture meetings, two “brown bag” day trips of local sites, and a long weekend spring field trip. these trips are accompanied by a professional archaeologist..

San Javier del Bac, Tucson, AZ.

Here are our upcoming events:

Los luceros – revealing the hidden gem of new mexico – rebecca ward.

Guided Tour of Los Luceros Historic Site

Past Events

Archaeology and conservation: the tombs at río azul, a treasure in northeast guatemala – liwy grazioso sierra.

EVENT DELAYED UNTIL NEXT SEASON Ancient Sky-watchers – Archeoastronomy in New Mexico and the Southwest – James (Jim) Wysong, Ed.D.

Tour to Puebla,, Cutzalan and Mexico City

Looking at the Protection of History and Archaeology in Santa Fe – Dr Tim Maxwell

Who Owns the Water Here? – Mac Watson

The Ripple Effect of Imperialism – Understanding Foodways, Community and Identity on the Margins of an Empire – Laura Steele

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Group visit and guided tour times have changed! Please read this entire webpage before submitting the tour request form. 

If you are affiliated with Santa Fe College and would like to request a visit to the zoo for your class, department, or a partner organization, please utilize this SF Zoo Request Form . 

• 1-hour zoo visit with a tour guide
• Available for school groups, social groups, individuals or families 
• Scheduled on the hour starting at 10 a.m. 

Zoo Self-Guided Visit (Regular admission applies. Discounted rates available for groups of 15 or more)

• Experience the zoo at your own pace 
• Available for school groups or social groups. Individuals and families can visit the zoo without a reservation. 
• Scheduled on the half hour starting at 9:30 a.m. 

Combination Zoo Tour and Planetarium Show ($10/children, $14/adults)

• 1-hour zoo visit (guided or self-guided) and a planetarium show (length varies by show) 
• Available for school groups and social groups. Individuals and families are welcome to visit a public planetarium show , or book a private show. More information can be found on the Planetarium's website.
• Maximum 60 participants per tour time and planetarium show time.

An estimate of total participants, including teachers, chaperones and students, is required in order to make a reservation to ensure we schedule you at a time with enough available tour guides.

One certified teacher per class and certified bus drivers will receive complimentary admission to the Zoo during your field trip.

When booking any group visit,  all individuals ages 1 year old and up, including members, will be charged admission. Group rates require that all participants are paid for with a single payment.

Guided Tours

Tour guides are students in the Zoo Animal Technology program, so guided tour availability is subject to student schedules. If we are unable to accommodate your group with a guided tour, our scheduling staff will work with you to split your visit between multiple days or suggest a self-guided visit. 

We do not have final tour guide availability until the first week of each semester. All guided tours scheduled ahead of the current semester are tentative and subject to change. 

Groups requesting a guided tour of the zoo, or a combination guided tour/planetarium show must request a tour a minimum of two weeks in advance. Guided tours are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the following times:

• 10:00 a.m. 
• 11:00 a.m. 
• 12:00 p.m. 

*Guided tours are not available on Wednesday. 

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour time in order to settle payment, organize groups and use the restrooms.

Groups are not guaranteed a tour guide if:

• they arrive 15 minutes past the reserved tour time
• they do not confirm their tour with zoo scheduling staff 2 weeks prior to their visit
• *Any increase in participant numbers after the original schedule has been created are not guaranteed a tour guide due to limited zookeeper availability.

Self-Guided Visit

If a tour guide is not available, groups are welcome to explore the zoo at their own pace. If you have a group of 15 or more individuals, please fill out the registration form to schedule, and zoo staff will get back to you with a confirmation and important information for your self-guided tour. Groups under 15 do not need to schedule a visit to explore the zoo on their own.  

Teachers - Please see our teacher resources section for packets and additional information to create an enriching self-guided zoo experience for your students. 

