Santa Fe in Fall: Your Perfect 3-Day Autumn Weekend Getaway
One of the best-kept secrets about Santa Fe: fall from September to November offers ideal weather, stunning scenery, and fewer crowds. If you missed Labor Day, plan for the Columbus Day weekend in October. Notably, Mayor Javier Gonzales declared it Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor New Mexico’s indigenous heritage. Experience unique sights, flavors, and festivities during this long weekend in Santa Fe.
Behold Santa Fe’s Vibrant Fall Foliage
View beautiful fall foliage from a Santa Fe Ski Basin chairlift. (photo courtesy Ski Santa Fe)
Gazing from downtown at the 12,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains ablaze in gold is breathtaking. Get an up-close view via the Ski Santa Fe scenic chairlift, operating October 1–10, 2016. Watch aspens shimmer below in golden glory. On October 1, Beals & Co. hosts Santa Fe artists creating plein air paintings right at the chairlift base.
Ski Santa Fe also features fall music, cornhole challenges, kids’ treasure hunts, and a new 18-hole disc golf course. Enjoy live performances by Stephanie Hatfield and Half Broke Horses Band on the La Casa Lodge deck.
Master Green Chile Cooking
Take a green chile workshop at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. (photo courtesy of Santa Fe School of Cooking)
Fall’s signature scent—roasting green chiles—wafts from the Santa Fe Farmers Market. Dive deeper with Santa Fe School of Cooking Chile Workshops. Learn the culinary history of New Mexico’s state vegetable, safe handling techniques, and prepare flour tortillas, roasted tomatillo & cilantro sauce, and green chile, mint, and tamarind sauce. This 2-hour class is limited to 16 participants—reserve early.
Trail the Santa Fe Margarita Trail
Every margarita made on the Margarita Trail is made of 100% agave tequila. (Photo courtesy of TOURISM Santa Fe)
"All Trails Lead to Santa Fe," and the Santa Fe Margarita Trail is unmissable. During chile-roasting season, sip green chile-infused delights like Coyote’s Cantina Norteno Margarita or Del Charro’s Santa Fe Trail Margarita. With 31 signature recipes, your $3 passport earns stamps for prizes and includes all recipes—a top culinary adventure.
Autumn delivers crisp air, blue skies, epic vistas, and delectable eats and drinks. For Labor Day ideas, see our blog on Five Santa Fe Events to Ignite Your Labor Day. Browse Deals and Specials, order the 2016 Santa Fe Travel Guide, or visit SantaFe.org.
