Canyon Road
Santa Fe’s historic Canyon Road, is a winding thoroughfare lined with centuries-old adobes teeming with art. With more than 80 galleries, Santa Fe’s longest-established arts district has the highest concentration of galleries. Once a residential street, Canyon Road’s status as an art center dates back to the early 20th Century when five emerging painters—Will Shuster, Fremont Ellis, Walter Mruk, Jozef Bakos, and Willard Nash—who dubbed themselves “Los Cinco Pintores,” made it their home.
On today’s Canyon Road, you can find classic Santa Fe art from this period as well as contemporary and modern work all before stopping for tapas and flamenco at El Farol, the first and oldest restaurant in Santa Fe.
Downtown
The Downtown Arts + Museum District is In walking distance to most of the city’s major hotels, the heart of Santa Fe beats with art. Here, in this area on and surrounding the Plaza, you’ll find more than 40 galleries and museums, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, New Mexico Museum of Art, and Native American pottery and jewelry vendors under the portal at the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum.
Railyard
In 2016, Santa Fe’s newest arts district was voted one of the nation’s 10 Best Art Districts in a USA Today Readers Choice poll. Here, along Guadalupe Street and near the railroad tracks, the spaces are big and contemporary, and the art is, too. Culture vultures also enjoy nearby SITE Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, author George R.R. Martin’s Jean Cocteau Cinema, and free summertime events in Railyard Park.
Midtown
Midtown is a creative innovation district in central Santa Fe that celebrates and cultivates artists, performers, craftspeople, trades-people, makers and innovators of all kinds and the organizations, businesses and actions that promote a healthy, vibrant community. The gritty, industrial neighborhood is increasingly recognized as an artistic and innovative hub. At the heart of the district is the internationally renowned Meow Wolf, an immersive art experience and entertainment destination headquartered in the former Silva Lanes bowling alley and created with the backing of Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin. Duel Brewing, The Rufina Taproom and Java Joe's coffee shop provide neighborhood watering holes and gathering points; Wise Fool New Mexico, a local circus troupe, has called the area home for over a decade.
MAKE Santa Fe, a community makerspace, ART SMART and several art studios, galleries and music and performance venues make this a favorite destination for those seeking to experience the edgy side of Santa Fe.
Other
There are many other galleries, museums and artist studios who do not fall into the established arts districts, but they are still worth a visit. From the northern Tesuque area to the wide open spaces of Eldorado, there are many to find.