On December 5, 2025, a group of women from the Happy Hoofers and Trekkers, a local hiking group, set out on a Rail Runner–powered adventure to Santa Fe. Traveling north by train for one of their regularly scheduled treks, the group enjoyed a full day of walking, art, architecture, and history.
This outing was organized and led by Barb Reeback, a longtime member of the group. A retired teacher and former tour guide, Reeback enjoys sharing Santa Fe in a way that goes beyond the usual stops. “I love to take people to Santa Fe and introduce them to places off the beaten track,” she said.
Getting There
The day began at the Montaño and Sandoval Co. / US 550 Rail Runner Stations, where the group boarded the northbound #510 train to Santa Fe. The ride passed quickly as everyone visited and Reeback talked through what to expect for the day.
After arriving at the Santa Fe Depot, the group made their way to the Santa Fe Pick-Up Shuttle, which stops just steps from the Rail Runner station at the corner of S. Guadalupe Street and Garfield Avenue. The free circular shuttle operates seven days a week and serves destinations such as the NM State Capitol, Canyon Road, Loretto Chapel, and the Santa Fe Plaza. The short shuttle ride demonstrated how easy it is to connect to local transit, and from the first stop onward, the group explored Santa Fe entirely on foot.
Discovering Santa Fe on Foot
The walking tour began at the Nedra Matteucci Galleries, one of the oldest continually operating galleries in New Mexico. The venue features historic and contemporary art of the American Southwest and beyond. The eclectic building itself delighted the group, and many were surprised to discover the peaceful sculpture garden tucked behind the gallery, complete with ponds and winding walking paths.
It was a cold day, so the group next stopped at Kakawa Chocolate House to warm up with cups of their signature drinking chocolate, served in decorative mugs. Some participants chose the chili-spiced chocolate, while others sampled Kakawa’s wide range of unique flavors.
The next destination was a brief stop at the New Mexico State Capitol, also known as the Roundhouse. Inside the rotunda, Reeback pointed out highlights from the building’s extensive art collection and encouraged everyone to return another day to spend more time exploring.
The walk continued toward the Santa Fe Plaza, with a stop at the historic La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel. Reeback led everyone into one of the ballrooms to point out the building’s architecture and artwork. The group also peeked into other corners of the hotel, viewing hand-carved and painted beams, handcrafted chandeliers, and New Mexico-inspired furnishings.
Next was a visit to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, where Reeback pointed out a Hebrew inscription above the entrance that commemorates Jewish support for the cathedral’s construction.
The tour then continued to the New Mexico Museum of Art. The group walked through the outdoor courtyard and stopped in the St. Francis Auditorium, a centerpiece of Santa Fe’s cultural and social life since the early 1900s. The space is known for its large-scale murals and beautifully hand-carved ceiling beams.
On the walk back toward the Rail Runner station, Reeback made sure to pass by the Lensic Performing Arts Center. Built in 1931 in the Spanish-Moorish style, the theater remains a year-round home for performing arts in Santa Fe.
Throughout the day, participants ducked into hidden patios, paused to admire public art, and stopped to read historical markers along the way. In total, the walk covered about three and a half miles and lasted just over three hours.
Heading Home
After a full day of exploring, the group returned to the Santa Fe Depot Rail Runner Station, noting the elevated 1940s pickup truck representing the history of supply shipping in the Railyard area, for the train ride home. The return trip offered time to relax, enjoy a snack, rest tired legs, or continue conversations sparked during the walk.
“I like to show off bits of architecture,” Reeback said. “I’m a big architecture lover. Places like the St. Francis Auditorium at the art museum or the ballroom at La Fonda. Even the bathroom at the Matteucci Gallery. I like to show people little things they wouldn’t find on their own.”
When asked for advice for others planning a similar trip, Reeback offered simple guidance. “Check schedules. Nowadays everything is on the internet, which makes it a whole lot easier to plan anything.”
View More Pictures from the Tour
Plan Your Own Adventure
Rail Runner schedules are available online at riometro.org, and Santa Fe Pick-Up Shuttle information can be found at santafenm.gov. Before planning your trip, be sure to check hours of operation for the venues you would like to visit. For help planning your next Rail Runner adventure, contact Rio Metro’s Customer Service Department at (866) 795-7245.
By Riann Martinez, Marketing & Digital Media Specialist, Rio Metro Regional Transit District
