Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour
Visit must-see art galleries and explore Santa Fe’s most famous arts district with an art insider
TOUR DETAILS
When
Public tours Wednesday-Friday at 2 pm
Private tours Wednesday-Saturday
Price
Public tour: $60 plus tax per person
Private tour: $240 plus for 1-3 people; $80 plus tax each additional person
Duration & Walking Distance
2 Hours
0.5 miles
Ages
10 and up. Please contact us if you have younger children!
Meeting Location
We’ll meet at Wiford Gallery on Canyon Road
The Experience
Feast your eyes on incredible art, run your hands over adobe walls, and discover some of the best galleries in Santa Fe. Home to over 80 art galleries, Canyon Road is a “must see” for any art lover visiting Santa Fe—but it can be a little overwhelming. On our Canyon Road walking tour, you’ll get the lay of the land, gain local insight, discover the fascinating history of Santa Fe and the Canyon Road Art District, and learn tips for analyzing art.
Visit Must-See Art Galleries
With so many galleries on Canyon Road, it’s easy to miss some incredible art. We’ll take the guesswork out of the experience and ensure that you visit some of Canyon Road’s landmark galleries as well as unexpected highlights that you may not find while wandering on your own.
Be a Santa Fe Art Insider
Every tour with us feels like a behind-the-scenes experience. You’ll chat with local artists about their work, meet the gallerists who curate the work on Canyon Road, and learn the stories behind the work. You’ll feel welcomed and inspired to keep exploring on your own.
Decode the Language of Art
We don’t just tell you what you see—we teach you how to look. We’ll show you a technique for analyzing and interpreting art, so you’ll be able to decipher the work on view in a matter of minutes and tap into the deeper experience that art can create.
Discover the History of Canyon Road
We’ll discuss the history of Santa Fe and how significant events shaped the area’s artistic heritage, as well as the evolution of Canyon Road from Pueblo footpath to renowned arts district.
See a Variety of Art
You’ll see a rich range of artwork, from museum-quality historic painting to compelling contemporary art. We showcase a variety of styles, so there’s something for everyone. Because our tours are designed for art experts and beginners alike, everyone in the group will feel welcome and engaged.
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We’ll visit a selection of four to five galleries that encompass a variety of artistic styles and media. We showcase galleries that are fun, unique, exciting, and demonstrate consistent quality. Some are landmark galleries while others are unexpected venues that surprise even the locals who join our tours.
On weekday tours, we will also visit a charming historic site with an artistic past.
On Saturdays, this site is closed to the public, so we’ll use that time to visit another gallery.
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Your guide will meet you at Wiford Gallery, located on Canyon Road. Additional details will be emailed to you after you book your tour.
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Yes! Street parking is free along Canyon Road and the side streets in the area.
If possible, please do not park in the lot at our meeting location, as it is quite small and reserved for gallery customers.
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Your tour includes an Art of Looking cheat sheet and bottled water.
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Gratuity for your guide is appreciated. 10-20% is customary.
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Our public tours are limited to 10 participants. Make sure to book early to snag your spot!
You can book a private tour for up to 10 people online. For a larger private tour, please contact us directly.
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Pricing for private tours is as follows:
1 person | $240 plus tax
2 people | $120 plus tax per person
3+ people | $80 plus tax per person -
We’ll be spending most of our time inside, but we will be outside, too, so dress for the weather.
This is a walking tour, so although there will be stops where you can stop and sit, we recommend wearing comfy shoes.
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Our total walking distance from our starting location to our ending point is less than 0.5 miles, and we make frequent stops along the way.
So, we don’t cover much ground, but the route is very slightly uphill, and the path is uneven in areas.
Canyon Road is a historic district and many of the galleries are former homes that have interior stairs or steps and no elevators.
If you have mobility concerns, please contact us, and we can advise the best tour route for you.
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Yes! For visually impaired customers, we suggest booking a private tour so that we can shift our focus to sculpture and other artworks that can be touched.
Additionally, our guides are trained in museum education techniques that focus on detailed description of artworks. This means that they are comfortable describing all aspects of a work of art to visually impaired customers.
Please contact us to book a private tour for your group. If you choose to book online, please note that there are visually impaired customers in your group in the comments box at checkout so that we can prepare an awesome experience for you!
Public tours: $60 pp
Private tours: $80+ pp, $240 minimum
Our tours regularly sell out! Get instant confirmation when you book online.
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