Just back from New Mexico - any questions?
Jul 8th, 2007, 07:24 AM
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Just back from New Mexico - any questions?
Hello Fellow Fodorites,
My wife and I just returned from 7 days in New Mexico. Here's what we did:
Flew into Albuquerque, settled in, walked around the Old Town, and stopped in at the small but interesting Rattlesnake Museum.
Next morning saw the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, then drove up to Taos(2.5 hours)for 2 nights. Visited the Martinez Hacienda and Governor Bent House. Next day visited Taos Pueblo and went rafting down the Orilla Verde - the really mellow part of the Rio Grande River(mellow - until we got caught in a thunderstorm!)Next morning on to Santa Fe(a 90 minute drive) for 2 nights. Explored the Old Town, and toured the Museum of Internatinal Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Culture and Art - both located on the appropriately named "Museum Hill" area. The next morning we headed out to Bandelier National Monument(a little bit under an hour from Santa Fe)to see the ancient cliff dwellings, and finished up the day seeing the Palace of the Governors and Museum of Fine Arts - both on the main plaza. We drove the Turquoise Trail(NM 14)from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, stopping along the way at Madrid(where there is a "fake" diner built for the "Wild Hogs" movie, filmed there last year)to see the Old Mining Museum, and lunch at the Mine Shaft Tavern.
About 20 minutes from Albuquerque we went to the Tinkertown Museum - a very unique place!
Back in Albuquerque for the final 2 nights, we headed out early for the 1 hour drive to Acoma Puelbo(aka: Sky City), then onto the Balloon Museum later in the day, and we ended our tour of New Mexico with spectacular views aboard the Sandi Peak Tramway.
As our trip is still fresh in my mind - please write with any questions you might have.
Larz
My wife and I just returned from 7 days in New Mexico. Here's what we did:
Flew into Albuquerque, settled in, walked around the Old Town, and stopped in at the small but interesting Rattlesnake Museum.
Next morning saw the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, then drove up to Taos(2.5 hours)for 2 nights. Visited the Martinez Hacienda and Governor Bent House. Next day visited Taos Pueblo and went rafting down the Orilla Verde - the really mellow part of the Rio Grande River(mellow - until we got caught in a thunderstorm!)Next morning on to Santa Fe(a 90 minute drive) for 2 nights. Explored the Old Town, and toured the Museum of Internatinal Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Culture and Art - both located on the appropriately named "Museum Hill" area. The next morning we headed out to Bandelier National Monument(a little bit under an hour from Santa Fe)to see the ancient cliff dwellings, and finished up the day seeing the Palace of the Governors and Museum of Fine Arts - both on the main plaza. We drove the Turquoise Trail(NM 14)from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, stopping along the way at Madrid(where there is a "fake" diner built for the "Wild Hogs" movie, filmed there last year)to see the Old Mining Museum, and lunch at the Mine Shaft Tavern.
About 20 minutes from Albuquerque we went to the Tinkertown Museum - a very unique place!
Back in Albuquerque for the final 2 nights, we headed out early for the 1 hour drive to Acoma Puelbo(aka: Sky City), then onto the Balloon Museum later in the day, and we ended our tour of New Mexico with spectacular views aboard the Sandi Peak Tramway.
As our trip is still fresh in my mind - please write with any questions you might have.
Larz
Jul 9th, 2007, 04:21 PM
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Lee Ann,
Yes, yes, yes. Santa Fe/Taos has been on the top three on my list for the last 10 years, but keeps getting bumped by places like Alaska, Hawaii, Rome, Hawaii, St. John, Hawaii, New York and other places. Martin has been there before, so that doesn't help. It might be time to just go. It would probably have to be in either late July or late March. Any thoughts about timing? Thanks
Yes, yes, yes. Santa Fe/Taos has been on the top three on my list for the last 10 years, but keeps getting bumped by places like Alaska, Hawaii, Rome, Hawaii, St. John, Hawaii, New York and other places. Martin has been there before, so that doesn't help. It might be time to just go. It would probably have to be in either late July or late March. Any thoughts about timing? Thanks
Jul 9th, 2007, 05:08 PM
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The weather will be starting to get nicer in March, but it will be windy. July will be warm to hot - upper 80s to low 90s - with the possibility of rain showers in the late afternoon.
It will be busier/more crowded in July, but not all that bad IMO.
Lee Ann
It will be busier/more crowded in July, but not all that bad IMO.
