My husband and I want to take 10 days to get to Tucson from Minnesota. We want to take the southern route stopping in Santa Fe and maybe Las Cruces. Are there any not to be missed sights or moderate hikes along the way? Any help would be appreciated including hotels you've enjoyed. Thank You!

I know this is the 'road trip' forum but you'll likely get more response on the US board.

thanks!

When you post on the US forum, let us know how long you intend to stay in New Mexico and Arizona. Will you be returning to NM or going onward? With the snow situation in Minnesota, I would think about taking the Amtrak Empire Builder from MSP into Chicago and taking the Southwest Chief to Albuquerque and renting a car there to make a loop.
Is this trip planned for sometime in the next 2-3 months?

In New Mexico, west of the Rio Grande, you could visit Acoma

https://flic.kr/p/2jfVGmj
and El Morro National Monument

https://flic.kr/p/7navti

In addition to Santa Fé, visit historic Taos. Why Las Cruces ? Driving from Tucson we always exit I-10 in Deming and take to Highway 26 N to Hatch, NM to I-25, avoiding Las Cruces.