Discover the Real Story of Santa Fe
Discovery offers award-winning guided walking tours through 400+ years of history in the heart of Santa Fe
Enjoy an easy 2-hour stroll led by experienced local historians and interpreters, with plenty of time for questions
Our History Walk departs every day from the lobby of La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza
Please join us there today at 10:00 a.m!
Or you can book ahead:
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the “Mother Road”, which connected Chicago with Los Angeles. Few people know that, from 1926 to 1937, the original alignment of this legendary American highway went right into historic Santa Fe. At Santa Fe Discovery Walking Tours, we offer a Route 66 Walking Tour which traces the most interesting section of that original route downtown, bringing to life the decade when cross-country travelers reached Santa Fe first. Scroll down for tour details!
What Guests Are Saying
★★★★★
5/5 for Allen Steele. He was a great guide! Very knowledgeable. It’s great when you get a local who is also a historian. We learned so much and appreciated our visit even more because of it. . . I would highly recommend. (Tripadvisor)
★★★★★
Take the Santa Fe chocolate tour. Sita was amazing and very knowledgeable. The tastings were amazing. This is a hidden gem everyone visiting Santa Fe should participate in. (Tripadvisor)
★★★★★
Last night I experienced the Ghost Tour with Paul Hillman. it was fantastic and not to be missed. I actually grew up in Santa Fe- but learned many, many facts and stories from Paul that I did not know. . . this is a great introduction to your visit! (Tripadvisor)
Explore our Downtown Walking Tours
Our History Walk departs every day from La Fonda on the Plaza. You are welcome to meet us in the lobby of La Fonda without reservations and join the daily walk. But please call to reserve any of our other downtown tours.
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Downtown Santa Fe History Walk
The Essential Introduction to the City Different
For over 400 years, Santa Fe has stood at the crossroads of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and American cultures.
On this 2-hour walking tour, explore the historic Plaza, iconic landmarks, and the stories that shaped the city — from early settlement to the atomic age.
Discover how Santa Fe’s layered history continues to define its architecture, culture, and enduring appeal.
Perfect for first-time visitors and returning guests seeking deeper context.
Departs: 10:00 a.m. daily from the concierge desk at La Fonda on the Plaza
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $40 per adult
Children 12 and under free with adult supervision
Single walkers welcome (minimum charge $65)Walk-ups are welcome in the La Fonda lobby, though reservations are always appreciated.
Book directly below, or call (505) 577-7645
👉 Reserve Your Downtown History Walk
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Santa Fe Chocolate Walking Tour
From Ancient Elixirs to Artisanal Indulgence
Chocolate’s story spans over 3,000 years — from sacred cacao drinks of Mesoamerica to the artisanal treats of today.
On this 3-hour walking tour, you’ll trace that journey from the ancient Southwest to Europe and beyond, while visiting four local chocolate shops for tastings along the way.
Discover how Santa Fe’s unique cultural crossroads shaped the story of chocolate — and savor it for yourself.
Perfect for chocolate lovers and curious explorers alike.
Duration: 3 hours
Price: $70 per adult
Children 12 and under free with adult supervision
Minimum: 2 participants
Maximum: 12 participants👉 Reserve Your Chocolate Walking Tour
(505) 577-7645
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Santa Fe Spy Walking Tour
Secrets, Espionage & Covert History in the City Different
For centuries, Santa Fe has played a quiet role in global intrigue — from colonial intelligence networks to Cold War espionage tied to Los Alamos.
On this 2-hour walking tour, uncover hidden locations, secret exchanges, and the personalities behind high-stakes operations that unfolded within blocks of the Plaza.
A revealing look at how a tranquil city became a stage for international espionage.
Perfect for history lovers and fans of Cold War intrigue.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $45 per adult
Children 12 and under free with adult supervision
Single walkers welcome (minimum charge $70)👉 Reserve Your Spy Walking Tour
(505) 231-5382
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Billy the Kid Downtown Walking Tour
Walk in the Footsteps of Santa Fe’s Most Infamous Outlaw
Before he became a legend of the Wild West, Billy the Kid called Santa Fe home.
On this 2-hour walking tour, follow his early life in the city and the final chapter that brought him back here — from youthful beginnings to his time in the Santa Fe Jail.
Separate myth from history as you trace the story of one of the West’s most enduring figures.
Perfect for history enthusiasts and Wild West fans.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $45 per adult
Children 12 and under free with adult supervision
Single walkers welcome (minimum charge $70👉 Reserve Your Billy the Kid Walking Tour
(512) 569-9613
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Historical Architecture and Interior Design Tour
Discover the Origins of the World-Famous Santa Fe Look
Santa Fe’s distinctive style didn’t happen by accident.
On this 2-hour walking tour, trace the evolution of the “Santa Fe Style” — from Pueblo adobe and Spanish colonial design to Territorial influences and the Spanish-Pueblo Revival.
