America’s ‘best’ city of 2026 has 300 days of sunshine and gorgeous foothills – & tourists can visit hidden gem museum

www.the-sun.com

AN often missed city with a rugged landscape, unique local cuisine, and rich art scene has been named the best travel destination in the US.

Hundreds of thousands of travel readers took a survey and granted the southwestern city the title for the second year in a row.

Sign up for The US Sun newsletter

Thank you!

Overhead view of Santa Fe, New Mexico at twilight, with lights illuminating the buildings and trees.

Santa Fe, New Mexico has been named the top US destination of 2026 by Travel + Leisure Credit: Sean Pavone

A traditional market in Santa Fe, New Mexico, selling colorful textiles, ristras, and cow skulls.

The city still centers around a plaza, where art and other goods are sold Credit: Sean Pavone

Santa Fe, New Mexico nabbed the coveted title in Travel + Leisure and beat out Charleston, South Carolina, which had been in first place since 2013.

“Every trip exceeds the last, with so many new things to discover,” a repeat visitor told Travel + Leisure last year, adding that “Santa Fe offers a multi-layer experience.”

Readers described the New Mexico capital as “a true gem of a place in America,” with a dynamic art scene, unique architecture, and 300 days of sunshine a year.

The city features Pueblo-style buildings and revolves around a traditional plaza where art and other handcrafted goods are still sold.

read more in travel

Santa Fe’s desert landscape, set on the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, has also served as a home and inspiration for many artists.

Most notably, the city was home to artists Georgia O’Keeffe, and her namesake museum hosts a comprehensive display of her iconic modern works.

Adobe-style homes nestled in a green valley with a road winding through it, and mountains in the background.

The Southwestern city is known for its beautiful landscapes and architecture Credit: ablokhin

Couple dining at an outdoor table in front of a stucco building.

Santa Fe has a strong Indigenous influence with Pueblo-style homes and buildings Credit: Jon Lovette

Santa Fe also came in 19th place on the global list that was topped by San Miguel de Allende in Mexico.

The domestic list was dominated by cities in the Southeast, with Savannah, Georgia, and New Orleans, Louisiana also in the top five.

Most read in Travel

Every year, Travel + Leisure collects survey responses from readers on top destinations, cruise lines, hotels, and airlines.

This year, the outlet collected 207,000 reader responses on their personal experiences with the destinations.

Comment now