Explore Santa Fe
Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and skies that have captivated artists for centuries, Santa Fe provides an adventure in all seasons. We encourage you to explore the unique spirit of Northern New Mexico. Easy day trips take you to ancient dwellings and still-inhabited Pueblos with opportunities to learn about the area’s rich culture and history. Each season offers something new for the outdoor enthusiast. Shoppers will revel in the hundreds of shops and galleries throughout Santa Fe as well as its many annual markets and festivals. Sumptuous restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisines, and the world-renown Santa Fe Opera provides performances under the stars. The Five Graces staff is at your service to plan enchanting day trips, make dining suggestions and reservations, or arrange a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Private Experiences
A world of outdoor, cultural and culinary adventure awaits. Discover a range of private experiences and tours that are available during a visit to Santa Fe.
Outdoor
The area around the city is magnificent and well worth exploring. You will find at Bandelier National Monument the ancient, 12th century cliff dwellings of the Anasazi. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains span the horizon east of the city and the Jemez Mountains stretch out to the west.
Museums & Culture
Within the city limits are some remarkable museums – Georgia O’Keefe Museum, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, New Mexico Museum of Art, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, New Mexico History Museum and Museum of International Folk Art, drawing visitors from around the world.
Shopping
Shoppers will revel in the hundreds of shops and galleries throughout Santa Fe as well as its many annual markets and festivals. The cultural, historic and retail centers of Santa Fe are just blocks from the Inn, as is Canyon Road, a lively thoroughfare of galleries, shops and restaurants.
Dining
The Five Graces is steps away from some of the best restaurants Santa Fe has to offer, with over 100 restaurants within a few blocks of downtown.
Neighborhood
The Five Graces, near everything downtown, is just two blocks away from the Plaza and the Palace of the Governors, and is right in the heart of the city. The Inn is adjacent to the Santa Fe Playhouse and directly across Old Santa Fe Trail from the oldest church in the United States, the San Miguel Mission. The cultural, historic and retail centers of Santa Fe are just blocks from the Inn, as is Canyon Road, a lively thoroughfare of galleries, shops and restaurants.
Within the city limits are some remarkable museums – the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the New Mexico History Museum and the Museum of International Folk Art, drawing visitors from around the world.
Private Experiences and Tours
A world of outdoor, cultural and culinary adventure awaits, as Santa Fe offers its visitors a diverse array of activities and experiences. While you’re invited to discover Santa Fe at your own pace, for those looking for a more customized itinerary, a range of private experiences and tours are available for you to your visit. Explore the sampling of activities and adventures below, many of which you can arrange yourself or our concierge team would be more than happy to organize for you.
Outdoor Adventure
Biking
Looking to explore Santa Fe on two wheels? Whether you’re hoping for a casual ride through the streets of the city or want some mountain biking adventure in the nearby trails, we are happy to arrange for any kind of bike rental that you desire.
Hiking
With countless incredible hiking trails within minutes of The Five Graces, it’s hard to know where to start. Guided hiking experiences can be arranged for hikers of all levels and experience to help guests get out and enjoy the fresh air and stunning vistas just outside of the downtown area.
Jeep Tours
This is your opportunity for an offroad adventure as you experience the rugged beauty of Santa Fe via jeep, with a range of adventures from the desert to the mountains and everywhere in-between.
Hot Air Ballooning
From May through October, experience a thrilling adventure high above Santa Fe in a guided hot air balloon tour. Lasting about an hour, your experienced guide will fly you through the canyons and take you aloft to get a bird’s eye view of this beautiful land.
Rafting
Conveniently located in the center of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Rafting has guided thousands of guests down the Rio Grande. Trips include the popular Racecourse, the Taos Box, the Chama River, and float trips. The trips vary between half and full day excursions and allows for an entirely new perspective of the New Mexican landscape.
Fly Fishing
High Desert Angler offers private half-day and full-day trips on private and public stretches of the Pecos River just 45 minutes to an hour from the shop. They guide all over Northern New Mexico and have private access on streams in New Mexico and southern Colorado.
Horseback Riding
Saddle up and get out on horseback! Whatever your skill level, we can arrange horseback experiences for beginning and experienced riders.
Cultural Discovery
Historic Walking Tours
Santa Fe’s past comes to life with a guided historical walking tour of the city. Get a glimpse into Santa Fe’s 400-year history as your guide leads you through the most interesting and important elements of the city’s history.
Santa Fe Art Tours
Offering a variety of engaging, interactive tours of art galleries and museums, Santa Fe Art Tours provides both public and private art tours around the city. Their passionate guides bring Santa Fe’s incredible art offerings to life.
Art Classes
For a hands on painting experience, Santa Fe Art Classes offers classes designed for artists of all levels and ages.
Photography
From the architecture found in the city to the natural wonders just outside, there are plenty of subjects just waiting to be captured by your camera in Santa Fe. Improve your photography skills and capture those local elements with new styles and techniques as a professional photographer shows you the way.
Pottery Classes
Unleash your creativity as you discover how to mold clay and make your own ceramics. Our partners offer classes and workshops for a wide variety of skill levels, from beginner to advanced.
Culinary Experiences
Cooking Classes
Offering hands-on cooking classes and workshops, the Santa Fe School of Cooking provides guests the chance to master the flavors of the real Southwest with a range of menus from traditional New Mexican, Native American, Mexican, Spanish, vegetarian and contemporary Southwestern cuisine. Public and private classes are available.
Culinary Tours & Experiences
Don’t just experience Santa Fe, taste it! Wander New Mexico creates immersive dining tours, introducing you to chefs and owners to hear the story behind their food. Offering four distinct culinary experiences, along with the ability to arrange private experiences, tours are designed with the adventurous eater in mind.
Chocolate Tastings & Workshops
Everybody loves dessert and especially chocolate. Several local chocolate stores offer classes, tastings and workshops, allowing you to satisfy that sweet tooth!
Weather
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Very dry, high desert climate with intense sunlight.
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More than 300 sunny days per year.
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The highest temperatures in July and August are 80-90 °F (26-32 °C).
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Only 3-6 days per year with 90+°F (32+ °C) highs.
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The Santa Fe rainy season is generally July through August.
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Santa Fe averages only 14 inches of rain annually.
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Snow season occurs from November through April.
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Average: 32 inches of snow in Santa Fe and 300 inches in the ski areas.
What to pack
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Layered Clothing. Mornings and evenings are cool even in the summer.
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Walking Shoes. Walking is the preferred means of site seeing.
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Sunscreen. Sunburns are possible even in winter.
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Hat/Visor/Sunglasses. Santa Fe has over 300 sunny days annually.
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Camera. Santa Fe has stunning natural beauty and unique architecture.
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Credit Card. Many local businesses don’t accept checks.
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An additional bag to carry home your gifts and souvenirs.