"Old Main" Tours in Santa Fe

The New Mexico Corrections Department will be offering tours of the "Old Main" prison over the summer to a limited number of people. These tours are to inform visitors about what happened during the February 2, 1980 riot and teach them more the Corrections Department. The money from these tickets will go back into revitalizing the facility. These tours are centered around the "Old Main" theme; "Respecting our Past to Create a Better Future". There will be no ghost stories or related topics discussed on these tours. Please be at the facility no later than 15 minutes before the start of your tour time. The facility is just south of Santa Fe. If you are coming from Albuquerque, take I-25 north and exit 599 (Veteran's Memorial Hwy). Turn right at the light. Go two more lights (there will be an Allsups at the corner) and turn right. The road will go to one lane, when it opens back up, get in the right-hand lane and turn right into the New Mexico Corrections Department parking lot. Please plan your travel time wisely, tours will not be held back to wait for late visitors. NO refunds will be given. *IMPORTANT INFORMATION* You will be shuttled to the facility by vans. You will be stopped by officers at the front gate. Weapons, drugs and alcohol are prohibited on prison grounds. You, your car, and your property are subject to search on prison grounds. NO person under the age of 16 will be admitted for the Old Main Tour due to the content and restrictions on the facility. All visitors will be required to show a valid ID to be admitted into the facility. Tickets are non-transferable. Drugs, alcohol and weapons are prohibited from the facility and could result in criminal charges if brought on the property. All visitors must wear closed toe and heel shoes. The Old Main Tour does require quite a bit of walking and those unable to walk for long periods of time are discouraged from taking the tour. The facility is not ADA compliant and those visitors who need special accommodations may not be able to experience the full tour route. There are NO bathrooms, electricity, and/or heating/air conditioning in Old Main. Please dress appropriately for this tour. If it is in the fall/winter months, visitors are encouraged to bring a jacket. ALL visitors are required to sign a waiver or release of liability upon entering the facility. Failure to do so will result in the visitors not being allowed into the facility. The Old Main and Penitentiary of New Mexico are prison facilities. To ensure the safety of Old Main and the Penitentiary of New Mexico you, like other visitors, could be subject to reasonable searches or other security measures if needed. Visitors must purchase tickets through this website. Walk-ins will not be accepted. You can bring a camera, but pictures are restricted in two areas. *Scheduled Tours are available upon request for groups larger than 50.