Zoom

Hi there:

Have airfare and car booked for a trip 5/29 - 6/5. So approx. 6 good vaca days and two travel days.

Usually cover alot of ground on our southwest vacations, but last time we did too much of that. This time I think we would like to be moving around less.

So here are my Q's. After flying in from CT, could we easily drive from ABQ to Santa Fe the same day - or is there something to see in ABQ that would make it worth our staying somewhere nice, having a great dinner out, catching our breath and starting for Santa Fe fresh in the a.m.?

Next question is can we do the Taos overnight in the middle of our week and come back to Santa Fe for the remainder of the week? Does that make any sense logistically or should we just do a circular route route - ABQ - SANTA FE - TAOS - to ABQ to flyout?

Last question. Does it make any difference in weekdays and weekends in Santa Fe? Should we try and be there for Sun/Mon (Memorial Day) or the last Friday night of the trip? Sometimes I find certain spots just feel more vacationy on the weekends....

Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated, thanks!

Zoom

Zoom

I actually just saw the HeyJude post so I think my first Q is answered. There is def some things we would be interested in checking out in ABQ so we will stay there the first night in.

She mentions doing a day trip to Taos from Santa Fe. Thoughts on that? Worth spending one night in Taos and coming back to Santa Fe or too much driving?

Tx, Zoom

J62

Santa Fe is not too far from ABQ, so I wouldn't stay in ABQ at both the beginning and end of my trip. Pick one.


Here's one possibility with your 7 nights - you have the time to move around a bit without rushing to and fro.

Arrive, drive to Santa Fe.
- visit Santa Fe, & a few day trips (i.e. Bandolier, Los Alamos, etc). 3 nights in Santa Fe.

Head towards Taos. Take a 1/2 day rafting trip on the Rio Grande. Spend 2 nights in Taos (We loved the old Taos Inn w/ live music right in the lobby!). Visit Taos Pueblo, and a few other Taos sights.

Next morning head to ABQ for the last 2 nights. First day there you can visit old town, or go up Sandia peak on your way into town. Or you could stop by Tent Rocks enroute from Taos to ABQ. On your last full day you could either stay in ABQ, or venture a bit out of town - Petroglyph Natl Monument, or Acoma Pueblo.

There are infinite variations on this theme - these are just some ideas.

DebitNM

J62, you present a good use of time for a first visit to our beautiful state.

Zoom, you haven't told us much about the types of activities you want to do while here in NM -- outdoors [hike, bike, etc] or museums or galleries, or ??? Knowing this might enable a bit better suggestions.

That said, and not knowing you you want to do:
I would respectfully suggest spending the first afternoon and night in ABQ and then driving up the Turquoise Trial to Santa Fe.

I would only spend 1 overnight in Taos, 3 nights in Santa Fe and then the last 2 nights in ABQ. You could easily do a day trip to Taos, again, much depends on what you want to see/do.

As far as the order goes, it really doesn't much matter. I will say that Sundays can be a bit quieter, especially in Taos.

Come back with more info on what you want to do/see and go from there.

Zoom

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for the input. We like hiking - ALOT,rafting on the Rio Grande would be def us!, learning about the local culture & history, museums (altho that's kind of a filler - while we love art, we really love being outdoors), art galleries (popping in and out), we do like to hit the tourist spots (visiting monuments,the pueblos etc.), love leisurely dinners, good glasses of wine, some music. We like to meet locals and learn about their lives and generally appreciate what it might be like to live in a particular area. We can even thoroughly amuse ourselves walking through local neighborhoods for an afternoon....lol....I guess we are pretty easily entertained!

emalloy

Do go over to Bandelier NM and take a hike in the separate section called Tsankawi that is about 5 miles closer to Santa Fe.

You'll love New Mexico, it is fantastic.

donnawho

Zoom... check out a long thread (on your same topic) that ran thru the forums several weeks ago...under "New Mexico" it's titled: "Albuquerque & Santa Fe Itinerary". There are many previous posters who have commented on taking a similar trip.

BeachGirl247

I would pick staying over in Albuquerque either on the beginning or end of your trip. Usually, I recommend the end of the trip as you are flying out of ABQ and it makes it much more convenient.

I would spend one night in Taos and your last night in ABQ. The rest in Santa Fe. So much to see and do and it is a good spot for day trips such as Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu.

You could take two nights in Taos and depart early the day you leave to drive west from Taos to Tres Piedres and Tierra Amarilla. Stunning drive. And, that would put you at Chama where you could visit the small town where the train is located. Have lunch and then head south back to Santa Fe. And, depending on your time, you could stop at Ojo Caliente or Ghost Ranch (on two different highways so you would have to decide before leaving Chama). Ghost Ranch is a scenic red rock area that deserves a few hours if you would like to take an easy hike into Georgia O'Keefe country.

Let us know what your interests are for us to help. If you haven't do a search in the box for Santa Fe Day Trips or similar as Debit and others have posted lots of great info.

