Planning to visit New Mexico in September or October for a week (no kids, just 2 adults), and have never been there before. Will rent a car. Where should we go, nice places to stay, restaurants, etc.
Thanks!

New Mexico is a big place, what areas will you be in?

Assuming you'll be somewhere in New Mexico, but perhaps haven't decided where until you get suggestions, I have the following suggestions for cities, sights to see, and areas to stay. I lived there for several years, so I don't have any hotel experience to give.

My memorable areas (I like outdoor sights and experiences) are around Santa Fe, the Red River Valley, Albuquerque's Old Town, Battleship Rock and Jemez Springs, Zuni Pueblo, and (my favorite) White Sands and Cloudcroft, and Sandia Mountain. Enjoy your visit; I'm sure those currently living in NM will have lots more suggestions.

I'm planning a trip for about the same time as you, Gail. Here is the response I gave on a similar thread yesterday.

Author: beachbum
Date: 02/24/2005, 04:16 pm
Message: I haven't been there since the mid '80's, but am planning a trip in late September this year. Right now, at the top of my list are:

1. Bandelier and/or Puye cliff dwellings (are they the same place?).
2. Taos Pueblo, which is probably a major tourist rip-off by now, but I wanna go anyway.
3. Hot air balloon ride.
4. Native American crafts and art.
5. Santa Fe's annual Wine & Chili Fiesta.

That might be enough to fill our four days, but I'm still researching. After much internet research, we've decided to stay at El Farolito: http://www.farolito.com/.

Since you're thinking about going in October, you also might want to consider the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque.

Happy planning.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is September 30-October 9. I highly recommend going! It's a lot of fun to wander the field early in the morning with a breakfast burrito and a cup of coffee watching the crews set up for the mass ascension, and the hundreds of balloons taking off are gorgeous.

Spend time in Santa Fe and Bandelier National Monument.

I live in New Mexico, so I can't really recommend places to stay, but some restaurants we like in Albuquerque are Yanni's, Scalo, Monte Vista Fire Station, 66 Diner, Rt. 66 Malt Shop down by Old Town, Scarpa's for yummy individual pizzas and salads...there are tons of good restaurants in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

You could take a day trip to Taos or go west of Albuquerque to Acoma Pueblo as well. Both are interesting and fun.

Lee Ann

If you would like an inexpensive massage, mineral baths, etc. -- nothing fancy, head over to Ojo Caliente.

Also, if you want to get some lovely sterling silver jewelry, head over to the pawn shops in Albuquerque.

Stay at a B&B in the small farming village of Corrales (www.village.corrales.nm.us) a beautifull rural village between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Be sure to book now if you plan to come on the week of Balloon Fiesta! travel to Santa Fe and Taos. You will love it! I am native from here and always hook up my out of town guests in Corrales.

Wondering if we will be able to see much if we can only do the Albuquerque Balloon Festival September 30 and October 1st?
I can only get the last week of September off , darn.

Opening weekend of the Balloon Fiesta will have a mass ascension each morning. Usually there's a balloon glow and fireworks Sunday evening. You'll see plenty!

Lee Ann