Self-guided tours let you discover Santa Fe’s rich heritage efficiently and affordably.
The practical WalknTours app delivers a comprehensive GPS walking experience spanning 400 years, hitting essential spots like San Miguel Chapel and Santa Fe Plaza.
In nearby Madrid, we love the VoiceMap audio tour for its colorful storytelling and local insights – it’s a smart addition to any Santa Fe visit.
These no-nonsense tours work well for independent travelers who prefer exploring at their own speed.
Let’s look at our favorite self-guided options.
Key Points
- The WalknTours app offers a self-guided, GPS-enabled tour of Santa Fe’s historic downtown, providing insights into over 400 years of Spanish colonial history.
- The Town Too High To Die Tour is a highly-rated, self-guided audio tour focused on the history of Madrid, New Mexico, accessible via the VoiceMap app.
- Both tours provide cost-effective options for exploring Santa Fe’s rich heritage, with the WalknTours tour priced at $9.75 per person and the Town Too High To Die Tour at $6.99 per person.
- The WalknTours tour is entirely outdoors and stroller-friendly, while the Town Too High To Die Tour is suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and service animals.
- The Town Too High To Die Tour allows for flexible pacing and begins and ends at the convenient location of the Mine Shaft Tavern & Cantina.
Santa Fe Historic Downtown Smart Phone Audio App Self Guided GPS Walking Tour
The WalknTours app offers a self-guided, GPS-enabled walking tour that allows visitors to explore Santa Fe’s historic downtown at their own pace. The tour covers over 400 years of history, starting at the San Miguel Chapel, the oldest church in the USA, and ending at the vibrant Santa Fe Plaza.
Along the way, the audio commentary provides in-depth insights into the city’s Spanish colonial past and notable landmarks like the Loretto Chapel.
The tour is entirely outdoors, with no entry tickets required, making it a convenient and flexible option. It’s accessible for strollers, though not wheelchair-friendly.
Users can pause and replay the audio at any time, and a portable charger is recommended due to potential battery drain.
While the app navigation has received some mixed reviews, the tour’s positive feedback highlights its informative content and the freedom to explore at one’s own rhythm.
At a price of $9.75 per person, this self-guided tour provides an engaging and cost-effective way to discover Santa Fe’s rich history.
Read our full review: Santa Fe Historic Downtown Smart Phone Audio App Self Guided GPS Walking Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
The Town Too High To Die: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in New Mexico
Immerse oneself in the captivating history of Madrid, New Mexico, with the VoiceMap self-guided audio tour “The Town Too High To Die”. This 3.5/5 star tour takes listeners on a journey through this former mining town, providing an informative and entertaining experience. Priced at $6.99 per person, the tour offers lifetime access and can be enjoyed at one’s own pace using the VoiceMap app.
The self-guided tour starts and ends at the Mine Shaft Tavern & Cantina, making it convenient for visitors. Along the way, participants can expect detailed starting point instructions, offline access to audio, maps, and geodata, and the ability to start, pause, or restart at any time.
The tour is accessible for wheelchair users, strollers, and those with service animals, and is suitable for most travelers, including infants.
While the tour is a popular choice due to its informative content, users should exercise caution on the busy street without sidewalks. Plus, the nearest gas station is 8 miles away, so it’s advisable to plan accordingly.
Read our full review: The Town Too High To Die: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in New Mexico Review
Book now: Check availability
The Sum Up
Santa Fe’s historic downtown offers a captivating self-guided audio tour, allowing visitors to enjoy the city’s rich cultural heritage. The Town Too High to Die audio tour provides an engaging narrative that brings the city’s past to life, while the smartphone app offers a convenient GPS-enabled walking experience. These self-guided options provide an enriching way to explore Santa Fe’s architectural gems and uncover its fascinating history at one’s own pace.