Santa Fe tops US travel list for scenery, cuisine

Santa Fe tops US travel list with scenery, cuisine, and culture to spare

How the New Mexico capital unseated a 12-year champion

Travel + Leisure readers have spoken, and for the first time in the magazine’s 29-year survey history, Santa Fe has been voted the No. 1 city to visit in the United States. The high-desert capital bumped Charleston, South Carolina, from a position it held for a dozen consecutive years and also landed at No. 19 on the magazine’s worldwide list, making Santa Fe the only American city to break into the global top 20 this year. Randy Randall, executive director of Tourism Santa Fe, called the accolade “one of the top two most important awards” the destination can receive, as Randall told KRQE.

Scenery: 300 days of sunshine and a canvas of color

Perched 7,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe dazzles with high-altitude light and a backdrop that turns every sunset into a watercolor. More than 300 sunny days a year mean travelers can explore outdoors in every season, whether that’s hiking Dale Ball Trails, skiing at Ski Santa Fe in winter, or driving the Turquoise Trail scenic byway any time the mood strikes.

Cuisine: Chile heat and farmers-market freshness

New Mexico’s signature red and green chiles anchor menus across town, but Santa Fe’s culinary scene extends far beyond enchiladas. James Beard Award–nominated chefs riff on Indigenous and Spanish flavors, while food trucks dish up everything from blue-corn doughnuts to Navajo tacos. The twice-weekly Santa Fe Farmers Market—among the nation’s oldest and most successful—gives visitors a chance to taste regional produce, chat with growers and pick up handmade soaps or lavender sachets for the flight home. Traveler Linda Deason felt the pull of local flavor and craftsmanship: “We love the jewelry, we love the Native American culture, we love the beautiful architecture,” Deason said during a stroll through the Railyard District — as Deason told KRQE.

Culture and architecture: a living museum

Founded in 1610, Santa Fe is the United States’ third-oldest city, and its centuries-spanning history shows in every adobe wall. The official building code preserves Pueblo Revival style—earth-toned facades, rounded corners, vigas (wooden beams)—giving downtown a cohesive, cinematic look that begs to be photographed. On Canyon Road, more than 80 galleries line a half-mile stretch; contemporary installations such as Meow Wolf’s immersive “House of Eternal Return” push the city’s artistic reputation beyond the traditional. “The climate’s beautiful, the people are super friendly,” another visitor said on camera while browsing galleries, as the traveler told KRQE.

Why Santa Fe tops the US travel list: key takeaways for travelers

• Sunshine advantage: With low humidity and blue skies nearly year-round, outdoor plans rarely get rained out. Pack layers; desert nights cool quickly.

• Walkable core: The historic Plaza anchors downtown. From there, museums, restaurants, and shops fan out in a compact, pedestrian-friendly grid.

• Art for every palate: Whether you lean toward Georgia O’Keeffe’s desert blooms or street murals on Guadalupe Street, art is part of the city’s daily rhythm.

• Elevation awareness: At 7,000 feet, hydration is key. Drink plenty of water and consider a slower pace on day one.

• Day-trip ease: In under an hour, you can soak in geothermal pools at Ojo Caliente, explore Bandelier National Monument’s cliff dwellings, or chase alien lore in Los Alamos.

Planning a Santa Fe getaway: quick FAQs

When’s the best time to visit?
Fall (September–October) brings crisp air and the annual hot-air balloon glow at Albuquerque’s nearby Balloon Fiesta. Summer offers festival season and warm nights for patio dining, while winter means powder days plus far fewer crowds downtown.

How do I get there?
Santa Fe Regional Airport offers nonstops from Denver, Dallas, and Phoenix. Most travelers fly into Albuquerque International Sunport, a 60-minute drive south via Interstate 25. Shuttle services run multiple daily departures.

Do I need a car?
If your itinerary focuses on downtown’s galleries, museums, and restaurants, ride shares and the free Santa Fe Pick-Up shuttle suffice. For exploring the High Road to Taos, ski resorts, or Abiquiú’s Ghost Ranch, rent wheels.

What should I eat first?
Ask for “Christmas”—both red and green chile—on your first plate of enchiladas, then branch out to posole-studded stews, blue-corn pancakes, and, for the brave, a green-chile cheeseburger.

Where should I stay?
Historic adobe inns cluster around the Plaza; luxury resorts, such as the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, sit just outside town, offering mountain views and stargazing decks. Budget-friendly motels and chic casitas along Cerrillos Road offer value without skimping on Southwestern charm.

The bottom line

“Santa Fe tops US travel list” is no empty headline. Vote after vote, the city’s scenery, cuisine, and culture have convinced travelers that this high-desert gem delivers an experience that feels both timeless and refreshingly new. Whether you come for chile-fueled gastronomy, gallery-hopping on Canyon Roa,d or the simple joy of golden light hitting adobe at dusk, you’ll likely leave echoing the words of Travel + Leisure’s readers—and planning your next visit before you’ve even boarded the flight home.