sandi_travelnut

We'll be flying into ABQ, from Dallas and will have 4 nights to spend driving around the Santa Fe/Taos area. We plan to see a lot of nature and love the smaller town feel. I haven't been to Santa Fe in many years and have heard that it's not the quaint city I remember. I also heard that Taos still retains that smaller town/authentic feel. We think we want to stay in 1 place and take daytrips to other areas. Which city would you recommend? We don't mind a small house rental if it's really in walking distance to the town center, or a cool hotel in town is ok also. We'd like to keep it below $200 a night if possible. Would love to hear your thoughts....

DebitNM

Santa Fe. More centrally located for trips in all directions.

What time of year?

This is a great list:
http://www.cowboysindians.com/Cowboy...ve-New-Mexico/

sandi_travelnut

Sept 23

DebitNM

Hotel Santa Fe will get you in for just over $800 for the 4 nights. It is a lovely, Native American owned hotel and they have a shuttle to the plaza or you can walk about 15-20 minutes. I love the hotel, they charge a resort fee [included in my # above] which I don't like, but it's a really nice place with a lot of charm.

Even if you don't stay there, go on Friday night and listen to Ronald Roybal play flute, he's magical. Get some Prickly Pear Margarita's! Mmmm.

Will you have a rental car? There are lots of chain motels that can be had for a lot less on Cerrillos Road. All the major ones are there.

BigRuss

Taos isn't a town, it's tiny. It's a large village. Thinking there's more you'd want to see in and around SF.

I don't know how Santa Fe would have lost the "quaint" aspect - it's a town, not a city. It has 65k people and is one of the smallest capitals in the US. The development that would suck its uniqueness dry has occurred outside the center of town and the capitol area, primarily on or near Cerrillos Rd about 4-5 miles from the center. You can avoid that area altogether.

You can pass by the big box stores en route to the heart of the town between the capitol and the plaza and be in the type of area you remember.

Christina

I consider 65K people to be a city, myself (and the population is closer to 70K). Never thought of Santa Fe as a town, but it is quaint enough, I guess, but it has become so popular and super expensive, that I'm sure it isn't like it was many years ago. So maybe it isn't so authentic any more.

I like a bigger place with more choices and things to do, but it depends what you want. Taos is very small, only about 5K population. So I think this is just your decision. I don't think Santa Fe has been like that ever (except maybe back in early parts of 19th Century, of course, when New Mexico became a state), so what you remember of SF is probably not like what Taos is now. Santa Fe did have a population of about 5K 100 years ago.

LeslieC

Definitely Santa Fe.

historytraveler

I agree with Sant Fe being the best choice. I was disappointed with Taos on my first trip there and have been back several times. Still find it a bit of a bore.

loveyblue

Stay in Santa Fe. I like several of the smaller hotels near the square. Nice to walk to dinner in the evening & things get a little quieter when the day visitors leave. Taos is a nice day trip .

BeachGirl247

Santa Fe is still quaint for me if I stick around the plaza/canyon road area, rail yard included. It will give you a good base for day trips to Taos and other areas. That's a great time of year to visit!

I love the quirky, small village of Taos. But, it doesn't have much to offer if you aren't hiking, too. Some people really love that and that's great.

Save time for the drive back from Taos to Santa Fe on the high road through the scenic villages of Chimayo and Truchas. I love that drive in the fall.