Can you visit Santa Fe without a car? Yes, you will find an abundance of things to do in Santa Fe without wheels!
There’s so much natural beauty surrounding Santa Fe — the public lands are some of the best in the country. Due to the vastness of the surrounding area, we will stick closer to town. Discover food, drinks, art, music, shopping, history, and wellness in the heart of Santa Fe without a car.
Transportation To & In Santa Fe
Take The Sandia Shuttle Service From Albuquerque To Santa Fe
Most people fly into Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ) because many flights are available at lower prices.
The Sandia Shuttle Service takes you from ABQ to Santa Fe every hour. A roundtrip ticket is about $90, and the ride takes just over an hour. The best part is the shuttle will drop you off and pick you up at our doorstep!
Getting Around Santa Fe Without A Car
Santa Fe is a gorgeously walkable city. The starting points in this article are at Inn of the Turquoise Bear, and each place listed includes the walking (or bus) time.
The local bus, Santa Fe Trails, runs seven days a week. See Bus Route Maps & Schedules for more details.
Alright, let’s begin our Itinerary to Santa Fe without a car!
1. Food
Santa Fe is a mecca for local and international cuisine. There are so many spectacular spots to choose from. If you’re staying in the winter, try one of these 5 Cozy Winter-Perfect Restaurants. Or pack a picnic if the weather is warm! Want our complete list of recommendations? Here are all the Best Restaurants in Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Farmers Market
(18-minute walk)
Voted one of the top 10 farmers markets in the country, the Santa Fe Farmers Market is different from your average vegetable stand. It’s open year-round, every Saturday from 8am to 1pm. You can enjoy fresh produce, bread, honey, meat, eggs, and more.
Cafe Pasqual’s
(15-minute walk)
For 36 years, Cafe Pasqual’s has been serving outstanding dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of New Mexico, Old Mexico, the Mediterranean, and Asia. You don’t want to miss it!
2. Drinks
Whether you like beer, wine, or margaritas, your new favorite drink is just a short walk away.
Breweries
- Second Street Brewery (20-minute walk) — Be sure to try Second Street Brewery’s rotating selection of beer samplers.
- Rowley’s Farmhouse Ales (30-minute bus ride) — Rowley’s Farmhouse Ales is a bus ride away, but if you’re checking out Meow Wolf (see the Art section), you’ll definitely want to stop by on your way back!
- Chile Line Brewery (22-minute walk) — Founded by Italians, Chile Line Brewery’s food is as good as its hand-crafted beers. Try their Que Pasa Pilsner and Que Picante Red Chile – both have developed quite a following.
Discover all of Santa Fe’s Best Breweries!
Wine
- TerraCotta Wine Bar (22-minute walk) — TerraCotta Wine Bar is a sophisticated and creative venue just steps from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. After exploring the beautiful artwork, stop by for a glass.
- Gruet Winery (15-minute walk) — Sparkling wine made in New Mexico? Yeah, it’s a thing! Gruet Winery makes an array of high-quality sparkling wines from grapes grown in the southern part of New Mexico. Their Santa Fe tasting room is just a short walk from the Plaza.
Santa Fe Margarita Trail
The Santa Fe Margarita Trail is a self-guided tour through nearly 50 of Santa Fe’s best Margarita joints. Discover some of our favorite places on the Santa Fe Margarita Trail.
3. Art
Canyon Road Gallery Walk
(12-minute walk)
Canyon Road is an endless street of art studios, galleries, workshops, shopping, and dining. The beautiful sculptures outside the galleries are worth a visit in themselves.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
(22-minute walk)
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum was established in 1997, 11 years after the artist’s death. The museum is home to an impressive collection of over 3,000 works, including almost 700 drawings, 140 oil paintings, and hundreds of other pieces. Learn more about Georgia O’Keeffe, the Museums, and Home Studio Tours.
