Santa Fe is enriched with natural beauty, Native American culture, art, an extensive history, and opportunities to conveniently combine them for memorable, day-long adventures with your favorite person. Trying to figure out great date ideas in Santa Fe can be overwhelming since there are so many things to do in Santa Fe. To help you out, we’ve put together this extensive list of fun, romantic, and creative date ideas in Santa Fe for couples, or anyone, to enjoy!

Things to Do in Sante Fe 

1. Go on a Hike – Hike, meditate, and enjoy the outdoors with your date and visit Santa Fe National Forest for a scenic adventure. 

2. Travel Off the Beaten Path – Try out a more adventurous activity and tour Diablo Canyon and “Route 66” The Mother Road on an off-road jeep tour.

3. Go Skiing – Plan a ski trip in Santa Fe for more outdoor adventures. Ski down the slopes of Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, Angel Fire, or Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort for some fun in the snow. 

4. Become a Glassblower – Learn the art of glass blowing and create your very own creation at Liquid Light Glass and Prairie Dog Glass. 

5. Go Hiking and Biking – What better way to explore Santa Fe than through its abundance of beautiful nature trails. Hike, bike, and walk Dale Ball Trails, Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe Canyon Preserve, Nature Conservancy Loop, Sun Mountain Trail Loop, Waterfall Trail Hyde Memorial Park, Atalaya Trail, Chamisa Trail Loop, Little Tesuque Trail, and Piggyback Trail.

6. Go Wine Tasting – Plan a date for the books with brunch or a tasting at Gruet Winery, which specializes in sparkling and still wines. Black Mesa Winery in Velarde, halfway between Santa Fe and Taos, produces small-batch wines and ciders made from fruit exclusively grown and hand-sorted in New Mexico. You can also check out Vivac Winery and Casa Abril Vineyards and Winery, located at most an hour from Santa Fe.

7. Take a Stargazing Tour – Experience clear New Mexico nights just a short drive from Santa Fe with a stargazing tour at Astronomy Adventures. 

8. Learn about Georgia O’Keeffe – Peruse around Georgia O’Keeffe’s Museum and enjoy the collection of Georgia O’Keeffe’s life and artwork. She was the first woman painter to gain respect in the art world of New York in the 1920s.  Her abstract art of landscapes and flowers break down the essence of nature while capturing its most important aspects.

9. Get a Taste of Santa Fe – Visit Pasqual’s Cafe and Gallery for a romantic dinner and savor Santa Fe’s signature flavors. 

10. Unwind with Sangria and Tapas – Savor the drinks and atmosphere and enjoy a date night at La Boca Santa Fe. 

11. Enjoy Sunset with Craft Cocktails – Bar Alto Santa Fe offers guests with an incredible rooftop view of the city and craft cocktails to enjoy. 

12. Grab Breakfast – Don’t skip out on the most important meal of the day and eat at Modern General for some healthy and delicious breakfast dishes. 

13. Explore Hiking Slot Canyon – Visit Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and look out over the incredible rock structures jutting out around the canyon.

14. Go Shopping – Spend the day shopping for cool vintage items at House of Ancestors Antiques, or visit Casa Nova, Back at Ranch, and Wind River Trading Company for one-of-a-kind souvenirs and maybe a new favorite piece for yourself.

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15. Learn How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint at the Taos Earthships – Only an hour and a half from Santa Fe, explore the sustainability and eco-architecture of Earthships Community. 

16. Soak and Relax in a Santa Fe Hot Spring – Venture an hour or two outside of Santa Fe and plan a relaxing date surrounded by the Santa Fe landscape as you soak. Choose from the Black Rock Hot Springs, Stagecoach (Manby) Hot Springs, Montezuma Hot Springs, McCauley Hot Springs, Soda Dam Hot Springs, Spence Hot Springs, Jemez Hot Springs, and Ojo Caliente Hot Springs.  Make sure to check out our list of 6 hot springs near Santa Fe!

17. Drive the Santa Fe Byways – Take in the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway on your way up the Jemez Mountains. Explore natural wonders like the Soda Dam and historical wonders like the Bandelier National Monument and the Gilman Tunnels. Knock out multiple items on our list of date ideas for couples in Santa Fe and visit Spence Hot Springs while you’re here!

18. Ride the Fall Foliage Chairlift – As the seasons change and autumn comes, and while you’re suspended over the Ski Santa Fe Resort, absorb the beauty of the native trees as they change colors. Texans know we don’t get to see things like this too often, so take this chance!

