Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Have You Been to New Mexico?

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- United States (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/)

- - Have You Been to New Mexico? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/have-you-been-to-new-mexico-25975/)

Have You Been to New Mexico?

My husband & I are visiting New Mexico for the 1st time in late August. We will probably be concentrating on the north central and northwest part of the state i.e., Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Farmington. Any great experiences you would like to share? Places to visit, sights to see, routes to take?

Oh yes! NM is a great place to visit and the northern parts is a good choice during the hot season. You won't believe the variety of scenery and history. Take lots of film/video and take your time. Here are some of my favorite spots (some URLs may be outdated & map references are to AAA map of SW US - I'll also try sending this direct so the URLs will be 'active'): (NM) Albuquerque (Map Ref K28):
http://www.viva.com/nm/cen.html
Great place to start your tour. Lots of history here. Don't miss 'Old Town' for shopping. Great southwest foods. International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in late Sept./early Oct (http://www.aibf.org/). Also Sandia Tramway (Longest aerial tramway) east of Albuquerque. View at evening sunset is wonderful. Restaurant at top - reservations recommended.

(NM) Bandelier Nat'l Monument (Map Ref J28): http://www.nps.gov/band/
Native American ruins northwest of Santa Fe, NM. Combination of stone dwellings and caves in soft stone. Small park subject to close due to overcrowding on weekends. Nice quiet walk through Main Ruins Loop. Moderately strenuous climb to 'Ceremonial Cave' 140 ft up series of ladders & steps. Falls Trail below Visitor's Center to view falls and on to Rio Grande. Frey Trail to/from campground. longer back country hiking available. Nice but small campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend one full day. Motels in nearby Los Alamos.

(NM) Chaco (Canyon) Culture Nat'l Historic Park (Map Ref J26):
http://www.nps.gov/chcu/
Center of Anasazi Native American culture. Large stone ruins - stay off ruins but walk through many of them very interesting. Several movies at visitor center - should see. Drive into area via bumpy dirt road (20 miles via south entrance or 11 miles via north entrance) - don't take in rainy weather. Road discourages many potential visitors but is well worth the trip (and keeps the crowds small). Campground small & dry. Take your own water. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Hiking requires free permit (Visitor's Center). Pueblo Alto Trail overlooks several ruins - begins behind Kin Kletso ruin. Take 'Hidden Trail' up to first mesa level & continue up several more levels - up to 5 mile hike but can take shorter. Don't miss overlook of Pueblo Bonito. Tsin Kletsin (South Mesa) Trail begins at Casa Rinconada ruin and goes up to mesa top overlooking much of Canyon. Front side of trail interesting but back side takes you down some dry & hot canyons - recommend go as far as canyon overlook on back side and then come back down front side. Other hikes available. Recommend 1-2 day (2 night) visit. Motels & commercial campgrounds available in Grants or Bloomfield. (MUST SEE)

(NM) Chama (Map Ref I28):
http://www.viva.com/nm/nc.chama.html and
http://www.rmii.com/slv/alamosa/ccs/antonito/train.html
One of the most beautiful valleys (8,000 ft altitude) in New Mexico. Start point for NM end of Cumbres-Toltec Narrow Gage Steam Railroad: http://www.xpert.net/wedgwood/cumbres/index.html http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...hter/focts.htm
Phone for reservations: (505) 756-2151. Day trips into mountains with stop over for lunch - begins at 8,000 ft and climbs to just over 10,000 ft Cumbres Pass. Also starts from Antonito, CO. Departs at 10:30 daily (Chama)/ 10:00 (Antonito); come early to watch train preparations. Reservations recommended. Campgrounds & Motels available. Recommend one day to ride train & another to film train from highway points. (MUST SEE)

(NM) El Malipais Nat'l Monument (Map Ref L26 - at Grants):
http://www.nps.gov/elma/
Large area of lava fields created by early volcanic activity. Can view portions from roads. Rugged trails through lava flow areas - free permit at Ranger Station in Grants. Lava tubes may be visited only with high clearance vehicle. Ice caves are commercial tourist spot. Large natural arch on eastern edge of area just off paved road (NM 117).

(NM) El Morro Nat'l Monument (Map Ref L26):
http://www.nps.gov/elmo/
Also known as 'Inscription Rock'. Prehistoric Native American markings as well as early Spanish & American explorers. Large pool of water was important stopping place in this arid region. Inscription Trail easy walk on paved surface. Mesa Top Trail nice hike up cliffs for views and Native American ruins. Nice but small campground. Pit toilets and no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Campgrounds & motels in nearby Grants. Recommend day visit.

