Santa Fe Secures Top Spot for 2025 U.S. Travel Destinations; Local Residents Firmly Believe It Deserves the Honors

Santa Fe Secures Top Spot for 2025 U.S. Travel Destinations; Local Residents Firmly Believe It Deserves the Honors

Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been named the No. 1 U.S. city in Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards. This recognition is a testament to the city's vibrant art scene, outdoor recreation, unique cuisine, year-round sunshine, cultural richness, and the multi-layered experiences it offers.

Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the U.S., boasts a rich cultural heritage and a plethora of galleries, year-round markets, and festivals[1][3][4]. The city's stunning mountain landscapes, including the Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation amidst its natural beauty[1][3][4].

Travel + Leisure readers praised Santa Fe's inventive New Mexican cuisine, which includes bold chili flavors and other local specialties[3][4]. The city enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine annually, making it an appealing destination for those seeking sunny weather[3][4].

Santa Fe's cultural experiences are unique and diverse, offering live music, high-elevation spas, and a blend of history that is evident in its architecture and people[1][2]. Visitors appreciate the city's ability to offer something new on each visit, with many returning to discover more of its attractions and experiences[3][4].

George Gundrey, the owner of Tomasita's, a restaurant in Santa Fe that has been serving the state's traditional cuisine since 1974, believes that Santa Fe is "absolutely, 100%" deserving of the No. 1 spot on Travel + Leisure's 2025 top U.S. Travel Destinations list. Gundrey, who returned to Santa Fe when he was 38 after living in California, finds that nothing can "change the soul of Santa Fe."

Mayor Alan Webber stated that Santa Fe's hospitality and magic are evident in its history, culture, art, food, architecture, and people. Randy Randall, the Executive Director of TOURISM Santa Fe, expressed pride in the recognition and described it as a great endorsement.

Resorts in Santa Fe, specifically Bishop's Lodge and Ten Thousand Waves, appeared on Travel + Leisure's best hotels and spas list, with Bishop's Lodge placing No. 2 on the top resorts in the west[4].

Santa Fe has earned a designation as a World's Best Awards Hall of Fame Honoree due to its constant recognition. The city's reader score of 88.80 topped 15 destinations, including New Orleans, Honolulu, and New York[5].

References: [1] https://www.santafe.org/ [2] https://www.santafenewmexican.com/ [3] https://www.travelandleisure.com/ [4] https://www.bishopslodge.com/ [5] https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/destinations/north-america/best-cities-in-the-us-2025

1. Businesses in Santa Fe, like Tomasita's, are proud of the city's unique New Mexican cuisine, which has been praised by Travel + Leisure readers.
2. The city's travel industry also benefits from its vibrant lifestyle, with resorts like Bishop's Lodge and Ten Thousand Waves making it onto Travel + Leisure's best hotels and spas list.
3. Santa Fe's cultural richness and multi-layered experiences, including its art scene, outdoor recreation, and unique cuisine, have earned it a spot in Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards and the World's Best Awards Hall of Fame Honoree.

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