Museum of International Folk Art

One of the world’s best folk art museums, the Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA) spans five distinct wings, including the Gallery of Conscience, which focuses on keeping the traditional arts alive, with formats that invite visitor participation. Organized by geography, the museum’s exhibitions feature African metalwork, Indonesian shadow puppets, and Japanese woodblock prints, among many other art forms.

Tours are typically offered once a day, and smartphone audio guides are also available for certain exhibits. Many Santa Fe tours—namely those focused on art—include a stop at Museum Hill and MOIFA, whetting travelers’ appetites for the marvels inside.

• It’s a short climb from the parking lot to the museum; there is an accessible elevator up to the Museum Hill plaza.

• The next-door Museum Hill Cafe is typically open only during lunch hours; it’s well-known for its good food and great views.

• Admission is free for kids under 16 years old.

Many visitors drive to the Museum of International Folk Art—free parking is available in two lots on either side of the museum. If you don’t have your own wheels or want to skip the parking hassles, the Santa Fe Trails city bus M line runs to Museum Hill, and the New Mexico Rail Runner runs to the Santa Fe Depot, where travelers can catch the free Santa Fe Pick-Up shuttle to Museum Hill.

The Museum of International Folk Art is open daily from mid-spring to mid-fall, but is closed Mondays from November to April, and is also closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Hours are generally from morning to very early evening, but check before your visit; most people spend 2–3 hours here, so be sure you have plenty of time to explore before closing.

It’s easy to spend a whole day on Museum Hill. Start with the Museum of International Folk Art in the morning, head to the Museum Hill Cafe for lunch—calling to make reservations in advance is recommended—and then venture over to the next-door Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, or the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. It’s one spot with a lot to see, so it’s worth planning ahead.