A Santa Fe, New Mexico Day Trip
Santa Fe, A Day Trip in Photos
One of the great pleasures of visiting Albuquerque, New Mexico is its proximity to New Mexico’s capital city, Santa Fe. Due to the development of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, Downtown Santa Fe, one of the best day trips from Albuquerque, can now be reached by a fast and pleasant commuter train ride. Let’s take a day trip to Santa Fe!
The train schedules are such that you can hop on a Rail Runner from Albuquerque in the afternoon, arrive in Santa Fe in time to do a couple of hours of sightseeing, have a great meal, and catch a well-timed train back to Albuquerque in the evening. It is the perfect way to enjoy the urbane attractions of Santa Fe for an afternoon without worrying about the long drive back to Albuquerque. If you are age 62 and over, the trip to Santa Fe and back is always free on Wednesdays! Click on the link below for the New Mexico Rail Runner website for more information and schedules.
New Mexico Rail Runner Website
What To Do In Santa Fe On Your Day Trip
Downtown Santa Fe is a feast for the eyes. It is a city shaped by artists for art lovers. Bring a pair of walking shoes and explore!
Stroll Along Canyon Road
One of the most pleasant ways to spend a couple of afternoon hours in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is by strolling along Canyon Road. If you are an art-lover, consider Canyon Road your paradise! Known for its art galleries and charming Adobe buildings, Canyon Road looks its best in the spring and summer months when the flowers are in bloom and the afternoon sun kisses the Adobe architecture with a warm, textured glow (the autumn season with its golden-leaved cottonwoods is spectacular as well).
If you are an art lover, consider Canyon Road in Santa Fe your paradise!
The photos here show a sample of the captivating art and time-worn patina that can be seen along Canyon Road in Santa Fe. Be sure to bring a camera!
An afternoon stroll through downtown Santa Fe rewards the eye with a display of hand-finished textures and colors that truly makes Santa Fe the “City Different.” The imperfections and textures seen in many of the older buildings add so much to the hand-hewn charm of Santa Fe.
Downtown Santa Fe has a world-class collection of museums, hotels, restaurants, and shops to immerse the senses. Educate, indulge or entertain, you can do it all in Santa Fe!
A charming art gallery in downtown Santa Fe.There is a vibrant creativity that courses through the veins of Santa Fe. From city planning to art galleries to homes, aesthetics are a priority, making this high-desert gem a delight for the eye at every turn.
Feed Your Santa Fe Appetite
Santa Fe is well known for its world-class dining and New Mexican cuisine. After your stroll and window shopping, you will have a healthy appetite that can be served by any of the great restaurants near the downtown Plaza. There are excellent restaurants in or near the Santa Fe Depot (such as the excellent New Mexican food at Tomasita’s). Always lively and a great dining experience!
Or, you may prefer some righteous bar-b-que and foot-tapping live music at Cowgirl BBQ, a very popular Santa Fe eatery a block away from the Santa Fe Depot.
Acclimate, Hydrate, Slather, Sweater
Finally, here are four tips to help you get the most from your trip to Santa Fe. Keep in mind that Santa Fe is 7,000 feet above sea level. The air is thinner and dryer. You may find that you tire more easily. If you are here for the first time, allow yourself to acclimate. Staying properly hydrated will help you to adjust. This is the (high) desert. Be careful about alcohol intake. One drink in Santa Fe has the effect of three at sea level. Bring your sunscreen (even in the winter months). You are closer to the sun in Santa Fe due to the altitude. Finally, bring a sweater if you plan to be out after sunset. Even in the summer months, the temperature can drop up to 30 degrees or more once the sun goes down.
Enjoy Your Santa Fe Day Trip!
After a pleasant commute back to Albuquerque, you can pick up your car from the secure parking garage just across from the Alvarado Transportation Center, well-rested from not having to drive back from Santa Fe. This is a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon!
More Photos of Santa Fe Attractions
All photos by [email protected] (the man in the Panama hat).