Lee Ann
Jul 9th, 2007, 05:36 PM
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Thanks Lee Ann! I love a good thunderstorm. We don't get many of those in my part of California. Warm or hot weather is fine. We could be active and get around in the morning/early afternoon and then vegetate and relax in a shady spot in the afternoon. Stay tuned for more questions.
Jul 9th, 2007, 06:26 PM
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Bill- March can be really iffy. I would say that given your times, July would be better. As Lee Ann said, it does get into the 90's but the nights cool off dropping down to the low 50's and having an evening fire glowing in the kiva is a real possibility which is wonderful.
The showers [monsoons] come in about 3 or 4 pm and are gone within an hour usually. Everything dries up fast and the air is clean and crisp.
The museums in Santa Fe are wonderful and the galleries are devine, even if you are just window shopping. Friday nights, Canyon Road has wine and munchies as you go from gallery to gallery.
Taos is magical -- the Pueblo is classic and the Gorge is something to behold. Rafting in July down the river is a terrific way to spend the day.
Make time for NM, you won't regret it.
Debi
The showers [monsoons] come in about 3 or 4 pm and are gone within an hour usually. Everything dries up fast and the air is clean and crisp.
The museums in Santa Fe are wonderful and the galleries are devine, even if you are just window shopping. Friday nights, Canyon Road has wine and munchies as you go from gallery to gallery.
Taos is magical -- the Pueblo is classic and the Gorge is something to behold. Rafting in July down the river is a terrific way to spend the day.
Make time for NM, you won't regret it.
Debi
Jul 10th, 2007, 05:30 PM
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I have begun planning a trip to NM for Sept 08, probably the 2nd or 3rd week.
We will fly to Albuquerque. If we are there at the right time, would like to spend a day at the state fair.
I have been reading guide books and know that I want to spend time in Taos and Santa Fe. We definitely want to travel to Santa Fe on the Turquoise trail. We want to visit Taos pueblo and Bandelier.
Not sure about other places and would like an opinion on White Sands, Roswell, Acoma pueblo, and Chaco Canyon.
We will have 7-8 days for this trip and I need advice in planning how much time to spend in each area and where to stay during the trip.
Thanks for any help that anyone can offer.
We will fly to Albuquerque. If we are there at the right time, would like to spend a day at the state fair.
I have been reading guide books and know that I want to spend time in Taos and Santa Fe. We definitely want to travel to Santa Fe on the Turquoise trail. We want to visit Taos pueblo and Bandelier.
Not sure about other places and would like an opinion on White Sands, Roswell, Acoma pueblo, and Chaco Canyon.
We will have 7-8 days for this trip and I need advice in planning how much time to spend in each area and where to stay during the trip.
Thanks for any help that anyone can offer.
Jul 10th, 2007, 06:38 PM
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mlm:
Chaco and Acoma Pueblo - yes.
Roswell - no.
White Sands - a long drive from ABQ with nothing else in area to see/do; so no.
A day for Chaco; 2 days in Taos, 2-3 days in Santa Fe and 2 days in ABQ is about right.
There have been a lot of threads on here recently about hotels, restaurants, things to see and do. click on my name to find some of my suggestions as a local. Email me direct if you'd like.
Larz did lots of great things, so his report should help.
Hope this helps...
Debi
Chaco and Acoma Pueblo - yes.
Roswell - no.
White Sands - a long drive from ABQ with nothing else in area to see/do; so no.
A day for Chaco; 2 days in Taos, 2-3 days in Santa Fe and 2 days in ABQ is about right.
There have been a lot of threads on here recently about hotels, restaurants, things to see and do. click on my name to find some of my suggestions as a local. Email me direct if you'd like.
Larz did lots of great things, so his report should help.
Hope this helps...
Debi
Jul 12th, 2007, 02:04 PM
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Hello again,
We were able to see and do a great deal in the 6 full days we had, and devoting about 2 days/nights each to Albuquerque, Taos and Santa Fe worked out nicely. (Spending the 1st and last night in Albuquerque also made it very convenient to pick up/drop off the rental car at the airport - only about a 15 minute drive.)If we HAD more time - perhaps another day in Albuquerque(lots of museums there)and Santa Fe(additional museums and/or pueblos in the area). I strongly recomend a visit to Acoma Pueblo(sky city)for its location, architecture and history.
