My wife and I are planning a trip for late September/early October, flying in and out of Albuquerque. Flying home the day before the balloon festival starts. First time for leisure travel in New Mexico. We enjoy galleries, hiking, biking, good food, history. We want this to be relaxing so original plan was to visit Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos plus day trips (e.g. Acoma, Los Alamos). However looking at the map and reading the forum postings I am tempted to venture further afield, perhaps Mesa Verde or Canyon de Chelly. So I could use some thoughts on pros and cons of visiting fewer vs. more places, and if more is recommended what should it be?

Why are you missing the balloon fiesta?? It is an amazing event, with over 700 balloons aloft.

I would do 2-3 days in ABQ, 2- 3 days in SF, 2 days in Taos and 3-4 days in Durango/Mesa Verde.

If you are interested in history and culture, Canyon de Chelly is very much worth a visit. The best place to stay (and dine) is the Holiday Inn where, through the gift shop, you can book a very enlightening half-day (morning) jeep tour into the canyon: http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/...iclientid=1952

At the risk of offending those who call Albuquerque home, in comparison to Santa Fe and Taos it held little interest for us, but the skies weren't filled with balloons during our visit.

In Santa Fe we booked a very interesting city walking tour at the Palace of the Governors.

Among Taos' treasures are the Taos Pueblo and La Hacienda de Los Martinez: http://taosmuseums.org/view/hacienda-martinez

HTTY

htty - how dare you!

DebitNM has given you a good itinerary. I also like htty's suggestion of Canyon de Chelly. You could visit Acoma, then head to Chinle. From there, go up to Mesa Verde, loop over to Taos and Santa Fe, then back to Albuquerque.

Lee Ann

And with all due respect, there is lots to do in ABQ:

Acoma [as Lee Ann has suggested]
Tent Rocks
National Hispanic Cultural Center
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Popejoy
Petroglyph National Monument
Open Spaces
Art Museum
Bio Park
Sandia Tram

And more:
http://cabq.gov/visiting

Really, I will admit I bristle when people say there is so much more to do in Santa Fe or Taos. Each has it attractions and those that like the things there, but it isn't fair to simply dismiss ABQ. Ok, off my soapbox.

You might also consider driving over to 4 Corners and then a hour and a half? further to the incredible - Monument Valley. http://www.utah.com/monumentvalley/

And when I travel somewhere - I generally am not a fan of spending much time in their biggest city - especially when the state has so much more natural beauty to offer.

Thanks to all. DebitNM, I am not deliberately missing the balloon festival--our departure the day before is due to schedule considerations at home.

Regarding Durango/Mesa Verde, is Durango a destination in its own righ or a jumping-off point? Monument Valley has great appeal, I will check out distances.

That's too bad that you will miss the fiesta; it is really something very special.

Durango is a destination point, in my book. It has nice accommodations, restaurants, hot springs, narrow gauge railroad, off road adventures and lot of other things to do. It is about 30 minutes to the entrance to Mesa Verde from Durango and then it's another 30 minutes to the Visitors Center.

Been awhile since my last trip to New Mexico, truly a lovely state, Acoma pueblo is well worth a visit, had the best Indian fry bread there and Sandia tram is a lot of fun, think there is a winery somewhere near there but cannot remember.

Bandelier Park is also a very nice place to visit as well. Love the food in New Mexico, so unique, be sure and eat some sopapailas (not sure if I spelled that right).

Regarding Durango/Mesa Verde, is Durango a destination in its own right or a jumping-off point? Monument Valley has great appeal, I will check out distances.

Durango has its charms. It is near Mesa Verde and it is the departure point for the very popular Durango Silverton Train.

The beauty of Monument Valley is completely exposed for all to see. Mesa Verde, on the other hand, is a surprisingly sprawling place and its ruins are not easily spotted from a distance.

Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly are both beautiful places. Of the two, I favor Canon de Chelly because it is surprising in a way that Monument valley isn't.

HTTY

If you get to Monument Valley - which I think is stunning (why do you think director John Ford picked it for so many John Wayne movies? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...y_in_the_media )

- a short/30 miles away is the Navajo National Monument - which has some good cliff dwellings you can easily see - if you don't have enough time to get to Canyon de Chelly. http://www.nps.gov/nava/index.htm

Also in the town of Kenyata - which has the most lodging options for Monument Valley - stop by the local Burger King to see a small museum like tribute to the Navajo heroes of WWII - the code/wind talkers. http://www.kenrockwell.com/200210/1622.htm

They helped the Marines in the South Pacific during the War - calling in artillery strikes, etc - as the Japanese could not overhead and decipher their complicated language. Sadly - it remained classified until about 1970 - and nobody knew what a great contribution these brave Indian/Native Americans made to our Marines. Heck - these brave souls could not even get government jobs as they couldn't even talk about what they did in the War.

FYI - from Sante Fe - we spend a night in Taos - where we were lucky enough to be there during a PowWow, and drove up through the beautiful Chama area http://www.chamavalley.com/ over to 4 corners and from 4 Corners on to Monument Valley.