Good idea - I think I will try to do that. Found some nice B and Bs in the area.

Do you think we should make the stop over in Ouray just one night since many places will be closed? I checked and the mine will not be open and about half of the restaurants will be closed for another day or two before we get there.

I wouldn't drive all the way to Ouray to stay one night (it is at least a 6 hour drive from Colorado Springs). And then 6 more hours the next day to Taos.

Would you consider an itinerary like this???

Day 1 - Arrive in Denver mid afternoon
Day 2 - Denver
Day 3 - drive to Colorado Springs
Day 4 - Colorado Springs
Day 5 - Colorado Springs--drive to Taos (either go I-25 to Walsenburg-then highway 160 to Fort Garland--then highway 159 which becomes highway 522 when it crosses into New Mexico to Taos OR take highway 24 west from Colorado Springs--then highway 285 south at Johnson Village--then highway 64 at Tres Piedres into Taos)
Day 6 - Taos
Day 7 - Drive to Santa Fe--take the high road if it's not snowing http://tinyurl.com/3aygvwm--you would need to reverse the directions since you would be going from Taos to Chimayo to Santa Fe
Day 8 - Santa Fe
Day 9 - Santa Fe--drive to Albuquerque
Day 10 - Albuquerque
Day 11 - Fly out

That would give you 2 nights in each location--except Santa Fe--and if you don't want three nights in Santa Fe--do an extra night at one of your other stops.

You would see lots of nice mountain scenery and, if you take my second suggestion for the route from Colorado Springs to Taos (and if the sky is clear-you will get to see one of my favorite views in all of Colorado). As you approach Johnson Village on 285/24--you will crest a hill and the magnificent mountains of the Collegiate Peaks will fill your view. http://nathrop-colorado.com/collegiate-peaks.htm And these photos do not do justice to what you will see.

Plus on that route, you will travel very close to the Great Sand Dunes National Park - http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm if that interests you.

When you are in Taos - find time to visit the Taos Pueblo--call ahead to make sure it is open. http://www.taospueblo.com/

When you are in Santa Fe, you might consider a hike in Bandelier National Monument--we've hiked there in the winter--wearing our snow boots, of course. You could call and check on the condition of the trails. http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

Thanks Martym - I was thinking about that since it seems like alot of Ouray was going to be closed. I really wanted to go there, but perhaps that is best kept for another trip. Thank you so much for taking the time to map this out.I think this might just be the day by day we will do.

You're welcome.

On the advice of MartyM, I adjusted our route to exclude Ouray and to have 2 nights in each place. This will cut down on some driving and give us a bit more time in each place. We have booked everything except Albuquerque reservations. Any suggestions on a place to stay there that will be close to some creative restaurants and sights?

ABQ sites are pretty spread out. I would suggest staying in Uptown area. There is a Sheraton, Hilton Garden,Homewood Suites and a Hyatt Place.

http://albuquerqueuptown.place.hyatt...lace/index.jsp

http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi...tyhocn=ABQUPGI

http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/en...exico/index.do

http://www.sheratonalbuquerqueuptown.com/

Thank you DebitNM. I will check these out.

Leaving for our trip in a few days - thanks so much for all of your help!

Have a wonderful time!

Drive safely! The weather here is spectacular, though it is going to be windy on Thursday and Friday with some clouds, but then lots of sunshine and great temps again for the weekend and beyond. Don't forget: sunscreen, hats, chapstick, LOTS of water~

Thank so much Martym and DebitNM - you have both helped so much!

With all of your help - it was a wonderful trip! Some of my favorite highlights:

Denver - Dbar and Bang! were both amazing and I highly recommend them. The Denver Mint tour was very interesting and I am glad we went. The Red Rocks were very beautiful and it was anice day to walk around.

Colorado Springs - The Olympic Training Center tour was interesting. The drive up to Pike's Peak was nail biting and the view from the top was awesome!

Taos - the highlight here was definitely the Taos Pueblo - so amazing to see that people are still living in within the walls! Graham's was our favorite restaurant - every dish perfect.

Santa Fe - this was my favorite stop on the trip. I highly recommend El Paradero Bed and Breakfast. It was a short walk to the Plaza. We also enjoyed meals at Cowgirl Cafe, The Shed, and a local Italian spot on Garfield St.

Albuquerque - we did not do much here - we walked around the shops at the plaza and enjoyed good great dessert from Flying Star Cafe. O'Neills pub was great too.

I look forward to exploring southwest Colorado when I can go during warmer temps.

Thanks!

Glad you had a nice trip, Thanks for reporting back. The southwest is addicting, the more you go the more you want to go.