Santa Fe was the first stop on our US road trip and it was the perfect place to spend a few days chilling out before a busy week. As soon as we arrived I immediately loved its low, earth-coloured buildings made from adobe bricks, a mixture of sun-dried earth and straw, and the town’s relaxed atmosphere.

Here’s my recommendations for things to do:

Enjoy the art

The town is famous for being a haven for artists and I loved the laidback feel of it. Everywhere you look there are galleries and outdoor sculptures. It reminded me a lot of Brighton, where I used to live in the UK.

The New Mexico Museum of Art and Georgia O’Keeffe Museum are both popular tourist attractions, as is the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, which was built between 1869 and 1886.

Shop till you drop

Santa Fe is a shopper’s paradise! If you’re looking for presents for people back at home or unusual pieces to fill your house with, then Santa Fe is the place.

One of my favourite places was a huge salvage store, which just had floors and floors filled with treasures from all over the world. It’s a good job we were only travelling with backpacks, or it could have got expensive!

Eat to your heart’s content

Ahem. Yes, I’m talking about food again. But seriously, the food in Santa Fe is so good! Of course, we had some amazing Mexican food (think hot, hot, hot) but we also went to a yummy Italian restaurant and even enjoyed some Spanish tapas.

Relax!

Go and sit in the sun in the main downtown plaza. It’s the perfect place to read a book, listen to some music (which a busker will no doubt be playing) and basically do some of the best people watching ever!