stephenholdridge

In early August my wife and I are escaping for 6 days of adult time in Santa Fe and the surrounding area while both our children are in summer camp. We are looking for a combination of kid-free activities (good food and drink, culture, sights, spas) combined with some active exploration (drives, hikes, rafting, bikes, horseback, etc).

Right now we fly into and out of Santa Fe, arriving on a Wednesday in early August and have reservations for 6 nights at the Hotel Santa Fe (Hacienda King), but will probably end up spending a few nights someplace else in the area depending on our travels. We have tickets for the Opera on Saturday night in the middle of our stay. Willing to spend reasonable amounts for good value or unique / worthwhile places, experiences but also interested in places off the normal tourist route that were your highlights.

What are your top recommendations for both our time in Santa Fe (thoughts on our hotel, favorite restaurants, sights in town) as well as your must see drives, sights or other activity options around the area?

We are coming from the DC area but have both lived and spend time out west and like the southwestern landscape, history and culture.

Also is Mesa Verde worth the drive or are there other ruins closer by that give the same flavor?

utahtea

Bandelier National Park has ruins on a much smaller scale than Mesa Verde but it's a lot closer. It makes for a nice circle tour taking I-25 south to Bernalillo on Hwy 550, then Hwy 4 or in reverse. http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

Chaco Canyon has the large scale of Mesa Verde but these are not cliff dwellings. It's not as far as Mesa Verde. IMHO, it's well worth the drive & time. http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm

We spent a couple weeks in the area last fall and we really enjoyed Old Town Albuquerque. One place that was closed for road repairs that I had hoped to see was Tent-Rocks http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/rec...ent_rocks.html

Utahtea

volcanogirl

The landscape is very pretty out by Abiquiu if you get a chance to go out there. The Georgia O'Keeffe house and Ghost Ranch are both out that way and worth touring.

volcanogirl

We really enjoyed the food at the Shed, nice atmosphere too in a very old building.

ElendilPickle

It's getting a little late in the season for rafting, but there are several companies around Taos who offer trips. My husband and son are going on a half-day raft trip with Big River in a couple of weeks.

You could drive the high road to Taos, visit the pueblo and look around, and take the low road back. Go to www.taospueblo.com to make sure they'll be open on the dates you'll be in New Mexico.

Lee Ann

islandaze

Besides Bandelier, we've also enjoyed Puye. Found it to be a more intimate experience, though the cliff dwellings aren't as impressive as at Bandelier. Tsankawi (actually part of Bandelier) doesn't have much in the way of cliff dwellings, but some expansive, big sky views from the top of the mesa there. Then there's the Taos Pueblo, which though not a cliff dwelling, is about the same age.

Tent Rocks is worth the short drive. And if you're up for it physically, so is the hike through the slot canyon to the overlook.

Lots of good food in Santa Fe. Restaurants that stick out in my mind are Geronimo, Restaurant Martin, The Shed, Pasqual, El Farol... La Boca. And thinking of food, one of the things my wife's enjoyed on our visits as been taking classes at Santa Fe's School of Cooking.

jubilada

The Native American museum is amazing, as is the "Upper road" drive to Taos. I never miss going to Ojo Caliente hot springs when in the area.

santafefoodie

I think islandaze gave great advice. Puye is more intimate than Bandelier- neither is remotely like Mesa Verde. Both Chaco and Mesa Verde are well-worth a visit, though both (about 31/2 and 4 hours away) are a lot to under take on a week's visit to Santa Fe. If you want a night or two away, think Taos, Ojo Caliente or Abiquiu, though all can easily be done as day-trips. For things to see and do in Santa Fe, check out Santa Fe Traveler on the web, lots of info there.

ChgoGal

Hi Stephen,
I stayed at the Tamaya Hyatt between Santa Fe and New Mexico and really loved it. It's out of the way and low-key... maybe a place for the end of your trip so you can unwind. I loved the drive to the hotel (so out of the way), and the horseback riding in the morning. There's a golf course, too, if that appeals. Just a pretty setting, nice pool, decent restaurant, and lovely walks.

http://www.tamaya.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Have a great time! Santa Fe is a magical place. (And dress warm for the opera!)

ElendilPickle

You don't necessarily need to dress warm for the opera, especially in August, but you might want to bring a sweater or light jacket just in case.

Lee Ann

BeachGirl247

Top things for me would be:

Day trip to Taos taking the high road one direction. It's a slow road through small, picturesque towns. Sanctuario de Chimayo and Rancho de Chimayo are lovely stops. Driving from Taos to Santa Fe in the afternoon would give you sunlight through the aspens and cottonwoods. Granted it wouldn't have fall colors yet but it is a beautiful drive, albeit longer than the not-so-picturesque highway.

Day trip to Abiquiu. Gorgeous red rocks that appear out of nowhere. Simply gorgeous and low key. About an hour and 15 to drive there. You can stop in town at Bode's for a simple lunch!


Lots more to add but need to run for now.

volcanogirl

Bode's has excellent pound cake; we grabbed a couple of slices to go, and it tasted homemade.

stephenholdridge

Thanks all for you good ideas and input - you've given us some great guidance.

SusanHerrmann123

Where are the petroglyphs and what about Eagles Nest, Ruidso, city of rocks state park, Earth Ship, Ten Thousand waves, Rio Grande bridge, and Cuba. These were suggested to me by a friend and I am quirky and love an adventure. Are any of these cool to see?

DebitNM

This is a 6 years old thread, Susan. Likely best to start a new one of your own.

But...

Cuba - not quirky.
Ten Thousand Waves - nice Japanese style spa
Rio Grande Bride - worth a stop if in Taos [Earth Ship work a look while in Taos too]
Ruidoso - other than casino nothing much
Petroglyphs - in northwest Albuquerque.

Lots of interesting things to see and do here in NM but it's a decent sized state and things are spread out.

How long a trip? What time of year? What does cool, quirky and adventure specifically mean?