ElendilPickle

http://www.cabq.gov/albuquerquegreen...walking-tours/ has downloadable maps if you're interested.

Make sure you bring sunscreen and hats and drink lots of water, especially since you like to hike. With our higher elevations and climate, you'll need it.

www.alibi.com has entertainment info for Albuquerque, as does www.sfreporter.com for Santa Fe.

Lee Ann

Zoom

Thank you so much for all the input. Such wonderful suggestions - I already wish we could stay longer.

I think that because we're trying to chill just a bit from the moving around we did on our last trip (Park City, UT, Moab, Bryce, Zion, SLC)which in the end felt like just a bit too much, we may try and fly in to ABQ and head direct for Santa Fe for 5 nights, Taos 1 night, ABQ 1 night and fly out. Using Santa Fe as a base. The only change would be if we did Santa Fe for 4 nights and Taos for 2. That may just depend on lodging.

But airfare and car is booked and we can't wait!

5OHS

Just had to add another reply -- hope you don't mind! Sounds like you love being outdoors as much as we do.

"Outdoor" Highlights ---

Tent Rocks (between ABQ and Santa Fe & closer to Santa Fe) Cool landscape like no other.

Petroglyph (in ABQ -- we like to hit it right off the plane to stretch our legs -- not a large area)

Bandelier - Don't miss this! Several trails of shorter length to the ruins, but also cool trail down to waterfalls and Rio Grande and many others if you want a longer jaunt.

Chaco Canon! - Very remote -- very cool. If you love hiking A LOT and the outdoors, this is mecca. Never crowded. Cool stuff. Did I mention remote? No potable water -- bring your own everything.

IF you have BIKES (or want to rent, i.e., in Taos @ Cottam's just south of Plaza), then definitely hit Wild Rivers Recreation Area north of Taos @ the convergence of Red River and the Rio Grande. We had the good fortune of being there last summer during an awesome hail storm, thunderstorm and then the most rainbow-filled day ever. Had all four seasons in 8 hours!

If you rent bikes, see Chaco Canon above -- there is an article in Sunset Magazine, April 2010 re: biking @ Chaco.

There are tons of cool hiking locations around Taos -- including the trail up to Williams Lake above the Taos Ski Valley -- so let me know if you would like more...

We like to eat outdoors, too, so if you want any suggestions for that, let me know! Have Fun!

5OHS

buckminster

Hi Zoom, we're going the same week but just started planning so I've benefited from this thread, thanks!

Regarding car rental, we've booked a regular, full sized car but wondered if there are a lot of dirt roads where we'd need a four wheel drive? We also like to hike and be outdoors alot.

BellaD

We are going to Taos for 5 days starting May 5th so I am so excited to read all this. Thanks for all of your comments!

We are renting a house and the owner said the roads are pretty torn up from the winter snow and told us to rent a 4 wheel drive. Is there anyone local on here that can comment on that?

We went to Bandolier last time (LOVED it!)but did not know there were trails to a waterfall, that is wonderful to know.

Is there a good place to go rafting on the Rio Grande? Last time we visited, the river was so low, it was barely moving, lovely, but very slow. I am hoping this year it will be moving nicely.

Any suggestions for the best Chile Rellenos? I live in Omaha and am dying for a really great one

Thanks!!!

ElendilPickle

BellaD, there are a number of rafting companies you can choose from. Here's one - I haven't used them, but I think they all cover pretty much the same area.
http://losriosriverrunners.com/taos_..._day_trips.php

We had pretty good snowfall this year, so your chances of good rafting in May are pretty high.

Lee Ann

DebitNM

LeeAnn has suggested the company we use when we raft; very good guides.

J62

There are different sections of the Rio Grande you can raft. The most adventuresome is the Taos Box.

Downstream is the gentle Orilla Verde section (more of a slow float - really no rapids to speak of) (1/2 day) then the racecourse - a nice 1/2 day ride & not as challenging as the Taos Box.

I recommend the racecourse 1/2 day trip for those that don't want to do an entire day on the river yet still enjoy some good rapids.

5OHS

Agree w/Racecourse recommendation. And we have also used Los Rios River Runners (three years) and have been very pleased. Last year we did "Funyaks" (1 or 2-person) with them instead of the larger rafts, which adds a bit more 'excitement' if the water is lower/calmer than you're hoping, although in May it should be great!

Clousie

50HS: Hope you'll see this because I'd love to hear more on the comments you made below. You gave us some advice on one of my posts already, but since we'll be in Taos 3 nights, I'd appreciate knowing some cool hiking locations. Thanks.


There are tons of cool hiking locations around Taos -- including the trail up to Williams Lake above the Taos Ski Valley -- so let me know if you would like more...

We like to eat outdoors, too, so if you want any suggestions for that, let me know! (Please tell)

iamq

bookmarking

starrs

Great ideas here