Frost Gelato is in ABQ Uptown not Coronado Center [close by but not the same.] New one supposed to be opening on Central in Nob Hill.

Oh!
Tomasita's, a long time must do in Santa Fe, is coming to ABQ!

http://tomasitas.com/

Not sure when they'll open. I-25 frontage road, where Texas Land and Cattle was located.

The La Quinta on I-25 at San Antonio/Journal Center would be a good choice.

You could combine Old Town and the Rio Grande Nature Center on one day; I haven't been to the latter location in a couple of years, but it's a nice place to walk.

Sorry, BigRuss - Frost Gelato is OK, but we were spoiled in Italy and weren't impressed with their offerings. :-)

Lee Ann

Lee Ann and I concur on that LQ

True the airport location has only the Waffle House and the Applebee's, but a lot of hotels there serve a free dinner: Residence Inn, Staybrige, and Homewood, all unfortunately out of the OP's budget. And it's close to things like Old Town and Nob Hill, and the traffic is lighter than being up in Journal Center or out near Louisiana.

But the Journal Center area is probably the best value in hotels in a newer area, although it isn't really near anything except Kohl's and chain restaurants. There's a Comfort Inn (pretty sure it used to be a Quality Inn) that I have stayed in there that's fine, but pricing out closer to $100. The Homewood and Staybridge here price out lower than the Uptown or airport locations, and have a good free breakfast plus a dinner 3-4 nights per week.

tom_mn curious as to why you asked about Rio Rancho?

With a car, finding places to eat won't be an issue.

The big thing is to avoid motel chains along I-40 exits. Even more well known names. The cheap places are often used for things other than "tourists" needing an overnight stay or for a vacation and the more well known names are targets for car thieves looking for people who are moving with all their worldly possessions or tourist with "good" stuff in their trunks.

Sad, but true, especially lately.

Thanks so much for lodging...now how to maximize our days. We will be staying one night in Santa Fe and will head out to Tent Rocks and plan on being there when they open. We plan 1/2 day there leaving at lunch and wondered if picking up the Tourquise Trail would be a good option and then take Route 66 into town? Next day petroglyphs and Old Town, Rio Grande Nature Center state park and Nuclear science Museum. We need a hike for our 3rd day 3-5 miles and afternoon activities. Is Ekena Gallegos Picnic worth a stop for a sunset visit? Farmers Market on Saturday ?

From Tent Rocks into ABQ via Turquoise Trail.

Long, but nice ride:

https://goo.gl/maps/q9xTrVK92nm

I would get on I 40 to head into town from Tijeras. Rt 66 along there isn't anything special.

Hikes here:
https://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm

Afternoon activities:

http://railyardsmarket.com/

Bio Park
http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark

http://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/open-space

http://losranchosnm.gov/growers-market/

Another nice splurge meal in a beautiful setting:
http://www.lospoblanos.com/


What days of week are you here?

Petroglyph National Monument, Old Town, Rio Grande Nature Center and the Nuclear Museum are too many activities for one day.

There are nice hikes on the eastern side of the Sandias. Consider going into the mountains in the morning and hiking before it gets hot, then coming back into town for the Nuclear Museum.

It sounds like you'll be here on a weekend, so I highly recommend seeing a tablao at Casa Flamenco. We went last summer, and it was incredible - fantastic dancing and music in an intimate space. Seating is limited, so get your tickets ASAP. http://www.casaflamenca.org/

DebitNM mentioned the Los Ranchos Growers' Market, which is quite nice. I also like the downtown market.
http://www.downtowngrowers.org/

Lee Ann

Looks like we will be in the area Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

>>Rt 66 along there isn't anything special.

Not exactly, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eCTk8Yp01A

Heading from Tent Rocks via Turquoise Trail to ABQ has you go from SR 14 west into ABQ on old Rt 66; it is nothing special.

The music is only on the eastbound side of Rt 66 and last 30 seconds max.

Thanks so much with lodging help. I didn't think about the crime of the area until you posted it and I did some research.