Durango to ABQ

It will be cold, winter weather so this will limit what outdoor activities, such as hiking, you will be able to do.

DebitNM and Elendilpickle need to chime in as they are locals.

Driving down from Durango, you will be on SR 550. You will pass through Aztec, the Aztec Ruins are really nice.
You will also go right by Chaco Canyon. It is an ancient site of dwellings that is an amazing site.

When you reach the end of 550, you will intersect with I25. Just before you reach the interstate, is Coranado Monument. Some nice ruins there.

If you go north on I 25, to exit 252 [ten miles], Tent Rocks is another wonderful site.

I will post some links to the above and to some pictures I have from these places.

Once in ABQ, there's lot to see and do. Hot air balloon rides are expensive for a family and there aren't too many to pick from at this time of year. It is pretty cold up aloft!

How old is your son?

Tinkertown Museum, Explora, Hispanic Culture Center, ABQ Zoo is wonderful, River of Lights at the Bio Park at night, The ABQ museum, Old Town, are just a few.

Deb

http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/AztecRuins

http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/ChacoCanyon

http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/azru/index.htm

http://www.nmmonuments.org/inst.php?inst=4

http://www.itsatrip.org/

Deb

Restaurant info for Durango:
http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/durango-restaurant-picks-by-debitnm.cfm

Deb

Great advice from DebitNM and if it isn't snowy you could go over to Bandelier NM for a look at the dwellings there, very different from others as they are carved into the hardened volcanic rock on the hillside. From there also you could hit Santa Fe and go to ABQ on the Tourquoise trail.

There are really too many great places to see in New Mexico.

This may not be on 550 and on the way to ABQ but it is worth a drive. If not this trip then next.

Here is the info in case others are interested:

Just south of Chama is Tierra Amarilla. Turning east there on hwy 64 to Tres Piedres puts you on a gorgeous stretch of highway with stunning views. We took this drive this fall and had so many photo opportunities and enjoyed the scenery very much. It's a mountain road so you would need to check ahead for road conditions. We're taking this drive next fall for the colors. There are lot of aspens on this drive.

At Tres Piedres you can continue going east into Taos. Or, turn south which would take you down to Ojo Caliente and on to 285 south.

Have fun with your planning! I knew Deb would come through for you.

You've gotten lots of fantastic suggestions so far. Tinkertown is closed for the winter, and if you wanted to drive Hwy. 64 between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras, it is often closed in winter due to snow. Check the road conditions.

Our first visit to Bandelier was the day after Christmas. It's a great day to go - not too many people. It's cold, of course, but if you're dressed properly you'll be fine.

How old are your children?

Lee Ann

Thanks, Lee Ann. I wondered about the conditions of Hwy 64 in the winter.

Thanks again everyone for your helpful suggestions, advice and web links. Deb and Lee Ann...To answer your questions, my son is 14 and my daughter is 18.