These Walking Tours are the Best Ways to See Santa Fe

The city of Santa Fe, New Mexico is a popular tourist destination year-round, boasting hands-on opportunities, cultural experiences, historical landmarks and outdoor adventures. Walking tours are one of the best ways to see everything the city has to offer. We don't recommend doing them all in one visit—that would overwhelm you. We do recommend picking one per visit that calls to you, whether it be food or art, history or architecture. Little by little, we know you'll fall in love with this beautiful city just like we have.

1. Half-Day Santa Fe Food and History Walking Tour

If you are feeling adventurous and also curious about the diverse food options in Santa Fe, this is the walking tour for you. This four-hour tour covers about 1.5 miles, with four food tastings included plus a wine tasting. A knowledgeable guide will lead your group and provide additional historical information along the way. You also have the opportunity to meet the chefs behind each of the creations. Expect to walk away with an expanded knowledge of the local cuisine.

2. Santa Fe Railyard Arts District Food Tour

Santa Fe’s historical Railyard Arts District is an important part of the evolution of the city, and this walking tour combines historical knowledge with neighborhood cuisine. The tour lasts about 3.5 hours, covering 1.5 miles. You have access to two sit-down tastings, complete with drink pairing, and an additional tasting at a variable destination. If you book a Tuesday tour, you will make an additional stop at the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market. If a Friday tour fits your schedule, you will enjoy an additional wine or spirits tasting.

3. Santa Fe Architectural and Interior Walking Tour

Santa Fe has some of the most unique architecture in the U.S., and this tour is a great way to learn more about it. This tour will explore three different styles of architecture utilized and finishes with a champagne tasting experience at the Gruet Winery. Along the way, you will visit a traditional courtyard and one of the oldest hotels in Santa Fe. The tour is three hours long and promises to take you off the beaten path to places you probably would not discover on your own. Small groups make for an intimate learning experience and the opportunity to personalize your tour.

4. Curated Canyon Road Art Tour

Canyon Road is home to over 70 art galleries and if you are feeling daunted by the options, this tour will give you a sense of what the area has to offer. Learn more about the area’s art history, meet local artists, and chat with gallery curators. This two-hour tour is guided by a professional art historian and promises to be a personal experience. You will leave with a new appreciation for the history of Canyon Road and an increased understanding of the local art scene.

5. Immersive Art Tour and Chocolate Tasting

No need to decide between sampling food and art with this tour option! This two-hour tour covers about .75 miles, including three local galleries, and closes with a chocolate tasting at Kakawa Chocolate House to create a truly sensory learning experience. Your small tour group is led by a local guide with a background in art or art history. You will leave with an increased understanding of the art history scene in Santa Fe and skills to take with you on your own art appreciation adventures.

6. Santa Fe Street Eats

If you an adventurous eater looking for a more condensed tour experience and authentic flavors, this is a great option. You will explore the downtown Historic Plaza neighborhood and learn about street food, the history of Santa Fe, and how the merging of cultures shaped the region’s food. This 1.5 mile tour lasts 3.5 hours and takes you to stops all around the city, covering a wide variety of cuisines. Your guide is a local with extensive knowledge of the area; you’ll leave having learned something new!

7. Operation City Quest Scavenger Hunt

If the flexibility of a self-guided tour appeals to you, you will love this adventurous way to explore Santa Fe. Private tour groups are given a smartphone app and the task to locate nearly 120 objects around downtown Santa Fe. Once the object has been found, send in a photo to score points and complete challenges for bonus points. Your remote guide will send you texts throughout the two-hour tour to provide hints and cheer you on. Have fun, appear on the leaderboards, and enjoy an afternoon exploring Santa Fe.

8. Santa Fe Ghost and History Tours

If you have an interest in the paranormal, scary, and spooky, this is the tour for you. The tour company is operated by a native Santa Fean who has authored multiple books on the subject and has 30+ years of ghost hunting experience. The paranormal appearances in the area are tied into interesting educational material. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, or have the stomach for such material, Allan can customize the tour to you.

9. Savor Santa Fe Wine Pairing Dinner Tour

This tour is perfect if you are looking for something a little more upscale to share an intimate experience with a loved one. The tour lasts about three hours, with three restaurant stops, including dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, dessert, and wine pairings. Along the way, you will learn about the history, culture, and food of Santa Fe from your guide and the restaurant staff. You can take your wine pairing skills with you long after the tour has ended!

10. Bites of Santa Fe

This tour leads you to multiple stops within the trendy Plaza District of Santa Fe to help you discover the best food in Santa Fe. Over the course of three hours, you will discover some hidden restaurant gems and learn more about the city’s history, architecture, and culture. Each tour is personalized to the needs of the group, and if you decide to revisit a tasting stop later, you are often eligible for a discount. Spend time with your well-educated guide and explore the city like a local.

11. Walking Tour of Santa Fe

This 2 ½ hour tour is an easy introduction to all that Santa Fe has to offer. During your experience you will visit some of the most important destinations in the city’s 400 year history, including the oldest church in the United States and the State Capitol complex. You will leave with a newfound appreciation for the city’s history, a greater understanding of its culture, and a list of stops to return to later in your stay thanks to the anecdotes offered by your tour guide.


Whether you are a Santa Fe local looking to learn something new, or a tourist interested in exploring a new city, a walking tour is one of the best ways to get acquainted with the complex history the city. Many options are available, so you are sure to find something that exactly meets your needs.