(NM) Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (Map Ref I29): Located on highway 64, northwest of Taos. Drop of over 600 ft to Rio Grande River at bottom of gorge. Drive along highway 64 from Taos to Chama very scenic. Also, white water rafting around Taos.

Native American Music: Check at Park Visitor Centers for music by R. Carlos Nakai. Wonderful wood flute music (sometimes accompanied by William Eaton on strings). Some of my favorite albums are: Canyon Trilogy, Desert Dance, Carry the Gift, Sundance Season, Feather Stone & Light and Changes. Also available through Canyon Records: http://www.canyonrecords.com/artnakai.htm and some local music stores.

What a great list of things to do! I have a few suggestions to add (the above message may have included it, and I may have missed it). If you are into fishing, the San Juan River is up near Farmington. People come from all over to fish (usually fly fish) for Rainbow Trout in the San Juan. Another very beautiful and scenic drive is called the "Enchanted Loop/Circle". I don't know the number of the highway, but it loops from Taos and goes through Red River.

Have fun!

The other messages say just about all of it.
One place we found that was interesting for about an hour or so was Aztec National Monument. It is a misnomer, because it has nothing to do with Aztecs.
It is a site similar to others in the area, but well interpreted and preserved. If memory is correct, it is in Farmington.

Bandelier NM is also interesting and in my opinion worth a visit.

i was hitchicking across New mexico, where i met a naze shaman, who taught me the ways of native american voodoo, and taking a spiritual journey without the magic mushroom. You must do this on your trip as well if you wish to pass within.

i think much of the outdoor/cultural activity has been covered -- here are some further outdoor/cultural suggestions: taos pueblo (best-known pueblo, most interesting thing about taos); jemez, where there's a hummingbird sanctuary and nice hot springs (ditto ojo caliente for taking the waters); los alamos, for the atomic age museum and the wacky atmosphere of the place; on the more pampered side, in santa fe, check out the spa 10,000 Waves, where you can soak up the New Age vibe that is Santa Fe while getting a great massage or sitting in a hot tub on a pinon-covered hillside looking at the stars; santa fe obviously has lots of restaurants, but the Inn of the Anasazi's restaurant and Casa Sena are both top-notch (they would be competitive in NY, unlike many of the others) and Coyote Cafe has a great vibe; more downscale, but great, are Pasqual's (breakfast) and the Shed (lunch). Santa Fe also has lots of galleries to browse in; most are poor, with faux-southwest stuff, but there are several high-end galleries; the contemporary native american art museum just off the Plaza is also very good.

I'd just add two things to the through reporting on New Mexico: 1. The folk art museum in Santa Fe. We found it enchanting. 2. Santacafe Restaurant in Santa Fe. Wonderful food and ambiance.

I recommend Puye Cliffs on the Santa Clara Pueblo about a 35 minute drive north west of Santa Fe - closer than Bandelier and with spectacular views in all directions - I prefer the ambiance of Puye over Bandelier.Less crowds too. Try a Watsu massage at 10,000 Waves if you like water and body treatments - it's divine. Enjoy the Land of Enchantment.

Minor thing to add -- while at Taos, take a picture of the American flag flying in the main city square. When Confederate soldiers came into the area in 1862, Kit Carson was concerned over Confederate sympathizers. He thus raised the U.S. flag at the sight, ordering it to fly 24 hours a day, and said anyone removing it would be arrested. When the Confederates left, the flag continued to fly, day and night. A flag has hung there every minute of every day since 1862! It is now one of only seven places where, by law (yes, Congress actually made this law), an unlit U.S. flag can fly at night. Culturally interesting even if you're NOT a flag-waver (BTW, I'm not).

I hope this isn't too late for you, but every time I go to NM I must go to the Basque Del Apache, a great site to watch birds. Fall, winter and early spring the most wonderful.

Hi Carolyn: I can recommend a good travel and guide book for you. It's called "Journey to the High Southwest" by Robert L. Casey, and it covers the entire Four Corners area. We bring it along every time we travel there. One of my favorite routes is the "high road" from Santa Fe to Taos, with a visit to the Chimayo area. The church there dates from 1814 and is known as the Lourdes of America. Be sure to take some of the "healing" soil from the altar room (one clod per family, as the sign says!) My favorite restaurant, Rancho de Chimayo, is just down the road from the church. It is a 19th century hacienda, with a tin roof, adobe walls and beautiful outdoor patio. The sopapillas (sp?) are to die for. The high road winds through some of the more remote landscapes and villages that seem to have changed very little over the centuries, and we always enjoy it. Hope you have a wonderful trip!