Voted the #1 Best City in the US by Travel + Leisure readers, Santa Fe was nominated as the top place to visit in America in 2026. It’s s no surprise this New Mexico city continues to expand – with its rich cultural heritage and pueblo architecture, a booming art scene, local cuisine, and boutique shopping.

In The City Different, there’s always something new and historic to enjoy. Loaded with ancient churches, intimate museums, and quaint alleyways, walk the city to take in the character of the unique neighborhoods.

Make time for the Georgia O’Keefe Museum and the New Mexico History Museum, while the original interactive Meow Wolf makes for a fun stop on the way back to the Albuquerque airport. Purchase Native American jewelry displayed at the Palace of the Governors, and find some of the best deals at the weekend Railyard Artisans Market. Meander the half-mile stretch of charming art galleries donning Canyon Road, and stop at Ahmyo Wine Garden to rest your legs with a glass of vino and live music.

April is an ideal time to visit, as temperatures didn’t exceed 70 degrees and flowers were in bloom everywhere, such as cherry blossoms and hanging purple wisteria. Locals shared that this sudden bloom came 3 weeks early.

This walkable town is also ideal for exploring Northern New Mexican cuisine, which is not Tex Mex but a blend of Hispanic and Pueblo influences. Chile is the star ingredient, as you’ll find green and red varieties on every menu, neither consistently hotter. “Christmas” means a combination of green and red, which we often had doused atop our dishes, from blue corn tacos to burritos. In Hath, New Mexico (the Chile Capital of the World) about 250 miles away, farms produce over 52,000 tons of chiles, making it the top cash crop in the state. Our favorite restaurant from our five day Santa Fe trip was La Choza while many rave about sister restaurant The Shed.

One of the most incredible “secret” hotels to come to Santa Fe recently is Palace Modern, hidden behind the Seth Anderson Studio Gallery sandwiched between a buzzy Izmi Sushi restaurant and future restaurant, Versos. This Mexican fusion restaurant is set to open this month (May 2026) with plans for an upstairs balcony.

Steps from the Historic Plaza, history runs deep. Here, in 1881, the Palace Hotel opened its doors as one of the most lavish and cutting edge hostelries of the Southwest – with electric elevator, hot water on all three floors, and a billiards hall. In 1922, the heyday ended as the gem of Old Santa Fe slowly burned down to the ground due to lack of water pressure. Today, Palace Modern stands on a quadrant of the previous footprint, along with its neighbors Market Steer Restaurant and Las Poblanos Norte, an extension farm shop from famed Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm.

Today, the 1950s-era building has been transformed into a collection of 16 luxurious guest rooms decked in a sexy calming design palette with curated art, high end linens, work stations, small fridges, and glass enclosed bathrooms. My stay was super quiet, allowing me to sleep peacefully while a door to the outside let me bring in fresh air. A contactless entry closet is available for ice or extra room items. Complimentary off site parking is included as well.

This brand new design hotel is ideal for the independent traveler who wants privacy, as contactless self-checkin allows guests to come and go as they please, with a door code to the hotel and room.

Book with me at Melissa.Curtin@fora.travel.