Santa Fe
A one-of-a-kind mix of people, places, and things
You’ll know Santa Fe is different from everywhere else as soon as you step foot there. Santa Fe is one of the most interesting cities in the country. Its past includes Native American, Spanish, Mexican, cowboy, artistic, and modern U.S. cultures. You’ll find that it is one of the most interesting places. Conde Nast Traveler magazine called it a “Best Small City.”
Santa Fe is in the middle of the Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico. Its mild weather and beautiful scenery have drawn artists, hikers, seekers, skiers, and writers.
Since it was founded in the early 1600s, Santa Fe is one of the oldest towns in the United States. It is also the oldest and highest-elevation state capital. The oldest city in New Mexico still has a sophisticated feel to it, thanks to its Santa Fe style.
Real cultures came together
In Santa Fe, you can find lively outdoor markets, art galleries, museums, and ancient buildings (like the Palace of the Governors, which is the country’s oldest continuously occupied public building). You can also find trendy restaurants, exciting nightclubs, and brand-new hotels. There are many modern stores in downtown Santa Fe’s Square, which is next to the Native American art market that takes place under the Governor’s Palace’s portal.
Outside of the city, the Bandelier National Monument is a must-see. It protects more than 13,000 hectares of canyon and mesa that are home to petroglyphs, houses, and stonework from native cultures that date back more than 11,000 years. You could also take the High Road to Taos, which is a 170 km route through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Along the way, you can stop at Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Indian towns to see old buildings and buy handmade goods.
Surprising Art Museums
The museums and galleries in Santa Fe have a mix of art, culture, and history, which shouldn’t be a surprise.
A few of the more well-known ones are the New Mexico History Museum, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
It is known for its “miraculous” spiral stairs. The Loretto Chapel is now a museum and is also used for weddings. The helix is said to have been built in three months by an unknown carpenter who didn’t use nails or center support. Do not forget to visit the refuge in Chimayo. For hundreds of years, pilgrims have walked to the chapel in hopes that it can help them.
Mountain Retreats
In the mountains around Santa Fe, you can walk, ride bikes, or ride horses for hours on end. Popular things to do also include rock climbing, ballooning, parasailing, and rafting on the nearby rivers.
The area is known for having great “dry” snow, and you can find ski hills just minutes from Santa Fe. Cross-country skiers and snowshoe trekkers can use trails that go through the mountains and hills.
The woods are also a peaceful place to go. There are warm geothermal springs that can help you relax. At a nearby day spa or resort, you can get a massage or try a treatment that comes from the Southwest USA or Southeast Asia.
Tastes of the Southwest
You need tasty foods to help you recover and feel good after a day in the woods. Santa Fe is known as the food capital of the Southwest because of its delicious food.
Posole (hominy stew), tasty BBQ, and red and green chili sauces (known as “Christmas style” when served together) are some of the most popular foods in the area. The Santa Fe Chocolate Trail is something you should do for yourself. If you go to the candy shops that line the historic downtown area, you can find everything from the finest Belgian chocolates to elixirs made in the style of ancient Mesoamericans.