Larz
We were able to see and do a great deal in the 6 full days we had, and devoting about 2 days/nights each to Albuquerque, Taos and Santa Fe worked out nicely. (Spending the 1st and last night in Albuquerque also made it very convenient to pick up/drop off the rental car at the airport - only about a 15 minute drive.)If we HAD more time - perhaps another day in Albuquerque(lots of museums there)and Santa Fe(additional museums and/or pueblos in the area). I strongly recomend a visit to Acoma Pueblo(sky city)for its location, architecture and history.
Larz
Jul 12th, 2007, 07:45 PM
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Reservations are not needed except for large groups. Tours are on the hour. Last tour is 1.5 hours before they close; better to go earlier than that. You must take a tour to get to site, you cannot just drive to it or walk to it. Other info here:
http://tinyurl.com/ytj3oe
Debi
http://tinyurl.com/ytj3oe
Debi
Jul 13th, 2007, 03:29 PM
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Lee Ann
We are planning to come the week of Oct 14th - looking for accomodations in the moderate to high end. I have seen the postings for the Five Graces and Inn of the Annasazi but was wondering what other places are available - maybe a little less expensive.
We are planning to come the week of Oct 14th - looking for accomodations in the moderate to high end. I have seen the postings for the Five Graces and Inn of the Annasazi but was wondering what other places are available - maybe a little less expensive.
Jul 13th, 2007, 04:02 PM
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alds - Here are some really nice choices for hotels in Santa Fe. Balloon Fiesta will be over by then, but it is still a pretty busy time until the end of the month.
La Fonda
www.lafondasantafe.com/
Bishops Lodge, a bit out of town, but nice:
www.bishopslodge.com
Inn at Loretto
www.innatloretto.com
El Dorado
www.eldoradohotel.com/
LA Posada http://laposada.rockresorts.com/
Inn on Alameda
http://www.inn-alameda.com/
Debi
La Fonda
www.lafondasantafe.com/
Bishops Lodge, a bit out of town, but nice:
www.bishopslodge.com
Inn at Loretto
www.innatloretto.com
El Dorado
www.eldoradohotel.com/
LA Posada http://laposada.rockresorts.com/
Inn on Alameda
http://www.inn-alameda.com/
Debi
Jul 14th, 2007, 05:27 PM
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Thanks for your suggestions. We are thinking of the following itinerary:
Fly into Albuquerque and spend the night. Spend the next day at NM state fair and again spend the night in Albuquerque.
Drive the Turquoise road to Santa Fe and spend 2 nights. Day trip to Bandelier.
Drive to Taos and spend 1 or 2 nights, not sure yet. Want to visit Taos pueblo.
Where should we stay when visiting Chaco Canyon? Will this visit take most of the day. I'm not sure where Chaco is located.
Return to Albuquerque area and visit Acoma. Spend night and fly home.
Can anyone recommend budget lodging in these cities? We spend very little time in our room and I don't like to spend a lot for a place to sleep. Just need a place that is safe and clean. As we have traveled in the west we have stayed at many small family-owned motels and have usually been pleased with our accomodations.
Thanks again for any suggestions.
Fly into Albuquerque and spend the night. Spend the next day at NM state fair and again spend the night in Albuquerque.
Drive the Turquoise road to Santa Fe and spend 2 nights. Day trip to Bandelier.
Drive to Taos and spend 1 or 2 nights, not sure yet. Want to visit Taos pueblo.
Where should we stay when visiting Chaco Canyon? Will this visit take most of the day. I'm not sure where Chaco is located.
Return to Albuquerque area and visit Acoma. Spend night and fly home.
Can anyone recommend budget lodging in these cities? We spend very little time in our room and I don't like to spend a lot for a place to sleep. Just need a place that is safe and clean. As we have traveled in the west we have stayed at many small family-owned motels and have usually been pleased with our accomodations.
Thanks again for any suggestions.
Jul 15th, 2007, 02:13 PM
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For Albuquerque, you should be fine in any of the standard chains - Choice Hotels, Holiday Inn Express, etc.
Or you could try Priceline for a four-star in the Uptown area. If you want to try Priceline, spend some time on http://www.biddingfortravel.com first; you can see what hotels people usually get.
For what you're planning so far, I think Chaco Canyon is a little out of your way, but someone who has fit it in to a NM trip may have suggestions on how to fit it in.
Lee Ann
Or you could try Priceline for a four-star in the Uptown area. If you want to try Priceline, spend some time on http://www.biddingfortravel.com first; you can see what hotels people usually get.
For what you're planning so far, I think Chaco Canyon is a little out of your way, but someone who has fit it in to a NM trip may have suggestions on how to fit it in.
Lee Ann
