scluvsrain

I need some itinerary advice. My friend and I are going to be arriving Albuquerque mid-afternoon on a Thursday in late September and will be flying back home on the following Sunday morning, which gives us 2 1/2 days in the Land of Enchantment. Not a lot of time, I know!!! But we have time constraints that are not flexible.

We would like to concentrate our time in and around the Taos area. We will be renting a car. Hiking is not really an option, as my friend is a bit sun/heat-phobic but we like driving, and we like to see local things/history/etc. Museums would not be high on our list. A little window/store shopping if there's time.

So, I know that 2 days is not a heck of a lot of time - but was hoping I could get some help. I'd like to visit Taos Pueblo, Sanctuary of Chimayo, drive the High Road, drive the Turquoise Trail, visit Rio Grande Bridge, maybe Tent Rocks, maybe Coronado Monument? Also thinking of overnighting in Albuquerque the last night since our flights home are late morning. Maybe take tram up that mountain (Sandia?) and eat last dinner in Old Town.

I'd sure appreciate any feedback.

DebitNM

I would head to Taos when you arrive, stay the night in Taos and spend Friday in Taos. Drive to Santa Fe on Friday and stay the night in Santa Fe. Spend Saturday in Santa Fe. Drive to ABQ and stay in ABQ on Saturday night.

There are way better places to eat than in Old Town ABQ.

Tent Rocks for someone who is heat sun phobic is not going to work unless you just drive there, look at them from the car and then leave.

Make sure Taos Peublo is open to public on the day you want to visit [they close for religious observations].

The mountain is indeed "Sandia" that the tram goes up.

Personally, I think you will learn a lot more about our history by stopping in a museum or 2 rather than just driving around "looking" at it. The best parts can't be seen from a car window. Should you reconsider, I can give you links.

scluvsrain

Hi DebitNM - Thank you for your reply and suggestions. If I had my way, I'd spend 2 weeks or more in NM, but this time around I don't have that luxury. I agree with your assessment re museums, but again, that will have to wait until the next time, and there WILL be a next time!

DebitNM

Let me know if I can help with anything.

saige

Most of what you mentioned actually involves hiking/climbing in the heat. Deb gave you very good advice based on your limitations. If you want to shop, go to Santa Fe. And please do rethink the museums as the ones in NM are fabulous!

ElendilPickle

Depending on where you're coming from and what time you'll arrive, I would head up to Santa Fe your first evening via the Turquoise Trail. Stop in Madrid and poke around the shops.

As saige said, shopping is better in Santa Fe, and Taos is an easy day trip from there.

Lee Ann

BeachGirl247

I like the idea of heading to Taos the first night, too. Then work your way down the high road to Santa Fe stopping at Sanctuario de Chimayo. For dining you can eat there at Leona's (sp?) or stop at Rancho de Chimayo. It's an old restaurant/inn that was recently renovated after a fire. It's in a beautiful spot.

Santa Fe shopping may get old and if it does I hope you consider going to the New Mexico History Museum that is in the main part of the plaza area.

The Turquoise Trail is alright but I feel it is somewhat overrated, imho. However, Madrid is fun and quirky and doesn't take very long to see.

jet519

I agree with BeachGirl on everything but the Turquoise Trail if you have never seen it before. We have driven from ABQ to Santa Fe a couple of times taking that route and we thought it was beautiful and enjoyed Madrid. In fact we are doing it again in a month because my daughter and husband are meeting us out there and they have never been to Santa Fe or north of ABQ. We own a second home in Las Cruces and we have not been to Santa Fe for 3 or 4 years now so I can't wait to spend a few days there again.
I also recommend going up the tramway to the top of Sandia Crest. Since Sept. is probably still in the monsoon season, as long as the storms aren't happening at the top of the mountain, the views of all the rain and lightening in the distance from the top of the mountain are incredible. I have not heard very good reviews of the restaurant up there though.

As far as shopping in Santa Fe, yes after a while you have seen as many art galleries, touristy shops, etc. as you can handle but the whole plaza area has so much charm and ambiance. I would take time to at least walk through the Loretto Chapel and St. Francis Basileca and have a drink at the Bell Tower or The Ore House one evening.

salina5

The ski lifts will be running in the Taos Ski area and that might (or might not) be an option to the tram trip up the Sandia Crest. Coming back from Santa Fe a year or so ago on the Hwy took us almost four hours because of the weekend summer traffic, so I'd think the Turquoise Trail, instead, would be a fine idea.