Tally

I'm trying to plan our trip and can't decide how long to stay each place. 3 days in Santa Fe and 2 for Taos, or vice versa? The 2 for Taos includes the day to get there along the scenic route. We won't be spending much time in museums since we'll have our 2 1/2 year old with us. We mostly plan to walk around, check out the sights, go to Pueblos, etc. Thanks for your input!

GapYear2009

If you have a total of five days, then 3 in Santa Fe and 2 in Taos sounds good to me!

Tally

Thanks!

Another question: Which do you like more, Santa Fe or Taos? Why?

DebitNM

The 3 SF and 2 Taos is probably the best given your situation.

Taos is a very small town and Santa Fe is a medium city. Lots in common, but quite different. So to ask which one likes better is difficult.

Santa Fe being the capital, has more choices of everything a visitor would want - hotels, restuarants etc.

Taos is really less developed, has a much more old, western feel to it. Taos is great for galleries, outdoor things.

Santa Fe has museums which Taos doesn't really have and you should think about going to the International Folk Art Museum, your 2 1/2 year old would like it.

As far as going to Pueblos, not all of them are really visitor worthy. Taos Pueblo is quite special as is Acoma west of Albuquerque.

Walk around - the squares in each town can be walked around in short order. 1 hour for Taos, 2 for Santa Fe.

You probably need to think of some other activites for you to do. That will guide you as to how much time you spend in each city.

Honestly, with a child, I would do a day trip to Taos, 2 days max in Santa Fe and then spend a day or 2 in ABQ. There is a great zoo there, childrens musuem [explora], old town, and way more to do.

Just my 2 cents...
Deb

Debi

What Deb said. We did a Taos trip from Sante Fe (spent 3 nights there), and only kept a little time for Albuquerque - and I'm sorry we did that. We should have cut a day out of Sante Fe and spent a night and maybe 1.5 days in Albuquerque - very cool city....

JackOneill

Why split it up? Why not stay the entire time in Santa Fe? There are many day trips one can take from town - Bandelier, Pecos, Madrid, Abiquiu/Ghost Ranch. Even Taos is (easily) do-able as a day trip.
I just mention this because as I've gotten older I've come to realize I really, really hate packing. So staying in one place appeals to me.

Tally

Here's what I'm thinking.

2 full days in Santa Fe for walking around. We love to walk and really enjoy exploring cities.
1 day to drive from SF to Taos on the scenic route. Maybe also Bandelier.
1 or 2 full days in Taos to explore town, visit the Pueblo and the Rio Grande Gorge bridge. Is 2 days too much?
1 day to visit Angel Fire and Eagle Nest en route to Red River. We love mountains and pretty scenery, so I'm thinking this will be worthy.
1 full day in Red River. Just because I used to vacation there as a kid and want to see it now. And it's on the way home.

What do you think of this plan?

I also like to stay in one place sometimes, but also like to overnight in places to get a better feel for them, and to avoid spending too much time in the car on daytrips. With a toddler we have to go at a slower pace and can't squeeze in as much as we used to. I want to make sure we have enough time to see as much as possible while still allocating time for naps and early bedtimes.

ElendilPickle

The Children's Museum in Santa Fe is fun and easily doable in half a day. Lots of fun stuff for young children.

If you do end up spending time in Albuquerque, check out Explora - your little one will love it.

Lee Ann

Tally

Oh hey, JackOneill! You're quoted in my NM Fodors book!