Santa Fe is one of those cities I can visit again and again and always discover something new. If it’s your first trip, tour the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, see the “Miraculous Staircase” inside Loretto Chapel, browse the Native American art beneath the Palace of the Governors portal, and wander through the galleries along Canyon Road.

I had already checked off those Santa Fe favorites, so on this visit, my friend Lisa and I put together a different kind of day. It was filled with local art, fabulous food, history, shopping, and a little pampering.

Start With Breakfast at Cafe Pasqual’s

We walked out of Eldorado Hotel and Spa on a glorious Saturday morning. Temperatures were still in the 50s, but the brilliant blue sky and sunshine promised a beautiful spring afternoon.

Our first stop was Cafe Pasqual’s, my favorite breakfast spot in Santa Fe. The colorful and cozy café is just a block and a half from the Santa Fe Plaza. Breakfast and lunch are first come, first served, so expect a wait on busy mornings.

While waiting for our table, we browsed a nearby Santa Fe Society of Artists show. I was especially drawn to the elegant bronze figures created by Yenny Cocq and Ashley Binder’s charcoal and pastel drawings of Arabian horses. That’s one of the joys of Santa Fe. Even waiting for breakfast can turn into an art experience.

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I usually order the Huevos Motuleños at Cafe Pasqual’s, a distinctive combination of eggs, banana, feta, green peas, salsa, tortillas, and black beans. Since I had enjoyed my usual the day before, I tried the poached eggs with avocado toast on dense Seedilicious bread. It was wonderful, but menus change, so consider this inspiration instead of ordering instructions carved in stone.

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Browse the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market

After breakfast, we headed to the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market in the Railyard District. The Saturday market is open throughout the year and brings together New Mexico farmers, ranchers, bakers, and artisans.

The stalls were overflowing with produce, flowers, spices, and handcrafted goods. We stopped to watch Frank Osborne of Oasis Fiber spin wool into yarn using an old-fashioned method. He told us his sheep get to retire on the farm when their wool-producing days are over. That made me love his work even more.

The Railyard is also packed with galleries, shops, restaurants, and outdoor spaces, making it easy to spend more time in this lively part of Santa Fe.

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Step Inside the Santuario de Guadalupe

From the Railyard, we walked to the historic Santuario de Guadalupe, an adobe church dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The original shrine dates to the late 1700s and reflects the devotion Spanish colonists brought north from Mexico. Inside, wooden pews, exposed ceiling beams, religious artwork, and simple retablos create a peaceful space that feels far removed from the bustle outside.

We happened to visit on confirmation day, but somehow found a few quiet moments inside. It was a lovely pause in a very full day.

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Add a Little Santa Fe Wellness

The night before, we had stopped at the Santa Fe Oxygen Bar for tea and ended up trying 20 minutes of oxygen. We enjoyed the quirky experience so much that we booked massages and numerology and astrology readings for the following afternoon.

My massage therapist used trigger-point pressure to work out the knots in my neck, shoulders, and upper back. I followed it with a reading based on my birthday, birth time, and full name. Whether you’re a believer or simply curious, it was a fascinating addition to the day.

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Shop Around the Santa Fe Plaza

Feeling wonderfully relaxed, I spent the late afternoon popping into boutiques and galleries around downtown Santa Fe.

One of my longtime favorite shops is Chocolate + Cashmere, where soft sweaters, ponchos, jewelry, and chocolate make a rather dangerous combination for the credit card. I also returned to the Palace of the Governors portal to browse jewelry and art sold directly by Native American artists.

Even when I don’t buy anything, I love talking with the artists and learning the stories behind their work.

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End With Dinner at Coyote Cafe

We finished our day with dinner at Coyote Cafe, a Santa Fe dining icon that helped define modern Southwestern cuisine after opening in 1987.

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, I started with the restaurant’s signature Salty Señorita margarita. I followed it with Patagonian sea bass, then Lisa and I split a caramel crème brûlée topped with chocolate-covered hazelnut ice cream. It was sinfully decadent, and yes, we could have licked the plate.

The menu changes and Coyote Cafe serves dinner nightly. Reservations are recommended. Its more casual Rooftop Cantina is open for walk-ins and offers a lively perch above the streets of downtown Santa Fe.

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Planning Your Day in Santa Fe

This itinerary is easy to enjoy mostly on foot if you stay near the Santa Fe Plaza. Begin with breakfast downtown, explore the Railyard and farmers’ market, visit the Santuario de Guadalupe, then spend the afternoon shopping or enjoying a spa treatment before dinner.

It may not cover every Santa Fe essential, but that’s the beauty of the city. There’s always reasons to return.

During my first visit to Santa Fe I stayed at Inn and Spa at Loretto. That’s where I fell in love with the artsy and historic city that I’ve returned to many times.