Poll: Why Santa Fe was crowned America's best city
The town of 89,000, known for its unique Spanish-style architecture and sand-colored buildings, scored an 88.80 out of 100 by 180,000 readers in the survey, beating out popular major cities like New York City, which ranked eighth. Readers loved the city's New Mexican cuisine, as well as its art galleries and markets. The city sits in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and gets sunshine nearly all year round - a place readers called a 'true gem.'
'Every trip exceeds the last, with so many new things to discover,' one reader told the magazine. 'Santa Fe offers a multi-layer experience,' another said. However, the idyllic city was recently hit with a tragedy that has left many on edge.
The 'best city' accolade comes as millions in the region have been warned to beware of Hantavirus - a deadly virus that recently claimed a notable resident's life. Actor Gene Hackman and his musician wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home in February.
Police have since determined that Arakawa died first around February 12 as a result of respiratory symptoms caused by the virus, which is passed on through rodent urine, saliva and feces. She was 65. Hantavirus is a rare but severe respiratory illness spread through exposure, typically inhalation, to rodent droppings. A report obtained by Daily Mail indicated that Arakawa had bookmarks on her computer suggesting that she had been researching medical conditions with symptoms similar to COVID-19 or the flu prior to her death.
Hackman also had trace amounts of acetone in his system at the time of his death, which could be a product of 'diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis.' Hackman, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease at the time, is believed to have wandered around the couple's home alone after his wife's death. Due to the advanced condition, he may not have ever realized his wife had died.
The actor, who was 95, died nearly a week later around February 18, from severe heart disease, while Alzheimer's and kidney disease were contributing factors. Hackman tested negative for Hantavirus. Despite the tragedy, the New Mexico paradise beat out New Orleans, Louisiana, Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, and Alexandria, Virginia, which ranked in the top five.
Mid-summer through the fall is a great time to visit the city for those who love wildflowers and hot temperatures, as it sits in the 80s and 90s. Winter is another great time to visit for those who love cold activities, like skiing. There are several art museums, including the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. O'Keeffe was a long-time resident of the area.
It also has the Museum of Indian Art and Culture, the New Mexico History Museum, and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. It's also a hidden gem for spas, with some located around natural hot springs.
Santa Fe also has plenty of hiking trails as its located in the mountains, many of them located along historic architectural sites. And the city is home to many luxurious hotels, including a Four Seasons.
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