Dukey1

We are thinking about traveling sometime in the Spring (April or May) of 2015. We would stay a few days and then drive south to Carlsbad Caverns to see those. Probably spend at least one night in El Paso and then drive back to ABQ for the flight home.

If I can do the car rental and not pay an exhorbitant amount of drop charge would probably fly back from El Paso.

Main question is this a good time, weather-wise, for Santa Fe or would later in the year be better? We were thinking of doing the opera but I gather that season doesn't start until July and since we'll be back in Europe in August that's out.

Thanks very much for any thoughts.

Nelson

My wife and I were in Santa Fe in April of last year and May of this year. Last year the weather was perfect. a bit cool but lovely. This year, even though it was 3-4 weeks later, it was colder and extremely windy. Not fun to be outdoors, so activities had to move indoors.

Welcome to springtime in the Rockies. Basically hard to predict and the luck of the draw. June would give more consistently pleasant weather, I think, but you could hit a nice spell earlier. Bring layered clothing in any case.

Dukey1

Nelson, thanks very much for that information as it is appreciated.

emd3

It can snow in Santa Fe in April...it did when we were there in April one yr.

Fall is very nice, once the summer heat lets up. October and November....

wtm003

I'm not sure if you are interested in the Bat Flight Program, but if you are the ranger program doesn't start until Memorial Day. I really enjoyed it!

http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisi...ht_program.htm

Dukey1

Thanks everyone for the additional comments and yes I would eb interested in the bats!

I think we've decided to wait a bit and perhaps do it in the Fall; the heat of the summer isn't so much an issue considering the lack of humidity but overall the Fall sounds like a better time to visit.

ElendilPickle

Fall is my favorite time in New Mexico. The aspens change color, temperatures start to cool, and it's just beautiful.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the first week in October. www.balloonfiesta.com Hotels in Albuquerque book up quickly for this event, but if you've never been it's worth it.

Lee Ann

BigRuss

I like Santa Fe in September or October. In October, the aspens change color. In September, it's cool at night (we live in Texas, it's not cool at night until . . . well, not very often at all, actually).

In October, you can twin the trip to Santa Fe with the Balloon Fiesta. The fiesta is neat, but it has a high washout rate because the balloons won't launch unless the winds are <8 mph and Albuquerque is just east of a mountain range that gets winds coming down from Canada.

DebitNM

Spring is our worst season. Windy, snow can happen and dust blows.

September, October and even early November are the best.

Christmas time is magical, but colder. Sunny days with blue skies and it tends to feel warmer than the thermometer reads and cold nights, perfect for a fireplace [kiva] with pinon wood burning!

Why El Paso??

Dukey1

I have a "thing" for El Paso (from my Active Duty days...you wouldn't like the nasty details, though) and I have an even bigger "thing" for a meal at the Cattleman's Steakhouse in Fabens which is about 35 miles or so east of the city. And, rather than driving all the way back to ABQ I can drop the car there and then fly home.

I am liking the idea of going in the Fall more and more; the Christmas time would be wonderful, I agree.

Thanks again for all the very thoughtful recommendations.

Nelson

You can have a bit of Christmas year round in Santa Fe:
http://www.theshopchristmas.com/

We brought home a couple boxes of their electric luminarias and set those up around our house during the holiday season. This generated compliments from the neighbors. The guy who owns the shop is fun to talk with.

Layered clothing is still a good idea for the fall.

Have a great trip!

BeachGirl247

I'm late to the party but YES to fall in Santa Fe! It's my favorite time, too. Aspens and cottonwoods are a golden yellow, chile harvest is wrapping up and the aroma of roasted chile and chimineas of burning piñon fill the air. It's fabulous.

The end of September is Wine & Chile Fiesta. Wonderful dinners, classes, tastings and the big tasting and eating event is on Saturday at Opera grounds Loads of fun with live music and lots of great food and wine.

Leely2

Would love to go in fall. I went for Xmas/New Year's and thought it beautiful.