Santa Fe
For a city with a history as lush as its art scene, you need to look no further than Santa Fe, New Mexico. The city has roots in Pueblo, Spanish, and Mexican settlements before New Mexico was ceded to the United States during the Mexican-American War in 1846. In the midst of Santa Fe’s varied history of conquest and frontier upheaval, it has maintained itself as a bastion of culture and civilization.
Generations of inhabitants have left behind legacies of significant architecture and cityscape, setting Santa Fe above the rest in the American West. These days, Santa Fe’s intriguing urban environment still stands, with its distinctive and preserved Spanish-Pueblo style and cultural heritage.
Santa Fe at a Glance
Santa Fe’s diverse culture is also reflected in its diverse job market, especially in the visual, performance, and culinary arts. Between 2010 and 2020, Santa Fe saw a 29% population increase as travelers came to stay or even retire. The easy pace of the city, beautiful seclusion, and famously friendly locals have earned Santa Fe an accolade as not only being one of the best places to retire in the U.S. but in the world!
Family-friendly environments and an emphasis on protecting its environment and history are attractive for families looking to load up the Uhaul. The cost of living runs higher in the urban areas, while taxes run a little lower than the national average. Between its multicultural aesthetic, historical preservation, sprawling nature, and laid-back attitude, it is no wonder people not only come to Santa Fe to unwind and reconnect but to stay and thrive.
Where is Santa Fe?
When you look at Santa Fe, you would be doing yourself a disservice by just thinking ‘desert’. That is because, at 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe’s weather is much like its city: different. The air is thin and dry, resulting in cooler temperatures, warm summers that plummet at night, and all four seasons up for grabs. It averages about 26 inches of snowfall each year, making it a popular ski destination, while 283 sunny days a year leave you wide open for outdoor explorations, festivals, and more. The Santa Fe Regional Airport will greet you as you touch down in New Mexico, and then offer a 20-minute drive, where you can start to get a taste of the vast New Mexico landscape as you travel into the heart of the city.
Santa Fe Attractions
Start your day in the Santa Fe Plaza, the heart and soul of the City Different, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee at the Iconik Downtown Coffee Bar. The Plaza is never short on restaurants, shops, and landmarks to delight the senses. Head to Museum Hill for a glimpse of Santa Fe’s cultural backbone at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, or the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. The Georgia O’Keefe Museum is not to be missed, nor is Meow Wolf, which promises an array of interactive, multimedia art developed by over 100 local artists.
The Santa Fe Railyard is another hotspot, with an eclectic farmer’s market and a cold brew waiting for you at the Second Street Brewery. The Trading Post is a piece of southwest history, clocking in at over 400 years old, where Native American artists and their intricate crafts are still supported to this day. Ski the slopes or hit the Dale Ball Trails for an invigorating excursion, or come for the many outdoor festivals, such as the famous torching of Zozobra at Fiesta de Santa Fe. Book a seat at The Pantry or Geronimo for mouthwatering dishes or lace up your boots for a Restaurant Walking Tour that will have you asking for seconds, thirds, and even fourths. Once you visit the City Different, you will not leave the same.
Parachute Ski Trail
Burro Alley Ski Trail
Dolores Gulch
Los Alamitos Canyon
Valle Trail
Cañon Ojo Sarco
Bayo Canyon
Tetilla Canyon
Topside Canyon
Cañada De Santa Fe
Rendija Trail
Norski Cross Country Ski Track
El Canon
North Fork Blue Canyon
Vallecitos De Arriba
Cañon Navajo
Ancho Canyon
Bland Canyon
Pacheco Canyon
Natural Arch Trail
Spruce Canyon
Double Eagle V Ski Trail
Guaje Canyon
Stagecoach Canyon
Thru Way Ski Trail
Cunningham Gulch
Tortolita Canyon
Guaje Canyon Trail
Pajarito Canyon
Espanola Valley
Cañon Seguro
Rio En Medio Trail
Pipeline Ski Trail
Johns Canyon
Santa Fe Ski Area
Lower Burro Ski Trail
Snows Ski Trail
Alamo Springs Trail
Jemez Mountains (Sandoval County)
Rinconada
Muerte Ski Trail
Gascon Trail
Tequila Sunrise Ski Trail
Hollinger Canyon
Hotels in Santa Fe
Restaurants in Santa Fe