United States
New Mexico (NM)
Santa Fe
Santa Fe Attractions
Palace of the Governors
See all things to do

Palace of the Governors

See all things to do
See all things to do
Palace of the Governors
4.5
#19 of 305 things to do in Santa Fe
Speciality Museums
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Write a review
Top ways to experience Palace of the Governors
See all
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
283 within 5 kms
Sassella
349
0.4 km$$$$ • Italian • Tuscan • Sicilian
Sazón
1,373
0.3 km$$$$ • Mexican • Latin • Vegetarian Friendly
Palacio Restaurant
1,316
0.3 km$ • Mexican • American • Southwestern
El Callejon Taqueria and Grill
479
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Cafe Pasqual's
4,172
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Mexican • American • Southwestern
TIA Sophia's
1,524
0.3 km$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Vegetarian Friendly
Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina
1,975
0.3 km$$$$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Bar
TerraCotta Wine Bistro
753
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • International • Vegetarian Friendly
La Boca
1,951
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Latin • Mediterranean • Spanish
Market Steer Steakhouse
168
0.2 km$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
See all
Attractions
284 within 10 kms
Galisteo Basin Preserve
6
45 mNature & Wildlife Areas • Scenic Walking Areas
Shiprock
2
47 mArt Galleries • Antique Shops
New Mexico History Museum
1,494
47 mHistory Museums
Worrell Gallery
11
60 mArt Galleries
Santa Fe Plaza
3,240
86 mHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
New Mexico Museum Of Art
602
93 mArt Museums
Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
239
0.1 kmNatural History Museums
Santa Fe Farmer's Market
114
0.1 kmFlea & Street Markets
Rainbow Man
90
85 mArt Galleries
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
3,999
0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals
See all
See what travellers are saying
  • Pam B
    Colorado Springs, Colorado9 contributions
    Lovely Native Jewelry
    Friends from England and Ireland visiting. The artists were so very kind and friendly. The jewelry items and the sand art and pottery items purchased were lovely and quality and there was no pressure. Thank you for providing this opportunity to support our treasured and talented Native communities!
    Visited May 2023
    Written 5 June 2023
  • scott r
    Silver Spring, Maryland697 contributions
    Barely average (but the museum - reviewed seperately - is worth a visit)
    The palace is accessible from and included with the NM state history museum. This for the Palace only. Not much history of the building explained as you move through, the exhibits are rather wan. But then much of the Spanish Colonial experience artifacts are more of the same and it takes some real effort to curate one of these sites so that it coalesces into a cohesive whole (see San Juan Capistrano, perhaps). I expected more history and a better representation of the buildings use thru the centruies. Had this been a stand alone, it wold have been disappointing. As for the sidewalk vendors; just not my thing - perhaps if I knew what I was lookng for or looking at, but but I'm generally not into filling the suitcase with eith tchotchkes or even handcrafted jewelry, so these markets are usually lost on me. Plenty of foot traffic though, hope local people can sanre some bucks.
    Visited August 2023
    Written 18 August 2023
  • Michelle H
    Pittsburg, Texas196 contributions
    This attraction has stood the test of time and is still worth visiting
    I last visited many years ago, maybe over 20, so definitely things have changed somewhat. When I was here before there seemed to be move native vendors, such that the area was full. This time, of course it was mid week off season, but there were only a handful, maybe less than 50% occupied. I understand there is now a lottery for the vendors to determine who gets to set up so maybe it was just a slow week in general. Regardless, the jewelry is beautiful and authentic.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,018 reviews
Excellent
544
Very good
349
Average
96
Poor
21
Terrible
8
Michelle H
Pittsburg, TX196 contributions
This attraction has stood the test of time and is still worth visiting
Nov 2023 • Couples
I last visited many years ago, maybe over 20, so definitely things have changed somewhat. When I was here before there seemed to be move native vendors, such that the area was full. This time, of course it was mid week off season, but there were only a handful, maybe less than 50% occupied. I understand there is now a lottery for the vendors to determine who gets to set up so maybe it was just a slow week in general. Regardless, the jewelry is beautiful and authentic.
Written 9 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glorp719
5 contributions
Hardly worth the time and cost
Oct 2023 • Friends
It's mostly empty. Interesting to stroll through to get an idea of the construction and layout, but what passes for displays aren't worth the time or admission cost. One exception: If you're interested in things related to printing and publishing, there is an excellet exhibit in a couple rooms across the placita at the back of the main palace building.
Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scott r
Silver Spring, MD697 contributions
Barely average (but the museum - reviewed seperately - is worth a visit)
Aug 2023
The palace is accessible from and included with the NM state history museum. This for the Palace only. Not much history of the building explained as you move through, the exhibits are rather wan. But then much of the Spanish Colonial experience artifacts are more of the same and it takes some real effort to curate one of these sites so that it coalesces into a cohesive whole (see San Juan Capistrano, perhaps). I expected more history and a better representation of the buildings use thru the centruies. Had this been a stand alone, it wold have been disappointing. As for the sidewalk vendors; just not my thing - perhaps if I knew what I was lookng for or looking at, but but I'm generally not into filling the suitcase with eith tchotchkes or even handcrafted jewelry, so these markets are usually lost on me. Plenty of foot traffic though, hope local people can sanre some bucks.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jana J
Clinton, TN145 contributions
enjoyable
Jun 2023
if you like history this is the place to go. Wasn't real busy so could enjoy the museum and take your time.
Written 20 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pam B
Colorado Springs, CO9 contributions
Lovely Native Jewelry
May 2023
Friends from England and Ireland visiting. The artists were so very kind and friendly. The jewelry items and the sand art and pottery items purchased were lovely and quality and there was no pressure. Thank you for providing this opportunity to support our treasured and talented Native communities!
Written 5 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob S
Boise, ID730 contributions
Part of NM History Museum
May 2023
Liked the floor cutouts where you could see the original foundations. Amazing how old many Santa Fe buildings are.
Written 21 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Icarus4335
Colorado Springs, CO767 contributions
Under Construction 03/2023
Mar 2023
It is included as part of the New Mexico History Museum, but there is essentially nothing to see as of Spring 2023. Most of the building is under construction, so there are only 2 rooms to actually look at with very limited exhibits.
Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarloGato
Chicago, IL136 contributions
Palace of Governors
Jul 2022
We had visited Santa Fe several times before but the Palace of Governors had been closed. The enovated and historic rooms are worth seeing, along with the New Mexico History Museum, which had several interesting exhibits, including a broad historical outline and one on the state's hot springs.
Written 22 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamusaba
Florida379 contributions
Major historic site
Oct 2022
If you are pressed for time you might want to skip this site. A major part of the exhibits have been removed pending completion of a renovation of an adjacent structure to house them. . There is an entry fee despite this fact.
Written 27 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Treker650
Kaysville, UT162 contributions
Exhibits Removed
Oct 2022
Wouldn't bother going until the exhibits are returned because it is just rooms with white stucco and wood floors otherwise.
Written 16 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 981
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

PALACE OF THE GOVERNORS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Palace of the Governors
According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Palace of the Governors:
Restaurants near Palace of the Governors: View all restaurants near Palace of the Governors on Tripadvisor