Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Historic Santa Fe Plaza

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  • Up to 6 HoursSelf-paced
  • Max Participants: 20Max teams: 4
  • 2 miles Walking Distance
  • All year round
  • Age: 10+

Explore Santa Fe YOUR way — with OUR knowledge!

Immerse yourself in rich history, culture, and hidden stories with our self-guided walking tour of Santa Fe. Discover everything the historic Santa Fe Plaza has to offer, including famous landmarks like…

  • Palace of the Governors
  • St. Francis Cathedral
  • The New Mexico Museum of Art
  • And lesser-known treasures like where Billy the Kid was jailed, where soviet spies exchanged notes, and where iconic movie scenes were filmed.

What You’ll Discover on this Self-Guided Tour

Historic Events in Santa Fe

Step back into the past to uncover the untold story of the Pueblo Revolt, known as the First American Revolution, and its impact on Santa Fe and beyond. Learn about Santa Fe’s original Burning Man — an event that predates the famous Nevada Festival and holds its own unique charm. Hear whispered tales of Soviet spies navigating the streets of Santa Fe during World War II, adding layers of intrigue to the city’s storied past.

Santa Fe’s Public Figures

Discover Billy the Kid’s ties to Santa Fe… stories that go beyond the legend. Explore the complicated legacy of Archbishop Lamy, whose influence carved a path still visible in the heart of the city. Meet the outlaws and overlooked pioneers whose stories remain tucked away, waiting to be revealed.

Prominent Landmarks in Santa Fe

Wander the Santa Fe Plaza not just as a tourist, but as an explorer of its secret past. The Palace of the Governors stands as a silent witness to centuries of change, while the St. Francis Cathedral holds stories within its historic walls that even locals may miss. Follow the path of Route 66 and uncover its unique role in shaping Santa Fe’s identity. Along the way, spot iconic movie locations and learn the stories behind why Santa Fe’s streets have been the backdrop for film history.

Three women walking on a wooden bridge in a forested area, wearing red, blue, and orange dresses, holding coffee cups, and talking.

Getting Familiar with Santa Fe!

If you’re visiting the city, we highly recommend starting your Santa Fe adventure with this walking tour! It’s the perfect way to get familiar with Santa Fe, uncovering historic landmarks and hidden gems at your own pace. Along the route, you’ll stumble upon charming restaurants, vibrant shops, and colorful art galleries that you’ll want to explore throughout the rest of your trip in Santa Fe. You’re not just learning about the city’s fascinating and colorful history; you’re also making your own miniature to do list as you explore the city with us! 

If you’re short on time, this tour is the perfect way to see the heart of Santa Fe at your own pace, fitting easily into even the busiest schedules.

How does it work?

  • No app to download required
  • No logins
  • No passwords 

Just use your mobile phone’s web browser to begin exploring! With this convenient setup, you can start your self-guided tour anytime and enjoy a seamless, stress-free experience as you journey through the heart of Santa Fe. Whether you’re new to the area or a returning visitor, this self-guided walking tour of Santa Fe is an interactive, informative, and fun way to learn more about Santa Fe’s history, culture, and secrets.

Why Choose This Santa Fe Self-Guided Walking Tour?

  • Local Expertise — Our tour is crafted by Santa Fe locals, including local tour guides, historians, published authors, educators, and museum docents. Every stop is rich with stories and facts you won’t find in a typical guidebook. It’s a truly authentic experience brought to you by people who are passionate about sharing Santa Fe’s unique heritage.
  • Family-Friendly & Affordable — At just $20 per device, it’s an affordable way for families to enjoy a fun and educational adventure. Kids love using their own phones to play along, and the content is designed to engage all ages — from school kids to adults.
  • Self-Paced & Flexible — Start your Santa Fe tour whenever it fits your schedule, and take your time along the way. You can stop for a bite to eat, explore a gallery, or simply soak in the atmosphere at your own pace.
  • Ideal for Busy Schedules — Whether you’re here for a day or a long weekend, our tour fits into even the busiest itinerary. In just a few hours, you’ll see the highlights and hidden gems of Santa Fe — perfect for those who want to make the most of their time.
  • Perfect for First-Timers & Returning Visitors — Whether it’s your first time in Santa Fe or you’ve visited many times before, this tour will surprise you. Even locals tell us they’ve discovered things they never knew! From hidden stories to overlooked landmarks, our tour reveals fascinating details you might have walked past without noticing!

Price Includes

  • 30 points of interest with unique fun facts about each location!
  • Up to 20 player codes—one for each participant
  • Up to 4 teams
  • Free PDF download of all points

Price Excludes

  • Winning Certificates
  • Leaderboard
  • Group Chat
  • Event Facilitator
  • Event Photographer

What to Expect

  • Affordable Fun: At just $20 per device, this tour is a budget-friendly way to explore Santa Fe. When booking, simply purchase an activation code for each participant who will be using their own phone for the best interactive experience.
  • No Apps or Passwords: No downloads or logins are required—just bring a fully charged mobile phone with a web browser, and you’re ready to go!
  • Flexible Timing: Enjoy up to 6 hours to explore at your own pace. Take your time discovering the city without feeling rushed.
  • Rich Exploration: Visit 30 fascinating points of interest within a 2-mile radius of the iconic Santa Fe Plaza, uncovering history, culture, and hidden gems.
  • Non-Competitive, Team-Friendly: The self-guided tour is ideal for groups. Larger groups are encouraged to form small teams of 3–5 people to keep the experience engaging and inclusive.  
    • Example configurations:
      • A group of 5 may stay as one team.
      • A group of 6 could form two teams of 3.
      • A group of 12 might split into three teams of 4.
      • A group of 20 may opt for four teams of 5.
    • Teams follow the same route, allowing everyone to move through the activity together at their own pace.
    • Remember to have an adult on each team!
  • Custom Team Building for Groups of 20+ People: Explore our tailor-made activities, perfect for corporate events, family reunions, wedding parties, birthdays, youth groups, and more.
  • Looking for a Competitive Option? For those seeking a timed, point-based challenge, explore our Santa Fe Plaza Mobile Scavenger Hunt, where teams compete through randomized routes while visiting the same points of interest.

