We're flying into Albuquerque Jan. 7th. Planning on staying the night there, and heading out the next day towards Carlsbad. Jan 8th: stay at Carlsbad overnight.
Jan 9th: head over to El Paso, White Sands, and perhaps north to Las Cruces, staying there.
Jan 10 & 11th: Head towards Albuquerque, stay there both nights.
Jan 12th: Fly home.

We need suggestions on where to stay, where to eat, what to do etc. We try to stay in a moderate to more expensive motel in order to have it very clean (a must!!)and quiet. Eating is more than fast food, but not gourmet or fancy. Just good food in a more casual atmosphere. We're game for about anything, enjoy lots of different things. All ideas will be gratefully considered!! We have no idea of how long it takes to get anywhere either. My long time dream has been to see Carlsbad Caverns, so that's what started this whole trip.

Thanks for any and all help!!

There are lots of threads on here already that you can search for, but let me give you a few ideas.

First off, don't stay in El Paso; stay in Las Cruces. I am not sure if you have a specific reason to go to El Paso, but there isn't much there. Las Cruces is west of El Paso and White Sands is north and a bit west of Las Cruces.

For Las Cruces hotel/restaurants:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34890834

Have you thought of heading to Santa Fe? It's really nice there and only 1 hour north of ABQ. I would drive from ABQ to Santa Fe via The Turquoise Trail. http://www.turquoisetrail.org/ This will take you through a ghost town and will get you to Santa Fe without having to go on interstate. Take a trip up to Sandia Crest along the way and see ABQ from a great view point.

I would spend at least a day in Santa Fe. A walk around the plaza is easy and filled with insights into sw history. Fodors does a great job with walking tour and high points in SF.

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...&feature=30002

I love the museums on Museum Hill - http://www.museumhill.org/index.html --

For ABQ ideas on things to do and places to eat; try this site:
http://www.dukecityfix.com/index.php?itemid=1307

For a place to stay in ABQ, I would highly suggest Embassy Suites. It is about 1 1/2 year old and is very conveniently located just of I25 and close enough to get to downtown, old town, Nob Hill and all locations that you would want to see.

Like all Embassy Suites, it has cocktail hour each night, and an excellent hot made to order breakfast each morning. Free parking and the rooms are all suites.

Just north of ABQ is the beautiful Hyatt Tamaya Resort. They should have good internet special at this time of year.

For a B&B in ABQ:
Los Poblano's Inn is located in a very pretty area of ABQ called Los Ranchos.
http://www.lospoblanos.com/

Here are some other B&B's for you to look at: http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/albuq...ew-mexico.html

Restaurants:
type in Albuquer restaurants in the search box above and you should get lots of ideas or read this:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34625543

Here's another thread about White Sands and Carlsbad and how much time to spend at each:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34519627

Feel free to email me directly if you want more specifics!

Hope this helps...
Debi

I agree with Deb (what a shock! ) - skip El Paso and go from White Sands to Las Cruces.

It will take you about four hours to drive from Albuquerque to Carlsbad.

Make sure you allow several hours for Carlsbad Caverns, especially if you want to take any of the extra tours offered.

Be sure to try some New Mexican food while you're here! Garcia's and Church St. Cafe are both good. We like 66 Diner on Central for good, casual food.

Lee Ann

Lee Ann -- how much snow did ya get?? DD and DS got about 12"!! We on the other hand, got 3 " earlier this week and that's it!
Debi

We got about 7-8". Mr. Pickle's boss called a vacation day for today, so he'll be home until Wednesday. Whoo hooo!!!

Lee Ann

Thanks for the suggestions. We were going through El Paso simply to get to White Sands.

We'll probably go to Sante Fe one of the last days, so thanks for the Turquoise Trail link.

What is the "normal" temperatures around this time--I know right now there's snow! What's the best way to pack--does it warm up much? We're not at all familiar with New Mexico weather. We're from Iowa, and having a blizzard as I type this.

Any places NOT to stay in Albuquerque? Any areas best to stay away from?

Again, thanks for all help!

It will be cold - maybe dry and cold, maybe snowy and cold, but cold. Dress in layers and bring a jacket and a hat - sunscreen, too.

We're expecting another storm this week, so maybe more snow.

What is your hotel budget? That Embassy Suites Debi mentioned is very nice.

