Beachvan

Message: My DH and I are planning to fly into ABQ, the end of April for about 9 days. We would like to find accommodations, for a few days, in Santa Fe that are convenient, no more than $150 per night and as upscale as that $restrain will allow. We are Foodies, so would like any gourmet recommendations. Would like to also travel to Durango (train?) and to Moab . We could fly out from a different location if necessary. We visited Zion, Bryce and the GC last Spring by way of Vegas and had a great vacation, but want to see different areas this year.
We are active "young" Seniors who could appreciate a 4-5 mile semi streneous hike each day. Love museums/ruins, spectacular scenery and unique antique shops. Any suggestions would be most
appreciated as well as info about temperatures for that time of year. Is it too cold for a day of rafting?

utahtea

Near Durango is Mesa Verde National Park. The ranger guide walks to the three major ruins are really worth taking. You have to pay a small fee of $2.75 per person, per tour and you can only do two tours in one day. You might consider spending a night either in the park or at near by Cortez.

Moab, Utah is one of my favorite locations. In Arches, you will want to do the 3 mile round trip Delicate Arch hike. The hike to Landscape Arch is only 1 mile but if you don't mind heights then forge on to Dark Angel. You walk along on the top of the sandstone fins. I believe it's a 5 mile round trip...not as strenous as Delicate Arch. Another favorite of mine is the Park Avenue hike.

In Canyonlands my favorites are Mesa View hike and Grand View hike.

If you don't have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, you might consider renting one in Moab, UT and do the Shafer trail up to Canyonlands and the the Long Canyon back to Moab. You start out on the Potash Road and you can find petroglyphs here and on Kane Creek road on the opposite side of the Colorado River.

I belive the closest airport to Moab will be Grand Junction, CO which is only 112 miles ( 2 1/2 hrs) away, but you can drive scenic hwy 128 past the Dewey Bridge up to Cisco & I-70. Well worth the drive!

Salt Lake City will be 235 miles (4 1/2 hrs) away and ABQ will be 387 (7 hours).

We have an RV so I'm no help with lodging.

Utahtea

Jayne1973

In Santa Fe, hiking is good at Bandalier National Monument. Check out La Fonda and Inn of the Governors to see if you can get a deal within your price range for lodging near the plaza. If not, El Rey on Cerrillos will fit the bill and is lovely. Plenty of great restaurants and museums in Santa Fe. The museum of folk art is amazing.

Beachvan

Utahtea, you are the best travel agent a person could ask for. Thanks for all the great advice you give. You helped make our trip last Spring very enjoyable. Jayne, thank you for the suggestions. Any particular favorite restaurants?

utahtea

Glad I could be of help. I do have one corrections. It should have been Mesa Arch trail instead of Mesa View trail in Canyonlands.

Utahtea

ajcolorado

I don't know if this is sufficiently gourmet but we loved Harry's Roadhouse on the Old Las Vegas Hwy. in Santa Fe. Also good is the Blue Corn Cafe. Both the travel channel and food channel have had Santa fe features - check out the recommendations on their websites.

The Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe is free on Friday nights.

You can purchase a four consecutive day pass for five museums: Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts, Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, all on Museum Hill, and the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Palace of the Governors, located downtown, for $15.00. See www.moifa.org/visitors/faq.html

klondike

Santa Fe: We love Harry's Roadhouse Cafe! But beware, it's not centrally located and while excellent food (especially the breads/rolls/pastries) I wouldn't consider it gourmet. For central location, we really enjoy the Guadalupe Cafe and Pasqual's.

Be sure to visit the Nedra Meucci Galleries...the Glenna Goodacre life-size sculptures out in the garden are spectacular.

klondike

OOOOh! I left out our "worth-the-trip" epicurean delight in Santa Fe: The Sunday Brunch at the El Dorado is unbelievable. Not cheap, but worth every penny! Reservations a must.

Jayne1973

There are so many good restaurants, but I'd have to say my favorites are Plaza Cafe and Marias.

Beachvan

Thanks for all those recommendations. I am definately making my list. with your suggestions.

BLYVAIL

Love Pasqual's. Would make a reservation early in the day for dinner. There is also a SW Cooking School just off the Plaza where you can take classes. Coyote Cafe has great margaritas, but found the food just Ok.

We were in SF mid-April last year and it snowed the entire first day. Friends just got back from Moab over the weekend. mid-70s. Pack accordingly.

annieladd

For upscale dining, please try Geronimos. It is one of our favorite restaurants anywhere. We also like Santa Cafe, it's lovely to sit outside when the weather is nice. Not fancy but great for New Mexican cuisine is El Shed. Inn of the Governors will probably be the best for your price range, unless you can get La Fonda for the price. Or, you might try St. Francis. All are within walking distance of the Plaza. Enjoy.

williamscb13

My sister lives in Santa Fe and we checked out hotels one day for our parents. We particularly liked Inn on the Alameda. I know they do happy hour and I think they have breakfast.

A great place for drinks is the outside bar in the Inn of Loretto hotel. I was amazed by the pretty courtyard.

I second the suggestion of Geronimo's and Harry's Roadhouse. But Harry's is not New Mexican food, it is more American and out of the way.

I also like the Cowgirl Hall of Fame (I think that's the name, I always get it mixed up with the Cowgirl Cafe in NYC either way it's definitely Cowgirl) They have great margaritas.

The other restuarants in Santa Fe that I've liked have been The Shed and the Guadalupe Cafe. I'd skip Pasquals, I wasn't impressed.

Have a great time in Santa Fe. It's a great place.

jet519

We like The Shed, The Ore House for cocktails and guacamole on the balcony overlooking the plaza, Cowgirl Cafe, Coyote Cafe Cantina. These are not upscale but lots of fun and good food. We took a trip a couple of years ago in the same area but flew into ABQ then went towards Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, then Mesa Verde, Taos and ending up in Santa Fe on the last night. We went to Mesa Verde, then through Durango, to Taos, spent the night then drove to Santa Fe on the High Road the next day and it was a beautiful drive. I am not familiar with Moab as far as where it is in relation to Mesa Verde, but all the other areas are doable in nine days with time to enjoy, depending on your pace.