What to do in Santa Fe while house and pet sitting

Located in the Sangre de Cristo foothills and known for its Spanish colonial history, Santa Fe is just one of hundreds of exciting cities to consider for your next pet sitting trip in the US.

If you’re thinking about going there and still wondering what to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico during your stay, wonder no longer and let us introduce you to all the spectacular sights and landmarks the city has to offer.

Santa Fe attractions

Of all the cool things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico, there are a few that should most definitely be on your pet sitting trip bucket list. Take a look here:

1. Museum of New Mexico: the Museum of New Mexico is actually eight state-run museums, including places like the New Mexico History Museum, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and the New Mexico Museum of Art. At all of these, you can learn more about the history, art, culture and heritage of the peoples of New Mexico as well as the Spanish settlers who once founded Santa Fe.

2. Museum of International Folk Art: while Santa Fe is known for its Spanish colonial and Pueblo heritage, another of the city’s most exciting sights is the Museum of International Folk Art. The museum holds the largest collection of international folk art in the world, displaying more than 135,000 artifacts, including art pieces, textiles, ceramics, carvings, toys and more.

3. Santa Fe Botanical Garden: if you’re looking for a break from all the art and culture, how does a trip to Santa Fe’s fabulous Botanical Garden sound? The Garden features two distinct areas, the Botanical Garden at Museum Hill – a 20.5-acre site with scenic walking paths and lush themed gardens such as the Orchid or Meadow Garden – and the Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve – 35-acre nature preserve located just south of town and full of fascinating plant- and wildlife.

Free things to do in Santa Fe

If your motivation to go on sightseeing adventures is bigger than your trip budget, worry not – we’ve got you covered! Here are some great Santa Fe attractions you can visit for free:

1. Santa Fe Historic District: if you’d like to get a good look at some of Santa Fe’s most stunning sights but don’t want to pay a pretty penny to do so, best take a walk through the city’s beautiful Historic District, past sites like the Palace of the Governors at Santa Fe Plaza, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and its park or Loretto Chapel. During the walk, you can enjoy some of Santa Fe’s most impressive architecture and to make the tour even better, you can also bring your new pooch friend with you.

2. Explore the Canyon Road and Railyard Arts District: great art can’t only be found in museums, quite a lot of it you’ll actually find in small, independent galleries and art shops, especially in New Mexico’s capital. Canyon Road and the entire Railyard Arts District are full of galleries, shops, sculpture gardens and more – all free to visit and marvel at.

Fun things to do in Santa Fe

Art, culture and nature are all great, but what about the best things to do in Santa Fe that are simply fun? Here are our top suggestions for entertaining places to visit in Santa Fe:

1. Meow Wolf: for a quirky, interactive experience in Santa Fe, head over the Meow Wolf, an interactive haunted-house-slash-art-display that offers stunning visuals and intriguing environments. Of all the things to see in Santa Fe, this is most definitely the most wonderfully bizarre.

2. El Rancho de las Golondrinas: fancy a trip to the past so you can not just learn about but actually experience what life in New Mexico was like in the 18th and 19th century? Then best plan for a visit at El Rancho de las Golondrinas or the Ranch of the Swallows, a historic ranch turned living history museum, located south-west of Santa Fe. Here, you can walk through town and watch actors reenact pastimes and customs, join guided tours, partake in special music, dance and other events, or have a picnic on the scenic grounds.

3. Liquid Light Glass: for a gallery experience of a different kind, have a look at the impressive glass works at Liquid Light Glass, where you can’t just marvel at the amazing exhibits but also join glass blowing classes yourself. And should you fall in love with the glass pieces, you can even buy a little glass souvenir to bring back with you at the in-house shop, benefiting local artists.

What to do in Santa Fe with pets

No pet sitting trip is complete without lots of exciting adventures with your new four-legged friend. Take a look at these great opportunities for you and the pooch to have fun together:

1. Hyde Memorial State Park: right in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains lies the Hyde Memorial State Park, a 350-acre nature park, full of scenic walkways, spectacular views and – should you visit Santa Fe in winter – even snowshoeing, sledding and cross-country skiing opportunities. Dogs are allowed in the entire park, provided they are on a leash.

2. Dale Ball Trail: for a hike with the pupper a little closer to town, head to the Dale Ball Trail, a 4.4-mile walkway, leading you past several overlooks offering stunning views of the city and surrounding area. Here too, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

3. Frank S. Ortiz Dog Park: if you’re in for some unleashed fun with the doggo, the Frank S. Ortiz Dog Park is where you wanna be. This amazing 138-acre site allows for the pooch to safely run wild and have fun, while you can enjoy the stunning New Mexico vistas. Just be sure to clean up after fido.

Best Restaurants in Santa Fe: Food and drink

After all your amazing adventures, we’re sure you’re hungry for some yummy munchies. Here are the best places to eat in Santa Fe:

1. Delicious chow in the Historic District: should you fancy a snack or full lunch or dinner during or after your trip to the city’s Historic District, you’re in luck: no matter what kind of chow you crave, here you’ll find some of the best Santa Fe restaurants that serve it, with eateries offering dishes from all over the world and catering to every budget.

2. Santa Fe Farmers Market: if you plan to make some home-cooked meals during your pet sitting trip, pay a visit to the Santa Fe Farmers Market to collect delicious, fresh ingredients and maybe a couple souvenirs on top. The market is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 8am to 1pm.

3. Rowley Farmhouse Ales: cold, home-brewed beers, hearty food and a big, warm welcome for you and the pooch await you at Rowley Farmhouse Ales in Santa Fe’s south-west. Try their German-style beer selection for some real tasties!

Cannot wait for your pet sitting trip to Santa Fe now? Awesome, then head right over to our currently available sits and connect with pet owners in New Mexico to start your adventure! Or, if you’d like to get some more insider tips before you commence your journey, join our friendly Community Forum and ask our other members for their own cool sightseeing and activity tips in Santa Fe!

Need a sitter while you’re sitting?

If you’d like to go on pet sitting trips to foreign places, you might need a sitter to take care of your own beloved fur baby back at home. Luckily, with TrustedHousesitters, you can be a sitter and pet owner looking for a sitter yourself, all at the same time! Click here and start looking for a reviewed and verified sitter: