Northwardicknamed "The City Dissimilar," Santa Fe has always been known for marching to the beat of its own drum. Its story stretches back to the 1600s, giving this Southwestern hub multiple centuries to grow into its imaginative, artistic self.

Today, the city shows off its wide array of historic sites, hundreds of art galleries, and perchance the nigh colorful culinary scene in the country. To celebrate the New Mexican uppercase, here are some of the near surprising facts about Santa Iron — and how you lot can all-time feel them for yourself.

1. Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the continental United states…

Established way dorsum in 1607, Santa Fe starting time became a upper-case letter three years after, making it both the oldest capital urban center in the mainland US and the oldest European settlement west of the Mississippi. It also served as the uppercase of the Spanish "Kingdom of New United mexican states," the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, and as the principal metropolis for the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande.

Of course, people had been living on and near the site of the city long before its Western founding — namely, communities of Pueblo Native Americans. Records testify villages in the surface area dating back to the 11th century.

Feel it : Remarkably, buildings from the showtime of the Spanish era still stand. The Palace of the Governors has stood since the early 1600s — today, this celebrated adobe construction serves as New Mexico's history museum, detailing the intervening 400-some years of life in the land. There's a wonderful (daily!) Native American market place here, where you lot can buy jewelry and tokens straight from the artists.

The San Miguel Chapel, aka the oldest church building in the state or just "the oldest church," as well dates back to the early 1600s. Aye, it's even so standing — and putting on services twice a day (once in Latin).

2. …but the city'southward native roots run even deeper.

12 surprising facts about Santa Fe, NM

Photograph: Tourism Santa Fe

Every bit in the 1600s, so today: A significant function of Santa Fe's culture is connected to the 23 Native American Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos who reside in New Mexico. Each tribe comprises its own sovereign nation, and then the rules, language, and culture change depending on who you're visiting. Eight of the state's 19 Native American Pueblos are located n of Santa Atomic number 26. Today, you tin can visit many of them — and you should.

Experience it : Numerous Indigenous celebrations are held throughout the year, with three notables in January lone: King's Twenty-four hours Celebration, St. Ildefonso Banquet Day, and St. Paul's Feast 24-hour interval. March is the quiet month for virtually Pueblos — be respectful, and don't plan a visit then. Public events ramp back up in July and August with the anniversary of the 1680 Pueblo Defection and Santa Clara Feast Solar day.

3. The landscape is more than ski-basin than desert.

Reverse to popular belief, Santa Fe isn't actually high desert — technically, it's semi-barren steppe (with cold winters!). Even though the city gets 300 days of sunshine, locals go to experience all four seasons. This ways you could easily plan multiple trips here throughout the yr and visit at the perfect time to bike, hike, camp, climb, golf, and ski, all in plough.

Experience it : Santa Iron and its environment are stunning to explore on two wheels or your ain two feet. This is especially true in fall, when the aspens alter color and y'all can walk through the falling leaves. Try the Aspen Vista Trail off Hyde Park Road to come across it for yourself.

In winter, Santa Fe trades hiking and biking gear for skis and boards. Ski Santa Fe — with a base of operations elevation of 10,350ft — is only 16 miles from the city center and sees an average almanac snowfall of 225 inches. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers tin can glide through the copse here, as well.

4. Santa Iron was the land's first UNESCO-designated Creative City…

In 2005, Santa Fe made US history by becoming a UNESCO Creative City. One in ten jobs in Santa Iron are continued to the arts, and the city has a vast creative scene spanning several districts and neighborhoods, each bolstered by locals and tourists akin. Information technology would take months to explore information technology all…simply that shouldn't keep you from trying.

Experience it : Meow Wolf is to art what Hamilton is to theatre. The first permanent installation appeared in 2016, supported by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin (who happens to alive in Santa Fe). Meow Wolf'south House of Eternal Render takes guests through a mystery house full of hugger-mugger passageways and surrealist creations. Another recommended creative experience is SITE Santa Fe, a modern art museum with exhibits that are constantly in flux.

5. …and it's one of the largest art markets in the US.

12 surprising facts about Santa Fe, NM

Photo: Tourism Santa Fe

Santa Fe didn't become an art powerhouse overnight — like almost facts nigh the city, this one has a long backstory. Artists starting time began to migrate to Santa Fe in the late 1800s, mesmerized by the landscape, the civilization, and the adobe compages. This trend never really stopped, and the city embraced it with the establishment of the New Mexico Museum of Fine art in 1917.

Today, The Metropolis Different is home to a whopping 250+ galleries, 100 or so of which are located on the winding Canyon Road. During the summer, Santa Fe also holds a number of art festivals and markets (but more on that later on).

Experience it : If you'd similar to see local artists, visit Santa Iron on a Friday nighttime, when many galleries — especially in the summertime — hold public openings. Since the Canyon Road galleries are right next door to each other, this is the ideal identify to begin exploring the city's art scene. Meanwhile, if you're looking for more than contemporary art, head to the Railyard District.

vi. In Santa Fe, nutrient is an art form all its own…

Whether you're hitting up a local-favorite diner for traditional New Mexican cuisine or looking for i of the city's many imaginative twists on the original, New Mexican food is hard to beat. The keystone ingredient is chile — light-green is unremarkably spicier than ruby, but if you're not sure which one to guild, you lot tin can always say "Christmas!" and attempt both. (Tip: Try both.)

