briachel

Hi, we are visiting family in El Paso and would like to visit Santa Fe before returning home to Seattle.We have 5 nights for the trip. What is the best route to take and what should we see and do along the way. We enjoy visiting historical sites and being outdoors. Thanks for your help

Ackislander

If I were doing this, I would do this:

1 El Paso to Santa Fe
2 Santa Fe
3 Santa Fe - White Rock, Bandelier, Los Alamos
4 Santa Fe to Taos via Espanola and Embudo, return via High Road, stopping in Chimayo
5 leave Santa Fe via Turqouise Trail, then blast down the interstate to El Paso

I would love for you to get up in the mountains and see Ruidoso and visit Lincoln, but I can't make it fit. On your next trip to El Paso . . . .

White Rock is a suburb of Los Alamos that might as well be in Maryland, but after you wend your way through tricycles and mom-mobiles, there is a truly spectacular lookout over the broken country to the east.

ElendilPickle

What time of year, and do you have to return to El Paso before going to Seattle?

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle

Also, how many people are included in "we"? You and your spouse? Any children?

Lee Ann

emalloy

I like ackislander's plan except if you are going to Seattle after Santa Fe, take the turquoise trail on the way to Santa Fe.

Time of year does make a difference, both in availability of lodging and in possible road conditions.

briachel

It is just my spouse and I. We are in early 60's. We do have to return to El Paso to catch our flight and get cuddle time with our new grandson. We will be traveling the first two weeks of July

ElendilPickle

Ackislander's suggested itinerary sounds good to me.

Lee Ann