Museum of International Folk Art
(30-minute walk)
The Museum of International Folk Art has been around for 70 years. It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Enjoy their abundance of New Mexico and International folk art with new exhibitions all the time.
New Mexico Museum of Art on the Plaza
(20-minute walk)
The New Mexico Museum of Art has two locations. The Plaza location has a unique mix of contemporary and folk exhibitions.
Meow Wolf Santa Fe
(15-minute walk + 15-minute bus ride)
Meow Wolf is an immersive art adventure with over 70 rooms designed and curated by local and community artists. It’s like nothing you’ve seen before, with bright colors and mind-boggling spectacles around every corner.
It’s a 15-minute bus ride using Line 2. You’d pick it up from the Guadalupe @ Paseo De Peralta OB stop, about a 15-minute walk from the Inn.
4. Music
La Fiesta Lounge at La Fonda
(15-minute walk)
Enjoy live music from local musicians every night, right on the square! “Eat, drink, and dance the night away at the lively La Fiesta Lounge at La Fonda on the Plaza.”
Cowgirl BBQ
(20-minute walk)
Have fun dancing to live performances every night at Cowgirl BBQ. Their menu is delicious, too, with everything from award-winning BBQ to chili to mushroom fajitas.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
(18-minute walk)
The Lensic Performing Arts Center is Santa Fe’s year-round home for the performing arts, offering a variety of live concerts and performances.
5. Shopping
Santa Fe topped the list of “Best U.S. Cities for Shopping,” as voted by readers of USA Today! Unique stores are abundant for everyone’s taste.
Casa Nova by Natalie
(18-minute walk)
Since 2003, Casa Nova by Natalie has offered unique contemporary African art in Santa Fe.
The Rainbow Man
(17-minute walk)
Just steps from the Plaza, The Rainbow Man has sold authentic Native American, Spanish Colonial, and Hispanic arts and crafts since 1945.
Check out all the Best Shopping Spots In Santa Fe!
6. History
Santa Fe Plaza
Founded in 1610, the Santa Fe Plaza is the oldest public square in the United States! It houses some of the best restaurants and shopping in Santa Fe, not to mention how gorgeous the historic buildings are.
New Mexico History Museum
The New Mexico History Museum is inside the Palace of the Governors, located on the northern side of the Plaza. Since the 17th century, this adobe building has served as a seat of government for Spanish, Mexican, and American governors.
Loretto Chapel
Built in 1878, the Loretto Chapel is a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture with a miraculous staircase that’s a must-see.
Check out the Top 10 Must-See Historic Places in Santa Fe!
7. Wellness
Learn more about the Top 5 Day Spas in Santa Fe!
Salon & Spa In Loretto
(12-minute walk)
You’ll fawn over Salon & Spa In Loretto’s made-in-house essential oil blends and luxurious selection of body rituals.
La Vida Spa
(22-minute walk)
La Vida Spa offers Balinese-inspired massages, facials, and other treatments in a gorgeous Southwestern-style atmosphere.
BODY of Santa Fe
(22-minute walk)
Enjoy daily restorative yoga classes and body rituals at BODY of Santa Fe.
Sacred Wellness Store
(15-minute walk + 15-minute bus ride)
Sacred Wellness Store is right next to Meow Wolf, so if you want to stop by, get both of those activities done in one trip.
You’ll love their sustainable, organic, and handcrafted CBD products made with an unwavering commitment to quality and integrity.
Where To Stay In Sante Fe Without A Car
It’s time to book your next trip to Santa Fe without a car! There are too many great restaurants, shops, venues, and spas just a short walk from downtown Santa Fe.
Inn of the Turquoise Bear is the perfect cozy retreat just outside the city. You’re close to all the hustle and bustle, but you’re far enough to feel peaceful and at ease after a long day of adventuring.
Plan a trip with you and your best girlfriends for an unforgettable time in Santa Fe.
Don’t forget to indulge in our gourmet breakfast before your big day ahead.
