Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe isn't for everyone, some love it, and clearly some hate it. Yes there are lots of kitschy shops selling overpriced new age and Native inspired knick knacks and that's all the cynics here seem to recognize, too bad. Some people just don't know how to enjoy themselves when they travel. Yes the architecture is uniform adobe, but hey it looks different than anywhere else so I think that trade mark is pretty cool. What Santa Fe does have is lots of artistry and creativity, great restaurants, very nice hotels many with their own distinct character, and plenty of spas and resorts in the area to unwind. The biggest thing most dismissive writers here have overlooked about Santa Fe is the artistry. It's the third largest art market in the US after NY & LA. Browsing through the art galleries in Santa Fe can be like a day at the museum, and impossible to cover it all in one trip. Even the highways have murals painted on the bridges and concrete walls, really colorful locally inspired arti... Read more

I've been Santa Fe a couple of times. Honestly, I like the architecture and the vibe outside of the city and Northern NM. But inside the city of Santa Fe, it's basically pretentious rich people that stop at kitschy stores. In case you were wondering, I did have pizza at Whole Foods there, and it was good.

Yeah, another artsy-fartsy wannabe kind of town, not to mention a tourist trap where nearly all the merchants try to gouge everyone. I've had enough of this Indian jewelry and blanket crap already. The yuppies and other "cultured" pretentious bunch need to go to the woods and form their own "tribal" gathering. I've had it with dumb asses who live to exploit those who don't know any better.

I was there one time and got drunk. Some Mexican stole my shoes. I had holes in my socks and it was rather embarrassing.

The epitome of a mixture of nomadic rich and so-called artists. Overrun by a bunch of yuppies from Los Angeles and New York that are playing at that in-tune-with-indian-culture thing.  Skip the town and just go fishing nearby.

This is probably the worst place I've been in a long time. If you like matching faux adobe buildings and pretentious jerks go there and stay there.

It reminds me of those old tourist traps you used to see along Route 66. Now you have to pull off Interstate 10 to get the flavor of turista traps. This is one of them but all gathered together in one big lump.

Overall, a haven for militant lefties and yuppies. In addition, this is probably the most overcommercialized new age/yuppie city I have ever seen. It's also notorious among New Mexicans as the most overpriced city to live in as far as the state is concerned. I was offered a job there, but refused the offer because of the living expenses. The city has zoning regulations mandating all buildings within the city limits to be adobe, a living wage, and pretty high local taxes. No wonder why so many businesses are leaving town and going to Albuqueruque. However, it does get 2 stars for being in a gorgeous landscape, and within easy reach to larger and more modest places.

I like upscale artsy-fartsy stuff, so I liked it. Great location.

Too hot, rather pretentious, and I found it dull.

It reminds me of one big western roadside attraction, that dried and rusted up about 30 years ago. Everyone is kind of old. And all the buildings are adobe, and everything is square, literaly!

well, i have been to santa fe about five times now... and i also feel that there is too much so-called nativearts,crowds of tourists and things. but on the other hand- as with each place on earth - look deeper and it will unfold its charm

Recently we were in Santa Fe for three days. Quite frankly I got very, very tired of all the kitchy Indian jewelry and upscale tourist traps. The so-called art galleries all had some variation of the mystical-indian-medicine-woman/mother-earth-figure conjuring up the four winds or whatever. It astounds me that the new agers pay thousands of dollars for this crap. Santa Fe must have been a wonderful place to visit before the East Coast/West Coast crowd screwed it up.

There are many wonderful places to visit in New Mexico, and Santa Fe isn't one of them. Fully half the city's population consists of tax exiles from NYC, pretentious would-be artists, obnoxious showbiz types from LA, and a host of burned-out hippies in their 50s and 60s. The downtown is a depressing tourist trap and the city proper is an endless sprawl (fake adobe houses for the yuppies, run-down mobile homes for the Indians, Mexicans and poor whites). Stay away from Santa Fe and visit charming, not-yet-yuppified Taos instead. And don't miss the pueblos, Los Alamos and the many natural attractions New Mexico has to offer.

Nice town, but it's turned into an "artsy-fartsy" yuppie hangout. In a word...."forgettable."

Santa Fe is a fantastic place to visit any time of year, but my favorite time to go is the summer because of the gorgeous weather and the spectacular sunsets. I especially enjoy checking out the galleries along Canyon Road and exploring the downtown area. The Museum of Folk Art, the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and the Santa Fe Opera are all worth the trip. Another good reason to visit Santa Fe is the fantastic New Mexican cuisine. Try Cafe Pasqual's (especially for breakfast), Maria's Kitchen, and Tomasita's. If you're willing to spend some money, the Coyote Cafe is outstanding. Even if you don't visit Santa Fe in the summer, you can be sure to have a wonderful time.

Santa Fe has a vast array of cultural activities to choose from. You can take your pick of theatre, live music or museums. There are world class art galleries and restaurants. Visit an Indian Pueblo or a Spanish Hacienda. There is a Ski basin and year-round fun and excitement.