Santa Fe & Albuquerque

Destination 01

Santa Fe

9 places

High-desert capital lined with farolitos; 3 nights for Canyon Road, the Plaza and the mountains.

• Canyon Road Farolito Walk

  On Christmas Eve, the gallery street fills with walkers, carolers, small bonfires and thousands of candlelit farolitos.

  Tip Arrive around dusk and walk uphill from Paseo de Peralta; dress for well below freezing.

  DoCanyon RoadFree2 hrChristmas Eve after dusk
• Photo: Dicklyon · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Santa Fe Plaza

  The old town square, with its trees strung in colored lights and farolitos on the surrounding adobe rooflines.

  SeeDowntownFree60 minEvening

• Palace of the Governors

  Adobe seat of government from the 1610s, now a history museum; Native artists sell jewelry under its portal.

  Tip Buy jewelry directly from the artists under the portal; each seller is licensed by the museum.

  SeeDowntown$1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Maralynyanco · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Loretto Chapel

  Small Gothic Revival chapel known for its spiral staircase that climbs to the choir loft without a central support.

  SeeDowntown$30 minMorning
• Photo: SarahStierch · CC BY 4.0

  Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

  Romanesque stone cathedral at the end of San Francisco Street, with a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

  Tip Arrive early for Christmas Eve Mass; the pews fill well before it starts.

  SeeDowntownFree30 min

• Ten Thousand Waves

  Japanese-style mountain spa with outdoor hot tubs among the pines; soaking while it snows is the classic winter visit.

  Tip Book private tubs ahead over the holidays.

  DoHyde Park Road$$$2.5 hrLate afternoon
• Photo: Scopulorum · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Ski Santa Fe

  Ski area 25 minutes above town with a base above 3,000 m and views over the desert from the top lifts.

  Tip Opening depends on snow; check conditions before driving up Hyde Park Road.

  DoSangre de Cristo Mountains$$$5 hrMorning
• Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 4.0

  The Shed

  Family-run New Mexican restaurant since 1953 in a 1692 adobe off the Plaza, known for red chile enchiladas.

  Tip No reservations at lunch; arrive before noon.

  EatDowntown$$75 minLunch

• La Fonda on the Plaza

  Historic Pueblo Revival hotel at the corner of the Plaza, a short walk from Canyon Road.

  Tip The rooftop bar has views over the farolito-lined rooflines at sunset.

  StayDowntown$$$

Destination 02

Albuquerque

9 places

Rio Grande city with luminaria-lined Old Town; 2 nights for River of Lights and the Sandia tram.

• Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 4.0

  Old Town Albuquerque

  The original 1706 plaza, with adobe shops and a lit Christmas tree, lined with luminarias on Christmas Eve.

  Tip Come back after dark to see the luminarias lit around the plaza.

  SeeOld TownFree2 hrEvening
• Photo: Don McCulley · CC0

  San Felipe de Neri Church

  Adobe church from 1793 on the north side of the Old Town plaza, still an active parish.

  SeeOld TownFree30 min
• Photo: John Fowler · CC BY 2.0

  River of Lights

  Walk-through light show at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, with large lit sculptures of animals and plants.

  Tip Buy timed tickets ahead and go on a weeknight to avoid long lines.

  DoBioPark$1.5 hrAfter dark
• Photo: AdamSelby · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Sandia Peak Tramway

  Aerial tram climbing about 4 km to the 3,163 m crest of the Sandias, often snowy in winter, with views over the city.

  Tip Ride up an hour before sunset and bring a warm layer; the top can be 15 C colder than the city.

  DoSandia Heights$$2 hrSunset
• Photo: Chris English · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

  Museum run by New Mexico's 19 Pueblos, with weekend dances and a café serving Pueblo dishes.

  Tip Check the calendar for dances, which are often held on weekends.

  SeeNorth Valley$2 hr

• Albuquerque Museum

  City museum at the edge of Old Town with Southwestern art and a history gallery covering four centuries.

  SeeOld Town$1.5 hr

• Church Street Cafe

  New Mexican cooking in one of Old Town's oldest adobe houses, with a courtyard and a big fireplace.

  EatOld Town$$60 minLunch
• Photo: Chitrapa · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Frontier Restaurant

  Busy diner across from the university since 1971, known for breakfast burritos and sweet rolls.

  Tip Order at the counter and add green chile to everything.

  EatNob Hill / UNM$45 minBreakfast

• Los Poblanos

  Historic inn and lavender farm in the North Valley, with a farm-to-table restaurant, Campo.

  Tip Book Campo for dinner even if you stay elsewhere.

  StayLos Ranchos$$$$