Explore historic streets and select interiors while discovering how the city consciously shaped its architectural identity.
Extended 3-hour option available for a deeper look.
Perfect for architecture lovers and design-minded travelers.
Duration: 2.5 hours (standard) or 3 hours (extended)
Price: $70 per person (2.5 hours) | $80 per person (3 hours)
Minimum: 2 participantsRecommendation: Comfortable walking shoes and water advised — this tour covers more distance than our other walks.
👉 Reserve Your Architecture Tour
(505) 577-7645
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Downtown Santa Fe Ghost Tour
An Atmospheric Walk Through Santa Fe’s Haunted Past
For over 400 years, Santa Fe has gathered stories — some that refuse to rest.
On this 2-hour evening walk, hear chilling tales of unexplained events while visiting historic locations where fact and folklore intertwine.
Grounded in history rather than theatrics, this tour offers a haunting glimpse into the city’s long memory.
Perfect for couples, history lovers, and curious explorers.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $50 per adult
Children 12 and under free with adult supervision
Single walkers welcome (minimum charge $80)👉 Reserve Your Downtown Ghost Tour
(512) 569-9613
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Santa Fe’s Gourmet Food Shoppes Tour
Discover the Flavors Behind Santa Fe’s Celebrated Cuisine
Santa Fe’s culinary scene extends beyond its restaurants.
On this 2-hour walking tour, visit a curated selection of specialty food shops and markets that supply the city’s kitchens.
Discover unique ingredients, meet passionate purveyors, and experience the flavors that define Santa Fe’s cuisine.
Perfect for food lovers, home cooks, and curious travelers.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $45 per person
Single walkers welcome (minimum charge $70)
Limit: 10 participants
Not recommended for children 12 and under👉 Reserve Your Gourmet Food Shoppes Tour
(973) 796-8513
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Canyon Road Walking Tour
Explore Santa Fe’s Most Iconic Art District with a Local Guide
Canyon Road is one of the most celebrated art districts in the world.
On this 2-hour walking tour, explore select galleries, distinctive architecture, and the stories behind Santa Fe’s thriving art scene.
Discover how a quiet residential lane became a global creative destination.
Perfect for art lovers and first-time visitors.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $50 per adult
Minimum: 2 participants👉 Reserve Your Canyon Road Walking Tour
(505) 577-7645
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Historic Route 66 Centennial Walking Tour
Walk the Original “Mother Road” Through Downtown Santa Fe
Explore the little-known pre-1937 route of historic Route 66 as it once passed through downtown Santa Fe.
On this 2-hour walking tour, follow the original alignment while visiting key landmarks and hearing the stories that shaped the romance of America’s most famous highway.
A fresh perspective on Santa Fe’s connection to the open road.
Perfect for Route 66 enthusiasts and history lovers.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $50 per adult
Single walkers welcome (minimum charge $80)
Minimum: 2 participants👉 Reserve Your Route 66 Centennial Walk
Understanding Santa Fe
How Did Santa Fe Build a Wilderness at Its Doorstep?
One of the delights of visiting Santa Fe is discovering just how quickly the city gives way to open country. Within minutes of leaving the Plaza, you can be walking beneath piñon and juniper, climbing rocky ridges, or pausing to admire sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Jemez beyond. For many visitors, the surprise is not simply the scenery, but how easy it is to reach.
Those paths are known collectively as the Dale Ball Trails, a network of more than twenty miles of interconnected hiking trails winding through the foothills east and north of the city. They feel so natural that many people assume they have always been there. In fact, the trail system is one of Santa Fe's quiet civic triumphs—a reminder that beautiful places often remain accessible only because people decide they should.
The trails are named after Dale Ball, whose vision and determination made the project possible. Ball, a founder of the Santa Fe Conservation Trust, believed the city's surrounding foothills should remain open to everyone rather than gradually disappearing behind fences and "No Trespassing" signs. His goal was ambitious: create a continuous network of public trails while respecting private property and protecting the landscape.
That proved to be no small undertaking.
Unlike a trail built entirely on public land, the Dale Ball system required cooperation among the City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, public agencies, conservation organizations, and dozens of private landowners. Easements had to be negotiated, routes carefully chosen, and funding secured. Every section represented another successful partnership.
The trails themselves were thoughtfully designed. Rather than simply following old roads or the shortest route from one point to another, they were laid out to blend naturally with the terrain, minimize erosion, and offer rewarding walks through the foothills. The result is a network that feels less like an engineered park and more like a landscape inviting exploration.
One of the system's most distinctive features is its navigation. Frequent intersections are marked with numbered signs showing your location and nearby trail connections. It is an elegantly simple idea that allows hikers to describe routes using junction numbers rather than memorizing unfamiliar trail names. The signs have become so familiar that few people stop to consider the planning, expense, and volunteer effort required to install and maintain them. Yet they are one of the reasons newcomers can confidently venture into the foothills without feeling lost.
