Tips for visiting Canyon Road in Santa Fe — Santa Fe Art Tours (2024)

Canyon Road, Santa Fe's historic arts district,isone of our favorite spots in the City Different. It's beautiful, charming, and full of art galleries. The commercial section of Canyon Road is about three quarters of a mile long from the “bottom,” where Canyon Road meets Paseo de Peralta, to the “top,” near The Teahouse. Within that stretch, you’ll find 80 plus galleries along with specialty shops and restaurants. But with limited amenities like parking and restrooms, Canyon Road can feel a bit difficult to navigate.

With a few insider tips in your back pocket, you'll be set to explore comfortably! Below, we’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions about Canyon Road.

Are the galleries on Canyon Road open everyday?

Each gallery on Canyon Road sets its own opening hours. Several galleries are open daily from 10-5, however, many galleries are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. A few galleries are open by appointment only, so double check the hours of any galleries that you’d really like to visit, and call ahead to double check that they’ll be open.

A few galleries stay open until 6 pm, but most close right at 5, so don’t plan on being able to visit the galleries on Canyon Road in the evening.

The exception is when galleries host exhibition openings, which usually run from 5-7 pm. Many galleries on Canyon Road schedule openings for the first Friday of the month.

Do I need to join a tour to visit the galleries on Canyon Road, or can I explore on my own?

You can definitely explore on your own and stroll down Canyon Road at your leisure.

Taking a tour, though, is a great way to get the lay of the land first, and it adds so much to the experience.

For example, if you take a tour with us, you’ll get some historical context and learn how Canyon Road evolved into an arts district, you’ll visit a selection of galleries that show interesting, high-quality artwork, you’ll hear the stories behind the art, and you’ll meet some of the gallerists and local artists who show work on Canyon Road. You’ll also practice a useful technique for analyzing and interpreting art. After the tour, of course, you can continue to explore, and we’ll even give you some solid recommendations for other galleries to visit.

Wandering on your own is pleasant in its own way, but taking a tour definitely deepens the experience. We’d love for you to book a Canyon Road Arts District walking tour with us.

Is parking available on Canyon Road?

Street parking along Canyon Road itself, as well as on East Alameda Street (parallelto Canyon Road) is free.

There is a parking lot available at 225 Canyon Road, near the bottom of Canyon Road where it intersects Paseo de Peralta, however it is intended for customers of the 225 gallery complex. Towards the top of Canyon Road, there is a paid parking lot right across from El Farol and next to The Teahouse.

A few galleries have their own small parking lots, but if you plan to visit several galleries along Canyon Road, it’s best to park on the street.

Are there public restrooms on Canyon Road?

There are no official public restrooms on Canyon Road, but there are a few galleries that have restrooms that you can use. There are also restrooms available at the restaurants along Canyon Road: The Compound, The Teahouse, El Farol, Ahmyo Wine Garden, and Caffe Greco.

The issue is that Canyon Road was at one time primarily a residential area, so many of the galleries are actually in former homes—very old homes with very old plumbing! So, a lot of the galleries on Canyon Road just aren’t equipped with facilities that can withstand a lot of use.

We recommend using the restroom before you begin your stroll along Canyon Road and scheduling a break for lunch, a snack, or a glass of wine at one of the eateries listed above and taking advantage of the facilities while there.

What’s the best way to get around Canyon Road?

The best way to explore Canyon Road is on foot. The area is so dense with galleries that there’s literally one gallery after another. If you walk from the bottom of Canyon Road to the top, you will be walking very slightly uphill, which is something to keep in mind if you are feeling the altitude. On that note, keep in mind that Santa Fe is located at 7,200 feet above sea level. Dehydration and altitude sickness are real, and they can affect even very fit visitors. The best way to combat altitude sickness is to stay hydrated—so bring a bottle of water with you—and take periodic rest stops.

If you need a lift while exploring Canyon Road but would still like to be immersed in the atmosphere, we recommend booking a pedicab with Santa Fe Pedicabs to pedal you up the street.

Is Canyon Road wheelchair accessible?

Canyon Road is a historic district, which means that it's super charming, but it's not the most accessible area of Santa Fe. Sidewalks are often cracked and uneven. There are stretches of dirt and gravel instead of cement, and there are a few spots where the sidewalk all but disappears. Many of the galleries have steps and stairs, but no ramps or elevators. If there is a gallery that you really want to visit and you have mobility concerns, we recommend calling ahead to ensure that you will be able to access the gallery.

The 225 Canyon Road gallery complex is relatively easy to get around, and there are handicap parking spaces available in the parking lot.

How far is Canyon Road from the Santa Fe Plaza?

From the top of Canyon Road near The Teahouse, the walk to the Plaza is about 20 minutes. But if you’re already at the bottom of Canyon Road, where it runs into Paseo de Peralta, then it’s only about a 10-minute walk.

They are two different arts districts, though, so do keep that in mind while planning your itinerary. As an example, a lot of people want to pair a Canyon Road excursion with a visit to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, assuming that they are very close to each other. But the O’Keeffe Museum is in the Plaza area, and about a 15-minute walk from the bottom of Canyon Road.

If you’re driving, it’s a very quick jaunt of a few minutes between the Plaza and Canyon Road.

Is Canyon Road family friendly?

For the most part, Canyon Road is a wonderful place for families with children to visit. There are many wonderful sculpture gardens to explore, and several galleries are very kid-friendly. That said, gallery manners are appreciated—and you know your kids best! While much of the outdoor sculptures are touchable, the artwork on display inside should not be touched.

Are dogs allowed on Canyon Road?

Yes! Definitely. You will see lots of people walking their dogs along Canyon Road. As for the galleries themselves, most are dog friendly and welcome well-behaved pups. Out of courtesy, however, it’s always a good idea to ask if your dog may come in with you.