Top New Mexico Cultural Tours

There are many Santa Fe tours out there, but this is the only one lead by a homegrown historian and author of eight books on the city. Take advantage of the guide’s deep knowledge of Santa Fe history and culture to gain a new perspective on landmarks like the Loretto Chapel, Canyon Road, Cross of the Martyrs, Route 66, and more. The tour delves into topics not often covered, including the Manhattan Project, spirituality, and Santa Fe’s role in World War II.

ABQ Trolley Co. operates the only open-air Trolley in Albuquerque! Our Best of ABQ City Tour is a fully-narrated journey through Albuquerque's past and present. Hop on-board to explore the sights, sounds, and stories that have made our city what it is today! There is a minimum attendance requirement of 6 guests per tour. Tours that do not meet our minimum attendance requirements (of 6 guests) are subject to cancellation or rescheduling. Our City Trolley Tours run from April-October.

The historic Santa Fe Plaza and downtown area has a 400-year old history filled with the lore and legends of conquistadors, scientists, artists, outlaws, and Pueblo peoples. Access this history on your phone through our GPS-enabled walking tour. Start and stop on your own schedule—access to the tour never expires. Learn about the annual Zozobra celebration, what "Christmas-style" means, and where to find the oldest church in the United States.

Rather than wandering around alone, explore Albuquerque's Old Town in the company of someone who knows it best and can provide context. This small-group walking tour introduces you to the legends, lore and colorful characters of this historically rich neighborhood while taking you to all the most important landmarks.

Watch daylight appear above the Rio Grand Valley during a sunrise hot air balloon ride from Albuquerque, and see the first rays illuminate the rugged Sandia Mountains. Take in stunning aerial views and dip low enough to skim the Rio Grande, then rise back up above the desert landscape. Touch town after a 1-hour flight, and begin the day with sparkling wine before returning to your launch site.

Watch sunset ignite the Rio Grande Valley on a hot air balloon ride from Albuquerque, and see the evening light transform the Sandia Mountains and desert landscape. Enjoy commentary from your pilot throughout the flight, and spot the region’s landmarks as you soar above the rugged terrain; dip low to skim the Rio Grande and capture unforgettable, aerial images of New Mexico’s largest city. Touch back down after a 1-hour flight, then linger over sparkling wine and snacks before returning to your launch site.

Take a haunted tour of Old Town Albuquerque and learn about the many ghosts who have made the square home. Legends, folklore, ghost stories, and history come to life as you depart on an intriguing excursion through 313 years of haunted history. Historic buildings and dark alleys conceal long-forgotten secrets of battles, murders, hangings, hidden cemeteries, and more.

Albuquerque is world renowned for its hot air balloon festival. Most visitors only watch balloons from the ground but this tour offers the chance to soar into the air yourself. In a small group of no more than five people, watch the sun rise as you fly over the Sandia Mountains and toast the experience with a glass of bubbly.

Learn all about turquoise during your time in the American Southwest with a visit to The Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque. Located in a modern 'castle' that is as interesting as the exhibits, the Turquoise Museum features a vast collection of turquoise jewelry and other pieces such as antique furniture. Take a self-guided tour with your admission ticket, or upgrade to include a Turquoise 101 class or a guided tour.

With so much to explore, it can be hard to know where to begin in Santa Fe. This private walking tour removes the guesswork for an ideal introduction to the city’s historic plaza, charming adobe buildings, parks, and art galleries. Finish at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, with included admission so you can explore the life of this artist who immortalized northern New Mexico landscapes.

Explore the historical aspects of downtown Taos on this 1-hour walking tour of the town. Stroll through the streets, as you walk about half a mile (0.8 km) and learn about the people of the past. Hear stories of Kit Carson, Padre Martinez, Don Juan de Onate, Long John Dunn, and Doc Martin.

Whether it's your first time in Santa Fe or you’d like to delve deeper into the city’s history and legends, make the most out of your time on a private walking tour of must-see highlights plus hidden corners. Learn fascinating trivia and stories as you wander cobblestone streets and colorful alleyways that wind through the downtown plaza area and beyond.

Join one of Taos’s famous writer, artist, and storyteller for this walking tour of the city, named Sam Richardson. Along the way you’ll learn about the cultural and historical figures like Padre Martinez and Kit Carson. You’ll explore the wild west Red Light District. See where early artists created their work, and visit several other spots in town with vivid histories and plenty of stories.

