Just dare us to keep collecting reasons for you to love Santa Fe. We’ll do it!
Let’s start with what’s new for 2026!
1. Santa Fe Tops Travel Lists!
We feel we earn each and every accolade due to the authenticity of our culture, history, architecture, cuisine, and the wonderful experiences in our vast outdoor spaces, however, we blushed particularly red when readers of Travel + Leisure ranked Santa Fe among the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026! Not only that, its readers ranked The City Different #1 for the first time ever, unseating long-time winner Charleston, South Carolina. One repeat visitor said, “Every trip exceeds the last, with so many new things to discover!” Santa Fe was also ranked #19 out of 25 best cities in the world. In fact, Santa Fe is the only U.S. city featured on the list of winning international destinations.
And readers of Condé Nast Traveler gave Santa Fe the honor of the #2 spot in their best US cities lists!
2. Route 66 Centennial
Celebrate the original Route 66, the “Mother Road,” created in 1926 as the shortest, year-round route from Chicago to Santa Monica. For 10 years before the realignment in 1937, Route 66 traveled through The City Different along the Old Santa Fe Trail, around the Plaza and down Cerrillos Road. Expect a lot of fanfare as The City Different looks back at this dawning of car culture and exciting road travel in America.
3. The MICHELIN Guide Southwest
The prestigious stars of the MICHELIN Guide could potentially show up in New Mexico in 2026 with The MICHELIN Guide Southwest. Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide stated, “Our anonymous Inspectors have been eager to expand further into the Southwest and share their discoveries with the world. We are excited to showcase the distinct cuisine styles that are representative of the cultures throughout the Southwest, which blends a rich mix of traditions and culinary talent.”
Courtesy of Leo's
Check out the Railyard’s boutique Hotel Flora and its open-air restaurant Railyard Social. Nearby, two ends of the gastronomic spectrum—Steam & Smoke BBQ food truck and 2nd floor restaurant and cocktail lounge Gatsby's. Downtown, consider The Washington Inn, a newly constructed luxury all-suite hotel in the Territorial style, and up on the hill overlooking the city, Hotel Glorieta is reimagined lodging set against an extensive trail system and complete with a swimming pool, Lady’s Duff’s Lounge, and The Marigold Room, an intimate live music space. In the Siler Rufina District, make a special stop at Keeping Together Brewery and Beverage Garden, housed in a repurposed greenhouse. And add Leo’s to your list: This new Southeast Asian–inspired neighborhood restaurant made Esquire’s annual list of the Best New Restaurants in America 2025! The collaborative team includes James Beard Foundation Award–winning chef Zakary Pelaccio.
5. Santa Fe Magazine Festival
The Santa Fe Magazine Festival (June 12–14) promises to bring Santa Fe stories to life with exclusive interviews, headliner concerts, world-class standup, thought leader roundtables, art tours, and VIP dinners.
6. Billy the Kid, The Last Dance
Tumbleweed Ranch Productions presents The Last Dance of Billy the Kid, the untold 1881 love story of Billy the Kid and Paulita Maxwell throughout the month of August and every August thereafter.
7. New Mexico True Singletrack
Don’t miss New Mexico True Singletrack (September 19–21), a three-day, International Mountain Bicycling Association staged race that will come back each year.
Now, on to what’s always tried and true.
8. 320+ Days of Sunshine
With our sunshiney day average far exceeding that of the national average (205!), chances are nearly guaranteed that you will have beautiful, blue sky weather, no matter which of our distinct four seasons welcomes you. With our semiarid climate, you’ll love the low humidity. With our small population, you’ll love the freedom to move about without the hassles of traffic or long lines. And you can expect some of the cleanest air you’ve breathed in a long time.
9. Santa Fe Farmers’ Market
Since the late 1960s and the early days of the farm-to-table movement, farmers have gathered on Saturdays in the capital city of Santa Fe to sell their produce. And today is no different, except that now more than 150 vendors from 15 different counties gather each Saturday year-round in their very own building and space at the Santa Fe Railyard to sell their fresh food! (A robust market happens on Tuesdays, too.) The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market mornings are a highly social scene, definitely the place to be, not only because buying locally from growers you know is a healthy personal choice, but because Santa Fe is a community that believes in supporting small farms and sustainable agriculture. Swing by for a just-plucked tomato, some fresh flowers, or a muffin made with local ingredients.
10. Very Walkable
Santa Fe is proud of its distinctive neighborhoods, each offering a welcome window into our culture. Most are best seen on foot, so you do not miss the allure of a shop window, the spontaneity of an outdoor sculpture, or the smell of the chile wafting through a door. Try the half-mile-long Canyon Road and its charming adobe homes transformed into 100+ galleries, restaurants, and shops. Or the burgeoning Railyard District with its contemporary lofts, galleries, museums, and breweries, its community garden and 10-acre park.
