A wise person once said, “The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach.”
The 416-year-old capital city of New Mexico is the gastronomic epicenter of the Southwest, with hundreds of independent restaurants, many helmed by James Beard Foundation Award-nominated and winning chefs. Blessed with food traditions as old as the cultures that settled here—the First Peoples, the Spaniards, nomadic traders, ranchers, cowboys, and homesteaders—Santa Fe is known best for its Northern New Mexico cuisine. This blend of Hispanic and Pueblo influences is characterized by the smoky earthiness of fluffy blue corn tortillas and pinto beans, as well as spicy red and green chile. Think tacos, tamales, posole, Frito pie, enchiladas, chile rellenos, sopaipilla, pan dulce, fajitas, and stews.
Beyond endless dishes that feature our resident spice, you can also experience modern fusion options and diverse cuisine. Think Japanese small plates, Asian-Indian appetizers and entrees, Afro-Caribbean dishes, Vietnamese tasting menus, regional Italian flavors, Thai and Malay-inspired food, and more.
Another wise person said, “Art is food for the soul.”
Recognized as the third largest art market in the United States and as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts & Folk Art, Santa Fe boasts more than 250 galleries, 20 museums, and a growing number of immersive experiences. One must-see is the original Meow Wolf, the brainchild of local artists. Dozens of other local artists sell their works at weekly markets and in seasonal studio tours. And, not to be missed are Santa Fe’s annual summer markets—International Folk Art Market, Traditional Spanish Market, and Santa Fe Indian Market, to name a few—where juried artists from across the region and globe are invited to share their extraordinary works. Summer also brings the Santa Fe Opera, the Santa Fe Chamber Festival, the Santa Fe Symphony & Chorus, and the Summer Scene, presenting alfresco and free live music nightly.
Naturalist John Muir wrote, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”
At 7,000 feet in elevation, Santa Fe sits in the foothills of Sangre de Cristo Mountains at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountain chain. Ours is a semiarid climate at the crossroads of grass and shrub lands, piñon-juniper woodlands, and 1.6 million acres of high mountain coniferous national forest, the gateway to which is just 4 miles from the downtown historic Plaza. Come experience our 320+ days of sunshine, four distinct seasons, brilliant blue skies, and some of the purest air in the world—perfect conditions to hike, bike, fish, ski/snowboard, golf, raft, and horseback ride.
Prolific author and cancer survivor Greg Anderson once wrote, “Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit.”
Santa Fe is THE destination for wellness, long recognized as a place of spiritual awareness and awakening with multiple meditation and healing retreats and workshops year-round. And beyond moving on our 300 miles of trails, stretch and invigorate your limbs at one of The City Different’s many yoga and dance studios or relax with a special body treatment, like shiatsu, a smudging ceremony, aromatherapy, and more. And, by all means, you must not leave Santa Fe without a soak in our natural mineral hot springs, which are said to have magical power to heal and rejuvenate. Ojo Santa Fe, Ten Thousand Waves, Ojo Caliente, and Jemez Hot Springs offer communal and private soaking options, and all are within easy, scenic driving distance.
So, come for the food, the history, the art, the relaxation, the adventure, and leave with something even more valuable—a full heart, a deepened soul, an awakened spirit, and a renewed sense of wonder. You’ll have those gifts for the rest of your life.