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SITE Santa Fe
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SITE Santa Fe

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See all things to do
SITE Santa Fe
4.5
58 reviews
#47 of 299 things to do in Santa Fe
Art Museums
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Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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About
A contemporary art space committed to enriching the cultural life of Santa Fe and beyond. SITE creates significant experiences for visitors by presenting the most innovative visual art of our time in new and engaging ways. Since its opening in 1995, SITE Santa Fe has been committed to supporting new developments in contemporary art, encouraging artistic exploration, and expanding traditional museum experiences.
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281 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
58 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
3
Terrible
2
coyote608
Midwest135 contributions
CHATTER: So Great!
Sep 2022
We attended a CHATTER event that blew me away and then toured the museum. SO HAPPY we found this place!

The CHATTER event was a violin-piano duo and slam poetry reading. Reading about this ahead of time, I had the impression it was a casual, free thing right at the Railyard. Not true. We wandered around looking for it and eventually found it at SITE Santa Fe, and it was not free or casual. It was IIRC $20 per ticket... or $10? Anyway, it had a very polished, professional vibe to it, other than the poet showing up late, which left a certain impression, but then she did her reading and was SO AMAZING! I'm so glad we attended this, and it was kind of a fluke that I stumbled on it when researching our trip.

We would have walked away after CHATTER, but a lady on the street told us we "had to" see the art exhibit. So we wandered back in and enjoyed the modern art exhibits.

An hour is probably enough for the art museum. More time is needed if you're attending a CHATTER event.
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Juan J G
Miami, FL160 contributions
Near the train station
May 2022
We visited this museum on a Friday, and it was free of charge (small box for donations)
Big space with lots of room to roam. Interesting exposition of local artists.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
An0nyMs
Tucson, Arizona1,337 contributions
Fabulous art, very knowledgeable "guards"
Jul 2021
The art was cutting-edge -- but, for the two exhibits I saw on 8 July '21 at least, also surprisingly accessible to people who haven't seen much contemporary art. I got another nice surprise when I asked the "guard" about writing in one of the paintings that looked like Italian to me... she explained that it tied this painting to the next, told me the history of the Italian artist in the next painting and compared the artist's style with Caravaggio. I asked her about another painting and got a similar wealth of info. We ended up talking about languages, how she had studied ancient Greek in college and how ambiguous translations can be, etc. The great art was enough, but she made it much more interesting and meaningful.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
flaneur40
New York City, NY1,718 contributions
Fantastic Museum near the Farmer's MKT; free on Fridays
Nov 2019
This was the first place I wound up in Santa Fe basically because I got lost entering the city and was early to check in to my B&B. It was a Friday and it was free. It was very quiet probably because of the snow that had recently arrived in town. However the exhibitions were informative and a lot of fun. The opera exhibit has a terrific activity requiring you to place a plastic gold coin into a slot to enjoy a light and music show; the last step is for you to throw an artificial rose onto the "stage."
Written December 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James Weaver
Irvine, CA2,171 contributions
A huge space with perhaps not enough to fill it...
Aug 2019 • Couples
But it was really interesting to walk through. Another couple came in at the same time, paid and left within 10 minutes. We were still looking in the small gift store and having a coffee and scone, so we did notice them. And as we left she committed that we had gone through backwards, but I strongly disagree with that. You go in where the curtains are open and the lights are bright, not a small doorway that is just a few feet away and darker. This exhibit was Bel Canto, a series of rooms themed with the Opera in mind. Italian Opera Houses, a wall of pictures of 150 of 3 tier houses from all over the Country taken from center stage looking to the back of the house. Some are rather plain, some ornate, big city or small. All show the local Opera House as the real backbone of Italian culture. The next room has a screen showing an aria being performed. Then you move into a story and rooms, dressing, makeup, giving a feel of what it takes to perform. Our time was an hour and a half. Speaking with the front desk, she said that the longest stay she has seen was 4 hours. But if you are a fan, you might be interested in seeing this exhibition.
Written August 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anne W
Hello I6181ENjamesw! We appreciate your review & are happy that you visited our current "Bel Canto" exhibition. Thank you for sharing your thoughts & experience in our museum. You're right, the space may seem empty compared to other museums. The exhibition design is intentionally spare & minimal to help maximize and differentiate the sound quality between the different works of art. We are lucky to have so much room to let the art breathe & sing! It's wonderful that you enjoyed your time at SITE Santa Fe & lingered in the installations for such a long while. We hope that you'll return again soon!
Written August 27, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cindy T
Northampton, MA568 contributions
Eclectic Art Museum
Jul 2019 • Friends
This is a wonderful modern art museum. A group of four of us visited on a Saturday afternoon. I especially liked the exhibit about nuns. There are several opera-themed exhibits. Quite information. Extra added bonus - the gift shop has unique items at reasonable prices.
Written July 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anne W
Hi Cindy! Thank you so much for your review! We are thrilled that you enjoyed the Suzanne Bocanegra installation in our "Bel Canto: Contemporary Artists Explore Opera" exhibition. And we are happy you enjoyed shopping at our gift store. We hope that you'll come visit us again soon!
Written September 24, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wendy K
Seattle, WA465 contributions
Bel Canto Well Curated
May 2019 • Solo
Visited with my two adult daughters. After stopping by several galleries with kitschy, amateurish art, this museum was a delight. Bel Canto consisted of contributions by a variety of talented artists, all related to the Opera. Well organized, very interesting and very professional. Museum is located on a wonderful park, which is an added bonus.
Written May 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anne W
We are thrilled that you enjoyed our "Bel Canto: Contemporary Artists Explore Opera" exhibition. It is nice that you appreciated the diverse art media represented in the show, as well as the variety of artists. And how wonderful that you stopped by the Railyard Park--we hope you were able to see the giant polar bear installation made of recycled car hoods!
Written September 24, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KthSch
Aurora, IL3,508 contributions
Challenging in the best ways!
Aug 2018 • Solo
Love, love, love this contemporary art gallery! In fact SITE Santa Fe is one of the places responsible for my growing appreciation for truly contemporary art. Always interesting. Often fascinating. Sometimes deeply moving. (And of course, sometimes leaves me cold!) I like being challenged here.

