Summer Guide

Summer Guide: Things to Do in Santa Fe, NM

Summer is here and things are hot and opening up.  Spend a day exploring New Mexico’s rich art, history and diverse cultures at the four state museums in Santa Fe (New Mexico Museum of Art, New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Museum of International Folk Art) and the seven historic sites located throughout New Mexico.

Whether you’re a local or visiting Santa Fe, there’s always something new to see, learn or do at our 13 sites—all summer long. Now get out there and start adventuring!


Road Trip to the Historic Sites

  • Bosque Redondo Memorial/Fort Sumner Historic Site: Fort Stunner, NM | nmhistoricsites.org/bosque-redondo | 575.355.2537
  • Coronado Historic Site: Reconstructed ruins and well-preserved murals of the prehistoric Tiwa Indian pueblo of Kuaua are the backdrop for the story of the Native community encountered by Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado during his search for the Seven Cities of Gold. Bernalillo, NM |nmhistoricsites.org/coronado | 505.867 .5351
  • Fort Selden Historic Site: Sprawling adobe ruins of a late 19th-century military fort and onsite exhibition, provide a lens on frontier life in the Mesilla Valley. Radium Springs, NM | nmhistoricsites.org/fort-selden | 575.526.8911
  • Fort Stanton Historic Site: The museum chronicles the compelling history of the spectacular 240-acre site. Featuring 88 buildings dating to 1855, and is one of the most intact 19th-century military garrisons in the U.S. today. Fort Stanton, NM | nmhistoricsites.org/fort-stanton | 575.354.0341
  • Jemez Historic Site: The stone ruins of the prehistoric village of Giusewa, along with the 1621 San José de los emez church, represent the evolving story of the Walatowa and Jemez peoples in a stunning natural setting. Jemez, NM | nmhistoricsites.org/jemez | 575.829.3530
  • Lincoln Historic Site: Lincoln offers a walk through time amid 17 historic structures with Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett and other legendary Wild West characters. Lincoln, NM | nmhistoricsites.org/lincoln  | 575.653.4372
  • Los Luceros Historic Site: The 148-acre ranch located along the Rio Grande features an 18th century Territorial-style adobe home and chapel, historic farm buildings and apple orchards. Alcalde, NM | nmhistoricsites.org/los-luceros | 505.476.1165

Spend the Day at Museum Hill

A visit to Museum Hill must include a stop at the its namesake. First go to the Museum of International Folk Art which houses the world’s largest collection of traditional folk art, with more than 135,000 pieces. Then make your way across the Milner Plaza to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and view the current exhibition Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass. Make sure to visit the Museum Shops before you head to lunch at Museum Hill Café, both of which offer a 10% discount to Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members. Before you leave Museum Hill visit our friends at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. If you're there at sunset catch some of the most amazing views available from in town.

Shopping

You will find an array of unique and authentic item at the Museum Shops. With two located on Museum Hill and two just off the downtown Plaza, you will be able to find that high-quality arts and crafts, trademarked designs of collections-inspired products and one-of-a-kind gifts.

  • Spiegelberg Shop at the New Mexico History Museum, 113 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Fe, NM
  • New Mexico Museum of Art Shop, 107 W. Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, NM
  • Colleen Cloney Duncan Museum Shop at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, 710 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM
  • Museum of International Folk Art Shop, 710 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM

Foundation members receive a 10% discount at all four shops and at shopmuseum.org and Circles members receive 15% off.

Downtown Santa Fe Art, History and Culture

While visiting downtown Santa Fe and the historic Plaza, you be on the doorstep of the Palace of the Governors, which was built in 1610 and is the oldest continually occupied government building in the country. Outside of the Palace you will see the Native American Portal Program that was founded in 1909 and is reserved for use by Native Americans as a place to display and sell wares made by themselves or members of their households. Adjacent to the the Palace is the New Mexico Museum of Art, built in 1917 and the first building in the state dedicated to art. The style of the building, called Pueblo Revival, is modeled after the historic adobe churches found throughout the state's Pueblos. Each of the museums has a gift shop with authentic jewelry and pieces of art to add to your collection.

Once you have filled up on art and history, it will be time to fill up on New Mexican food! Check out the Shed, La Plazuela at the La Fonda Hotel or the Burrito Company. During the summer evenings concerts are held on the Plaza, you may view the schedule here.

If Online is More Your Speed

View a Conversation with the Curator Zoom talk from the Foundation's online archive here or explore the museums and historic sites virtual tours and online programs here.