debj

I am going to Albuquerque in September for a convention, but plan to spend Friday til Monday touring the areas of Sante Fe, Taos, and being based in Albuquerque. We will have a rental car and need advice for trips, dining, and sightseeing in those areas.

DebitNM

September is a wonderful time of year to be in NM.

What kinds of activities interest you? Museums, art, outdoors [hiking, biking etc] are all available.

You can go to Santa Fe from ABQ but you cannot go to Taos in the same day [and back].

I would do Friday and Saturday in Santa Fe and staying there; then I would drive up to Taos on Sunday and stay overnight and drive back down to ABQ on Monday.

Driving time from ABQ to Santa Fe is about an hour or so on interstate and a little longer taking scenic route [via Turquoise Trail -- which I would highly recommend. Driving time from Santa Fe to Taos would be an hour and half or so.

Fodor's DESTINATION link at the top of the page has wonderful suggestions of things to do in both cities.

There are also many threads on here about things to do, places to eat etc. Type in Santa Fe or Taos in the search box at top of the page and get a feel for what has been talked about and suggested on here.

Once you get an overview on what there is to see and do, post again and ask away. There are lots of folks on here that know NM well and are happy to help...me included!

Hope this helps...
Debi

debj

Well, we have a few constaints. we are committed to staying in Albuquerque for our stay. Our convention begins on Monday and my daughters are joining us for the long weekend before flying out Monday afternoon.
We will have be arriving at our hotel before noon Friday and need some activities for that afternoon and evening. we were thinking of driving the Turquoise Trail to Sante Fe on Saturday and spending the day. after another night back at our hotel in the city, we wuld like to drive to Taos on Sunday to spend the day. My daughters would like a short adventure close to the hotel for Monday morning. we do not hike, but love shopping, visiting local spots, and dining as well as seeing all the scenery and attractions. Does this seem plausible?

DebitNM

Driving to and from Taos [from ABQ] will take almost 6 hours of the day. If you can get up early and drive back late you could do it. Truthfully, I would pass on Taos and just do Santa Fe and ABQ.

For shopping, I suggest going to Nob Hill area which is just a bit east of the University area or Old Town.

For Friday afternoon, take the Tram up to the top of the Sandias. PAck a picnic for dinner and watch the glorious sunset. {Don't eat at the restaurant up there..expensive and not very good} Maybe do drinks there at sunset.

I have an ABQ restaurant guide posted:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34921091

Take this to Santa Fe on Saturday:

http://www.turquoisetrail.org/

for a lovely drive. Maybe come back down through San Ysdiro.

This is Fodor's SF guide:

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...&feature=30002

The museums are terrific in SF:

http://www.museumhill.org/index.html

I would stay in ABQ on Sunday; there's lots of neat things to do there. Zoo is small but has lots of terrific exhibits.

A visit to Acoma Pueblo will give you some insight into Native American life in NM. It's about 1 hour west of ABQ.

The National Hispanic Cultural Center is also good:

www.nhccnm.org



This is another thread of mine, you might get some ideas [it has things for Colorado, skip that part]:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34895115

This is great for happenings in ABQ:

http://www.alibi.com/

And check this too:

www.newmexico.org for lots more ideas.

Hope this helps...
Debi

ElendilPickle

>>You can go to Santa Fe from ABQ but you cannot go to Taos in the same day [and back]. <<

Actually, you can, but it will be sort of a long day. ;-) IMO it's closer to two hours from Albuquerque to Taos.

I remember we went up there once with my parents; we were going to take the high road back to Santa Fe, but took a wrong turn and ended up going through Mora and Las Vegas. We still got home well before dark.

What hotel will you be staying at? The new ABQ Uptown is very nice, but it really doesn't have any local stores. Debi's suggestions of Old Town and Nob Hill are good ones.

http://www.sfreporter.com has restaurant reviews for Santa Fe.

Lee Ann

DebitNM

Lee Ann -- I have driven from Rio Rancho to Taos in 2.5 hours, but driving too fast [if you get my drift] and that was to Pilar to go rafting, not all the way into town. And yes you could do it in a day, but to me...driving 5 hours or more and spending a time in town makes for a mighty long day. That was my though process for skipping Taos and exploring ABQ instead on Sunday.

Debi

Postal

Hey, debj, are you going for the NAPUS convention by any chance?

debj

Yes i am going tothe NAPUS convention. Are you? Where are you from? I am from NH and looking forward to my last one before retirement!!

Postal

I am in North Central Florida, between Jacksonville and Gainesville (Fort White, FL to be exact), and this will be my first national NAPUS conference. I've driven through Albuquerque but never spent any time in the state so I can't wait!

Retirement sounds awfully good but I have 5 more years! Feel free to write to me at [email protected]. It'll be good to know someone outside of the Florida folks!

DebitNM

ttt