19. Go on a Scavenger Hunt – Explore Old Fort Marcy Park, a historic park with remnants of a military fort, in an innovative way with Operation City Quest, an app that guides you through a scavenger hunt and even keeps track of your score so you can see how you stack up against other visitors (this is really fun if you’re the competitive type). 

20. Float the River – Ride a raft along the Rio Chama and change your point of view as you ride the same currents that carved out a 900-foot canyon and contributed to the sedimentary fluctuations in the canyon wall.

21. Go Fishing – If you love a good ‘ole fashion fishing trip or it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, Santa Fe has several bodies of water known for their variety of catches. Nambe Falls is only 30-minutes from Santa Fe and the Rio Grande itself is 1-hour and 20-minutes away. You can also check out Pecos River if you wish to take a bit of a longer drive.

22. Join a Motorcycle Tour – Take advantage of the exclusive opportunity to tour Santa Fe with Ride the Dream on the back of a Harley Davidson. 

23. Visit Santa Fe Distilleries – Book your spot on a tasting tour at Santa Fe Spirits Distillery & Tasting Room. Or adventure hand-in-hand with your date through Santa Fe and stop at distilleries like Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery, Algodones Distillery, Albuquerque Distillery, Alter Springs, Taylor Garrett Whiskey, Safe House Distilling, La Reforma Brewery, and Left Turn Distilling.

24. Go Bar-Hopping – Or sip and snack together as you visit Santa Fe’s abundance of bars, like Brewing Company Headquarters, Second Street Brewery, Brews & Bites Bike Tour, Blue Corn Brewery, Draft Station, and the Cowgirl. 

25. Check Out Local Workshops – Learn to paint, sculpt, cook, and more while you’re in Santa Fe. Try out Santa Fe Art Classes by Robbi Firestone, Western Horseback Rides & Lessons by Vision Quest, Paseo Pottery, the Santa Fe School of Cooking, the Art of Chocolate, or Green River Pottery. You might even leave with a new hobby to pursue when you get back home.

Hotels, Restaurants, & Cafes in Santa Fe 

After exploring all the fun things to do in Santa Fe, make sure to refuel and enjoy all the tasty food Santa Fe has to offer. For even more ideas, check out where to eat in Santa Fe.

26. Stay in a Luxurious Hotel – The Hotel Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi is conveniently located on the Santa Fe Plaza while offering its guests a relaxing atmosphere, enriched with culture and Santa Fe’s notorious Latin American cuisine at the Anasazi Restaurant. 

27. Stay in a Historic Hotel – La Fonda on the Plaza, a historic 4-Diamond hotel that has been open since 1922, features complimentary art and history tours, three on-site restaurants including an outdoor bar, and spa services.

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28. Enjoy Food with a View – La Plazuela’s dining room is the perfect balance of color, with its hundreds of hand-painted windows, and elegance. Indulge in an exquisite meal with a great view from its rooftop or eat inside under the foliage and string lights beside a lit fountain. This well-known Santa Fe eatery is inside the hotel, La Fonda on the Plaza, so you have the convenience of a romantic meal and a beautiful hotel room all in one place.

29. Dine in the Railyard District – Plan a whole afternoon or evening of fun exploring the Santa Fe Railyard District, then stop by the Shed for their vibrant and tasty dishes influenced by Puebloan, Mexican, and Spanish culture. They even have videos on their site of recipes you can try at home to keep your Santa Fe memories alive!

30. Grab a Drink Like Never Before – Order a drink or two made with the utmost flare as you snack at the Bell Tower Bar inside La Fonda on the Plaza. Make sure to time it right so you can pose a toast as the sun sets for the best photos and memories with your favorite person.

31. Enjoy Art and Food – Positioned near the International Museum of Folk Art, as well as among several well-known Santa Fe museums and across from the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens, the Weldon’s Museum Hill Cafe is a romantic spot to compliment a day of exploring and learning together. Open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch (11am to 2pm), this hidden little spot offers views of the mountains and city from their patio.

32. Eat at a Classic Diner – The Plaza Cafe, a retro-style diner, has been run by the Razatos family and serving New Mexican-Greek fusion since 1905.

33. Explore Santa Fe’s Flavors – The Compound offers a menu full of American dishes influenced by Mediterranean flavors and created with local New Mexican crops. Founder Chef Mark Kiffin is known for his involvement in his community and his unique style of cooking.

