Santa Fe KOA Journey Blog
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KOA Journey campgrounds are the perfect oases after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.
KOA Journey campgrounds are the perfect oases after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.
Lat/Lon +35.546735 -105.836635
Northbound I-25: use Exit 290, left 1/2 mile to 3-way stop, right on Hwy 300 (Old Las Vegas Highway) 3 miles.
Southbound I-25: Exit 294. Right at the bottom of the off ramp. Left at Old Las Vegas Hwy. About 1 mile on your right.
US 285 Northbound: go under I-25 overpass to 3-way stop, right on Highway 300, 3 miles.
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From Native American art and history, to colonial exhibits and immersive experiences, these are the 9 best museums in Santa Fe, New Mexico to visit when staying at the Santa Fe KOA Journey.
Georgia O’Keeffe is a renowned American modern artist. She’s well known for capturing the landscapes and culture of places she travelled – from New York skyscrapers to Peruvian mountaintops. However, New Mexico captured her heart, and this is reflected in her desert-inspired pieces.
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is one of the best art museums in Santa Fe. It’s dedicated to O’Keeffe’s life and work. It’s home to around 150 paintings, various sketches, and some of her personal items like art supplies and dresses. The museum is open Thursday-Monday from 10am-5pm, but I’d recommend booking ahead since tickets can sell out.
Also, top tip – bring earbuds so you can listen to the free audio guide. While there’s no onsite parking, you can park on the street. If you want to dive into 1900s New Mexican life, this is an amazing place to visit.
What makes New Mexico so special? This Southwest state has a unique history, with many different events and settlers shaping it.
The New Mexico History Museum is the perfect starting point to learn about the state’s past, present… and future too! It presents political and historical events in a way that’s interesting, yet easy to digest. You’ll flow through the different periods, potentially finding topics you’d like to learn more about.
You can purchase tickets online and visit anytime Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. However, the History Museum is covered under the CulturePass. I suggest getting one of those if you plan to see several of the included sites, since it’s a much better deal.
The Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return is a 3-D art experience that’s fun for all ages. Don’t expect your typical paintings or sculptures in this quirky, contemporary museum!
In this immersive art experience, you’ll walk through bizarre rooms. Some will feel like you’ve stepped into a 1950s American kitchen, while others will feel like a trippy, psychedelic dream. There’s a puzzle to solve throughout the museum, and the whole place used to be an old bowling alley.
You can’t bring bags or food inside, but lockers are at the entrance. Book ahead to secure tickets for your desired date, or check out one of their late-night music events!
According to TOURISM Santa Fe, more than 20 percent of today’s Native American population lives in the Southwest. This place, founded by Mary Cabot Wheelwright, gives you a window into the various native tribes, through art.
It’s one of the best museums in Santa Fe for contemporary and famous works by Native American artists, and it’s conveniently located on Museum Hill. Artwork is both indoors and outdoors, including the favorite Navajo sheep herding statue, jewelry, and baskets.
If you’re a fan of contemporary fine arts, visit the EVOKE Contemporary Gallery. Its stunning collection has included work from Andrew Shears, Louisa McElwain, and Lee Price. Although it’s not on many lists of best art museums in Santa Fe yet, it has a 5-star rating and is well worth stopping by. EVOKE Contemporary is open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm. It’s located near the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, which happens on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Head here either of these days to peruse the art, then grab a bite at the local market.
Housed in an old distillery warehouse, El Museo is a mishmash between a flea market, performance space, and cultural centre. The artwork is varied and includes contemporary native arts and innovative pieces. This space also hosts unique concepts from time to time. For example, there was the “Walk on Art Show” where people admired works while walking directly over them!
While there is a permanent collection, exhibits and shows often change, so check out El Museo’s website for updates. I definitely recommend visiting on the weekends when they often host a market with local artisans displaying and selling work.
As an added bonus, this funky cultural museum is also in the Farmer’s Market area. So you can make a day of it and visit several neighborhood hotspots!
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is one of the best museums in Santa Fe. Different displays, videos, and artworks teach you about the various native tribes living in the region. And if you’re a ceramics fan, you’ll want to check out the native pottery and the gift shop’s souvenirs.
This colorful museum brings culture to life with its international folk art collection. It’s also the largest of its kind! Expect to see a large variety of dioramas, crafts, and traditional clothing from around the world. If you have children, they’ll also love the toys and books in the Tree of Life Play Area. And if you’re a kid at heart, grab an all-ages Treasure Hunt from the front desk before exploring the exhibits.
The Museum of International Folk Art is covered by CulturePass and on Museum Hill. Opening hours are 10am-5pm every day in summer and fall, but Saturdays are closed in winter and spring.
Located on Museum Hill, this is one of the few museums focused on Santa Fe’s Spanish heritage. Spanish settlers gave Santa Fe its name in 1610 and declared the city its headquarters, strongly impacting the local culture. This New Mexico museum gives you a window into that colonial period through its art. Although it’s a small museum, it contains over 4,000 colonial pieces used for prayer, decoration, or everyday living. While you don’t have to book in advance, I’d recommend checking hours in advance, as they change seasonally.
Between your visits to the museums in Santa Fe, ensure you have a quiet place to rest before going on more adventures. The location of Santa Fe KOA Journey makes it the perfect base camp — we are far enough from the hustle and bustle of downtown yet close enough for easy access to all the action.
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