Experience it : Eat everything you lot can in Santa Fe. Endeavor a breakfast burrito smothered with green chile at Tia Sophia'southward, and so caput over to Tortilla Flats — adjacent to Meow Wolf — for their red chile pork ribs. If you aren't busting at the seams with New Mexican nutrient by this bespeak, go for the sopapillas at La Choza.

If you hit your chile quota (apparently some people have one), try Jambo for some great wiggle chicken or Cowgirl BBQ for their ribs sans republic of chile (they likewise take karaoke!). To go the best deals at tons of unlike restaurants effectually boondocks, consider planning a trip during Santa Fe Eating place Calendar week (late February), when restaurants offering special prix fixe menus.

7. …while The Santa Iron Opera is nothing short of globe-famous.

12 surprising facts about Santa Fe, NM

Photograph: Tourism Santa Atomic number 26

This is perchance the best opera company in the state (simply ask RBG). The opera firm itself is equally impressive, an open up-air adobe structure framing views of the mountains to the east and those intense New Mexico sunsets to the west. Since it showtime opened in 1957, The Santa Fe Opera has put on 170 different productions (totaling more than 2,000 performances), 16 of which have been world premieres.

Experience information technology : Shows happen most regularly in the summer. The 2020 flavor volition host some classics — including The Barber of Seville and The Magic Flute — also every bit the world premiere of M. Butterfly. Don't miss the tradition of tailgating in the parking lot beforehand, either. Come up early on, bring chairs, bring decorations, or just order a tailgate box and people-watch.

8. Summer in Santa Atomic number 26 = art market flavor.

In addition to the hundreds of art galleries around town, Santa Atomic number 26 besides hosts diverse art markets. They're mostly held in the summertime and characteristic a blend of Anglo, Native American, Spanish, and international art. Recall of your local farmers market, and and then imagine it 10x bigger and creative-ified.

Experience information technology : Showtime with the International Folk Art Market, which takes identify in July and showcases folk art from 52 different countries. That same month you'll take the chance to hitting up the Contemporary Hispanic Market and the Traditional Castilian Market, which gloat Hispanic culture (including trip the light fantastic toe, music, and food), and the second annual Santa Fe Fine art Week, where 100+ events are planned across the city's museums, attractions, and 250+ galleries.

If you can, definitely stick effectually for the Santa Fe Indian Market held in mid-Baronial — information technology's the largest art market dedicated to Native American art in the world.

9. So many famous writers and artists take lived here (and still do).

12 surprising facts about Santa Fe, NM

Photo: Tourism Santa Fe

Considering merely how many people piece of work in the artistic sector in Santa Fe, information technology's no surprise that some of them are well-known faces. Perhaps the almost famous of the local artist contingent was Georgia O'Keeffe, a 20th-century painter known for her vibrant depictions of flowers. As mentioned in a higher place, Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin currently resides in Santa Iron, and other notable past residents have included D.H. Lawrence and Willa Cather.

Feel it : It would simply be fitting to run across O'Keeffe'southward work in the place that inspired information technology. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, located downtown, features not simply her paintings but exhibits on her artistic process as well. If you have a machine and some actress time, you tin also venture north to Ghost Ranch, 1 of O'Keeffe'due south first homes.

Those more than interested in Santa Fe's writers should plan to exist in town in Oct 2020 for the very beginning Santa Fe Literature Week, an entire calendar week dedicated to the city's literary past, present, and time to come.

10. This is one of the about romantic cities in the country.

11 surprising facts about Santa Fe, NM

Photo: Tourism Santa Fe

Santa Atomic number 26 regularly rakes in the accolades, and romance is e'er one of its medals. Artists' cities tend to have an emotional ambiance to them, and there'southward something magical about the meeting of aboriginal cultures with red-and-green vineyards, hills rolling into mountains, and the golds and tans of adobe-fashion architecture melting into the warm hues of a Santa Fe sunset.

If you're here to experience the beloved, grab an "herbal aphrodisiac" at Kakawa Chocolate House, tour the Estrella del Norte vineyards, dine next to a piñon fire at Rio Chama Steakhouse, and catch a couple'due south massage at the Japanese-style Ten Thousand Waves, a world-class spa with private outdoor baths fix in a forest of juniper and pino.

11. The best trail in boondocks might merely be the Margarita Trail.

12 surprising facts about Santa Fe, NM

Photo: Tourism Santa Iron

The Santa Iron Margarita Trail includes 45 different margaritas, each of which has been crafted specifically for the trail past a local establishment. Some particularly special concoctions to expect out for include the Amaya Jalapeno Margarita (Amaya at Hotel Santa Iron), the Santa Cafe Chipotle Margarita (Santacafé), the MadChile Margarita (Mine Shaft Tavern), and the Juliarita Margarita (named after Julia Staab, the resident ghost at La Posada de Santa Atomic number 26).

Experience it : Venture out on the trail! Before y'all first, pick up a newspaper Passport or download the Margarita Trail app for a map of where to discover all 45 unlike margaritas. Conquer the trail and you'll earn some very real rewards — besides the reward of experiencing The City Dissimilar.