Santa Fe Plaza

Every day at 1 pm
$100 per person + tx
The walking tour is approximately 2 hours which we have learned is a comfortable time for most people.
We have a two person minimum and reserve the right to cancel the walk and give you a full refund if we decide to cancel for some unfortunate reason.
48 hour cancellation notice for a full refund (cancellation fees apply)

The Santa Fe Plaza
Step into Santa Fe’s rich and colorful past with Paul Hillman as your guide! These engaging walking tours blend history, art, culture, and architecture—perfect for locals and visitors who want to experience the heart and heritage of the City Different, one story at a time.

1. La Fonda on the Plaza
Santa Fe’s oldest hotel, La Fonda, has welcomed travelers since the city’s founding. Its current 1920s design by Fred Harvey and famed architect Mary Jane Colter showcases Pueblo Revival style and handcrafted Southwest charm. Known as the “Grand Dame” of Santa Fe hotels, it’s where old-world hospitality meets timeless elegance.

2. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Built between 1869 and 1888 under Archbishop Lamy, this Romanesque-style cathedral is a Santa Fe icon. Inside rests La Conquistadora, the oldest continuously venerated statue of the Virgin Mary in the U.S.—with her own wardrobe of 300 outfits! From French stained glass shipped in molasses to a secret loan from Santa Fe’s Jewish community, the Cathedral’s history is full of miracles and surprises.

3. Kateri Tekakwitha
Kateri Tekakwitha, the only Native American saint, overcame tragedy and illness to become a symbol of faith and resilience. Scarred by smallpox and orphaned young, she devoted her short life to Christianity. Upon her death at 23, witnesses said her scars vanished—an event that led to her sainthood centuries later.

4. Sena Plaza
Once a grand 33-room adobe home built in the 1830s for the influential Sena family, this lush courtyard property has evolved into one of Santa Fe’s most charming spots. Once filled with family life and history, today it hosts boutiques, cafes, and wine shops, offering a beautiful blend of past and present.

5. 109 East Palace Avenue
During World War II, this unassuming office served as the secret check-in point for scientists headed to Los Alamos to work on the Manhattan Project. Managed by Dorothy McKibbin, it was the hidden gateway to one of history’s greatest scientific undertakings—and the site of real-life espionage intrigue.

6. The Historic Santa Fe Plaza
The heart of Santa Fe since the early 1600s, the Plaza has seen it all—from colonial ceremonies to modern festivals. Once surrounded by the Palace of the Governors, barracks, and chapels, it remains a gathering place for art markets, concerts, and cultural celebrations that define the city’s vibrant life.

7. The Palace of the Governors
Built in 1610, this adobe landmark is the oldest continuously occupied government building in the U.S. Once home to Spanish governors (and author Lew Wallace while writing Ben-Hur), it now houses a museum. Beneath its portal, Native artisans have sold handmade jewelry and crafts for centuries—a living tradition of authenticity.

8. The New Mexico Museum of Art
Opened in 1917, this architectural gem helped define Santa Fe’s signature Pueblo Spanish Revival style. Inspired by a 1915 exposition in San Diego, it showcases New Mexico’s creative spirit through rotating exhibitions and the elegant St. Francis Auditorium—home to concerts, lectures, and cultural events year-round.