Starting and ending at Santa Fe Plaza, this 2-hour driving tour takes you through the city's most iconic landmarks with a 12th-generation New Mexican guide. Ride in a comfortable Mercedes-Benz van as your guide brings centuries of history, culture, and art to life with stories you won't find in any guidebook.

Begin at Santa Fe Plaza, a National Historic Landmark and the heart of the city since 1610
Visit the Cross of the Martyrs for panoramic views and stories of the Pueblo Revolt
See the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the legendary Loretto Chapel
Drive through Canyon Road's 120+ galleries and the Railyard Arts District
Small group of up to 13 guests in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van
Leave with insider tips on the best restaurants and shops near Santa Fe Plaza

Whether you are visiting Santa Fe for the first time or returning for a deeper look, this driving tour gives you the perfect orientation to the neighborhoods, landmarks, and local culture radiating out from Santa Fe Plaza.

What's Included

Transportation in Mercedes‑Benz van
Local, expert guide
Select stops for short walks and photos

Things to know

Tours operate rain or shine. A minimum of 4 guests is required; tours may be canceled or rescheduled if the minimum is not met. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Itinerary

This is a typical itinerary for this driving tour. The tour begins and ends at Santa Fe Plaza, where your guide will be waiting in front of La Fonda on the Plaza.

Your guide meets the group outside the historic La Fonda hotel on E. San Francisco Street, steps from Santa Fe Plaza. After a brief welcome and introduction, you will board the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van and set off to explore the city.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

131 Cathedral Pl, Santa Fe, NM 87501

The first stop takes you to the Cathedral Basilica, one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Santa Fe skyline. Your guide will walk you up to the church and discuss its Romanesque architecture and the layers of religious history on this site, which dates back to the city's founding in 1610. Franciscan friars built the original church here, and the current structure was completed in the late 1800s.

Cross of the Martyrs

613 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501

From the Cathedral, the van climbs to the Cross of the Martyrs, one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the city. Standing above the rooftops, you can see the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the Jemez range to the west. Your guide will recount the dramatic events of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, the American-Mexican War, and the story of the old fort built here in 1846, the ruins of which are still visible nearby. This stop lasts about 10 minutes, with time for photos.

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

217 Johnson St, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Driving back toward the center of town, the van passes the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Your guide will share stories about O'Keeffe's life in northern New Mexico and how her presence helped shape Santa Fe's reputation as a world-class art destination.

Santa Fe Plaza

E. San Francisco St and Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501

The tour returns to Santa Fe Plaza for a closer look at the historic square that has served as the city's social, economic, and cultural center for more than 400 years. Established in 1610 by Spanish colonists, Santa Fe Plaza was the western terminus of the Santa Fe Trail, the endpoint of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, and the site of trade, festivals, and political gatherings across centuries of Spanish, Mexican, and American rule. Your guide will point out the Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States, and explain how the architecture surrounding Santa Fe Plaza reflects the Pueblo, Spanish, and Territorial styles that give the city its distinctive character. This is also where Native American artisans sell handcrafted jewelry and pottery beneath the Palace portal, continuing a tradition that stretches back generations.

Loretto Chapel

207 Old Santa Fe Trl, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Just a short drive from Santa Fe Plaza, the Loretto Chapel is home to the famous Miraculous Staircase, a spiral wooden staircase built in the late 1800s with two full 360-degree turns and no visible means of support. Your guide will share the legend of the mysterious carpenter who arrived to build it and the architectural mystery that continues to puzzle engineers and visitors alike.

San Miguel Chapel

401 Old Santa Fe Trl, Santa Fe, NM 87501

The van passes by San Miguel Chapel, widely regarded as the oldest church in the United States. Built around 1610 by Tlaxcalan workers under the direction of Franciscan missionaries, this small adobe structure has endured more than four centuries of use and remains an active place of worship.

Canyon Road

Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501

The tour winds through Canyon Road, a half-mile stretch that was once a farming community and is now home to more than 120 galleries, studios, and shops. Your guide will point out traditional Santa Fe-style adobe buildings alongside contemporary galleries, giving you a feel for the artistic energy that makes this neighborhood one of the top art destinations in the country.

Railyard Arts District

1607 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501

The final stretch of the tour takes you through the Railyard District, where your guide will discuss the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s and how it transformed Santa Fe's economy and growth. The district is now a 50-acre cultural hub with galleries, restaurants, and the popular Santa Fe Farmers Market.

After the Railyard, the van returns to Santa Fe Plaza, where the tour concludes. Your guide will share personal recommendations for restaurants, shops, and experiences to enjoy during the rest of your visit.

Pass-by highlights include: La Fonda on the Plaza (historic hotel dating to 1607), the Santa Fe Trail end marker, and the New Mexico Museum of Art.

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Santa Fe Plaza Driving Tour with Local Guide