11. Native American Artisans Portal Program
Every day from 8:30 am to 5 pm under the portal of the Palace of the Governors on the Plaza, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States, you can interact with and purchase art from artisan vendors of 23 federally recognized Native American Tribes, Pueblos, or Nations in New Mexico. More than 1,500 artisans are authorized to participate, each having demonstrated technical mastery of their chosen craft, including pottery, some textiles, and jewelry made of traditional materials such as turquoise, coral, and silver.
12. Extensive Outdoor Terrain, including More than 300 Miles of Hiking Trails
Amid the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east, the Rio Grande Valley to the south and west, and the Jemez Mountains for your sunsets, enthusiasts can often ski, bike, hike, fish, and paddle, all in the same week. From the mountain slopes of Ski Santa Fe to the foothill trails of Santa Fe’s Dale Ball Trail system and the waterways of Northern New Mexico, there is an abundance of beautiful terrain, access to which can be just minutes from the historic Plaza. Check out our Foothill Trails Map for some guidance.
13. Live Music, including Santa Fe Opera
Lensic 360 Performances
Find something to groove to most every night of the week! Venues range from club scenes to intimate hotel bars to more grandiose spots like the Santa Fe Opera, the Lensic Performing Arts Center, and SITE Santa Fe. June–August, Lensic 360 presents the Santa Fe Summer Scene—free, live music and family-friendly movies! And since 1957, newcomers and opera lovers alike return each year for world-class productions by one of America's premier opera festivals. Revel in extraordinary performances by international operatic superstars under a dazzling Santa Fe summer sky. Set in a peaceful and rugged high desert landscape, the venue is an architectural wonder and there’s not a bad seat in the house. Now in its 69th season, some 2,000 performances of nearly 180 operas by 90 composers, including 18 world premieres, 45 American premieres later, the 2026 season features five operas: the first American premier of Lili Elbe, plus Madama Butterfly, The Magic Flute, Eugene Onegin, and Rodelinda La Bohème,
14. Home of the Original Meow Wolf
A darling in Santa Fe, the original Meow Wolf, designed to deliver immersive, interactive experiences to transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration, is the brainchild of an artist collective with support from Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin. Come see the award-winning House of Eternal Return, more than 70 rooms in a multidimensional mystery house with secret passages, portals to magical worlds, and art exhibits along with an all-ages learning center, a cafe, store, bar, concert venue, and community art space! New rooms are always in development, and you just may meet an interdimensional being or two (pictured above).
15. Ski Santa Fe
Located just 16 miles from the heart of downtown, Ski Santa Fe offers some of the finest ski slopes in the Southwest, and some of the fluffiest snow. The mountain sits at a base elevation of 10,350 feet and reaches a peak elevation of 12,075 feet with expansive vistas of all the beauty that is Northern New Mexico, plus terrain for every skill level with 90 trails (more if you make your own through the trees!). The rental shop is well equipped, as is the on-site retail shop. Choose from two eateries with outdoor decks for soaking in the rays while refueling with delicious regional dishes. Their new high-speed Santa Fe Express will get you access to all trails in just 4 minutes!
16. The City Different’s Distinctive Architecture
In the early 1900s, the “City Beautiful Movement” was sweeping the United States and all state capitals were invited to join. Officials in Santa Fe knew their city was already beautiful, and that their unique and historic “Santa Fe Style” just needed codifying. In 1912, as New Mexico became a state, Santa Fe released a style preservation plan. Drawing on its heritage and architectural roots, the city decided to fully embrace the Pueblo-Spanish architectural look that originated with the Pueblo Indians—the area’s First Peoples—and the more linear Territorial style. This is the aesthetic you see today.
17. Established Filmmaking Destination
SFiFF discussion with Amy Goodman and Tia Lessin by Ryan Flanagan at the Santa Fe International Film Festival in October 2025
New Mexico is a growing hub for the film industry, particularly with three studios for a combined nine sound stages and seven movie ranches and the presence of Netflix nearby. In fact, Moviemaker Magazine placed The City Different in the #1 spot for Best Places to Live and Work as a Filmmaker. Be a film tourist guided by the film office’s handy maps depicting the sights of major films and shows made in New Mexico. Or sit back and celebrate with the Santa Fe International Film Festival (October 14–19), The Santa Fe Film Festival (February), or the Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival.
