kdm

We are planning to get to ABQ around 3:30pm on Saturaday and I was wondering if the Bio Park is worth a visit since my little 2 year old grandson will be traveling with us. I was so disappointed when we went to the SFO Zoo because they have so many empty areas, I guess due to limited funds. I am also interested in any other sights in the area, however we will only be there that late afternoon and evening. Thank you for your suggestions.

DebitNM

The Bio Park in ABQ actually consists of 4 parts: zoo, aquarium, botanic garden and Tingley Beach[ which is not a beach].

The Zoo is one of the best; it is fairly compact and has great exhibits and the animals are well taken care of and adored by locals. In fact, it is one of only 5 in the country that has elephant habitat that is approved for their care and keep and it working on improving them too.

http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/

Unfortunately, the zoo closes at 6pm on Saturdays, so you will be able to see some of it, you can't do the whole thing in 2+ hours. The admission is reasonable, so if the time frame is ok - go for it!

I don't think a 2 year old would really appreciate the gardens [they do have a neat enclosed artium though] and the aquarium is very small but for a 2 year old it might be ok for a short time.

Hope this helps...
Debi

ElendilPickle

What Deb said.

Lee Ann

DebitNM

Lee Ann - are you home or are you still here in CO? Are you having a good time?
Debi

kdm

Thx Deb - We are going to leave at 4am from the Bay Area to Las Vegas, so we can do the same in order to get to NM earlier than later. When my daughter attended school in Lyon, FR her favorite spot was their zoo and park, so I know she will enjoy the Bio Park Zoo as well. Thx again. I take it you live in CO from your message to Lee Ann, I plan to take a trip that way in October so please watch for another post from me

DebitNM

kdm- I lived in ABQ for almost 5 years before moving to SW Colorado in late 2005. I love helping folks with questions on the Southwest - especially NM and Colorado.

Ask away and feel free to email me directly.

Debi

ElendilPickle

Deb, we got home around 4:00 this afternoon, just in time to get our son to his baseball game. We had a great time - thanks so much for all your help!

kdm, that sounds like an awful lot of driving for your 2yo grandson. Don't hesitate to break your travel time into smaller sections if necessary. My kids were good travelers at that age, but 14 hours in a car would have driven them and us up the wall!

The zoo here is great, very nice for a city the size of Albuquerque.

Do you need suggestions on lodging or food?

Lee Ann

kdm

Oh no Lee Ann, I meant we were leaving the Bay Area at 4am and saying overnight in Las Vegas and could also do the same by leaving Las Vegas at 4am stopping in Flagstaff for breakfast and getting to ABQ mid afternoon. Since my plans have changed and I plan to have breakfast in Flagstaff vs lunch do you know of any place that serves good latte, pancakes, and turkey sausage (I don't eat pork or beef)where locals go? Also I plan to get to Flagstaff around 8:30a on a Saturday (not sure how early places open in Flagstaff on the weekend). Thx again for all the great feedback.

ElendilPickle

Hmmm...it still sounds like a lot of driving to me. The last time (and I sincerely hope it will be the last time) we spent the night in Vegas we drove to Flagstaff and spent the night before heading to Albuquerque the next day.

Then again, we did visit Hoover Dam that day, so what you're thinking of is doable, just kind of long.

I can't help with food in Flagstaff, but I'm pretty sure you can get turkey sausage at Flying Star in Albuquerque. They roast their own coffee, and their breakfasts are very good. http://www.flyingstarcafe.com Several locations around town.

Lee Ann

DebitNM

kdm - - Have you taken this long a road trip with a 2 year old - this one in particular? How many other people are going with you? I figure you will be changing drivers.

This is a long haul, with lots of hours in a car for a 2 year old.

Are you in a hurry? I ask because you seem to really be pushing to get somewhere. Is it not possible to slow down?

I know you must have thought all of this out, but personally - I would not take a 2 year old on trip that starts each day at 4 am and covers hundreds of miles. But that is just me.

Be careful..
Debi

kdm

To be honest this will be my longest trip in a vehicle - I figured out that in taking this trip I will be in the car the same amount of time as being on an airplane going from SFO to Paris, back to SFO, and back to Paris But I do enjoy driving and this will be a one way trip and I am flying back home. My little grandson is a good traveler at least on our 5 hour trips to LA he usally sleeps, enjoys the music, plays with his little cars...OK so I will let you know how that works over 4 days. I am a big believer in making short stops along the way, the difference is this is the first time ever in the SW territory and not familiar with the layout. I look forward to the flying star, I love that one latte a day...I think there is another coffee roaster in Flagstaff. Well I have a massage for tomorrow, have been lap swimming on Sundays, yoga on Tuesdays, and just for this trip have now doubled up on my pilates reformer classes for the past couple of weeks so hopefully I will be in shape for the journey. But if you see 2 females and a baby laying out by the side of the road, please stop and chat with me Wish me luck. Deb I am printing your thread on ABQ restaurants to take, wish I had some more threads like this for the rest of my trip: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34955934

ElendilPickle

Definitely schedule short stops, bring a lot of stuff for your grandson to do in the car, and be flexible.

Where are you staying in Albuquerque?

Lee Ann

kdm

I took Debi's recommendation and we are staying at the Embassy Suites, but I am getting my latte at the flying star cafe. Have you ever spent anytime in Amarillo or Oaklahoma City? I appreciate any suggestions for those cities as well. Thx again.

ElendilPickle

Embassy Suites - well, there is a Starbucks at Broadway and Lomas (very close to your hotel), but since I like to promote locally owned businesses, the closest Flying Star to you is on Central between Amherst and Tulane.

Go west on Lomas to University, turn right (south); go past Las Lomas and Martin Luther King Dr. to Central. Turn left (east).

Head down Central past UNM; you'll go through lights at Stanford, Girard, and Richmond. Flying Star is on your right just past Tulane (where there is another Starbucks). You can park on the street or in the Nob Hill Shopping Center parking lots a block south of Central on Silver.

The next light past the Flying Star is Carlisle. Turn left (north) onto Carlisle. You'll hit I-40 in a couple of miles.

I've stayed in Amarillo and OK City, but it's been a few years, sorry!

Lee Ann

kdm

Thx Lee Ann...Starbucks is always last on my list. Well, last night I realized I could leave one day early and stay at my in-laws' house overnight in Bakersfield, skip Las Vegas (I would have just lost money anyway), and drive directly to Flagstaff, and stay overnight there (though I am not thrill my choice of hotels - Embassy is booked, and the only 2 rooms left at Little America were the $350 / night). The next day have breakfast at Macy's and get to ABQ for lunch and go to the Bio Park. Thx again, it helps so much to have interaction with others that can give you feedback. I can remember when I used to have to depend on pictures from travel agencies ... Enjoy the summer.

DebitNM

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Flagstaff and it was nice. Not right in town and not to close to railroad [train noise].

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...inn-flagstaff/

ElendilPickle

Sounds good, kdm!

Lee Ann