Native American Art, Adventure and Culture in the Land of Enchantment

Santa Fe is a place where Native American history and culture aren’t just preserved — they’re alive and woven into daily life. From incredible art and ancient cliff dwellings to living pueblos and personal storytelling sessions, there are so many ways to connect with the traditions and creativity of Indigenous communities. Whether you’re curious about the past or interested in how Native culture is expressed today, these experiences offer a meaningful glimpse into a vital part of the Southwest.

Santa Fe has built a reputation as one of the most important art destinations in the country, and abounds with Native American art. Within Santa Fe, the Poeh Cultural Center and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture showcase Indigenous artistry, from ancient pottery to contemporary works that reflect the evolving creativity of Native communities. Within and around Santa Fe, you’ll find many galleries showcasing Native American pottery and art. Some favorites for pottery are Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery and King Galleries.

History and nature come together at Bandelier National Monument, located about an hour’s drive from Santa Fe. This park houses the ancestral cliff dwellings of Native peoples, who carved homes into the soft volcanic rock more than 800 years ago. On hikes here you can walk through rugged canyons, climb ladders into ancient dwellings and marvel at petroglyphs hundreds of years old.

There may be no better way to experience the Native American culture than by visiting one of the eight nearby pueblos. Many pueblos are open to the public — either regularly or for Feast Days, or special occasions, which happen year-round. Examples of these include Deer Dances (February), Basket and Corn Dances (April), Harvest Dances (September) and the Turtle Dance (December).

For a more intimate experience, you could arrange for a private session with a local storyteller, who relays — through words, art and music — long-held stories from their pueblo. These sessions can be arranged in a pueblo, or where you’re staying.

Santa Fe’s food scene is deeply tied to the region’s history, blending Native American, Spanish and Mexican influences into cuisine that is bold, flavorful and unmistakably New Mexican. One of the foundational elements of this culinary tradition are the Three Sisters — corn, squash and beans — which have been staples of Native American diets for centuries. These ingredients appear in dishes across the city, from blue corn tortillas to hearty stews that reflect the agricultural traditions of the region’s Indigenous communities.

One standout spot to experience this rich culinary heritage is Paloma, a welcoming restaurant that offers a fresh take on Mexican flavors. Known for its handmade tortillas, house-infused mezcal cocktails and locally sourced ingredients, Paloma serves dishes which pay homage to the Three Sisters while showcasing New Mexico’s love of bold, layered flavors.

Right down the block from Paloma is Esquina Pizza, an intimate restaurant and wine bar, with a cozy 12-seat dining room and an expansive outdoor patio. Here the service is casual, friendly and professional, and the wood-fired pizzas among the best in the city.

At the Bishop’s Lodge hotel, about 10 minutes from downtown, is Skyfire restaurant and bar. The menu at this welcoming room, and large outdoor terrace has regional specialties such as New Mexican truffle bread, elk carpaccio and ribeye served with a red chili demi sauce. The handsome bar next door serves up great cocktails, including some made with the Lodge Bourbon made on-site - Old Granddad infused with vanilla bean, and has a weekday happy hour from 2–5 pm.

For dessert - or any time! - head over to Kakawa Chocolate House, a one-of-a-kind café specializing in historic drinking chocolates inspired by ancient Mesoamerican and European recipes. Their elixirs — made with rich, stone-ground chocolate and infused with spices, chile and herbs — offer a deep, complex flavor unlike any modern hot chocolate. Kakawa also serves handmade truffles, agave-sweetened chocolates and locally-inspired treats like chile-dusted caramels, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients.