Top New Mexico Culture

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.

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.

Get oriented to Santa Fe’s unique history, architecture, and culture on this top-rated walking tour. Explore the Santa Fe plaza area on foot, passing landmarks like the Loretto Chapel, Palace of the Governors, and Bario de Analco, plus places off the beaten path that most visitors miss. Hear stories not found in any guidebook, and get tips on how to make the most of your Santa Fe vacation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Taste the highlights of Santa Fe during this food-themed walking tour. Meet your guide in the centrally located Santa Fe Plaza, and come hungry: you’ll visit multiple local food businesses, where you can enjoy enough samples to add up to a generous meal (plus drinks on the side). As you go, you’ll also see landmarks like the San Miguel Chapel and the Palace of the Governors.

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.

See parts of Albuquerque that tour buses cannot reach, and cover more ground than is possible on foot. This bicycle tour introduces you to the nature and culture of Albuquerque. You'll explore some of the city’s best scenery, living cultures and unique eco-systems, and have a chance to dip your toes into the city's celebrated lifeline, the Rio Grande.

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.

Unleash your inner explorer, gather your team, and prepare for an exhilarating adventure at the Turquoise Museum. "Escape the Turquoise Museum" is set to become a must-visit attraction for locals and tourists alike, promising an experience that transcends traditional museum visits. Designed to challenge the mind and ignite curiosity, "Escape the Turquoise Museum" will test participants' problem-solving skills, teamwork, and ability to think outside the box. As visitors explore the museum's stunning artifacts, they will uncover clues that lead them closer to their ultimate goal: escaping the museum's confines and avoiding being trapped within its walls forever.

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.

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.

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.

Santa Fe is a photographer’s dream, so learn how to capture the city’s unique adobe architecture, enchanting desert light, and colorful streets like a pro. A trained photographer and longtime Santa Fe resident takes you to the most photogenic locations around the plaza and helps you get that perfect shot, whether you're working with a high-tech DSLR camera or a smart phone.

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.

Santa Fe Canyon is the best birding Santa Fe has to offer! It's diversity of ecosystems provide habitat for a huge number of bird species. The diversity of ecosystems means it's also a wonderful place to see wildflowers and a large variety of plants. You will be hiking with an expert naturalist giving you a unique opportunity to learn the fascinating natural history of Santa Fe Canyon and get all your questions answered!

Explore downtown Santa Fe's best food and wine venues on a half-day walking tour led by an informative guide. Get a taste of new developments in Santa Fe’s food scene and sample classic New Mexican flavors when you stop into several local eateries. You'll also visit landmarks like the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis, Loretto Chapel, and Palace of the Governors. Your guide shares commentary about the city’s history and the mix of cultures that have shaped its food culture throughout the leisurely walking tour.

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.

Explore more than 20 national parks, monuments, and forests across the country, including the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, and Acadia, with this self-guided driving tour bundle. Enjoy the flexibility to travel at your own pace, with hands-free functionality, and offline access, so you can use it even in remote areas. Includes full itineraries, travel tips, audio guide, videos, and text.

Hosted by tour company Vigilante Guides. We provide a local experience and help travelers and locals alike see all the main attractions in and around the Plaza and Downtown Santa Fe including the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Laredo Chapel, San Miguel Chapel, Oldest House, Plaza, etc. If you are a history buff or wanting to take a deep dive into the millennial old city, this is the tour for you!