Santa Fe is one of those places I've been wanting to visit so my husband and I are thinking of planning a trip there in October for our anniversary. We are flying out of Newark Airport so I'm assuming the best place to fly into would be Albuquerque? We were thinking of spending a night in Albuquerque and then heading out the next day to either Santa Fe or Tao's. We have a week to spend so I'd love to hear your advice on how many days to spend in each area. We thought we might spend our last night in Albuquerque as well so we don't have to rush to get to the airport on the way home. Does anyone think a week is too much to spend? Would love to hear your advice for us first-timers to New Mexico.
Oh, and is early October a nice time to go?

Happy anniversary! We have a vacation home in Red River, so we travel that route frequently. Santa Fe is wonderful! If I were you, I'd bypass Albuquerque completely as it's a very easy hour drive from the ABQ airport to Santa Fe. The airport is right by the interstate so you can zip north in no time. The charm and magic of Santa Fe is memorable. I'd also spend the last night there as well...but, on to your questions. Do you like the mountains? If so, I'd spend part of the time in Santa Fe and part of the time in Red River. They are worlds apart in terms of geography. The Carson National Forest has beautiful hiking opportunities. The aspen trees would be turning around then. Taos is a great, worthwhile place to spend the day. Do you like art galleries? If so, both Santa Fe and Taos are a plethora of art galleries. I hope this helps somewhat.

Hi dorkforcemom! Thank you for the advice! Can you recommend any places to stay in Red River area? We do love the mountains and hiking. Also, how long of a drive from the airport to Red River? Should we head up there first and then head to Santa Fe. I'm thinking Tao's can be one of those day trips from Santa Fe. Yes, we also love art galleries and shops, or at least I do!

Oops, forgot to ask....we had wanted to go the week of October 8th which I understand is still during the Balloon Fiesta. Is it way too crowded then and should we pick another week to go? Thanks again!

Yes, Albuquerque is the best city to fly into. If you'll be here during the Balloon Fiesta, try to spend the night and take in some of the activities. Book your room right away, though, because things fill up quickly.

Taos (no apostrophe) is an easy day trip from Santa Fe.

Lee Ann

Thanks Lee Ann. I was thinking we would arrive in Alburquerque and stay the night then head either to Santa Fe or Taos. Would it make more sense to start with Taos and stay 1 night then go to Santa Fe and stay 4 or 5 nights since its a closer drive to the Alburquerque airport? Would it be better to stay the last night in Alburquerque or just drive from Santa Fe since it looks like it is about an hour drive?

We don't like the time wasted in packing, moving, and unpacking again, so prefer to just base ourselves in Santa Fe. Taos and other places you'll probably want to see are easy day trips.

You'd be cheating on your anniversary a little, but if it's of interest, consider scheduling your trip around the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta. Great fun! But Fiesta events book up quickly, so you'd need to make that decision soon. Like now!

Well...here's one scenario. Red River is about 3.5 hours from the ABQ airport so you could, if you were interested in mountains & hiking, head there first for a few days then stop in Taos for the day on your way to spend the remaining nights in Santa Fe. (or do the reverse) A fun place to drive to from Taos is Chimayo - eat Mexican food there at Rancho de Chimayo (according to their website, they have neat looking places to stay - worth considering). A good restaurant in Taos is Apple Tree (very good location). Hope this helps as you plan a fun vacation!

with all do respect to dorkforcemom, Red River is a small community and has limited hotels, restaurants etc. While it is pretty there and there are place to hike etc -- all that can be found in ABQ, SF and Taos. I would drive the Enchanted Circle perhaps which would include Red River, but I wouldn't stay there personally.

We have a total of 7 nights so I was thinking of arriving in ALQ and headiing to SF stay 4 nights (either Five Graces or Anasazi. Head to Taos and stay for 2 nights. (not sure where yet). Head to back to ALQ and stay last night before having to leave for home. (maybe Los Poblanos)

Too much moving around?

You're right DebitNM (I see you posted verbatim of the other NM question of which I responded) - what I failed to mention - that, indeed, Red River is a very, very small community. At the fear of repeating myself, I was offering an alternative to ABQ, Santa Fe, Taos - which are very similar. Red River is the polar opposite of those 3 offering few restaurants or hotels but is, truly, a mountain lovers adventure. As first timers to New Mexico, I assume the OP was throwing her question out for a variety of options in that beautiful part of New Mexico...

Yes, dorkforcemom, other options and suggestions are welcome to be sure. The OP asked about ABQ, SF and Taos.

Red River is beautiful, but it is quiet and has limited facilities. OP should check out Red River and decide what works for her and her husband.

I was just trying to put things into some perspective from my eyes as someone who resided fulltime in ABQ for over 5 years. Everything I suggest is always IMHO.

Debi

Absolutely, I agree! I certainly didn't mean to appear otherwise...New Mexico Rocks! My mouth is watering for some of the delicious food I find in that part of the globe as I type...can't find it anyplace else! My husband is headed ya'lls way in a week or so for R&R, wish I were able to join, perhaps in August.

Santa Fe is one of my favorite places on the planet!! Haven't been able to get back there for over 20 years, though, so it may be more developed these days. (Hope not!!)

I agree with all the above advice but I would add one general cautionary note: I see you're flying out of Newark so I'm assuming you live on the east coast. If so, please be aware that the change in elevation may take some getting used to. Santa Fe and environs are over a mile high. Some people are extremely sensitive to that and get altitude sickness. Give yourself enough time to adjust to the thinner air before doing a lot of walking or hiking.

I hope things haven't gotten too developed. The city (at least the older central part of it) used to have a building restriction that structures couldn't be more than three or four stories high and had to fit in with the local architectural style. I hope that's still the case. If so it's a very walkable town, and hopefully Canyon Road hasn't gotten too touristy. One used to be able to amble along it and see artisans of all types at work. Very laid back and funky.

Hope you have a wonderful time!!

A must read for anyone coming to high elevation from low elevations:

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

Thank you all for the awesome advice! Yes, we have traveled to high elevations before and do take caution when we first arrive. We don't usually do anything other then walk around town and get used to the area the first day. Thank you for the website, I will definitely look it over.