tmr_nyc

We are thinking about taking a week vacation and driving from Denver to Sante Fe. It seems to be about a 6 hour drive - what are nice towns, things to do, or just interests to stop at along the way? we would like to break the driving up into 2 days, where city would you recommend staying in for a night? Thanks.

starrsville

Well, you could do it in two days, but to do it that fast would be a shame IMHO. There is so much to see and do and you'd just be whizzing on by some of my favorite vacation places on earth. But, to answer your question - overnight in Durango. You'll be driving through one of the most scenic drives as you go through Ouray. Try to find time to fit in Mesa Verde National Park outside Durango. It would be great if you had more time to slow down and take the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The drive from Durango to Santa Fe is across high desert. It was one of the prettiest winter drives I ever made.

Do a search on this board for Ouray and Durango and Mesa Verde. Try to spend at least two days in the Durango area.

ajcolorado

We've stayed in Taos - which is most of the way there. But Taos is kind of fun.

Near Raton, NM there is a highway that heads east to Texas. About 25 miles east is Capalin National Monument. It's a volcano and you can drive up to the rim. The walk down into the crater is an easy one and the view is spectacular! On a clear day you can see four states.

There is a bridge that crosses a canyon just outside of Taos that we like to walk across.

Bandalier National Monument is between Taos & Santa Fe and it is really neat. You actually still get to climb into the cliff dwellings.

Yesterday's travel section of cnn.com had an article stating that the Georgia O'Keefe museum in Santa Fe will also have an Andy Warhol exhibit until early January '06.

Have you been to Bishop's Castle? Take the Rye, Colorado City exit off of I-25 (South of Pueblo) and just follow the road until you get there. There are brown signs and you'll see cars parked beside the road. If you pay attention, you'll see the dragon head shaped chimney poking out above the trees. It's a very unique experience - especially if you get to chat with Jim Bishop. No entrance fee - just leave a donation.

GJLinda

I have lived in Colorado most of my life and have visited just about all of it. From Denver to Santa Fe is an easy 6 hour trip down I25. But my personal preference is to take I25 to Walsenburg, west on 160 over La Veta Pass to Ft. Garland with a stop at the museum there before heading south on 159 which will take you to NM 522. If you have time, Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park is just a few miles northwest of Ft. Garland and is an interesting and worth-while place to visit. DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO DURANGO-IT IS ROUGHLY 150 MILES FARTHER WEST THAN YOU NEED TO GO.
The ride to Taos has varied scenery and is quite enjoyable. Spend the night in Taos before taking the "high road" through Ranchos de Taos, Truchas, Chimayo, etc. before arriving in Santa Fe. This ride is especially wonderful for the scenery and the taste of New Mexican culture. Be sure to stop at the old churches in the small towns.
Hope this helps.

mugzie

http://www.americansouthwest.net/col..._monument.html

What a hoot.

tmr_nyc

Thank you everyone for your help.
GJLinda-
How far is Taos from Denver and how far from Sante Fe? so that should be our sleepover stop? And why do you take that alternative route vs. I25? just because of the museums or the view better or are there towns we should specifically check out? We are from NYC so kindof clueless about this area but sounds great.

seniormsuedu

check out the posts on salida co. there are many good suggestions. i stayed in salida and loved it. see my posts.

jbee

I'm not GJLinda, but the drive down 1-25 is a little boring in itself. Of course, there's towns along the way, but the route Linda suggests is beautiful. It goes through the mountains and is so much more interesting than the straight shot route.

It all depends on where you want to go. If you want to see Capalin Natl. Monument outside of Raton, it would make more sense to do the 1-25 route. If you want to go to Taos, I would second the back route.

I think if you go to mapquest, they give you an option of "straight shot" or "senic route" driving. That might give you a comparison on drive time. (Note - it might not be mapquest, but it's one of the free mapping tools available on the Internet.)

Also, the drive from Denver to Santa Fe would be more like 7 hours drive time, not including stops. That's doing 75 and 65 in some parts as posted. You can cut that down to 5 hours if you really punch it on the flat parts...