Combination Zoo/Planetarium Tours

Combination tours can be scheduled as a guided tour or a self-guided visit, dependent on zoo tour guide availability and the size of your group. This combination tour of the zoo and planetarium has become popular with schools and other organizations. We encourage groups to plan ahead as we must have this tour scheduled a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance. This tour allows groups to visit the zoo and experience a planetarium show at a discounted rate. The combination tours generally last an approximately three (3) hours with breaks and lunch included as time permits. Schedule varies based on availability and size of groups. 

Planetarium shows range from 30 minute to 60 minute shows. When a combination tour is scheduled, the group must choose a planetarium show they would like to see.   View a list of planetarium shows here ! Please be advised that if anyone needs to exit the planetarium during a showing, they will not be allowed to re-enter due to safety issues.

The planetarium is only able to accommodate 60 people maximum per show. If your group is larger than 60 people, you will need to select at least two zoo tour and planetarium show times to accommodate the entire group, or split your visit between multiple days.

Combination tours are not available on Wednesdays. 

Group Rates

A discounted group rate of $6.00 per person is available to groups of 15 or more that schedule a visit at least two weeks in advance.

When booking any group visit, all individuals ages 1 year old and up, including members, will be charged admission. Group rates require that all participants are paid for with a single payment. We accept cash, all credit cards, Apple/Samsung Pay, and checks made payable to "Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo". 

Groups are welcome to use the picnic tables in front of the zoo for lunch or snack time. All lunches and coolers must be kept on the bus or vehicles as the Zoo does not have storage and cannot be responsible for items. Picnic tables are first come-first serve. Please specify in the comments when requesting a tour if you would like zoo staff to block time for lunch during your visit. 

Helpful Tips for Planning a Memorable Tour

• October, November and February thru May are  very  popular for field trips. Plan in advance to reserve your group(s) preferred date.
• Thursdays and Fridays book up quicker than other days.
• All guided tours are by reservation only . Space is limited - please reserve as early as possible. We cannot guarantee tour guides if you do not request a tour a minimum of two weeks in advance. We also cannot guarantee tour guides for your entire group if your numbers increase. 
• For all reservations to the Zoo, please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled tour time.
• We encourage you to have cell phone numbers of all members of your party in case you get separated.
• Please dress comfortably and according to the season - close toed shoes are recommended! We do not provide rain checks, so bring rain gear if needed. We also recommend bringing bug spray as the zoo is in a forest environment. 
• The zoo is sensory inclusive certified through KultureCity, and we have sensory bags available for guests upon request. You can also view our social story prior to your visit! Learn more on the accessibility page .

Fee Waivers

Certain groups may qualify for Santa Fe College's fee waiver program to receive free entry to the zoo and planetarium. To apply: 

• Fill out the tour request form below with preferred dates for your visit a minimum of 2 weeks in advance.
• Zoo scheduling staff will contact you within 3 business days to confirm availability and tentatively hold your spot on our schedule. 
• Once your trip is confirmed, fill out and submit the Fee Waiver Form with required documentation to the Zoo ([email protected] )  at least 10 days prior to your requested visit. Groups who submit the form late or without required documentation will not be approved for a fee waiver of your visit. 

The Office of the Provost will review your application and either approve or decline your request for waived fees. Forms received late or without the required documentation will be returned. 

Schedule a Field Trip or Guided Tour

School/group information, contact information, group number information, desired dates.

Must choose 3 different dates.

*For Zoo/Planetarium Combination tour, groups of 60 or more will need to select a minimum of TWO (2) tour times.

Preferred Time

Guided Tours: Scheduled on the hour starting at 10:00 a.m.

Self Guided Visits: Scheduled on the half hour starting at 9:30 a.m.

Filling out and returning this form does not guarantee a field trip date or time.

We will contact you to finalize details and confirm your scheduled tour.

Thank you for your submission! You should receive a response from the scheduling staff within 72 hours. If you have not received a response after three business days, please call 352-395-5633 for assistance. If you are a potential student and have questions about the program, please email [email protected] .

SF Teaching Zoo Staff