Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Santa Fe
Explore 400 years of history, culture, and architecture in the nation’s oldest capital city. From ancient Indian Pueblos to the birth of the atomic age, our museum-trained docents bring to life the incredible true stories, colorful characters, and unique places that make Santa Fe "The City Different."
Discover Santa Fe with Museum-Trained Docents
Your guide takes you through the heart of the city. From the ancient plaza to the state capitol building, you’ll explore the intriguing history, diverse architecture, and unique atmosphere of one of the United States’ oldest and most notable capital cities. Our volunteer docents are the only Santa Fe tour guides trained under the auspices of the New Mexico History Museum, with dozens of hours classroom time, self-study, and supervised practice. You only experience the true stories and genuine facts of Santa Fe's extraordinary history.
All tour proceeds are donated to the New Mexico History Museum to support educational programs and exhibitions.
Tour Times and Pricing
Public Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Santa Fe are on winter hiatus until April 3, 2024. For April and May, we will offer public tours Wednesday through Sunday at 10:15am.
We are still accepting reservations for custom and group tours in March and times outside our regular public tours when the season begins April 3. See below for details.
Tours start beside the entrance to the New Mexico History Museum, 113 Lincoln Avenue, one-half block north of the Santa Fe Plaza. We ask that you arrive at 10am so the tour can begin promptly.
Our tours are an amazing value! Fees are $25 for adults 18 and older, $15 for children 8 to 17, and no charge for children under 8.
Custom and Group Tours
Custom and group tours can be scheduled at your convenience (major holidays excepted). Regular tour fees apply with a $150 minimum. Dates and times are subject to docent availability. For information contact [email protected].
Friends of History members receive a 20% discount for themselves and the guests who accompany them; members, please email us at [email protected] to book.
Where to Park
Because many on-street parking meters have a two-hour limit, we recommend that you park in one of the public parking structures or lots. Click here for a map of parking areas.
Where to Meet
Meet your docent at the Lincoln Avenue entrance to the New Mexico History Museum, 113 Lincoln Avenue, outside in the covered area to the left of the blue door.
Highlights
Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Santa Fe will provide you with an up-close glimpse of the vibrant and multicultural history of the Land of Enchantment’s capital city. On your tour, our well-trained and historically knowledgeable guides will lead you on an unforgettable journey through Santa Fe’s past.
Tours visit eighteen historic sites and structures and explore the interiors of two historic buildings. On the one and one-half mile walk you will discover:
- How the Villa de Santa Fe became the capital of “The Kingdom of New Mexico” and the oldest capital city in the U.S.
- Why the 1680 Pueblo Revolt was one of the most successful indigenous peoples rebellions in history.
- How Santa Fe became the center of an international network of trade routes despite being at least 1000 miles from the trails’ destinations.
- Why an unassuming little office at 109 East Palace Avenue was crucial to the success of the Manhattan project and the birth of the Atomic Age.
- How a Catholic priest from France managed to build a grand stone cathedral in a town of little mud houses.
- Why New Mexico is the only state in the U.S. with a round capitol building.
- How a group of anthropologists, artists, and writers created the Santa Fe we know and love today.
"The tour was great. The [tour guide] is very energetic and knowledgeable. We all enjoyed it very much." “I want to commend our awesome tour guide. She was so well informed and had great stories to tell about each place we visited.” Bob, Palo Alto, CA and Julie, St. Louis, MO
Tour Preview
Our historic walking tours of downtown Santa Fe are unforgettable experiences. Please enjoy these tour highlights.
Scavenger Hunt
Add another level of engagement to your walking tour with a Junior Santa Fe Historian scavenger hunt! Children, and enthusiastic adults, can earn a badge by playing history detective as they follow along on one of our tours. Three different age levels are available.