Lee Ann

The temps normally are in the 40's during the day in ABQ, but the sun makes it feel warmer. The temps drom a good deal at night in the 20's; but the past 2 weeks has seen some unusual weather.

Down in the southern part of the state, it should be warmer -- 5-8 maybe 10 degrees higher.

Dressing in layers is always the safest bet here in the SW. Allows you to easity adjust to the variety of temps.

I wouldn't stay in SW Albuquerque [you can tell by the street address as it will have SW at end -- 101 Silver SW for example].

Drink lots of water as it is easy to get dehydrated here with the dry air and altitude. Read this thread to fully understand the possible effects of high altitude:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34865407

Bring lotion too, as your skin will feel dry and chapstick too. As Lee Ann said, sunscreen too.

I will get the restaurant ideas together later today.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Thanks for the advice! We probably wouldn't have thought about lotion and sunscreen, and the water reminder was good as well. I'm also going to give Embassy Suites a call, but they may be more than what we wanted to pay--our top price was $100 per night. Any other suggestions about hotels within 5-10 miles of the airport?
Again, thanks so much for all the help, I really appreciate it!

I have had friends stay at the Holiday Inn Select at the airport--it is fairly new hotel they paid $65. There are a few in that area and very quick access to the interstate. Holiday Inn Select
ALBUQUERQUE AIRPORT
1501 SUNPORT PLACE
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87106 UNITED STATES
Hotel Front Desk: 1-505-9442255 |

I didn't think Embassy Suites was that expensive!!

Here are some:
Holiday Inn Express Albuquerque-Airport
2331 Centre Ave Se
Albuquerque, NM 87106
$57 [on priceline - NOT the name your price]
========
La Quinta Inn Albuquerque Airport
2116 Yale Boulevard
Albuquerque, NM 87106
$69 [on priceline - NOT the name your price] I stayed here, it was good place close to airport for early morning flight
===========
La Quinta - 15 minutes north of airport
5241 San Antonio Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87109
$64 [on priceline - NOT the name your price]
===========

If you find something else and want to know if it is in an ok area, post and I'll let you know.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Restuarant info for ABQ -- I made a list here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34921091

Hope this helps...
Debi

I have a great suggestion for you -- you should drive down to Bosque del Apache on the day you get into ABQ. Stay and watch the nightly sunset arrival of sandcranes and geese.

Here's a clip, be sure to have sound on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQuhoxLNONk


http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/

You could also stay in ABQ and get up early and witness the flyout at sunrise:

http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/flyout.htm


It is about 90 miles south of ABQ. You could have dinner ant the Owl Cafe, renown for the green chile cheeseburgers and then head down south.

If you haven't seen this website, check it out too:

www.newmexico.org

You really have to see this site, it can't be described adequately. If you do this...DRESS WARMLY!! It's cold either at sunset or sunrise.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Wow--thanks everyone for all your time and help! It's been great, and things are coming together! Your advice has been wonderful!

The Indian Cultural Center (probably the best museum in Albq) is a great place to visit and has a resaturant inside. The center displays artifacts from 19 different pubelo indian tribes in NM. It is located
2401 12th St NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 843-7270
It is right accross the street from Barelea's resturant which serves very authenic New Mexican food.
And you can't go to Albuquerque without going to Old Town. It is the heart of where old Albuquerque started. Lots of shops, restaurants, old mission church. If you happen to be in Albuquerque on the weekend make it to the Flea Market (corner of Louisana Blvd and Central Ave). There are several vendors selling first rate indian jewelry, pottery, rugs and authentic indian food at much cheaper local prices than Old Towne would. If you have time check out a Inidan Casino. I like going to Santa Ana Star Casino. They also have great food and entertainment. Lastly if you get the time check out the Sandia Mountian Tramway. It is the longest Tramway in the world and once you get to the top you can view the whole city and there is a restaurant on top (very nice but pricey). An experience you won't forget. Enjoy your stay.

PS. If you do go to El Paso you might as well cross the border in to Juarez and see the shopping sites there. You can cross on foot but beware you will see alot of poverty and beggars. You can cross the bridge from Downtown El Paso.

Sorry, but I have to disagree about going to Juarez! There is no reason to go there, either driving or walking.

If you drive, you need special insurance as US insurance isn't valid and I don't think you can take a rental car in anyway. And you sure don't want to walk in...

Debi