Why Santa Fe’s Off-Season Is Actually the Perfect Time to Visit
The city of Santa Fe, New Mexico sees around 2 million overnight visitors a year, not including those just passing through for the day. It’s true that some tourist hubs seemingly shut down in the off-season, but Santa Fe isn’t one of those places. Restaurants, stores, museums and galleries remain open, and you won’t be short of things to do. January through March is considered their off-season, and I’m here to tell you why that makes it the perfect time of year to visit.
No Crowds
Starting with the obvious, the off-season means no crowds. You won’t be bumping shoulders with people on the sidewalks, less car traffic, hiking trails will be quieter, you can dine without making a dinner reservation, and you won’t melt in the desert heat.
Cheaper Lodging
If you’re on a budget, the off-season is a great time to visit! Hotel and AirBnb rates will drop during these months. Example: a stay at Bishops Lodge Auberge Collection can go from $1,100+ to $550 per night. Of course, there are more budget stays than the Auberge Collection, but for those looking for a little luxury on a budget…
Cooler Temps
In Santa Fe’s peak months, it can get hot! While the day-time temperatures hover in the upper 80°F’s, the city sits at 7,000 ft of elevation so the intensity of the sun makes it feel hotter than the thermostat reading.
Where to Stay
We stayed at an AirBnb in the Zona Rosa condo complex, in the San Cristobal unit. There were four of us, and this was more than enough space for us to spread out (and for all of us to work remotely). The location is a few blocks from the Historic Plaza and the Santa Fe Railyard, making it a very walkable location.
Where to Dine
It just so happened that Santa Fe Restaurant Week was happening while we were there. We actually did not take advantage of this as much as we could have, but we did go to some of the participating locations (we just didn’t do their restaurant week menu).
Iconik Coffee (Lupe)
314 S Guadalupe St,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Iconik Coffee has a few different locations around Santa Fe, and our AirBnb was near the Lupe (Guadalupe St.) location. I had a delicious horchata latte, and can say it was an A+ espresso drink. (It was also a great place to get some computer work done).
Dumpling Tea
66 E San Francisco St #10,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Located inside an indoor shopping hall stemming from the Historic Plaza, Dumpling Tea is a no frills spot with more-authentic-than-not Chinese food. I grabbed a quick lunch of vegetable spring rolls and pork steamed dumplings. It is counter service and then seat-yourself, and the food came out relatively quickly even though they were busy.
Joe’s Tequila Bar
303 E Alameda St,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Located inside of the Inn on Alameda, Joe’s Tequila Bar has an approachable menu of New Mexican, Pan American, and American cuisine. The price point is also super reasonable for a good quality and filling dinner. Pro tip: Order the Queso Fudido and the Ceviche.
Cowgirl BBQ
319 S Guadalupe St,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
I’m not going to lie, the menu at Cowgirl BBQ is a bit overwhelming with how many options there are. But, that will also mean there is something for everyone! I settled on a frozen marg (crazy good happy hour pricing), and the Mesquite Smoked Baby Back Ribs. The meat fell right off the bone and I can still smell and taste the smokey flavor. Mm-mm!
SkyFire
1297 Bishops Lodge Rd,
Santa Fe, NM 87506
Located at the Bishop’s Lodge Auberge Collection, SkyFire is an upscale dining experience at the base of the Sanger de Cristo Mountains. I ordered the Grilled Endive Salad (root vegetables, squash, bitter greens, tamarind vinaigrette), Pan Seared Halibut (pistachio crust, three sisters, white mole, cilantro oil), and for a cocktail, the Calaverita (marigold mezcal, bozal borrego, cointreau, clementine, tortilla ash). Everything was incredible and it was the best meal of the trip!
What To Do
Georgia O’Keefe Museum
A visit to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe offers an intimate look into the life and work of one of America’s most iconic modern artists. Nestled in the heart of downtown, the museum showcases a thoughtfully curated collection spanning O’Keeffe’s career—from her early experiments to the bold, desert-inspired paintings that defined her legacy.
Santa Fe Farmer’s Market
Held in the Railyard District, this vibrant, year-round market brings together farmers, ranchers, and artisans from across northern New Mexico, all selling what they’ve grown or made themselves. Stalls overflow with seasonal produce, fresh baked goods, flowers, handmade crafts, and regional specialties. The market operates every Saturday year round, and for 2026, it also runs on Tuesdays from May - December.
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Art (MoCNA)
A visit to the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe offers a powerful look at contemporary art through Indigenous perspectives. Located just off the historic Plaza, the museum showcases bold, thought-provoking works by Native artists from across North America, challenging expectations of what “Native art” can be. The exhibitions range from multimedia installations to painting, sculpture, and photography, all rooted in living cultures rather than the past.
Cross of the Martyrs
Perched on a hill just north of downtown, the Cross of the Martyrs offers one of the most rewarding viewpoints in Santa Fe. A short, paved walk leads to the towering white cross, where sweeping panoramas of the city, surrounding mountains, and endless New Mexico sky unfold in every direction. Along the path, historical plaques trace Santa Fe’s complex past, while the monument itself commemorates those who died during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt.
Kakawa Chocolate House
Housed in a cozy adobe-style space just off downtown, this beloved chocolate shop specializes in rich drinking chocolate elixirs inspired by ancient Mesoamerican, European, and Colonial recipes, alongside handcrafted truffles, caramels, and ice cream. The flavors often reflect the Southwest’s signature pairing of chocolate and chile, creating something both indulgent and distinctly local.
Meow Wolf
A visit to Meow Wolf Santa Fe is less like going to a museum and more like stepping into a surreal, interactive dream. Inside the wildly imaginative House of Eternal Return, secret passageways, glowing forests, and mind-bending rooms invite you to crawl, climb, and explore at your own pace while uncovering a mysterious storyline. Created by a collective of artists, the experience blends art installation, playground, and sci-fi adventure into something completely unique.
Art Galleries
From the world-famous Canyon Road to contemporary spaces near the Plaza, hundreds of galleries showcase everything from traditional Native and Southwestern art to cutting-edge modern works. Adobe courtyards, sculpture gardens, and sunlit rooms invite you to linger, chat with artists and curators, and discover one-of-a-kind pieces. Whether you’re a serious collector or simply browsing, gallery-hopping here feels both inspiring and distinctly Santa Fe.
Spa + Wellness
Santa Fe is a premier wellness destination offering a unique blend of high-desert serenity and luxurious relaxation. Visitors can rejuvenate at world-class spas featuring Japanese-style hot springs at Ten Thousand Waves, mineral-rich, spring-fed soaking pools at Ojo Santa Fe.
Santa Fe National Forest
Exploring Santa Fe National Forest offers a refreshing escape into the wild beauty of northern New Mexico. Just minutes from the city, the forest unfolds into a diverse landscape of pine-covered mountains, alpine meadows, rushing streams, and sweeping high-desert vistas. Trails range from gentle nature walks to challenging climbs, making it easy to tailor the experience to your pace while soaking in crisp mountain air and wide-open skies.
So take a few days to visit “The City Different”, and indulge in Southwestern cuisine, thoughtful art, and enjoy nature on the trails or with a spa + wellness day.