Enjoy a unique journey through Santa Fe’s history and culture, one clue at a time!

How It Works

  1. Checkout Process:
    • Decide on the number of teams for your group (up to 4 teams or 20 participants) and select the appropriate booking option. There’s no additional charge for teams, but there are minor changes to the backend configurations. 
    • During checkout, select the number of activation codes needed—each activation code corresponds to one device.
    • After purchase, you’ll receive a single email with instructions and activation codes. Your order will only allow the number of purchased devices to join the tour.
  2. Instructions:
    • You’ll receive an email with detailed instructions, including:
      • Parking options near the Santa Fe Plaza.
      • What to bring for the tour (e.g., fully charged mobile phones).
      • A unique QR code corresponding to your order to begin the tour.
    • Please allow up to 15 minutes for the email to arrive after purchase.
  3. Starting the Tour:
    • Starting the tour is easy. Simply have each participant scan the QR code provided in your email to begin!
    • The Santa Fe Plaza tour begins at the Santa Fe Plaza, a central location convenient for guests staying at downtown hotels or parking nearby.
    • Each team must include at least one adult, and team members can be chosen informally before starting.
    • The tour is limited to 6 hours from the time you start. Once the time limit expires, the tour will time out.
    • For the best experience, plan to start at least 2 hours before dark to fully enjoy the route and points of interest.
  4. Activating Your Codes:
    • Player codes can be activated on-site when you’re ready to start the tour.
    • Only the number of purchased activation codes will be allowed to join, so plan your group size and device usage in advance.
    • If you need to adjust your order, please do so in advance to ensure a smooth experience.

After the Tour Ends

As a courtesy, all participants will have the option to download a digital copy of the 30 points of interest, complete with detailed information about each location, to continue exploring Santa Fe’s history and culture at their leisure.

Enjoy an unforgettable journey through Santa Fe’s past and present, one clue at a time!

Map

Reviews

FAQs

How is the Self Guided Tour different from the mobile scavenger hunt?

When our content creation team creates a new product, we typically create two versions: a longer, more detailed version for the un-timed self guided walking tour, and a shorter, more concise version for the faster paced, time-limited scavenger hunt.

Each activity contains the same 30 points of interest, however, the self guided tour is optimized for the shortest walking distance, whereas the scavenger hunt is delivered in a randomized order, so that teams are not following one another. Our scavenger hunts are typically timed for 2.5 hours, whereas our self-guided tours are timed for 6 hours.

What is the price of the tour?

The tour costs $20 per mobile device. For the best experience, we suggest purchasing access for each participant who will be using their own phone. This allows everyone to fully enjoy the tour’s visual and interactive elements—reading questions, searching for clues and locations, exploring fun facts, and viewing historical photos. Sharing one device might mean some participants miss out on these engaging features; having individual access helps everyone have a voice, be heard, and get the most out of the tour.  Only paid devices will have access to the content.

Is the tour good for kids and families?

Absolutely! The tour is designed around 7th and 8th grade history standards, covering both New Mexico State history and US history. It’s an interactive and engaging way for kids to learn while having fun, making it great for families. For the best experience, each participant should use their own device to fully enjoy the interactive elements. Keep in mind, access is limited to the number of paid devices.

Can we start the tour whenever we want?

Yes! The tour is self-paced, so you can begin anytime that fits your schedule and explore at your own speed. To get the most out of the experience, we recommend starting at least 2 hours before sunset to ensure you have enough daylight to comfortably enjoy the route and its visual details.

How long does the tour take?

The route covers about 2 miles and is optimized for the shortest walking distance, typically taking around 2 hours at a relaxed pace. The exact time can vary depending on how quickly you read, walk, and solve the interactive clues along the way. To fully enjoy the experience, we recommend starting with enough time to finish before sunset so you can comfortably explore and appreciate the visual details in daylight.

Is the tour dog-friendly?

The tour takes place entirely outdoors, where pets are generally welcome. However, it does cross through some culturally sensitive areas, including gardens that are also mass graves, so we kindly ask that you use the sidewalks, keep your pets on a leash at all times and that you clean up after them. While no businesses are specifically featured, some of the buildings hold historical significance. If you plan to go inside any businesses, please follow their individual pet policies.

What should we bring?

We recommend bringing a fully charged mobile phone, comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, snacks, and water.

Are there any hidden fees?

There are no hidden fees. The only additional cost is the required Santa Fe gross receipts tax (sales tax).

Can we drive or bike the route?

No, this is a walking tour designed to be experienced on foot, allowing you to fully take in the sights and details at each stop.

Where do we park?

There are several paid parking garages and parking lots around Santa Fe, and metered parking on many streets.  More detailed information will be emailed to you, based on the activity you purchase. 

What is your refund policy?

The tour is non-refundable, but if you’re unable to use it, your activation code can be transferred to someone else.

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