For me, the key is visiting when SITE Santa Fe has free admission…all day on Fridays and Saturday mornings during the Farmers’ Market across the street.

Generally, I spend two hours here (since that’s the max on the parking meters) and that seems to be just right. Looking forward to my next visit!
Written April 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Antmakka555
Albuquerque, NM70 contributions
We never got to go inside.
Jul 2018 • Couples
I've no idea if SITE is any good, as the parking meter was not accepting credit cards (we didn't have 20 quarters). The parking attendants didn't know what to do but said they would still ticket any car not displaying a valid parking pass. I guess it was too much trouble to send someone to a local bank and stock up on quarters, or temporarily suspend the parking fee.
We left, along with many others, and spent our money elsewhere.
Written October 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KthSch
Aurora, IL3,508 contributions
A Santa Fe Treasure!
Nov 2017 • Solo
I try to visit SITE Santa Fe each time I'm in town. I always find the changing exhibitions interesting and sometimes deeply moving. I'm fascinated by contemporary art. Sometimes I hate it, sometimes I love it, but I'm never indifferent to it.

I was thrilled to see on this trip in November, 2017 that SITE Santa Fe had significantly increased their square footage including a new climate controlled space. This has allowed a greater freedom in what can be on exhibition.

It certainly had a deeply positive impact for my visit. "Future Shock" was just an amazing and challenging exhibition that captured my attention fully. I even bought the exhibition book, something I don't normally do!

KEY HINT: SITE Santa Fe is free every Friday all day and from 10am-noon on Saturdays (during the Farmer's Market which is across the street). I've never paid to visit. Given the uncertainty of what is on display, I like this game plan!

Keith
Written May 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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SITE Santa Fe - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about SITE Santa Fe
SITE Santa Fe is open:
  • Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Thu - Thu 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Fri - Fri 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Sat - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking SITE Santa Fe tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 SITE Santa Fe tours on Tripadvisor