Perhaps the greatest achievement of the Dale Ball Trails is that they preserve something increasingly rare in American cities: immediate access to undeveloped land.
Many communities have attractive parks. Santa Fe has something different. Here, the edge of town blends almost seamlessly into the lower slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You can begin the morning with coffee on the Plaza and, a short drive later, find yourself listening to the wind in the piñons, watching a red-tailed hawk circle overhead, or catching the scent of sage after a summer rain.
That experience was never inevitable.
Without years of conservation work and cooperation, much of these foothills could easily have become a patchwork of subdivisions and private roads. Instead, they remain a place where residents and visitors alike can walk, run, birdwatch, photograph wildflowers, or simply enjoy a few quiet hours in nature.
The Dale Ball Trails also reveal something important about Santa Fe itself. This is a city that has long recognized that its quality of life depends not only on its historic buildings and cultural traditions, but also on the landscapes that surround them. Preserving those landscapes requires patience, collaboration, and a willingness to think beyond the next development project.
For visitors, the trails offer an opportunity to experience another side of Santa Fe. The city is famous for adobe architecture, art galleries, museums, and centuries of history. But just beyond those streets lies a landscape of juniper-covered hills, sandstone outcrops, blooming cactus, and expansive western skies. Spending even an hour on the Dale Ball Trails helps explain why so many people come to Santa Fe for its culture—and end up falling in love with its mountains.
The next time you pass one of those numbered trail junctions, take a moment to appreciate what it represents. It is more than a trail marker. It is evidence of a community that chose to preserve its foothills, ensuring that generations of residents and visitors can step out of the city and into the New Mexico landscape that makes Santa Fe unlike anywhere else.
About Our Guides
Sita Jamieson Caddle
Sita has called Santa Fe home since 1979. She fell in love with its vibrancy, culture and history, eventually receiving a training through the New Mexico History Museum to become a historical walking guide. Her tours emphasize Santa Fe's diversity and culture and how that has shaped the beauty and development of the city to what it is today. In addition to History Walks, she also offers a Chocolate Tour, which includes the history of the amazing cacao tree as well as tastings from five of the chocolatiers in town. Recently she added a Historical Architecture and Interior Design Tour which features many of Santa Fe's iconic buildings.
Allen Steele
As one of the most requested tour guides by hotels in Santa Fe, Allen likes to share the city’s rich history in the form of stories. He is known for his ability to combine all the stories he knows into a rich mosaic of one of the country’s most historic cities. His love of history has resulted in Santa Fe’s two most recent books about the history of “The City Different.” He calls Santa Fe the Southwest’s Capital for history, culture, art and cuisine and he shares colorful summaries of all these subjects on his tours.
Tom Gallegos
Tom helps visitors experience Santa Fe, native Pueblos, Spanish villages, the beautiful outdoors and unique cuisine. He especially enjoys sharing the beauty and history of Santa Fe on his walking tour. Tom is a native of Taos and currently lives in Santa Fe.
Paul Hillman
Paul spent 40 years as an art director at CBS and ABC Television in Manhattan before coming to Santa Fe, where he was immediately captivated by the richness of the land and its people. A longtime outdoor sports enthusiast and history buff, he devoured as much information as he could about the Land of Enchantment before joining the Discovery City Walking Tour. Rain or shine, Paul now enjoys sharing his excitement about Santa Fe’s culture, history, and architecture with visitors from all over the world.
Ken Ortolon
Ken is a former journalist who has a passion for history, particularly the history of the American Southwest. His interest in New Mexico history was sparked in the 1980s when his wife began making frequent trips to Santa Fe on buying trips for her art gallery, which specialized in Native American art and jewelry. Ken enjoys sharing his knowledge of the centuries-old city of Santa Fe and the people who have lived here—Native American, Spanish, Mexican and American. Ken also has extensive knowledge about the notorious outlaw, Billy the Kid, and is available to lead tours focusing on Billy’s life in Santa Fe and New Mexico.
Scott Renbarger
Moving from New Mexico’s natural history to its human history was an easy adjustment for Scott, who is a geologist and local hiking guide. Join him for a unique perspective on Santa Fe’s cultural legacy, with an emphasis on the surprising rebirth of “Santa Fe Style” early in the 20th century.
Ellen Morris Bond
Ellen arrived in New Mexico for college in 1971 and never looked back! Her guiding experience includes time as a docent at the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Santa Fe Opera and the historic La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza. She also hosts programs for Road Scholar in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico.
Cheryl Feldman
Cheryl Feldman is a longtime Chocolate Lover with a career background as a Librarian and avid reader. She moved to Santa Fe four years ago after visiting the City Different for nearly 25 years. Cheryl also is a part-time concierge at LaFonda Hotel on the Plaza for the past two years. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge on a topic she is passionate about.