go_laura

Hi Everyone,

Many of you were helpful to me a while back in choosing Santa Fe as a good destination for our trip and choosing lodging - I said I'd probably be back closer to travel time with some itnerary questions, and now we're a week away and here I am! Would have been sooner but unfortunately some unexpected illness and hospitalization intervened...making this a vacation more needed than ever!

Important to know...after staying in Albuquerque our first night, we have already paid to stay at one of the Campanillas Compound places for the following six nights, so when trying to decide how much to do in a given day, it's not an option for us to stay elsewhere for a night.

Also important: we are not people who like to over-do, we like to take things slowly enough to really take in and appreciate/enjoy, and allow time to be able to make unplanned stops if they call to us. On top of being that way anyway, I've been ill recently and need to take extra care.

So given all that, my questions are mostly regarding which things combine well in a given day, and which would be too much?

Specifically, if we do a day trip to Taos (assuming the high road one way and stopping at Chimayo), do you think it would be over-doing to also go to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge *and* go soak in hot springs at Ojo Caliente on the way back to Santa Fe? If that *is* too much, how about just one of those? And how much is Ojo Caliente worth a visit, in your opinion - if that is too much to be combined with Taos, is it worth doing on another day? If we only want to do one "spa" ish activity, which would you choose between 10,000 Waves and Ojo Caliente Hot Springs? Or is the latter much different and not at all comparable?

Is Tent Rocks a place you'd combine with somewhere else in a day, like Bandolier? Or is it a place to go see on the day we travel from Albuquerque to Santa Fe? Or is it a place you'd have just get its own day trip?

Same with Ghost Ranch/Abiquiu - a day's own destination, or someplace else obvious to combine with it?

Fwiw, we'll likely be spending at least a couple of days just hanging out in Santa Fe, shopping, museuming, and relaxing.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Laura

ElendilPickle

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is just a little way outside Taos, so you can easily combine that with your day trip.

I've not been to Ojo Caliente, aside from driving through, so I can't help you with that. Ten Thousand Waves gets rave reviews here on Fodor's, but I haven't been there either.

Since Tent Rocks is not all that far off I-25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, I would go there on your way to Santa Fe.

Since you're getting over an illness, take it easy, drink lots of water, wear a hat and sunscreen. Remember Albuquerque's elevation is about a mile, and Santa Fe and Taos are higher still.

Lee Ann

martym

I agree with Lee Ann- the bridge is easy to do when you are in Taos. I would not drive on to Ojo--it would make for a very long day. You might want to go to 10,000 Waves on one of the days you are staying in Santa Fe. DH and I have done a private hot tub and a couples massage late afternoon and then gone for a late-ish dinner after. If you want to do that, call 10,000 Waves for reservations immediately.

Ghost Ranch/Abiquiu will not take an entire day. Abiquiu is about an hours drive from from Santa Fe. The last time we were there, you could not go to the house Georgia O'Keeffe occupied. There are hiking trails at the ranch, if you are up to it. Georgia's house in Abiquiu is open for tours, I believe, but these have to be reserved well in advance so it is probably too late to do that. It is, however, great to see some of the landscapes that she painted.

Please do not underestimate the effect that the altitude may have on you since you are recoving from an illness. Your plan to take it slow and not overdo is a good one.

olive_oil

Timely question! We drove the high road to Taos from Santa Fe three days ago. We also went a little further along to see the bridge. We took the direct route back to Santa Fe. Ten hours.

Granted, we got lost a couple of times and we took our time in Chimayo, but even so, we were surprised that it was such a long day. It was great, but we were tired when we got back.

So I would not try to add anything to thr trip past the bridge.

Hope that helps.

go_laura

Thank you very much for the replies. All of the information so far has been helpful.

I have now made a reservation for Ten Thousand Waves and am excited about it - the person I spoke with on the phone was very friendly and helpful. We are splurging on both a hot tub and a couples massage.

I'll also figure the trip to Taos and the bridge are plenty for a day. And nice to know whichever day we go to Abiquiu will still allow plenty of just wandering and relaxing time afterward.

Tent Rocks, I'm still a little unsure. Lee Ann, we'd also thought about the Turquoise Trail instead of I25 to travel from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Do you think that's worth it, tho' it would mean Tent Rocks might be for another day instead of on the way up?

Also, am open to any other suggestions of favorite places not to be missed, from anyone!

Thanks again,
Laura

emd

Laura, when is your reservation at 10,000 waves? I went on my 1st day in Santa Fe, and I did not account for the altitude. I got really sick during my massage, very lightheaded and sick to my stomach (that has never happened and I get massages frequently), and determined along w/the masseuse that it must have been from the altitude. I wished I had given myself at least a full day to acclimatize before going to 10,000 waves. I've never had high altitude problems before, but I did that 1st day in Santa Fe.

