Did you know Santa Fe was named one of the best cities in the world? That’s right! Readers of the travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, voted the city among their top ten favorite places to visit. Keep reading to learn more about the best things about Santa Fe and why it deserves this title:

This should come as no surprise to those who live in or have visited New Mexico’s state capital because, when it comes down to it, Santa Fe is filled with beauty.

R.H. Baumgartner/Flickr In fact, we think it’s home to some first-rate spots and that’s what entices tourists from around the world to flock to this northern New Mexican city. Here’s a look at some of the reasons we agree it’s one of the best cities in the world.

It is a city rich in both history and beauty.

Greg Gjerdingen/Flickr Santa Fe was founded in 1609, making it one of the oldest in the country (depending on who you ask).

It is home to the oldest house in the country…

familyfriends754/Flickr The De Vargas House dates to 1646 and has been continuously occupied until the 1920s.

…and the oldest church.

Mark Stephenson/Flickr San Miguel Mission is the oldest church in the United States and was constructed between 1610 and 1626.

The beauty doesn’t stop at the architecture. You’ll also find it while walking down the street…

Jay Galvin/Flickr

…or by visiting museums.

Sharat Ganapati/Flickr As an example, Meow Wolf has some incredible multimedia art installations you won’t find anywhere else!

And let’s not forget those gorgeous natural views surrounding Santa Fe. The colorful landscape takes shape in rock formations…

Ron Reiring/Flickr

…along the numerous nearby hiking trails…

Will Keightley/Flickr This beautiful fall view can be found on Aspen Vista Trail.

…and even in the midst of winter.

Paul Sableman/Flickr

While we’re in the midst of sharing our love of Santa Fe, be sure to let us know what you love about our state’s capital city! Are there any places, in particular, you love to visit when here? What are the best things about Santa Fe in your opinion?

R.H. Baumgartner/Flickr

In fact, we think it’s home to some first-rate spots and that’s what entices tourists from around the world to flock to this northern New Mexican city. Here’s a look at some of the reasons we agree it’s one of the best cities in the world.

Greg Gjerdingen/Flickr

Santa Fe was founded in 1609, making it one of the oldest in the country (depending on who you ask).

familyfriends754/Flickr

The De Vargas House dates to 1646 and has been continuously occupied until the 1920s.

Mark Stephenson/Flickr

San Miguel Mission is the oldest church in the United States and was constructed between 1610 and 1626.

Jay Galvin/Flickr

Sharat Ganapati/Flickr

As an example, Meow Wolf has some incredible multimedia art installations you won’t find anywhere else!

Ron Reiring/Flickr

Will Keightley/Flickr

This beautiful fall view can be found on Aspen Vista Trail.

Paul Sableman/Flickr

Alternatively, if you prefer parts of New Mexico that are a little less populated, you might want to check out one of the state’s quiet ghost towns. Read about one of our favorites in You Will Feel A Thousand Miles Away From It All In The Isolated Ghost Town Of Chloride, New Mexico.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USAAddress: 1352 Rufina Cir, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Things About Santa Fe June 05, 2020 Leah Where is the best place to live in New Mexico? People love living in Santa Fe for the many amazing things it offers, but there are other places to live in New Mexico that rival it. If you’re looking for other options, you might be interested in Los Alamos. It is often ranked up at the very top when it comes to the best places to live in the Land of Enchantment. It is much smaller than Santa Fe, with a population around just 12,000 residents, surrounded by ponderosa pines and in a stunning area. When considering the statistics, Los Alamos has a high-ranking school system and low crime rates. It’s a perfect place to both start a family or retire and settle down. Plus, the gorgeous scenery around it is full of parks and ways to enjoy it. What more could you want? What is the largest city in New Mexico? Of all the best cities in New Mexico, only one of them is the biggest by population. Santa Fe ranks fourth on that list at around 85,000 residents. The biggest city in the state is Albuquerque, with over half a million people. It’s five times bigger than the second-largest city in New Mexico, Las Cruces. Like Santa Fe, ABQ has a historic district that dates back to the early 1700s. In contrast, it also has an urban and trendy downtown with restaurants, museums, and more. Though it isn’t considered as much of a tourist destination as other cities, there is definitely a lot to see, do, shop, eat, and experience there. What is the oldest town in New Mexico? With historic destinations being common among the things to see in Santa Fe, you’d be right in thinking that it’s the oldest city in the state. Not only that, but it’s the second oldest city in the entire country. However, it is not the oldest inhabited place in New Mexico. That title would go to the Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo. The Taos Pueblo consists of a cluster of adobe buildings that have been continually lived-in for over 1,000 years, believe it or not. The rich history of this area can be explored through tours and visiting museums in the nearby town of Taos. To add to the magical effect of this special spot, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are the scenic backdrop of it all.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Things About Santa Fe

