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Finally!!! Santa Fe/ Albuquerque Family Christmas Break 2014

Finally!!! Santa Fe/ Albuquerque Family Christmas Break 2014

Old Aug 18th, 2014, 06:57 PM
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Finally!!! Santa Fe/ Albuquerque Family Christmas Break 2014

Sooo I have finally booked this trip!! I have been trying to make it happen for 2 years! We are flying in and out of ABQ. Will be there 11 days (including travel days) over Christmas time. Looking for itinerary suggestions for our family our 4 - boys are 15 and 12.

We love food, culture, history, nature, hiking, adventure. I do not want to ski - but would do snow activity or 2.

I want to be in SF for Christmas.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!
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Old Aug 20th, 2014, 11:33 AM
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So to update - I have 10 nights Id like to split up between 3 locations. Any advice???
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Old Aug 20th, 2014, 01:06 PM
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OK, I'll bite
We usually stay in Santa Fe and do long day drives interspersed with in-town activities. So I can't really advise you on dividing your stay. I think you will get more replies if you hammer out an itinerary yourself, or even just a list of specific things you want to see and do. "food, culture, history, nature, hiking, adventure"--these are all abundant in and around Santa Fe, so I think you'll love it!
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Old Aug 20th, 2014, 03:32 PM
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My kids are younger but when we go to ABQ to visit family, we like the following:
1. Walk through old town on xmas eve to see the luminarias
2. The Natural History museum is good
3. The RAttlesnake museum is actually interesting
4. Go to Acoma or one of the other pueblos--or at least see the Pueblo cultural center in town.
5. Take the Sandia tram to the top.

I loved the Georgia Okeefe museum in SF. Not sure if teen boys would. Walking around the center of SF is really interesting--see the old church.

Check out the Fodors online info on ABQ and Santa Fe. Come up with a preliminary itinerary and then you will get more responses.
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Old Aug 20th, 2014, 03:40 PM
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Tent Rocks National Monument -http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/rio_puerco/kasha_katuwe_tent_rocks.html
the boys ( and you) will love it!
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Old Aug 26th, 2014, 09:57 AM
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While is Albuquerque which area should we stay??
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Old Aug 26th, 2014, 11:09 AM
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I'd stay in the Uptown area.

Lee Ann
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Old Aug 26th, 2014, 12:45 PM
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I trust you will have a car?

Tent Rocks during winter can be very snowy and icy, not an ideal situation for hiking, especially if you are truly a Miami Beach momma.
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Old Aug 26th, 2014, 01:09 PM
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Yes, we will have a car.

And yes we are true Florida folks!
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Old Aug 26th, 2014, 06:27 PM
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On the other hand, if it is a mild December (as it was last December when I visited), Tent Rocks is just great--clear, cold blue sky and lots of wintry sunshine. But yes, there were some icy spots where I was definitely watching my step.

I'm a lame-o who no longer writes trip reports, but as I told friends only somewhat self-mockingly, "They call it Land of Enchantment. Well it's certainly cast a spell on me!" Dorky but true. Get out in that wilderness as much as you can. The landscapes are diverse and breathtaking.
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Old Aug 26th, 2014, 07:34 PM
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I loved Santa Fe! We've been there twice and I'd definitely go back again.

What hotel are you thinking of staying at?
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 08:20 AM
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Not sure.... Prices I checked for Four seasons and inn of Anasazi are pretty high.
Any suggestions???
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 08:36 AM
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We stayed at the Governor's Inn the first time and I can't remember the name of the place the second time. It was a little farther from the central square but nicer.

The reason I ask (and fodorites may poo-poo this) is that I believe the Drury hotel chain just opened a hotel in Santa Fe. I'd never heard of Drury Inns until we drove to Biloxi in February and we stayed in a DI both on the way and back and were very pleased. They're not fancy but well-appointed, very clean and if you're traveling with kids it's nice to have the (very large) hot breakfast buffet in the morning and snacks in the evening. I don't know the price of the Santa Fe hotel but the ones we stopped at were very reasonable. They were highway hotels but I believe the Santa Fe one is right downtown. Here's the website:

http://druryplazasantafe.com/index.html
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 10:09 AM
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Try the Inn on the Alameda. We also loved the St. Francis, but you'd have to get two rooms, I think--I don't think they have one big enough for all 4 of you.
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 10:11 AM
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I stayed at the Loretto and liked it. Bed was a little soft for me (stomach sleeper).
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 11:00 AM
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I think the Inn on the Alameda was where we stayed the second time (the name I couldn't remember) and yes, it was very nice.
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 11:13 AM
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Do you all ski, or are you interested in learning? there is a nice ski area just up the mountain in Santa Fe. they have lessons and equipment. my daughter and husband have skied there and like it, it is easy to get to, although if it is snowing hard you may need chains to get up the mountain.

https://skisantafe.com
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 11:14 AM
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Oh sorry, I see you do not want to ski, too bad...
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 11:22 AM
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There is snowshoeing, any interest in that?
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 11:24 AM
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also, Valle Caldera offers horse drawn sleigh rides around the Christmas holidays.
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