Attractions and Places To See around Arroyo Hondo - Top 20

Santa Fe Plaza stands as the historic and cultural heart of Santa Fe. Founded in 1610, it’s one of the oldest continuously occupied public spaces in the United States. The Plaza was originally designed as the central square for the Spanish colonial Presidio, surrounded by residences, a chapel, and the seat of government. Over the centuries it evolved — welcoming trade caravans arriving along the historic Santa Fe Trail, serving as a gathering place for Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and later American communities, hosting centuries of civic, social, and cultural life. Today, the Plaza remains a lively public square ringed by adobe-style buildings, galleries, boutiques, and museums — including the Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the U.S. The plaza is also the official starting point for the Santa Fe to Taos thru-hike.

The Basilica was built in the late 1800s by Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy, 26 years before New Mexico even became a U.S. state. However the site is much older than that, as the current structure is built on the foundations of earlier churches dating all the way back to 1626.

Nice town to spend a day Route 66

Capital of the US federal state of New Mexico, with many Pueblo style buildings.

This is the southernmost trail head for the Dale Ball Trail system. The trail starts near St. John's College (there is parking specifically for the trail). Very easy access from downtown Santa Fe. Can't speak to public transportation, as walked to trail head (road has only occasional sidewalks, just fyi), but I did pass a couple of bus stops. Trail is well-marked, especially at the numbered junctions (at which there are also topography maps of the trails). There are also a number of trail heads and interlacing trails, so hikes or bike rides can be shorter or longer depending on what you want, even while out on the hills. On maps, this trail is called "St. John's Trail", but physical markers use the name "Atalaya Trail"; either way, you will follow markers for Trail 174. Lovely hike, with views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and back across Santa Fe. Website: https://sfct.org/dale-ball-trails/

The old town of Santa Fe is full of charm. It has kept its authenticity with its old center made of adobe houses. It is a city where you will find many art galleries, but also exceptional and unique museums like the Mocna (Museum of Contemporary Native Art) as well as many sculptures in the streets. This part of the original city revolves around the Santa Fe Plaza, where many artists sell their crafts on the ground. The Mocna is just opposite the church dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. For more information see their website: https://iaia.edu/mocna/

Around the square there are shops on all four sides, especially chic jewelry stores, shoe stores and clothing shops. Sometimes even grouped together in small indoor malls, there is an incredible variety of mostly very expensive shopping opportunities. Especially those who like Indian jewelry and cowboy boots will get their money's worth at a very high price level. But there is also a jeweler with Breitling watches etc. Absolutely comparable to the chic malls and shops in Southern California. In addition, many nice little bars and restaurants as well as some very chic hotels, all in pueblo style and definitely worth a visit.

The Palace of the Governors was built in Adobe in 1610, stands directly on Santa Fé Plaza and is the oldest permanently inhabited public building in the USA. The Palace of the Governors should be seen when visiting Santa Fé. It is one of the most famous attractions and is part of the New Mexico History Museum. Indian goods, jewelry, handicrafts, etc. are often offered for sale in front of the Palace.