Warm in so many ways (weather and hospitality chief among them), Santa Fe is a jewel of the American southwest. It’s a melting pot of Pueblo, Spanish, Mexican, and mainstream American cultures. While you’re in Santa Fe, you’ll have the opportunity to taste excellent New Mexican food, explore the natural beauty of New Mexico, hit up a few museums, and maybe take in a dance performance or play.

Many artists, writers, and musicians are attracted to the Santa Fe area. Artist Georgia O’Keeffe spent part of the year for twenty years painting in Santa Fe (she also resided in the Adirondack Mountains) and her work is on display at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Current artists have plenty of work on display as well and the arts scene is quite active. Check out the local newspaper and online events calendars for information on gallery opening, new art exhibits, live music, and readings by local writers.

Even though it’s a big city, Santa Fe has many outdoor activities to offer. Nestled between the desert and the mountains, you can head up on a long hike or out into the hot, dry desert.

Immediately in town, you’ll find the Santa Fe River Park, which runs along the Santa Fe River (though it usually looks more like a creek to outsiders). Go on foot, horseback, or skateboard…because it takes all kinds and they’re all here. Further from the city center, consider biking the Santa Fe Southern Railway trail, which shares a similar route to the railway and offers pretty views to those who traverse it.

Horseback riding is extremely popular in this part of the world. Many hiking and biking trails also allow horses, plus there are many designated riding trails. Ranches are located in and near Santa Fe offering lessons, horse rentals, and guided rides.

New Mexican cuisine, one of many variants of southwestern and Mexican-American food, is defined by the New Mexico chile pepper (which is also the state’s most abundant crop). These chiles come in red and green; you’ll find them in everything from traditional New Mexican dishes to traditional American ones like a cheeseburger and fries.

Many food terms will be familiar to visitors from Mexican cuisine: enchiladas, sopapillas, and tamales are all eaten in Santa Fe. On you’re visit, try out a Santa Fe-style enchilada: its flat and topped with New Mexican green or red chile and a fried egg. For dessert, order a sopapilla, a fried pastry stuffed with honey.

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