sassy_cat

OK, so I saw the post by happypatraveler and decided I really wanted to go to NM.
I found flights for the end of September and I'm so excited. I've been thinking about this trip for a few years.

We have 5 nights; arrive Friday night and leave Wednesday in and out of ABQ and we'd like to

1. hike... Bandelier? Tent Rocks? Mesa Verde?
2. spa... 10000 waves or absolute nirvana (just for me)
3. horse ride... just an hour or two. Broken Saddle? Ghost Ranch? This is for my DD primarily but I'd go along for the scenery.
4. sleep... should we split our stay between Albuquerque and Santa Fe? Don't want to spend more than $150 a night.
5. Check out some art, shopping .... maybe one day

Not too interested in museums as we'd rather be outside but we would like to see the dancing at the State Fair

We'll hire a car.

I think I need advice on the hiking the most. What can we do in one or two days? We like easy to moderate hikes. Maybe 5-10 miles per day. My DH has a bad knee but will take ibuprofen! My DD is 12 and doesn't love hiking but will tolerate it for spectacular scenery and she has a new camera to keep her amused.

Food.. I found some great suggestions here and I'm working my way through Deb's restaurant list. I think we'll have to plan another trip to try all the great restaurants.

Did I say I was excited?

DebitNM

Yeah for you!

1. hike -- wow, 5 to 10 miles?? Really, I live here and couldn't do that much and I hike alot. Those are full day hikes and at our altitude, it would be really hard. [Where are you coming from? Altitude has to be respected here]

I think you need to scale down your plans on this one. Tent Rocks isn't long, is wonderful but consists of a lot of vertical climbing. Bandelier is good too.

Mesa Verde is a 4 hour drive from ABQ, just so you know.

2. 10,000 waves for sure.
3. Broken Saddle, you bet. They have lovely, easy rides with mild horses.
4. Santa Fe is an hour drive from ABQ. There is also a light rail that runs between the 2 cities and is convenient.

As for where to stay, depending on how long your flight is and how late you get into ABQ, I might suggest staying in ABQ the first night, at least. I would also consider staying in ABQ the night before your flight, if it is a morning flight. Makes life much easier. You can get a decent airport hotel using name your own price on priceline , 3* for $40 0r so.

What exact dates? There is a big Wine Festival the last weekend in Sept and the room rates are going to be high. If it's that weekend, I would suggest being in ABQ those nights.

Well, that's a start!
Deb

sassy_cat

Thanks Deb,

Yes, it's the last weekend in September and we arrive around 3pm on the Friday so I thought we could stay in ABQ weekend or maybe just Friday and Saturday nights and move to Santa Fe until Wednesday as our flight leaves around 1pm.
I was looking at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites (Midtown)ABQ. Would this be better than the airport? It has a pool which my DD would use and it's less than $100 inc breakfast.
I haven't looked at hotels in Santa Fe yet.

I think we'll skip Mesa Verde as we really don't want to spend hours in the car.
We're coming from the Boston area and we've experienced high altitude before and not been badly affected but we'll watch out for altitude sickness. I think the heat might be worse. I prefer cooler temps for hiking and 80F+ would seriously reduce my distance. Maybe a couple of half day hikes (3-4mile) in Bandelier?

I hear a lot about the Turquoise trail. Is this a scenic drive with stops for lunch, shopping or something more..?

Back to my research. Still excited!

DebitNM

It shouldn't be in the 80's at that time of year. It could be for a day maybe, but not continuously.

As for HI Express Midtown; it is in a pretty commercial area, nothing around to walk to or anything. The pool may not be heated, so that swimming in it may not be possible. Nights will be getting cold by that time, so the water temp will be low. It might even be closed, a lot of places close outdoor pools after Labor Day [just like back East!] since the daytime temps in Sept may only be 60's or 70's. If it's a big factor, I would check it out first.

When we stay in ABQ, we use the name your own price part of Priceline, bid on 3* star midtown-uptown places and usually can get the Radisson for $41 or so. No breakfast included, but free parking and I think they have an indoor pool - they are building a water park [indoor] that may be open by then.
Not sure about the 3rd person, since PL only guarantees 2 people, but you could call the Radisson and ask them IF you went thru priceline, could your 12 yr old stay in same room. That $60 is a pretty big difference to me.

Turquoise Trail is a nice drive, stop in Madrid Mad -rid; not MA-drid as in Spain] for lunch at the SilverMine Tavern, check out the glass blower across the steet, Al Leedom, his work is amazing and I love watching him. Continue up the road to Broken Saddle for a ride and then onto Santa Fe.

Deb

sassy_cat

Thanks again Deb!

I've not tried Priceline before but I'll look into it. Is it always the Radisson that comes up for 3* midtown-uptown? I'll call first to check they'll accept an extra person.

I'm glad it'll be cooler than I thought! I think the heat here addled my brain and I checked Santa Fe temps for August; LOL.

I need to plan an activity for my DH and DD while I go to the spa for a couple of hours. Any suggestions in the vicinity of 10,000 waves? They might be happy cooling out at a cafe that had great pastries, coffee, smoothies or icecream.
They won't want to go hiking while I relax but

DebitNM

No, it isn't always the Radisson for 3* in Midtown-Uptown, but I have gotten it twice for that price in last couple of months.

There is nothing else near Ten Thousand Waves, they should stay in town, around the plaza and chill or head to Museum Hill. The International Folk Art Museum should interest DD, lots of things she would like. There is a new NM Museum that just opened, haven't been there yet.

Deb

ElendilPickle

The State Fair is really busy on weekends. If you go, I would go in the morning and leave in the early afternoon before it gets super crowded.

