Santa Fe
Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is known for its adobe old town, art galleries and Native American crafts. It sits at about 7,200 feet in the high desert of the north.
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Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico, about 60 miles north of Albuquerque. The city sits at roughly 7,200 feet, so the air is dry and nights stay cool even in summer. Much of the old town uses adobe-style architecture, with low, earth-toned buildings, and Canyon Road is lined with galleries. The city's history blends Pueblo and Spanish colonial roots, and you can see both in its churches and plazas.
Art is the main draw, from the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum to the Indian Market and the galleries on Canyon Road. Food is the other reason to come, with New Mexican cooking where red and green chile show up on many menus. A long weekend or a three- to four-day trip leaves time for the galleries and a day trip to nearby sites. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Summer days are warm and afternoon storms are common, while winter can bring snow and cold nights.
Santa Fe in five
- Book Georgia O'Keeffe Museum tickets aheadThe galleries at 217 Johnson Street open daily 10 am to 5 pm, with general admission $24 and tickets released 60 days in advance. The Abiquiú Home & Studio tour is a separate booking, 52 miles north.Museum tickets
- Plan around the Indian Market datesWinter Indian Market is 28 and 29 November 2026 at the Convention Center, $15 a day or $25 for the weekend. The 105th Santa Fe Indian Market is 21 and 22 August 2027, so book rooms early.SWAIA markets
- Take the Rail Runner from AlbuquerqueThe New Mexico Rail Runner Express serves 15 stations and reaches the Santa Fe Railyard. Weekday, Saturday and Sunday timetables differ, and Rio Metro lists connections between the Albuquerque Sunport and the train.Rail Runner
- Use Santa Fe Regional only if the route fitsThe airport lists direct flights to Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Chicago, about 15 minutes from downtown. Albuquerque's Sunport is larger and an hour south by car or shuttle.Santa Fe airlines
- Go slowly on day one at 7,000 feetTourism Santa Fe puts the city at about 7,000 feet, with daily temperatures that swing by around 30 degrees. Drink water, keep the first day easy and pack layers for the evenings.City profile
Things to do in Santa Fe
See all attractions in Santa Fe
Need to know
- Airport
- Santa Fe Regional (SAF); Albuquerque (ABQ) is an hour south
- Getting there
- Rail Runner to the Railyard; I-25 by car from Albuquerque
- Getting around
- Walking for the Plaza, Railyard and Canyon Road; a car for Abiquiú
- Elevation
- About 7,000 feet above sea level
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days; add a day for Abiquiú or Taos
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear5 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh3°Low-7°Snow, quietJanuaryClear
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- FebruaryClear5 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low-4°Cold, quietFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchClear8 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh11°Low0°Cool, windyMarchClear
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, windy
- AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low4°Spring, mildAprilClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh21°Low8°Mild, clearMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- JuneClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low14°Hot, dryJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, dry
- JulyClear10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low16°Monsoon stormsJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Monsoon storms
- AugustClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low15°Indian MarketAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Indian Market
- SeptemberClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low12°Warm, goldenSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, golden
- OctoberClear5 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low6°Fall colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Fall color
- NovemberClear4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low0°Winter MarketNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter Market
- DecemberClear5 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low-4°Cold, holidaysDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, holidays
Average daily high and low in Santa Fe, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Santa Fe
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 56%
- Wind
- 23 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 80%
Santa Fe
03:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today7°3°80%Monday: Snow. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Tue9°0°1%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Wed11°3°1%Wednesday: Clear. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu10°1°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri10°2°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat13°3°6%Saturday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun13°4°1%Sunday: Clear. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 1%.
Updated 03:13 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Abiquiú52 miles north by carThe Georgia O'Keeffe Home & Studio tour needs its own ticket, and the Welcome Center is open Tuesday to Sunday.
- Albuquerqueabout 1 hour by car or Rail RunnerThe Sunport side of the trip, easy to add by train before a flight home.Read the guide
- Taosa long day by carMountain scenery and an old pueblo town, best with an early start and a driver.Read the guide
Before you go to Santa Fe
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Rules for Santa Fe, checked
- Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, 217 Johnson St: general admission $24, members free; tickets are released 60 days ahead; open daily 10 am to 5 pm.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Winter Indian Market, 28 and 29 Nov 2026, Convention Center: Sat 10 to 5, Sun 9 to 4, $15 per day or $25 weekend pass. Indian Market 2027 is 21 and 22 Aug.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Rail Runner Express: 15 stations; tickets sold on the train, online or in the Rio Metro app; separate weekday, Saturday and Sunday schedules.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Santa Fe sits at about 7,000 feet, with roughly 325 days of sunshine a year and daily temperature swings of around 30 degrees.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Santa Fe
Parks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideAlbuquerqueThe Sunport and Rail Runner end of the trip
Read the guidePlan transportTrains, shuttles and rental cars for visitors
Read the guideTours and ticketsMuseum, Abiquiú and day-trip tickets to compare
Read the guideESTA for Albuquerque arrivalsApprove it before the flight, not at the gate
Read the guideMoney in the USACards, tipping and gallery prices
Read the guideSanta Fe FAQ
How many days do you need in Santa Fe?
Two days cover the Plaza, a museum and the Canyon Road galleries. Three or four add Abiquiú, a market weekend or a Taos day. The altitude is a good reason to keep the first day light.
Is the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum worth visiting?
Yes if you like her work. The Santa Fe galleries show selected pieces from every era, her belongings and a self-guided audio tour for $24. The Abiquiú Home & Studio is a separate ticket.
Can you get from Albuquerque to Santa Fe without a car?
Yes. The Rail Runner Express ends at the Santa Fe Railyard, and shuttles also run between the cities. Rio Metro lists connections from the Sunport to the train, and the weekday, Saturday and Sunday timetables differ.
When is Santa Fe Indian Market?
The 2026 market ran 15 and 16 August. The 105th is 21 and 22 August 2027. Winter Indian Market follows on 28 and 29 November 2026 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.
Does altitude affect visitors in Santa Fe?
Santa Fe sits at about 7,000 feet, so some visitors feel tired or short of breath on day one. Drink water, go easy on hikes at first, and carry layers because temperatures can swing about 30 degrees in a day.