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What Is Santa Fe Known For?

What Is Santa Fe Known For?

3 Things You Need to Experience on a Trip to Santa Fe

If New Mexico is known as the “Land of Enchantment,” then Santa Fe is the perfect choice as the state capitol (the oldest capitol in the US). The city is rich with history, diverse cultural influences, and exciting things to do.

Anyone and everyone can find a reason to love Santa Fe during a visit, but these are the 3 things Santa Fe is known for that you need to experience.

1) Fantastic Art and Festival Scene

Those with even a slight interest in art will feel exhilarated exploring the many art exhibits, museums and festivals in Santa Fe.

The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture has a fascinating collection of Native American art pieces and historic artifacts from the Apache, Navajo and Pueblo cultures. Alternatively, you can take a mind-bending journey through the Meow Wolf immersive multimedia experience.

As for festivals, Santa Fe hosts an impressive schedule of annual events. The SWAIA Indian Art Market, for example, has been showcasing beautiful Native American art pieces on the third weekend of August for over a century. This art market now sees over 100,000 visitors annually, and it represents 250 Nations with over 800 juried artists.

That just scratches the surface of festivals and museums in Santa Fe. Head to our area guide to learn more about Santa Fe museums and local festivals.

2) Dramatic and Diverse Landscapes

The incredible artistry on display at Santa Fe isn’t only inspired by the vibrant mosaic of cultural influences. Santa Fe’s surrounding landscapes are equally influential to local and visiting artists. When you visit, you’ll see and feel why.

Not only is there the high desert scenery which immediately surrounds Santa Fe, but there is also an eclectic mix of mountains, valleys and mesas spread across the 1.6 million-acre Santa Fe National Forest. Especially during golden hours at sunrise and sunset, these diverse landscapes are all jaw-dropping to behold.

In addition to just appreciating the Santa Fe environment, you can also explore the lands through several exciting activities. From late spring through fall, you can enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking on Santa Fe’s beautiful trails. During winter, grab your skis or snowboard and head up to Ski Santa Fe for glorious powder days with breathtaking mountain views.

Learn more about exploring Santa Fe’s incredible landscapes on our summer activities and winter sports pages. If you’re looking to capture the land’s majesty on camera, then head to our film and photography page to find local photo workshops.

3) Phenomenal Southwest Cuisine

Between perusing art festivals and exploring the landscape around Santa Fe, you’ll need good food to keep you energized. Fortunately, the restaurants in Santa Fe dish up some of the finest cuisine in the southwest.

We have a detailed blog post on all of our favorite Santa Fe restaurants, so head over there to find your best place to eat. If we had to quickly recommend a few great spots, these are the Santa Fe dining options we’d suggest:

For more great Santa Fe trip-planning information, check out our other blog posts or browse our Santa Fe area guide. Then, be sure to book your stay in a Casas de Santa Fe vacation rental!