June 05, 2020

Leah

Where is the best place to live in New Mexico? People love living in Santa Fe for the many amazing things it offers, but there are other places to live in New Mexico that rival it. If you’re looking for other options, you might be interested in Los Alamos. It is often ranked up at the very top when it comes to the best places to live in the Land of Enchantment. It is much smaller than Santa Fe, with a population around just 12,000 residents, surrounded by ponderosa pines and in a stunning area. When considering the statistics, Los Alamos has a high-ranking school system and low crime rates. It’s a perfect place to both start a family or retire and settle down. Plus, the gorgeous scenery around it is full of parks and ways to enjoy it. What more could you want? What is the largest city in New Mexico? Of all the best cities in New Mexico, only one of them is the biggest by population. Santa Fe ranks fourth on that list at around 85,000 residents. The biggest city in the state is Albuquerque, with over half a million people. It’s five times bigger than the second-largest city in New Mexico, Las Cruces. Like Santa Fe, ABQ has a historic district that dates back to the early 1700s. In contrast, it also has an urban and trendy downtown with restaurants, museums, and more. Though it isn’t considered as much of a tourist destination as other cities, there is definitely a lot to see, do, shop, eat, and experience there. What is the oldest town in New Mexico? With historic destinations being common among the things to see in Santa Fe, you’d be right in thinking that it’s the oldest city in the state. Not only that, but it’s the second oldest city in the entire country. However, it is not the oldest inhabited place in New Mexico. That title would go to the Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo. The Taos Pueblo consists of a cluster of adobe buildings that have been continually lived-in for over 1,000 years, believe it or not. The rich history of this area can be explored through tours and visiting museums in the nearby town of Taos. To add to the magical effect of this special spot, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are the scenic backdrop of it all.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

People love living in Santa Fe for the many amazing things it offers, but there are other places to live in New Mexico that rival it. If you’re looking for other options, you might be interested in Los Alamos. It is often ranked up at the very top when it comes to the best places to live in the Land of Enchantment. It is much smaller than Santa Fe, with a population around just 12,000 residents, surrounded by ponderosa pines and in a stunning area. When considering the statistics, Los Alamos has a high-ranking school system and low crime rates. It’s a perfect place to both start a family or retire and settle down. Plus, the gorgeous scenery around it is full of parks and ways to enjoy it. What more could you want?

What is the largest city in New Mexico?

Of all the best cities in New Mexico, only one of them is the biggest by population. Santa Fe ranks fourth on that list at around 85,000 residents. The biggest city in the state is Albuquerque, with over half a million people. It’s five times bigger than the second-largest city in New Mexico, Las Cruces. Like Santa Fe, ABQ has a historic district that dates back to the early 1700s. In contrast, it also has an urban and trendy downtown with restaurants, museums, and more. Though it isn’t considered as much of a tourist destination as other cities, there is definitely a lot to see, do, shop, eat, and experience there.

What is the oldest town in New Mexico?

With historic destinations being common among the things to see in Santa Fe, you’d be right in thinking that it’s the oldest city in the state. Not only that, but it’s the second oldest city in the entire country. However, it is not the oldest inhabited place in New Mexico. That title would go to the Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo. The Taos Pueblo consists of a cluster of adobe buildings that have been continually lived-in for over 1,000 years, believe it or not. The rich history of this area can be explored through tours and visiting museums in the nearby town of Taos. To add to the magical effect of this special spot, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are the scenic backdrop of it all.