Discover Santa Fe's Artistic Studio Tours: Scenic Day Trips to Iconic Art Trails
While museums and galleries offer a delightful art experience, nothing compares to the Santa Fe Area Studio Tours during fall. These events allow visitors to admire unique creations, explore artists' studios, and meet the creators themselves. Santa Fe serves as the ideal base for these immersive tours surrounding the City Different, providing a complete artistic journey. Plan one into your itinerary for an unforgettable getaway.
High Road to Taos Studio Tour: An Artistic Adventure
The renowned High Road to Taos Studio Tour spans two weekends, typically late September, launching the autumn season with exceptional talent across multiple artistic villages. This full-day excursion features premier galleries, eclectic studios, pristine northern New Mexico scenery, and the dramatic light that inspires generations of artists. Celebrating over 25 years, the tour continues to elevate each year.
Begin north from Chimayo at the historic Santuario, then return via the Low Road along the Rio Grande, savoring panoramic views and selecting art treasures as Santa Fe souvenirs.
Sally Delap-John's painting "Cordova" captures the High Road's essence.
Traditional northern New Mexico weaving thrives through artists like Jennette Vigil along the High Road.
El Rito: A Hidden Gem of Artistic Expression
About an hour north of Santa Fe, El Rito offers a secluded treasure. Don't miss the El Rito Studio Tour, typically early October, amid golden fall foliage on a mountain-ringed plateau. Though intimate in scale, it brims with rich artistry, bolstered by Northern New Mexico Community College preserving traditional crafts. Pack a picnic or dine at El Farolito Restaurant on Main Street.
"Pines by the River" (oil transfer drawings on Japanese Rice Paper) by El Rito artist Julie Wagner.
Galisteo Basin Studio Tour: History Meets Contemporary Art
Home to ancient Puebloan ruins, the Galisteo Basin has inspired artists for millennia. The Galisteo Studio Tour, typically mid-October, immerses visitors in this charming village 23 miles southwest of Santa Fe. Notable past and present residents include Agnes Martin, Burl Ives, potter Priscilla Hoback, painter Woody Gwyn, critic Lucy Lippard, and chef Deborah Madison. Explore 25 stops featuring 33 artists, with refreshments en route.
Spot Galisteo street-side sculptures by Candyce Garrett.
Eldorado: Where Art Replaces Gold
Eldorado, named for the fabled city of gold, overflows with artistic riches. Developed as a solar-designed retirement haven, it attracts creators drawn to expansive views and stunning sunsets. The main spring tour spans the community, while the fall event, typically late October at St. John's Methodist Church in Santa Fe, gathers dozens of artists in one accessible location.
Artist Evie Gauthier exemplifies Eldorado's treasures.
Dixon Studio Tour: Art, Wine, and Garlic in a Riverside Haven
The Dixon Studio Tour, in its 30+ year tradition, occurs the first weekend of November. Nestled in a canyon 26 miles south of Taos along the Rio Grande, it showcases 29 studios, a winery, a garlic farm, workshops, and the local Elementary School Mercado.
La Cienega Studio Tour: A Serene Valley Finale
Closing the season, the La Cienega Studio Tour (Thanksgiving weekend, late November) lies 10 miles south of Santa Fe. Once a Spanish land grant oasis of cottonwoods, veteran artists offer perfected crafts—ideal for holiday shopping direct from creators.
LeRoy Thompson's radiant depiction of La Cienega's landscape.
Create Lasting Memories on Santa Fe Studio Tours
Santa Fe's artistic legacy extends beyond its museums and galleries into these surrounding studio tours, scheduled across weekends year-round. Venture to where artists draw inspiration, and return with beauty that evokes your adventures in this vibrant art hub.