18. 250 Galleries, 20 Museums, Dozens of Art Markets
Santa Fe has been a top art market for decades with 250 galleries, 20 museums, several immersive art experiences, and dozens of art markets, including Indian, Spanish, and International Folk Art. Come to poke around, network, collect, or just learn more! Santa Fe’s prized and prevailing creative culture has always had a positive influence on its citizens and the local economy, and of course, it’s inviting for visitors as well!
19. Feast Days & Dances at the Eight Northern Pueblos
The Eight Northern Pueblos are cultural treasures, dating back more than one thousand years, and every Santa Fe visitor should see at least one of them through a public celebration. Feast Days and Dances are scheduled throughout the year at Nambé (Nanbé Ówingeh), Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan), Picurís, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos, and Tesuque Pueblos. Remember to observe the etiquette and protocols of each tribe, and please keep in mind photography is not allowed more often than not. Call ahead to confirm.
20. Home to Dozens of Award-Winning Restaurants
Without a doubt, you can eat very well in Santa Fe! Here you will find the only AAA Four Diamond restaurants in the state of New Mexico—Geronimo on Canyon Road, Sazón near the Plaza, and Terra at the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, As well, you can enjoy the foods of nominated and winning James Beard Foundation Award recipients, including “Best Chef: Southwest” Chef/Owner Mark Kiffin of the Compound Restaurant (in 2005) and Chef/Owner Fernando Olea of Sazón (in 2022) who both received top honors. Sazon is ranked at #1 and Geronimo at #2 in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice list of the Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the United States. Truly all Santa Fe chefs are artists, always honing their craft, and integral members of our community, heralded for their talent, ingenuity, and service. For a look at many of our fine culinary destinations in one spot, flip through our Santa Fe Menu Magazine.
21. The Destination for Chile
In 2022, New Mexico produced 46,750 tons chile, with an estimated value of $41.5 million, making it the top cash crop in the state. While most of the magic happens 250 miles to Santa Fe’s south in the “Chile Capital of the World,” Hatch, New Mexico, across the state, restaurant owners and individuals alike eagerly await the arrival of the autumn crop to replenish their troves. “Red, green or Christmas?” is a question you should expect to be asked when you order New Mexican fare. Just ask your server which option packs the most punch or answer “Christmas,” meaning a combination of green and red, perfect for those seeking the best of both worlds. Read more here.
22. Ski in the Morning and Golf or Spa in the Afternoon
Santa Fe enjoys a wide range in elevation from 7,000 feet downtown to 12,075 feet at the top of Ski Santa Fe, so you might imagine there is also a range in temperature and climate. Locals are known to catch the 9 am chairlift up the slopes, squeeze in a half-dozen runs, and make a 2 pm tee time at The City Different’s public course Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe, dressed in an insulated wind shell, perhaps a beanie, and a large grin. Then, many add a jaunt to one of our soaking spas to soothe their muscles. A soak in natural mineral hot springs has a magical power to heal and rejuvenate. Ten Thousand Waves, Ojo Santa Fe, Ojo Caliente, and Jemez Hot Springs offer communal and private soaking options, and all are within easy, scenic driving distance. Or check with your local lodging—many have spa and sauna services onsite.
23. Living History of Anglo, Hispanic, Mexican, and Native American cultures
As the oldest capital city in North America, Santa Fe is endlessly studied as an exemplar of Southwestern culture. Through centuries of trade and governance, it has evolved from a mix of Native American, Hispanic, Mexican, and Anglo cultures into an inclusive, dynamic multicultural destination that today attracts all types of people hungry for something different. Pueblo Feast Days, Santa Fe Fiesta, and other traditions have roots older than the United States, but newer traditions, such as the annual Burning of Zozobra—Old Man Gloom—and the Christmas Eve Canyon Road Farolito Walk have become equally representative of and important to Santa Fe.
24. Santa Fe Margarita Trail
Yay for our 10th year of the Santa Fe Margarita Trail! Taste more than 50 of the best margaritas in the world at Santa Fe’s most popular bars and restaurants. Each locale has created an original, signature margarita, steeped in story for the Santa Fe Margarita Trail. Track your progress with the paper Passport, available for purchase at any of the four Visitors Centers in Santa Fe or at participating restaurants or by downloading the app.
25. Small, Easily Accessible Airport
Fly directly into the Santa Fe Regional Airport from Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago (seasonally) via American Airlines and Denver and Houston (seasonally) via United Airlines. New for 2026, fly business class with JSX direct from Dallas. Improvements include two new gates, featuring art available for purchase, curated by the City of Santa Fe’s Arts & Culture Department, upgraded parking lots, and tasty coffee and pastries at the Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Cafe. Convenient and minutes from town.
Get a taste of The City Different! Order your Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide now or browse our deals and specials to help you plan your next trip to Santa Fe.