34. Watch a Flamenco Show – Enjoy dinner and a live Flamenco show at the El Farol Restaurant. 

35. Grab a Bite – Cafecito is housed inside a repurposed building with tall windows that look out into the gardens that surround it. A family-owned business, this coffeeshop serves traditional Argentinian tea, Italian-style coffee, and everything from brunch to dinner made with local, organic ingredients. Make sure to try one of their famous empanadas!

36. Sip Tea in a Greenhouse – Explore Opuntia Cafe’s indoor garden and teahouse, doubling as a supporter of local artists where you can purchase plants and pottery alike. They also serve breakfast items, ramen, sandwiches, and other light fare with gluten-free and vegan options.

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See a Show in Santa Fe 

37. Teatro Paraguas – Plan a date to the theater and watch live performances enriched with Hispanic culture. 

38. Pandemonium Productions – Enjoy a musical performance at Pandemonium Productions. 

39. Performance Santa Fe – Catch a show and enjoy a whirlwind of dance and music at Performance Santa Fe. 

40. Santa Fe Playhouse – Experience a date filled with music and laughter at the Santa Fe Playhouse located in the heart of history and culture.

41. Teatro Paraguas Black Box Theater – Couples can explore poetry performances, concerts and more at Teatro Paraguas Black Box Theater. 

42. Lensic Performing Arts Center – Plan a relaxing date at Lensic Performing Arts Center for even more theatrical performances. 

Learn About Santa Fe 

43. The Palace of the Governors – The oldest public building that continues to be used today; the Palace of Governors is home to the New Mexico History Museum. Every day you can also find local artists selling their handmade goods, the perfect opportunity to bring home a unique souvenir or gift for yourself.

44. The Fray Angélico Chávez History Library – You must book an appointment in order to browse the historical collections of the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, one of New Mexico’s oldest libraries housed in the Palace of the Governors. 

45. The Museum of Encaustic Art – About 40-minutes from Santa Fe is the largest collection of encaustic art, or wax art, in the country. Learn more about this historic medium you may not have even known existed!

46. The Poeh Museum & Cultural Center – Learn more about the history of New Mexico’s Pueblo communities at the Poeh Museum. 

47. The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art – Home to art pieces dating back to the Middle Ages, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art strives to tell the story of how the Hispanic culture that influenced New Mexico evolved over time through various mediums and over 3,000 artifacts.

48. The New Mexico Military Museum – Learn about how war has shaped New Mexico through art, artifacts, and interactive exhibits. Don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the military vehicles parked on-site at the New Mexico Military Museum.

49. The New Mexico History Museum – This museum is home to two primary exhibits. One consists of archaeological artifacts that were found on-site and the other, photographs that revisit the path taken by two friars who crossed the Grand Canyon back in 1776.

50. The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian – See historic and local Native American artwork at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. It’s also home to the oldest collection of Pueblo and Navajo jewelry in the world!

51. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture – Take a deep dive into Native American culture through artifacts from across the globe. Learn about the methodical creation of Puebloan pottery, the cultural significance of certain animals, and the reimagination of traditional Native American creations through art created by current artists.

52. Museum of International Folk Art – A collection of over 130,000 artifacts, you’ll find an in-depth history of folk art from over 100 countries. You’ll see art and historically functional items made from a wide variety of mediums, along with exhibits that cover regionally specific topics, such as fashion, history, music, and folklore.

53. Santa Fe Children’s Museum – Pay a visit to the Santa Fe Children’s Museum and have fun with their interactive exhibits that explore a variety of topics in the STEAM field.

Top-Rated Attractions in Santa Fe 

54. Canyon Road – Canyon Road is another cozier arts district in Santa Fe with small and low adobe buildings on either side of a narrow road. These home-y buildings have a large array of art, from fine art to international art. Hecho En Mano showcases Oaxacan and New Mexican artists while Cielo Handcrafted is a vibrant shop with New Mexican and Peruvian artists.

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55. The Santa Fe Opera – Experience an elegant date night at the Santa Fe Opera.

56. The Santa Fe Plaza – Use the Santa Fe Art Tours app as you explore the Santa Fe Plaza for a more in-depth perspective, perfect for newbies and experts alike. You may happen upon Native performers as they share their traditions, dances, music, and stories.

57. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi – This gorgeous cathedral was built in the late 19th century entirely out of limestone. Behind its tall, bronze doors you’ll see extravagant arches and traditional Catholic images.

58. The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market – If you happen to be in Santa Fe on a weekend, visit the Railyard District & Park where they have both an artisan’s market and farmer’s market. It’s one of the best opportunities to find fun chile-infused sweets and baked goods.