New to Santa Fe?
5 Local Attractions You Need to Experience in the City Different
Moving to Santa Fe or just visiting? Explore the top things to do in Santa Fe, NM — from world-class art and ski slopes to beloved annual festivals. Live like a local from day one.
Santa Fe isn't just one of the most beautiful cities in the American Southwest — it's one of the most culturally rich, creatively alive, and endlessly interesting places you'll ever call home. Whether you're relocating here or still in the middle of your home search, getting out and exploring like a local is the fastest way to fall in love with this place.
From off-the-beaten-path art galleries to world-class ski terrain, here are five Santa Fe experiences that locals swear by.
Vital Spaces
If you want to understand Santa Fe's vibrant art scene beyond the galleries on Canyon Road, Vital Spaces is your introduction to what's happening at the edges. This community-driven organization showcases local artists in unexpected venues — think vacant storefronts, unusual spaces, and rotating pop-up shows that feel genuinely alive. It's the kind of art experience that reminds you Santa Fe isn't just trading on its reputation — it's still earning it.
Why locals love it: Authentic, accessible, and off the typical tourist trail.
2. Santa Fe Ski Area
Just a short drive from the Plaza, the Santa Fe Ski Area sits at over 12,000 feet and offers some of the most breathtaking terrain in New Mexico. In winter, the slopes draw skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Come warmer months, the same mountain transforms into a hiker's paradise with trails that reward you with sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It's a year-round destination that never gets old.
Why locals love it: World-class skiing in winter, incredible hiking in summer — and it's right in your backyard.
3. Wine and Chili Festival
Every September, Santa Fe hosts one of its most beloved annual events: the Wine and Chili Festival. It's exactly what it sounds like — a celebration of New Mexico's two great loves, with regional wines, roasted chile, live music, and a festive atmosphere that draws both locals and visitors. If you time your visit or move to coincide with it, you won't regret it.
Why locals love it: It's a quintessential Santa Fe experience that celebrates the culture in the best possible way.
4. Santa Fe Fiestas
Fiestas aren't just one event in Santa Fe — they're a way of life. Throughout the year, the city comes alive with celebrations rooted in the community's deep Spanish and Indigenous heritage. Music, dancing, food, and pageantry fill the streets, and the atmosphere is joyful and welcoming to everyone. Locals plan their calendars around Fiestas, and once you experience one, you'll understand why.
Why locals love it: There's nothing quite like it — deeply rooted in tradition, but alive and evolving every year.
5. Spanish Market & Indian Market
Two of the most significant cultural events in the Southwest happen right here in Santa Fe. The Spanish Market and Indian Market each draw artists, artisans, and visitors from across the country and around the world. Whether you're browsing hand-carved santos, intricate silver jewelry, traditional pottery, or wearable art, these markets are both a shopping destination and a living celebration of the cultures that define this city. Being in Santa Fe during either event is something truly special.
Why locals love it: The talent on display is world-class, and the energy of the city during these markets is unforgettable.
Start Living Like a Santa Fe Local
The more time you spend in Santa Fe, the more you'll realize that its magic isn't just in the landscapes or the architecture — it's in the community, the culture, and the rhythm of daily life here. And the best way to find your place in it is to find the right home.
If you're ready to make Santa Fe your permanent home, reach out to Rotman Real Estate for local expertise and a guide who knows this city the way only a true local can.
