Early May isn't our best season as it can still be very windy with dust in the air. That said, to address your questions.

3 nights in Taos may be a bit too long. It is a small town and the pueblo isn't that large.

I would also suggest that spending some time in ABQ is very worthwhile. Acoma Pueblo is far more interesting in my view than Taos. And The National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center are really very worthwhile.

http://www.indianpueblo.org/

http://www.nhccnm.org/


I never like to drive a great distance on the same day as departure [my opinion only]. I prefer to get near to airport the day before and be sure there won't be any issues for making it to airport on time. I would suggest heading back to ABQ and spending the night in town even if you don't choose to see any sites in ABQ.

Not sure if you are spending 6 or 7 nights, as the first breakdown you suggest is 7 and the second is for 6 nights.

I would do 3 nights in Santa Fe, 1 night in Taos and 2 nights in ABQ if you have 6 nights. If you have 7, you could add a day to Santa Fe.

Another possibility is to do the 6 day I have above and then add on a few days in SW Colorado in the Durango area where you could head to Mesa Verde National Park. It is about a 4 hour drive from ABQ.

http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

Well, I am sure others will offer their views. Let me know if I can help with hotels, restaurants etc.

If you take a late flight out, as you mentioned, you should be fine. I'm thinking that is about 3 hours not counting traffic.

There is SO much to see in this wonderful area. You are planning on visiting Taos Pueblo? And Bandelier? http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

Traffic on I 25 at rush hour [which can start as early as 3pm] isn't fun. And depending on where in Taos they are leaving from, could take more than 3 hours. IF they wanted to take scenic route from Taos [High Road or Low Road] that is nicer but will take longer.

I've driven from Red River to ABQ on departure day twice (Red River is an additional 35 minutes on top of the Taos-ABQ trip) and it's easy to do. We just stop for lunch in Taos or Santa Fe on the way back. Usually set up a 6pm flight or so. The non-scenic route is a normal four-lane highway for much of the route from Taos to Santa Fe, then use the bypass road around Santa Fe until you hit I-25. The Red River to ABQ route can be done in a little over 3 hours, but I don't drive like the latter part of your screen name (er, the part after "zaks").

That said, you'd be hard-pressed to find three full days' worth of activities in and around Taos that's not snow or hiking-related. It's a 5,000 person town with all the resources and infrastructure (not much of either) that implies. Santa Fe isn't large either - about 60,000 people but it is far more urban. Albuquerque is a legitimate city.

PS - Bandelier is closer to Santa Fe than to Taos.

PPS - eat at Tomasita's in Santa Fe: there are reasons that diners line up to enter when it opens.

On your trip from Santa Fe to Taos, you should take the High Road in one direction. It is fairly magical. Allow time to stop and absorb the atmospher in places like Las Truchas.

If you get a chance before you go, watch "The Milagro Bean Field War" from your library or Netflix.

DebitNM - as the resident expert on this area, what route do you normally take from Durango to ABQ?

sludick -

I would normally ask if you wanted fastest or scenic but the trip isn't all that scenic no matter which way you go.

The most direct route is simply taking SR550 from Durango down into Bernalillo and then picking up I 25.

Don't get me wrong, the views aren't awful [although there is stretch south of Farmington that isn't attractive]. In fact, for someone visiting from someplace other than the southwest, it may be visually ok. I admit I am a bit jaded, as I have made this trip close to 50 times.

Trip time on SR 550 from Durango to ABQ airport is about 3.5 hours.

I agree about the high road. My favorite place of many wonderful places on that road was at the Truchas studio (outdoor) of a man, I think Bill Lloyd, who makes amazing, resonant bells from old propane tanks. Looking out from his property at the mountains and hearing the deep sound of the bells one feels at the end of the earth.
We sent one of these bells home; it is absolutely my favorite thing I have bought while travelling.

We drove the old/scenic road from Sante Fe to Taos (the "high" road?) - and stopped by fabled Chimayo to pick up some "sacred" earth for my mom. It was super.

http://chimayo.us/

And we were also fortunate that there was a Native American "Pow Wow" going on in Taos - with some colorful dancing.

You have all been so helpful....Thanks. Yes, we are planning to visit Bandelier -- as a day trip during our time in Santa Fe. Based on what everyone says I think it would make sense to spend less time in Taos and returning to ABQ for the last night (or maybe two.)

DebitNM -- we could make the trip the last week in May. Would the winds have died down by then? Would it be too hot? thanks so much.

Temps will be great at end of May, winds all but gone.

Another thought - if you still want to spend a couple of nights in Taos, you could spend a day driving the Enchanted Circle, which takes you through Red River and Angel Fire. It's a really lovely drive.

I, too, would stay in Albuquerque the night before your flight. There is plenty to do here, and DebitNM has given you some good suggestions. A big accident, or something like yesterday's incident where some fool stole a school bus and was eventually stopped on I-40 near the river, will wreak havoc on the roads.

Lee Ann

If you have time - definitely drive the Enchanted Circle, and driving into the Taos ski area is very pretty.

A big accident, or something like yesterday's incident where some fool stole a school bus and was eventually stopped on I-40 near the river, will wreak havoc on the roads.

And what most folks don't realize or think about - we have only one North-South interstate and only one East-West interstate and as Lee Ann said, it doesn't take much for things to become bad quickly and for a long time to correct.

bookmarking

DebitNM-- I think we will try to incorporate Mesa Verde into our trip. You suggested we leave Santa Fe and spend the night in Bernalillo after exploring Tent Rocks. Is there another place you could suggest which would be closer to Mesa Verde so that we could reach the park earlier and have more time there?

Also -- Are you suggesting that we skip Taos in order to do this? It looks like going to MV from Taos adds an extra hour -- am I right?

Thanks so much for all your help.

Either in Aztec or Bloomfield or go on to Durango, which is another hour.

I was not suggesting that you should skip Taos. But I do think a day there is sufficient and it can be done as day trip from Santa Fe. The quickest way to Mesa Verde, from Santa Fe, is to head south on I25 and exit at 242,then head west on SR 550. That will take you past Aztec, Bloomfield, into Durango and then on to Mesa Verde.

Personally, I would skip Taos and the Enchanted Circle. I was underwhelmed with both, but we have traveled extensively in Colorado so we were expecting stunning scenery, and the Enchanted Circle just didn't deliver. We honestly didn't like Taos but we did enjoy driving up there (from Abiquiu).

I would suggest visiting the Abiquiu area, including Ghost Ranch (hiking to Chimney Rock is great), Echo Amphitheater, Lake Abiquiu and Pedernales, and more. This is the area where Georgia O'Keefe lived and painted and the scenery is really magical.

We are going to NM in April...used to live there but can't remember the weather there at that time...help me here Debit. Staying at our fav hotel, The Inn of the Governors, and will walk about when we are not visiting the kids. Is the Shed still in Santa Fe, and is it still as good as I remembered it. I am also concerned about the altitude as we live at sea level and I do have a neart condition.

Anyway, looking forward to the trip.







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