cmstraf

My husband and I are thinking of taking our first trip to New Mexico around Christmas time.
We know it will be cold in places, but are hoping that roads will be open and places of interest will be accessible. Can anyone help with information about this and/or suggestions for a first vacation in New Mexico?
Thanks.

TennesseeGuy

You could certainly have snow along I-40, farther south probably not. I've driven thru many times in a semi, but haven't been able to sight see. I love those huge cliffs sticking straight out of the ground. The open , uncrowded beauty. Good Luck!

Diamantina

I lived in New Mexico for a year and because of my job had to go out and work even in the worst blizzards. In winter, you have to watch for black ice, you have to know what to do if you car skids. If you have lived with snow, you will already know what to do.

Otherwise, it is a beautiful time of year to be there: the farolitos/luminarias, snow on the adobes, piñon-scented fireplaces, and Indian dance ceremonies on the pueblos. There is a lot of info about the dances on the Internet. Here are a few links I found:
http://www.santafetravelers.com/sant...pueblo-dances/
http://www.santafenm.info/pueblos.htm
http://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe...ndian_Pueblos/
http://travel.nytimes.com/2005/12/16...anted=all&_r=0
http://www.sunset.com/travel/southwe...0400000014532/

DebitNM

New Mexico at Christmas is enchanting. The weather can be sunny and quite mild during the day but it will be cold at night. Snow in Santa Fe at that time is quite possible.

Most things are open at that time of year, although pueblos may be closed for feast days.

The interstate is usually open and unless it's a heavy dump, snow tends not to stay around too long.

If you can be more specific about what interests you, suggestions can be made. There are several threads on here, so a search. You can type in Santa Fe, or just use the drop down menu for New Mexico and find lots.

[In 2000, on my first Christmas eve day in NM, we landed and the temp was 64! It's not always that warm, but the sun always makes it feel warmer than the thermometer says.]

topeater

I agree with the other replies. Have spent a lot of time in Santa Fe & Taos during the holidays & it is one of the most beautiful times to be there. Snow just makes it more beautiful. Book a hotel with a fireplace and burn piñon. It will be a great memory.

suewoo

I can't think of anything nicer than Santa Fe at Christmas.

DebitNM, is that pretty Rancho de Chimayo still a good place to go? I was there years ago and loved it. Of course, at that healing Sanctuario, I broke my glasses.

DebitNM

I have never eaten there, sue. It seems to be either love it or dislike it based on Tripadvisor reviews. It does cater to tourists, so it probably is somewhere between the 2 extremes.

MiamiBeachMomma

We too are thinking NM for the Christmas break. Would love to visit Sante Fe as well as Carlsbad Caverns. Last year we did An Arizona Xmas trip. Sedona, GC, and Tuscon. We loved it. Wondering if we could do the same in NM, fly in and rent a 4 WD SUV and do a road trip. Kids are 14 and 11 year old boys and love nature, adventure, national parks, history, and fine dining. They abhor shopping, unless it for video games of course!

DebitNM

Not that it can't be done, but you will be heading in opposite directions as Carlsbad is pretty far south and Santa Fe north.

With Christmas in the middle of the week this year, I would go there first, and then head south the day after Christmas to Carlsbad and winding back up in ABQ. A day in ABQ would be well worth your time. Lots for the boys and you in ABQ. http://cabq.gov/

MiamiBeachMomma

Anywhere else to hit in December??? Also wondering if I can fly out of Eli paso, tx and hit Abq before Carlsbad.

DebitNM

Expensive to fly into El Paso and pretty limited, I think.

ElendilPickle

MiamiBeachMomma, I would go with DebitNM's suggestion. Fly into Albuquerque, head up to Santa Fe. Take a day trip to Bandelier National Monument while you're there. Drive to Carlsbad and spend a day or two at the caverns. Check to see if there are any special tours you can take while you're there. http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

On the way back to Albuquerque, drive through Lincoln (Billy the Kid/western history) and make a stop at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/bosque/

Lee Ann

MiamiBeachMomma

Thanks! Not sure if this idea is a go.... Wondering if it's too snowy to drive cross state.

ElendilPickle

It's hard to say if we will have snow in December. We might, but we've been in a drought the last few years. I've read projections that this winter will be wetter than normal, so it could happen. The highway department does a good job keeping the roads as clear as possible, though.

Lee Ann

mmiera

Born and raised in norther New Mexico. Traveled to over 32 countries and spent Christmas in 16 of them. still, no place more majestic, tranquil, or spiritual for me than Northern New Mexico. Traditons centuries old still go on. You can travel all over the state and see the different traditions, but for me....Northern part of state at Christmas is a trip worth taking.

MiamiBeachMomma

Rethinking Sante Fe for March spring break. It's the last week in March. I'm wondering what kind of weather we should expect. Is this a good time of year to visit??

DebitNM

March is not one of our better months. Weather can be all over the place. Spring here is my least favorite times of year. Can be sunny or windy. If we ever get any precip (very dry so far) it could be muddy if you want to hike or still snowy if we have snow.

MiamiBeachMomma

Hmmmm, not very enticing. Having a tough time coming up with ideas for March. Definitely don't want to ski or lay on a beach.

DebitNM

What about San Diego? Or Tucson?

DebitNM

San Francisco? seattle?