The History of
Santa Fe’s Attractions
Discover Santa Fe, a unique city with a robust history complemented by the vibrance of contemporary artistry. Honored as one of the world’s most creative cities, Santa Fe has remained rooted in the artistic community for over a century.
Established by Don Pedro Peralta circa 1609, the city was settled by Europeans before the Plymouth Colony, establishing Santa Fe as the oldest European community West of the Mississippi. Connected to the city’s first settlers, Santa Fe, New Mexico attractions are rich with history, allowing guests to experience authentic Pueblo architecture and the city’s first government building, the Palace of the Governors.
Sense of Place
Santa Fe was recently awarded by Condé Nast Traveler, the Second Best Small City to Visit in the U.S. 2023 because of all of the food, art, and history the town has to offer. In 2017, Santa Fe was selected as Travel + Leisure’s Readers’ Choice Destination of the year, an honor that acknowledges its rich history, cultural viability, and, of course, its unique places to stay. Prior to this, the city was awarded the National Geographic Traveler’s World Legacy Award for best “Sense of Place”. National Geographic Traveler recognizes excellence in enhancing a sense of place and authenticity, including support for the protection of historical monuments, archaeological sites, cultural events, indigenous heritage and artistic traditions. This prestigious award is a tremendous honor for Santa Fe.
Santa Fe seamlessly blends the grandeur of its history with the allure of modern entertainment. Authentic architecture offers a whimsical vibe while a cutting edge art and shopping scene provide a distinctly contemporary experience.
La Fonda on the Plaza sits in the heart of it all, the only hotel to enjoy an exclusive location on the historic Santa Fe Plaza. And, it’s within easy walking distance of a variety of exciting things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Explore an array of fine art galleries, sample a selection of regional cuisine, browse the boutiques or outdoor activities, the City Different offers something for everyone.
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