What is Santa Fe Known For?

Published

6 years ago

January 28, 2020

The amazing state of New Mexico has long been named the “Land of Enchantment.” And if you’ve got any plans of getting to New Mexico, then it would almost be a crime not to spend a few days or even just drop by in the state’s beautiful capital city of Santa Fe. So, what is Santa Fe known for anyway? Let’s take a look.

1. Santa Fe Has an Iconic Art Scene

The city of Santa Fe is often called one of America’s major centers of culture, as well as one of the capital art scenes of the country. Actually, Santa Fe is known the world over for it’s amazing art culture. This is probably because of the large number of art monuments, showcases, and museums that you can find from within the heart of the city, all the way to its outskirts.

With that being said, here are a few of those art museums that you can visit while in Santa Fe, New Mexico:

• Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Source: Flickr.com

Entrance fee: $13 (for adults), $11 (for students), free for children 17 and younger.

Note: New Mexico residents have free admission every first Friday of the month.

Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm (Saturday to Thursday), 10 am to 7 pm (Friday)

• New Mexico Museum of Arts

Source: Flickr.com

Entrance fee: $12 per person, $7 per person (for New Mexico residents

Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm (every day)

• Museum of International Folk Art

Source: Flickr.com

Entrance fee: check out their fees here.

Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm (every day)

2. The Bizarre Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return

Source: Flickr.com

As mentioned endlessly before, and continues to this day, the state of Santa Fe is a city of artistic expression, as well as artistic freedom, mainly because the city is home to numerous art galleries and museums.

And while each of those other art museums is interesting and different in their own ways, Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return is, by far, Santa Fe’s most unique.

This art house is immersive, with an adventure-like style of interaction with its visitors. The house also perfectly uses the dynamic of neon colors against the darkness as a way of both modern art and guidance throughout your exploration.

Note: You are recommended to bring a friend with you, as most of the museum’s interactive setting relies on finding your partner by the end or middle of the museum’s journey.

Entrance fee: $18 (for adults), $12 (for kids 12 years old and under), $16 (for seniors), $15 (for New Mexican adults), $10 (for NM kids 12 years old and under), $13 (for NM seniors)

Opening hours: 10 am to 8 pm (Sunday to Thursday), 10 am to 10 pm (Friday to Saturday)

3. New Mexican Cuisine is the Greatest

Source: Flickr.com

Santa Fe is not only an artistic hub but is also a mixing pot of numerous cultural cuisines. And along with it, unique culinary fusions.

New Mexico is known for its unique cuisine, due to its mixture of Native American, Latin America, and Hispano-Spanish.

To taste even just a bite of this food is absolutely essential.

You can have the option to go on a food tour, with the Wander New Mexico Food Tours, or if you want to explore Santa Fe’s best meals, and even discover lesser-known diners, on your own, then here are some of the best restaurants and places to go to:

Tomasita’s

Price range: $$

Must-try menu items: red and green chile

Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen

Price range: $$

Must-try menu items: chile Rellenos, enchiladas

Tia Sophia’s

Price range: $

Must-try menu items: huevos rancheros

4. The Pleasant Santa Fe Plaza

Source: Wikimedia.org

If you’re into mingling with the locals and totally immersing yourself in the Santa Fe New Mexican culture, then a day spent at the Santa Fe Plaza is the perfect way to go.

Filled with endless fascinating shops and displays, the Santa Fe Plaza offers you unique souvenirs, like artworks, trendy clothing, handmade jewelry, and even scrumptious food from food carts—all at cheap prices!

Getting around the plaza is also a great way to get to know the Santa Fe locals, witnessing the city’s diversity in both people and culture, as well as supporting local products and business.

Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm (Monday to Saturday)

5. The Sante Fe Opera House

Source: Flickr.com

When it comes to music and performance, there is no place like the Santa Fe Opera House.

The opera house is the heart of performing arts in the city of Santa Fe or even in the state of New Mexico.

This is the place for local talents such as up-and-coming opera singers, and aspiring live performance acts to shine, as the opera house hosts plays and shows for Santa Fe’s entertainment.

In July and August, the opera house also surprisingly hosts several music festivals!

Note: Ticket prices depend on the show you want to watch as well as where you want to be seated. You can visit their site for more information.

Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm (Monday to Saturday), closed on Sunday

6. The New Mexico State Capitol Building

New Mexico State Capitol Building Day View

Source: Flickr.com

What’s a trip to a capital city without dropping by the city capitol building. In the majority of the American states, the city capitol building is often the most scenic, as well as important, establishments in the city, or even the state!

You can check out the building’s beautiful interior, or tour the official rooms for governance and discussion, or even get to know the history of the building, as well as the history of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Tours are available every day, with prices differing with each type of tour.

Opening hours: 7 am to 6 pm (Monday to Friday), closed on weekends

The amazing city of Santa Fe is known for both a booming hub of art and as one of America’s growing cultural cores. These activities are for when you’ve only got the slightest free toms to spend in the city, so there is surely a lot more where this fun comes from!

So, what is Santa Fe known for? Beauty, food, art, excitement, history, everything that makes a city great. Don’t fret nor wait, and book a flight now to Santa Fe, New Mexico!