My wife & I will be visiting the Albuq.-Santa Fe-Taos area the entire last week of April this year. We'll have a rental car. Two items on our agenda: Attending the Gathering of Nations Powwow & riding the Santa Fe Southern Railroad (tour). We are open to checking out just about anything. We're staying at a B&B on the east side of Albuquerque. Any suggestions for restaurants, attractions, parks, museums, or activities would be greatly appreciated.

Convenient to the east side of Albuquerque is the Sandia Tram, (probably still) world's longest. Great way to spend an afternoon!

There's also the National Atomic Museum (free).

From east Alb you might consider driving the old highway ("Turquoise Trail") to Santa Fe. It's relatively wide open country. (The movie "Young Guns" was shot in the area.)

Be sure to go to Old Town in Albuquerque to do some shopping. There are all sorts of shops there with something for everyone! There are also some good restaurants within walking distance, too.

definitely try to do the turqouise trail, especially madrid if you want to do any shopping, and it's a better way to get to santa fe anyway from alb.

in santa fe, visit the georgia o'keeffe museum, even if you think you don't like her art that much; her range is amazing.

north of santa fe, kind of the way to taos, try to visit Chimayo, with the old church that's supposed to heal people, on the square. the restaurant, think it's called Rancho Chimayo? , is better on atmosphere than food but still a pleasant place to spend a sunny afternoon..

Lots of great southwestern food in all thoe places. Beware; chili comes in Hot, Hotter & WOW! If in doubt, ask for it on the side and add to your taste. While in Taos, continue North to US-64 & take that west to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge - only 10-15 miles & a great view. Bandiler National Park near Los Alamos is well worth a visit.

Definitely indulge in all of the great Southwestern food. While on the pricey side, the Coyote Grill (chef Mark Miller's restaurant) in Santa Fe is a fantastic restaurant. The steak was the best I've ever had!

I second the tram ride idea. I went with a few friends hiking up there and we had a wonderful afternoon.

Thanks to everyone for your marvelous suggestions for our trip. We'll certainly try to make the most of as many as possible. Any other ideas you have just let me know.

The International Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe is a delightful experience. As for restaurants, put Santacafe in the same city on your must list. And if the weather's good, sit outdoors at the restaurant. And certainly walk along and visit the shops on Canyon Road.

We made our first trip to that area last October. Definitely enjoyed Madrid--unusual atmosphere. I was very disappointed in the Georgia O'Keefe musuem--very small. I liked the fine arts museum better. Take a walking tour of Santa Fe--there's a number available. Canyon Road was fun, like visiting lots of small art musuems. A second for the Santacafe, food was excellent. We enjoyed Rancho Chimayo for lunch; the carne adovada was excellent. We drove to the top of Sandia Mountain rather than taking the tram. View is great, but it was very cold and windy even in October, so bundle up well before you go. Since it sounds like you're staying in Albuquerque the entire week, try the Artichoke Cafe for a pricey meal and Los Cuates for less expensive New Mexican. The second was recommended by someone who had lived in Albuquerque and was quite good.

Are you staying in Albuquerque for the full trip? As you know, Santa Fe is about an hour drive north of Santa Fe and Taos is about another hour north of Santa Fe (depending on your route). Though they are both accessible in day trips, I think it would make more sense to spend a night or two in Santa Fe. That way you could really explore the area. Some interesting sites are Bandelier which is about 30-45 minutes outside of Santa Fe, which is a cool Indian archelogical site. It's also near Los Alamos; there are a couple of neat museums there, if you like atomic bombs. Also, there's the Taos Pueblo (some people hate it; some like it -- but there are some great photos to be had there. Just make sure you ask first before snapping a shot.) Plus, there are dozens of great restaurants (Cowgirl's Hall of Fame is a good one in S Fe) and shops. And just driving around is a wonderful experience. it's truly great, refreshing scenery. Have fun.

J.T. Kirk: I originally wanted to stay in Santa Fe for a few days, then go down to Albuquerque for the remainder of our stay, but lodging in Santa Fe & Taos area seemed a bit steep, plus the wife & I don't mind doing a lot of driving around. We don't care to jump around too much from one lodging place to another though.

G., there is some truly great driving to be done out there - Turquiose Trail, high road from Santa Fe to Taos, road out to Bandelier. But it is an awful lot of driving. I'm afraid you'll spend too much time behind the wheel. (I too like to drive when on vacation, but I've been on trips where there was TOO much driving.) I'd really look into spending a night ot two in Santa Fe. there are some less expensive places to stay on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

There is an Indian Cultural Center in Albuquerque that is amazing. The restaurant there is so-so.

