Abby Price

Driving into Santa Fe feels completely different from what you might expect, especially the first time. Even before you reach the city, the drive begins to reflect Santa Fe’s blend of landscape, culture, and culinary traditions embodied by the Margarita Trail. As the miles pass by, the landscape slowly shifts into something that feels entirely its own. While many travelers imagine the region as an endless desert, Santa Fe’s high elevation, sitting more than 7,000 feet above sea level, creates a surprisingly lush environment filled with rolling grasslands, piñon trees, and four distinct seasons. RECOMMENDED: These are the 12 best wine vacations in the U.S. for a crush-worthy vacation The farther you drive, the more dramatic the backdrop becomes, with the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains rising in the distance. At the same time, adobe homes and earthy-toned buildings begin appearing along the roadside. By the time you reach the heart of the city, it feels as though you’ve stepped into another world entirely, one shaped by centuries of art, heritage, and tradition, unlike anywhere else in the United States. It’s also what makes the Santa Fe Margarita Trail feel less like a tourist attraction and more like an extension of daily life in the city. Photograph: New Mexico TrueSanta Fe, New Mexico In a city where creativity and culture spill into nearly every corner, even something as simple as ordering a margarita becomes an experience rooted in storytelling, local ingredients,