Discover the scenic highlights of Santa Fe’s Old Town, and learn about the New Mexico capital’s centuries of history, on this private walking tour. Choose from several convenient daily tour times, and meet your guide in Santa Fe Plaza. You’ll see landmarks like the Palace of Governors and San Miguel Chapel, will learn about the city’s characteristic adobe buildings, and will even enjoy a taste of local delicacies.

Discover Albuquerque’s historical heart when you explore its Old Town—and learn about the city’s history of haunted encounters and other supernatural events—on this private walking tour. Meet your guide in the late afternoon and set off to discover centuries-old landmarks aplenty. As you go, your guide will share ghost stories from the city’s long history, designed to spook and amuse you in equal measure.

See Albuquerque’s historic spots and discover it’s history and legends, at your own pace, anytime, on this smart phone guided (GPS/APP) walking tour. On the tour you will see the old patio market, the San Felipe de Neri Church, a hidden chapel, the old trading post, the candy shop that dishes out Heisenberg blue the prop used on Breaking Bad, the Old Town Square, the outdoor conquistador’s statures, the hidden courtyard, and so much more. And I’ll share with you the history of Albuquerque, the native peoples, the legends and lore of rattle snakes and turquoise, the conquistadores, the settlers who founded the city, history of trade, and so much more. Go at your own pace and schedule. Feel free to pause the tour anytime to explore. The tour never expires.

Discover Canyon Road, home to over 80 art galleries, on a guided tour through Santa Fe. Walk through a number of exciting galleries to give you a sense of what Canyon Road has to offer. Engage with many of the art pieces and have a chat with the local artists and gallery curators. Your tour is limited to 10 participants, which allows for a more personal experience.

Every day, we offer a leisurely ride through the heart of Santa Fe from our central location at La Fonda On the Plaza. This signature two-hour experience showcases the beautiful culture, art, history, and panoramic landscapes of 'The City Different' as our professional, local tour guides offer an intimate look at the many unique landmarks and local treasures along the route. This ride is enjoyable for all skill levels, and families (riders 4’8” and up) are welcome! Traditional pedal bikes are included; please inquire about E-bike upgrades.

If you’re looking to get an introduction to Albuquerque through its history, but don’t want to join a large group tour, try booking this Albuquerque Old Town Private History Tour. A guide tells the city’s history through lore and legends as you stroll the streets and take in sights of Albuquerque’s Old Town highlights. Plus, since this is a private tour, it can be altered to suit your needs and wants.

If you’re drawn to Santa Fe for its arts scene, get a fantastic introduction on a private tour of Canyon Road, the city’s the most famous art district. With dozens of galleries to choose from, it can be intimidating to know where to start, but an artistic guide removes the guesswork and takes you to the most essential galleries. See the best pieces, and get tips on how to interpret both historic and contemporary art.

Explore the history, heritage, and culture of Albuquerque on this private guided walking tour. Discover the some of the oldest buildings in the city, learn about the Spanish Colonial Period, walk around Old Town, and learn more about the area’s art, culture, and history at the Albuquerque Museum and New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (both own expense).

If you’re looking to explore the food of New Mexico while in Albuquerque, this Albuquerque Old Town Food Tour is a great pick. Book now and reserve your spot on this fun tour that passes San Felipe de Neri Church and Capilla de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe on the way to eateries. Enjoy food and alcoholic beverages as your guide tells you about the history, culture, and food of the area.

Madrid produced the coal that both built the Bomb and inspired Walt Disney. Abandoned as a ghost town for many years, it was reborn as a thriving artistic community. The Oral History Tour lets you hear Madrid’s stories, as told by the people who lived them. Using smartphone technology, it plays the audio automatically, at exactly the right time and place. All dimensions of Madrid’s peculiar, multifaceted story are explored: from an eyewitness account of union-busting violence, to that time the brand-new fire engine accidentally burned down the firehouse. The Oral History Tour was distilled from seventy hours of interviews, and endures as a preserved collective memory of this unique New Mexican treasure. Of this two-hour tour, The Santa Fe Reporter wrote, “It’s a deep dive into the fascinating history of the little town. You’ll find interviews with locals, some of whom have lived in Madrid their whole lives, and a narrator with a soothing voice ... it works exceedingly well.”