One Santa Fe spring day we wandered up gallery-filled Canyon Road. As we walked, an enchanting light snow started to fall. Spring is inconsistent in this part of New Mexico. Locals don’t even begin planting annuals until after Mother’s Day. It’s hard to plan for the weather, so there are fewer people visiting. It’s an ideal time to visit with discounts on hotel rooms and activities.

Kids Travel Free on a Santa Fe Spring Break

Santa Fe is making it easy to plan your family’s much-needed Spring Break vacation. From March 1 through April 21, 2019, take advantage of great Kids Free deals on lodging, food, arts, culture, and other kid-friendly attractions. Save on your hotel and do fun family things like the Easter egg hunt at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. A colorful, interesting place to go with children is the International Folk Art Museum on Museum Hill. Kids eat free with a special spring break menu at several local restaurants.

At Cacao Santa Fe their Food of the God’s Chocolate Immersion is a fun and unique learning experience for children. Photo courtesy: Tourism Santa Fe

Easter and Holy Week in Santa Fe

Easter in Santa Fe, the “City of Holy Faith”, is a memory-maker. You can shop for spring fashions or pick up a festive box of locally made Easter chocolates. Easter Brunches are lavish and shop windows are alive with colorful displays. The historic churches hold traditional Holy Week services.

The majestic Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis is just steps from the Plaza and has special services during Holy Week. Photo courtesy Chris Corrie

A visitor to Santa Fe at this time may experience snow one day and warm sunshine the next. The trees are blossoming and tulips blooming. Plan now for your Easter in Santa Fe.

Galleries and Art Walks during Spring in Santa Fe

There are three main areas to explore the art and artists of Santa Fe. Of course, there is famous Canyon Road lined with quaint adobe shops and galleries. 4th Friday gallery openings showcase fine art and complimentary beverages from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Jacqueline’s Place is on Canyon Road is a great place to shop for ladies/girls chic clothing and accessories and authentic museum quality native American jewelry. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

And downtown, around the Plaza, will keep you busy enjoying the art. On the first Friday of every month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. you will want to join other art lovers and feel the excitement during the Downtown Arts and Museum District walk!

But don’t forget the arts district out at the Santa Fe Railyard. In the Railyard Arts District (RAD) ten galleries excite visitors with international contemporary art. The Railyard art walk is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the last Friday of every month.

The three areas are served by a free shuttle bus that also will take you to Museum Hill.

Santa Fe Spring Lilacs and Adobes

Especially for photo buffs, the spring flowers contrasted with ancient adobe walls in Santa Fe are reason itself to wander the streets around the Plaza in spring.

The lilacs decorate Santa Fe gardens in spring. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

The quaint historic town of Taos, a nice day trip from Santa Fe, even holds a Lilac Festival May 18 – 20, 2018. The Grand Festival Weekend will include a pet parade and costume contest, live entertainment, children’s carousel, food and crafts vendors and many family-friendly activities. Lilacs flourish abundantly in Taos and peak the last two weeks of May.

At the Santa Fe Botanical Garden on Museum Hill, you can explore four gardens covering more than 14 acres. You’ll find natural Northern New Mexico plants as well as specially planted gardens.

Snow in the Sangre de Cristos

The snow season in the mountains above Santa Fe typically lasts from late fall through early spring. There is skiing and trails for hiking and snowshoeing. If you just want to do some sightseeing you can take a quick drive from downtown Santa Fe to the mountains, take in the beauty of a mountain spring and be back again in time for lunch.

Head to Ski Santa Fe for some spring skiing. Photo courtesy Tourism Santa Fe

At lower elevations, take a hike and look for wildflowers.

When You Go to Santa Fe

Santa Fe has a small airport with an increasing number of commercial flights from places including Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix. Most people fly into the Albuquerque Sunport, about an hour south, and rent a car or take a shuttle to Santa Fe. The Rail Runner train runs from Albuquerque to the Santa Fe train station at the Railyard.

For more ideas for your spring visit to Santa Fe see the Tourism Santa Fe website. Wander writers have more ideas for planning your Spring Break to New Mexico.