Albuquerque will be a little warmer than Santa Fe, but it shouldn't be too bad. For both places, drink lots of water and wear sunscreen and a hat.

The new New Mexico History Museum is nice, just off the Plaza. There's a great little gelato place called Ecco on Marcy Street, a block or so north and just east of the Plaza, that has wonderful stuff, including locally roasted Aroma coffee.

Lee Ann

sassy_cat

Thanks Lee Ann! My DD loves gelato. I'll have to bribe her to wear a hat but icecream will definitely win her over.

We'll check out the State Fair on Saturday morning (we'll be up early as we'll be on EST )

sealstep

Don't miss the Tent Rocks, we really enjoyed that hike. It's an easy drive from either Albuqueque or Santa Fe. You'll probably find better value on the hotels in ABQ, you could base yourself there and do drives to Santa Fe and some of the reservations. It's a great area, have fun!

sassy_cat

Thanks sealstep!

Here's my basic itinerary. Any suggestions?

ALB Arrive Friday .. DINNER?

Sat. am State Fair
pm shopping

Sun. Tent Rocks

Mon. Drive Turquoise TRail lUNCH @ Silvermine; Horse ride (Broken Saddle). Check in to hotel in Santa Fe.
10,000 waves
Dinner?

Tues. Bandelier inc.falls trail hike

Wed. Fly home

BeachGirl247

You didn't leave any time for Santa Fe. Are you wanting to visit Santa Fe? If so, I would scratch either Bandalier or Tent Rocks. Bandalier could be done as a 1/2 day from Santa Fe if you like. If it were me I would pick one or the other with the other items you have planned.

Monday looks a little busy. Drive the Turquoise Trail and lunch in Santa Fe.
What time is the Broken Saddle reservation? Are you taking a 1-hour ride or 2-hour ride?
What time is your Ten Thousand Waves reservation? Sorry for all the questions but it will help with offering suggestions.

What time do you arrive Friday? Do you arrive early enough that you could go to the State Fair Friday evening? For a short trip I wouldn't designate more than a few hours at most unless there is something specific you are going to see (specific act performing, etc.)

Also, you might consider starting in Santa Fe and ending in Albuquerque since you will fly out from there.

DebitNM

Sat pm shopping - anything in particular? I personally am not a shopper and wouldn't allocate a whole day to it. If you can pinpoint anything you are looking for, maybe we can steer you in that direction.

Sun Tent Rocks- this won't take more than 1/2 day. 1 hour to drive to, 2 hours to hike, 1 hour to drive back.

It is Mine Shaft Tavern, not Silvermine; sorry, my bad. Drive up Turquoise Trail to SF is only about 1.5 hours total. You should have time for horseback ride.

Deb

sassy_cat

OK..we are trying to avoid Santa Fe while the wine festival is on (my DH doesn't drink, presume it will be crowded, not fun for DD, etc)so arrive on Monday seemed best.

Maybe my Monday is mixed up perhaps it should read.. drive Turquoise trail a.m.; stop for horse ride (1hr mid morning) late lunch in Santa Fe... I thought the lunch spot was before we got to Santa Fe!
No booking with 10,000 waves yet. How does 4pm sound for 2 hours. Check into hotel, shower and head over to 10,000 WAVES. DD and DH will spend time in Santa Fe.. shopping, icecream or museum.

We intend to hike in Bandelier for a half day from Santa Fe so that afternoon (Tues) is free to explore.

Does that make sense?

sassy_cat

Yes, Deb I googled Silvermine and ended up in CT!

Shopping is for DD to pick up a souvenir. Nothing too serious.
We both like Native American turquoise/ silver jewelery. Also interested in ceramics.

DebitNM

Yup, that is the Silvermine I was thinking of, used to go there when I lived back east!

Jackalope is a fun place to shop http://www.jackalope.com/
it is on Cerrillos Rd.

Be careful of what you buy re jewlery and ceramics. There is a lot a crap, fake stuff out there. You can buy under the portales in the Plaza and be pretty safe that the stuff is real.

Deb

ElendilPickle

I wouldn't go to the fair Friday evening unless I was going to the rodeo and concert. It's pretty crowded and that's when the, shall we say, less than savory people show up.

You might find something fun and/or funky if you shop in Nob Hill, but if you want Native American jewelry visit the vendors along the plazas in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Lee Ann

BeachGirl247

Buying turquoise jewelry is tricky business these days so stick to the places mentioned above. Like Deb mentioned, there are a lot of fakes.

If you want a great green chile cheeseburger to welcome you to Santa Fe, stop at Bobcat Bites on the way in.

DebitNM

I am not so sure about the vendors in Old Town in ABQ. When I first got to NM, I boought a little silver bracelet with what I thought was turquoise. I later found out it was plastic. I don't know if there merchandise is required to be real; I think the vendors in Santa Fe, under portales around Plaza are required to be real.

If you are just spending a few dollars, it won't matter much, but beware if you are spending more than that.
Deb

BeachGirl247

Remember, "real" is a relative term in the sense that some has been stabilized, filled, etc. Plastic is a whole other story. Sorry about that Deb.

I'm sure that the wares under the plaza are required to be made my a Native American. However, I'm not sure of the requirements for stone authenticity.

If it is just trinket jewelry then don't worry too much about it. If you are spending $$$ then you need to visit elsewhere in Santa Fe.

DebitNM

http://www.offbeattravel.com/shopping-albuquerque.html

http://www.collectorsguide.com/fa/fa001.shtml

for information about how to be a savvy buyer.

And I did check, the merchants around the Plaza are indeed, vetted.

Deb