Santa Fe makes top 3 on list of best cultural hot spots
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis in Santa Fe, Tuesday May 17, 2022.
Eddie Moore
Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth TuckerElizabeth Tucker Journal Staff Writer
PublishedModified
A new study from The Family Vacation Guide ranked Santa Fe number two on a list of the top 10 cultural hot spots across the U.S., surpassing cities like San Francisco, New Orleans and Pittsburgh.
The list was compiled based on the criteria of how many museums and art galleries a city has, parks and gardens, monuments and statues, religious and historic sites.
The state's Capitol scored an 8.99 out of 10 based on the listed criteria, and the study called it, "one of the most unique cities in the county."
Known as the City Different, Santa Fe sticks close to its roots with distinctive pueblo-style architecture throughout the city, and many artists from far and wide are drawn to the sweeping landscapes.
The number of museums and galleries compared to population is almost four times higher than any other city at 209.77 per 100,000 persons, the study said.
The complete list is:
Palm Springs, California — score 9.27
Santa Fe, New Mexico — score 8.99
Annapolis, Maryland — score 8.43
San Francisco, California — score 8.37
New Orleans, Louisiana — score 8.24
Charleston, South Carolina — score 8.02
Portland, Maine — score 7.98
Boston, Massachusetts — score 7.89
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — score 7.66
Washington, D.C. — score 7.49
Life in Santa Fe
Travel + Leisure survey ranks Santa Fe at No. 2 for best city in U.S. and No. 21 city in the world
Millennium and beyond: Santa Fe to host Burning of Zozobra for 99th time
Meow Wolf CEO talks expansion, remaining grounded in NM
A docent tour gets a look at the “Shadow and Light” exhibit that will be up for the opening of the Vladem Contemporary Art Museum, in Santa Fe. Pictured is the installation by Virgil Oritz.Eddie Moore
Milan Waquie, 17, and other members of the Seasonal Dancers from Jemez Pueblo, perform the Eagle Dance on the corner of San Francisco Street and Lincoln Avenue during the Santa Fe Indian Market on Aug 19.Eddie Moore
A “Harry Potter”-themed Old Man Gloom goes up in flames during the 99th burning of Zozobra, at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe in 2023.Eddie Moore
A visitor admires the altar screen at Santa Fe’s San Miguel Chapter on Thursday. The old adobe church was outfitted with solar panels this week.Eddie Moore
Josiah Tsatoke, Kiowa, from Oklahoma, talks with tourist while wearing a traditional dress for a war dance. This is during the Santa Fe Indian Market, Saturday, August 19, 2023. The 101 Santa Fe Indian Market and has art from over 1000 artist from the US and Canada. The market continues through Sunday.Eddie Moore
Vincent Campos, second from right, along with his wife, Marlyne, and daughters Lilly, 4, and Mia, 1, shop the booths at the Traditional Spanish Market, which continues today at the Santa Fe Plaza.Eddie Moore
Flamenco dancers La Emi and her students perform at the Traditional Spanish Market at the Santa Fe Plaza in July.Eddie Moore
Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe, left, is one of New Mexico’s largest companies within the creative economy.Eddie Moore
The performance space at Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe. The state, in an effort to capitalize on the creative economy in New Mexico, is launching a new Creative Industries Division to support budding entrepreneurs and projects in the space.Eddie Moore
A Trash Temple by Corinne Loperfido at Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe.Eddie Moore
Meow Wolf, based in Santa Fe, is one of the largest businesses in New Mexico’s creative economy.Eddie Moore
Pace LaVik, center, and hundreds of people take part in the 30th annual Santa Fe Pride Parade, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Over 100 groups signed up to march in the parade that started near the State Capitol and went through the Plaza. Thousand of people came out to see the event.Eddie Moore
Christi Wiltenburg and hundreds of people take part in the 30th annual Santa Fe Pride Parade, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Over 100 groups signed up to march in the parade that started near the State Capitol and went through the Plaza. Thousand of people came out to see the event.Eddie Moore
Tegan Armijo, 12, poses in front of a truck carrying a space craft prop in the 30th annual Santa Fe Pride Parade, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Over 100 groups signed up to march in the parade that started near the State Capitol and went through the Plaza. Thousand of people stood along the streets to see the event.Eddie Moore
With only family and priest left in the church, the body of Archbishop Emeritus Michael Sheehan is placed in the crypt under Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assis, in Santa Fe, Friday. This was following his funeral. Sheehan dies June 3rd. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