I really enjoyed the live music at night (7 nights a wk) at El Farol out about 2 miles on Canyon Rd. I went three nights out of my 5 nite stay and had great live music each night- blues, rock, and latin respecitvely on each of the 3 nights. And very friendly locals there also. The food is very good- tapas and Spanish entrees, nice wine list and good margaitas and other drinks, and a nice patio in back. I highly recommend it.

Also enjoyed easy but highly enjoyable hiking from the Audobon Center on Upper Canyon Rd. A nice trail following a stream thru a canyon, and a nice loop trail w/views of Santa Fe.

And the Museum of INternatl. Folk Art was incredible.

So much to experience there, but take time to slow down and talk to the locals, which was the best part for me.

ElendilPickle

The Turquoise Trail is fun. Make a stop in Madrid on the way; there are some neat, funky galleries and things to look at.

You could do Tent Rocks on the way back from Santa Fe to Albuquerque instead.

Lee Ann

Balsamic_Bill

Laura, I just posted our day trip from SF to Taos and the bridge which you may find helpful. It's under GA-AL-MS-AR-TX-NM etc.

artman

I'm a big on slow travel. Rushing to "see it all" just doesn't make sense.
So in saying that. I just don't think a trip to Taos taking the high road one way and the direct route back is doable in one day. I would strongly recommend staying a night in Taos even at this point you have to double book. Sure people do it in a day. But you will be left with that feeling that you rushed. And yet people continue to do it so they can say they did it and are sorry they didn't have more time.
Heres what i would do if doing Taos this would be an overnight trip, relaxed and wonderful.
Have a good breakfast in Sante Fe and head north to Taos on the direct route. Don't speed through the Pueblos, if it says 45mph they mean it. It will be an 1 1/2 drive. You can stop at visits along the way and see the rio Grande as it carves its way through the valley. Valarde and PIlar along the river are beautiful little areas to pull off. Arrive in Taos and Walk around Bent Street and Kit Carson taking in some of the local galleries. Mody Dickens Bookstore has some great local books.Walk around the plaza and then go have lunch at Doc Martins or Bent Street Cafe. after lunch visit the Harwood museum, then the Martinez Hacienda Museum then drive out to the rio grand gorge and visit the Millicent Rogers museum on your way back into town. Check into your hotel and have a relaxing evening going out to dinner, and a stroll around town. Then the next day take the high road back visiting Chimayo and local artists galleries in Truchas and along the way. This easily can take the better part of a day.

artman

10,000 Waves and Ojo Calient are completely different spa experiences. 10k waves is a luxurious spa experience with lots of options. Its all in a Japanese/Mountain lodge type decor so you really don't feel like your in NM..which is fine...its a wonderful place. Ojo is very NM in feel. They are upgrading and building new facilities but it more laid back, out doors pool hot tub experience. They have great massages and a good restuarant on site. Its also less expensive than 10k Waves. Both are great.
You defintiely could combine a day drip to Ghost Ranch( one of the most beuatiful places in NM) with a trip to Ojo Caliente. Leave early and drive to Ghost Ranch. Even if your not up to hiking there are some great views. You can have lunch at Bodes General store of the Abiquiu Inn. You have to call the Georgia Okeeffe Museum in SF to make reservations to tour her home in abiquiu. You should not consider just driving up to her home in Abiquiu to peak around. Abiquiu is a very small private village and people who live there have about had it with all the tourists and are not,understandablely, very welcoming. There is a great little gallery across the street from Bodes called the TIN Moon which is great.

go_laura

Thanks so much, everyone, all of your posts had helpful information and/or food for thought for me!

One thing I'm not sure I'm understanding and I didn't from the website either...it *is* ok, right, to go to Ghost Ranch even with no reservation for the tour, and walk around? I understand that that's not ok to do with her home in Abiquiu, but am unclear about the Ghost Ranch part.

I don't want to make reservations ahead for the 1:30PM Ghost Ranch tour at $25 each, since we're not 100% sure we'll make it up there. If reservations are a must, then this might just be something we take out of our loose plans.

Thanks again, and I am looking forward now to searching the forum for prior recommendations re: restaurants!

Laura

martym

When we went to Ghost Ranch, it was ok to hike on the trails without taking a tour--but we were there in February. Why don't you just call them and ask if reservations are necessary or if you can walk around the ranch without going on a tour?

go_laura

What a novel idea, just call!

It's funny how I can get so in the habit of being at the computer that I forget the obvious.

Anyway, we don't yet have a laptop or web access by cell phone, so this vacation will mostly also be one from technology, except possibly a brief stop or two at an internet cafe. Probably a good thing!

I look forward to reporting back after we're back home in Philly area Memorial Day weekend.