US City That Feels Like Another Country, From Frequent Traveler

2025-08-15T18:14:40Z

I’ve been to all 50 states, but Santa Fe, New Mexico, feels unlike anywhere else I’ve ever visited.
The architecture makes me feel like I’m walking through a beautifully preserved historic village.
I love that art is everywhere, from public murals and street galleries to handmade sculptures.

I’ve traveled to all 50 states and visited hundreds of cities in the process, but Santa Fe, New Mexico, stands out in a way that’s hard to explain.

The city, built on the traditional lands of the Northern and Southern Tewa, reflects centuries of Native American, Mexican, and Spanish history in its language, art, food, and even street names.

From the moment I first arrived over 12 years ago, I immediately felt like I was transported to a different country.

The colors, pace, food, and architecture are all unlike anywhere else I’ve experienced in the US — which is why I’ve traveled back countless times.

Santa Fe is full of distinct architecture.

Santa Fe has strict building codes to ensure consistency throughout the city.

Emily Hart

You won’t find glass skyscrapers or cookie-cutter homes here. Santa Fe’s low-slung adobe buildings, soft curves, and natural colors are rooted in the traditions of Pueblo and Spanish Colonial architecture.

These adobe structures give the whole city a warm, earthy tone that feels more like a preserved historic village than a modern capital city.

Strict building codes have been in place since the 1950s to maintain this aesthetic consistency throughout the city, making walking through town feel like wandering through an open-air museum.

Art and creativity are integral to the city.

The exterior of Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return with a large wolf sculpture in front. — Art is integrated into everything in Santa Fe.

Emily Hart

Santa Fe has long attracted artists, writers, and spiritual seekers. In fact, the famed Canyon Road is a half-mile stretch of land home to over 80 galleries and studios.

However, art isn’t just confined to designated spaces — it’s woven into everything. Public murals, street-side sculptures, handmade pottery, weavings, and spiritual symbols appear everywhere you look.

I recommend visiting Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, an immersive art experience where visitors can interact directly with the installations.

The many unique and historic accommodations perfectly match the city’s vibe.

The exterior of La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe. — The accommodations blend seamlessly with the city’s unique style.

Emily Hart

Santa Fe’s hotels aren’t just places to sleep — they’re often extensions of the city’s identity.

I love staying at the historic La Fonda on the Plaza, an iconic building in the heart of town. With hand-painted tiles, wood-beamed ceilings, and a warm, historic feel, staying here felt like waking up in another country.

There are also dozens of cozy inns, casitas, and bed-and-breakfasts tucked away throughout the city, many of which are located in historic adobe homes. These make it easy to feel like a local, even just for a weekend.

New Mexican cuisine is rooted in history and tradition.

A traditional New Mexican meal on a blue plate in a restaurant. — Many dishes are served with chile sauce.

Emily Hart

The food in Santa Fe is deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. The cuisine blends Indigenous, Spanish, and Mexican influences into bold, flavorful dishes.

Many dishes are served with red or green chile sauce, and if you can’t decide on one, you can order “Christmas style” — a combination of both.

From stacked enchiladas and carne adovada to breakfast burritos and sopapillas served with local honey, you won’t leave hungry.

There’s so much natural beauty in Santa Fe.

Emily taking a selfie in the desert in Santa Fe, with the sunset in the background. — Santa Fe is known for its vivid sky.

Emily Hart

Santa Fe sits over 7,000 feet above sea level and is dramatically surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

The landscape is diverse, featuring pine forests, desert hills, and wildflowers, so there’s always something new to explore.

Plus, the sunsets are unreal, casting a golden glow across the adobe walls and desert cliffs. The dramatic, vivid colors of the sky and landscape even inspired artists like Georgia O’Keeffe to capture them in their work.

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