First Time to Santa Fe? Here’s what you must see
If it’s your first time to Santa Fe, there are some things you really should do and see.
Hopefully you have 2 to 3 days to spend in Santa Fe, because if you don’t, I suggest you save this article when you have more time to visit.
Day 1
Have breakfast downtown in the La Fonda Hotel at the La Plazuela’s Patio where you can enjoy some true New Mexican breakfasts and get yourself energized for the day.
The next thing to do is to get a walking tour of the town. With this information, you can get the background and feel for the area, and then make decisions on what else you want to do while you are here. A Boot about Santa Fe , A Well-born Guide, and Afoot in Santa Fe, are all excellent companies to get this tour. These tours are typically about two hours in length.
Now it is time for lunch.
One of the more unique ideas is to sign up for a class at the Santa Fe School of Cooking where you can learn how to make a meal, eat it, and take the recipe home with you. Call for classes before the day you plan on taking the class, so that you can plan the rest of your day.
If you don’t want to take a class, just eat, and drink, there is a numerous choice of restaurants in walking distance. There is The Ore House on the plaza -famous for its margaritas, where you can sit out on the balcony upstairs and people watch. There is The Plaza Bakery/Haagen Dazs where you can grab pizza, a bakery item, and unique sandwiches, and then eat in the plaza. (Not much seating available).
We have been keeping your lunch choices close to the main plaza because after lunch you are going to shop or at least look at the articles for sale at the Plaza of the Governors. Here you will see the true Native American art and jewelry done by the artists themselves selling the items. Authentic stones and styles can be found here for the most reasonable prices. 
At this point there are a few choices of museums to pass the afternoon away. The Museum of New Mexico is here in the same building as the Plaza of the Governors where you can see the history of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the southwest.
By this time the altitude and the all -absorbing day have tired you out. Go back to your hotel, bed and breakfast or wherever you are staying to relax and plan for your evening.
For your dinner you may want to ask your concierge, or to try out a few favorites we have here. Either way, you cannot go wrong in Santa Fe because of the number of award winning restaurants is numerous for such a small town.
The Pink Adobe , The Shed, and The Restaurant at The Inn at Loretto are all excellent uniquely Santa Fe restaurants in the downtown area.
Day 2
Today is a day for Art. Canyon Road is where the heart of Santa Fe’s art scene has been since the 1920’s. Then it was considered the place where the “bohemians” lived and worked.
Here on Canyon Road you will find historic adobe buildings, art galleries galore, and great restaurants. Thiscan be an all day event.
If art is not for you for the whole day, Museum Hill, which is a short trip outside of the main center of town, is where the museums, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian , (displays pottery, jewelry, rugs, baskets, and sand paintings.) Museum of International Folk Art , and the Museum of Fine Arts (includes exhibits on traditional and 20th-century Southwestern art) are. Great for curious kids is the Santa Fe Children's Museum (not far from the Museum Hill area).
Another option is to check out the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market in the morning (if you are in town on a weekend between the months of March – December) near the train station. The Santa Fe Flea Market February – November) located on the Tesuque Indian reservation (no taxes on the sold items) just 5 miles north of town on the Taos Hwy. This is one of Santa Fe traditions of eclectic shopping!
Day 3
A rental car or a tour company would come in handy for today because Bandelier Monument or Taos or the Turquoise Trail are the suggestions. Bandelier Monument is a National Park with ancestral pueblo dwellings that are at least 1,500 years old. There are many opportunities for hikes here including crawling into the cliff dwelling areas. 
The drive to and Taos itself is scenic and historic. Many old Spanish towns exist between Santa Fe and Taos. Taos has the historic pueblo which can be visited and toured and the town itself is a small artistic mountain town.
The Turquoise Trail is close to Santa Fe and a day trip filled with old mining town, restaurants, arts, and New Mexico scenery. A true fun day for everyone!
If a rental car or tour is not your style, try a trip on the Southern Santa Fe Railway . Depending on the time of year, there are theme trips for Christmas, Halloween, New Years and more. This vintage train is in service every day.
No matter what choices you make on the days you visit Santa Fe, you will enjoy and always remember your visit to “The Dancing Ground of the Sun”.
Eileen Richardson - from The Santa Fe Site
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