There is a (history) museum in the Old Town Area (don't remember the name, has a huge parking lot though) that is worth a visit. And docent led tours of Old Town leave from the museum. It is a huge museum. Learned more about American Southwest in one visit than I did in all my years in school.

Must do the Sandia Tram! Watching the sunset from on top of the mountain was one of the best sunsets I've ever seen.

Here's what I posted a year ago after a great time in NM. I can't say enough good things about the B&B I mention. In addition, if you have any fear of heights, walking to the middle of the Rio Grande Gorge bridge may do you in! It was cold and windy the day I was there and I thought I was going to become part of the flotsom and jetsan in the river below! I couldn't even get a photo because it was so difficult to keep my balance. Have a wonderful time - it's hard not to.

Message: I spent a far-too-short 9 days in NM in October. We missed seeing several of the top sites on my research list. We stayed at the Crystal Mesa Farm(http://crystalmesafarm.com), a 2,000 acre farm/B&B, just 20 mins south of Sante Fe. Every corner is a delight to the eye. (I am a painter.) With the interstate nearby and a 70 mph speed limit, we were less than 30 mins. north of Albuquerque (for the Balloon Fiesta) and the Sandia tramway to the mountain top. The main house is used strictly for guests, and you can pretend you are the owner. The real owners are a soap opera star (All My Children's Walt Wiley), his wife, young children and in-laws. Grandmother Marie (and sometimes wife Marie) will regale you with tales of running a B&B over delicious breakfasts. The sunsets from the deck are stupendous. The solitude marvelous after a long day on the road. One day we drove the "high road" to Taos, not arriving until after 3 p.m. But you must stop along the way, esp. at Chimayo to see the Sanctuary and visit the multiple weaving studios; dinner at the local highly rated restaurant is also a must. There are also towns with metal artisans, but we hadn't done our homework and missed them. We also visited the Abiquiu home/studio of Georgia O'Keefe (reservations must be made months in advance); continue west from Abiquiu to at least Ghost Ranch. The terrain changes drastically and is stunning. We did not continue west to Chaco; out of time. Didn't get to Bandelier either. Did return to Taos by the direct highway to see the Pueblo ($10 per person entry; $10 per camera (if you own more than one, that's per camera!) It is commercial, but is the prototype of a pueblo. I might skip it for one of the other tribal sites; should have done Bandelier. Don't miss the church at Rancho de Taos (just before Taos itself) which was the subject of many O'Keefe paintings. Just up the road from the Crystal Mesa is a side road to the studio/foundry of the deceased Native American sculptor, Allan Houser, whose works are in Sante Fe at the museum. Tours by appointment. http://www.allanhouser.com
There is a funky fun flea market just northwest of Sante Fe on weekends, just past the exit to the opera. Look for a rodeo; again we missed it because of lack of time. See Madrid, a post-hippie art colony town on the Turquoise Trail south of Sante Fe. We found any drive in any direction led us to something interesting. We also did a Southwestern cooking class at the Sante Fe Cooking School, on the main street in Sante Fe. And by all means do your homework on the web. Crystal Mesa site has a good number of links. I am ready to return!!

We decided to stay in Santa Fe for a few days & then spend the remainder of the time in Albuquerque. J.T. is right. No point spenting more time driving than enjoying the sights. All of your suggestions have been more than appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Regarding food: no matter where we've wandered into, it's always been great. (Don't feel you have to hit the trendy places!) I've had green chile cheeseburgers from hole-in-the-wall places that were heavenly.

let me know how the trip and train ride go. We're doing the same in June w/our 16yr old son.
thanks

Alice,

Have you considered rafting in the Rio Grande (from Santa Fe). My wife and I did it and was great fun. Your 16 yr old would probably enjoy it

If you drive the Turquoise trail to Santa Fe, take a side trip (on the road to top of Sandia Mt.) to the Tinkertown Museum. It's quite an eclectic collection of memorabilia that is displayed in an a truly unique fashion and will not take up too much of your valuable vacation time.The Southwest area is so beautiful and the scenery is constantly changing. Get out and enjoy it!

Try Pasqual's restaurant in Santa Fe. They do a great breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. It's my favorite. I'm going back for the 3rd time next month.