Santa Fe's rich cultural tapestry is woven with threads of Spanish heritage, a history palpable in its architecture, cuisine, and artistic expressions. When it comes to dance, Flamenco holds a deep, celebrated, and well-documented position here, with roots stretching back generations thanks to pioneers like Vicente Romero and María Benítez. However, alongside this powerful art form, the vibrant energy of social Latin dancing – encompassing styles like Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, and Tango – also finds a lively and growing home in The City Different.  

Just a few miles north of the bustling Santa Fe Plaza, a world away in atmosphere yet remarkably close in proximity, lies the enchanting village of Tesuque. Taking the scenic drive up Bishop's Lodge Road, winding through rolling hills dotted with piñon and juniper, or opting for the quicker route via Highway 84/285, you'll find yourself transported to a place that feels both timeless and vital.

Santa Fe's rich history is deeply intertwined with Spanish culture, a connection that beautifully seasons its vibrant culinary landscape. While famous for New Mexican staples, the city also offers authentic tastes of Spain, and few dishes are as iconic or celebratory as paella. This saffron-infused rice dish, brimming with delicious ingredients, is a treat to find prepared well. While several establishments offer tapas and Spanish wines, finding truly exceptional paella requires a little insider knowledge. Look no further – we're highlighting two Santa Fe restaurants that stand out for their commitment to Spanish flavors and their must-try paella.

Santa Fe is a city begging to be explored, with centuries of history etched into its adobe walls, world-class art down hidden alleyways, and a unique cultural blend around every corner. While wandering solo has its charms, joining a guided tour is often the best way to unlock the secrets of the City Different, ensuring you don't miss hidden gems or fascinating stories. But with options ranging from breezy trolley rides and in-depth historical walks to delicious food adventures and spooky ghost hunts, choosing the right tour can seem daunting. This Santa Fe Insiders guide highlights some of the top-rated and most popular city tours to help you find the perfect match for experiencing Santa Fe's magic.

Santa Fe's culinary landscape is famously diverse, bursting with the flavors of New Mexico and global influences. But sometimes, tradition calls, and nothing satisfies quite like a perfectly seared, high-quality steak. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging a craving for prime beef, the City Different delivers. Forget the guesswork – this Santa Fe Insiders guide cuts right to the chase, highlighting the top 5 steakhouses where exceptional flavor, distinct ambiance, and top-notch service are always on the menu.

Santa Fe's enchanting blend of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo cultures is beautifully reflected in its diverse culinary scene, which increasingly embraces vibrant and delicious plant-based dining. Gone are the days when finding satisfying vegan or vegetarian fare felt like a quest; today, the City Different offers a wealth of creative choices for herbivores and the veg-curious alike. From restaurants rooted in ancient Ayurvedic principles to lively food trucks serving up island flavors, navigating the wonderful options can be exciting. Let Santa Fe Insiders be your guide as we explore the top 5 vegan-friendly restaurants, each offering unique menus, welcoming atmospheres, and a true taste of Santa Fe's inclusive spirit.

The allure of the American West – wide-open spaces, horseback adventures, starry nights, and a connection to a simpler way of life – is deeply embedded in the history of New Mexico. While Santa Fe offers a rich tapestry of art, culture, and cuisine, sometimes the call of the trail and the tranquility of a ranch setting beckon. Dude ranches, or guest ranches, emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as working ranches began welcoming guests, often from the East Coast, eager to experience the authentic Western lifestyle, if only for a week or two.

Nestled in the scenic Pecos River Valley, just a short drive southeast of Santa Fe, lies Lightning Ranch (historically known as the Forked Lightning Ranch), a property steeped in the colorful history of the American West and New Mexico. Its story begins not with ancient ruins, but with the dynamic era of the Santa Fe Trail and the larger-than-life personalities who sought to capture the spirit and opportunity of the region.

Willard Ayer Nash brought a distinctly modern, often avant-garde sensibility to the early Santa Fe art scene, serving as a crucial member of the influential group Los Cinco Pintores. Born in Philadelphia in 1898, Nash had a varied and perhaps surprising early life before dedicating himself to painting. As a youth, he studied art briefly with John P. Wicker at the Detroit School of Fine Arts. However, he also found success early on as a commercial artist in Detroit by age 16, was reportedly the highest-paid boy soprano in the US at one point, acted on the stage, and even pursued amateur boxing.

Walter Mruk holds a unique place in Santa Fe's art history as one of the original five members of Los Cinco Pintores, the groundbreaking group that injected modernism into the city's nascent art scene in the early 1920s. While his name is perhaps less widely known today than those of his fellow Pintores like Will Shuster or Fremont Ellis, Mruk was an integral part of the collective energy and vision that helped establish Santa Fe's enduring identity as a haven for artists.

Fremont F. Ellis was a cornerstone of the early Santa Fe art scene, the youngest member of the seminal group Los Cinco Pintores, and an artist whose love affair with the New Mexico landscape produced a lifetime of evocative, light-filled paintings. Born in Virginia City, Montana, in 1897, Ellis had an unconventional upbringing. His father was a multi-talented, nomadic figure – part dentist, part carnival performer, part theater operator – whose travels took the family through bustling Western mining towns and occasionally to major cities. This itinerant life meant Fremont received very little formal schooling, not progressing beyond the first grade.

Jozef Bakos was a vital force in shaping Santa Fe's artistic identity, a key member of the influential group Los Cinco Pintores, and a respected artist and teacher whose career spanned over half a century in the City Different. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1891 to Polish immigrant parents, his artistic inclinations were apparent early on, possibly influenced by his father's skills as a woodcarver and amateur painter. Growing up in Buffalo's vibrant immigrant community likely instilled in him a unique perspective that he would later bring to his art.