Is Hilton Albuquerque in a good location for two days of sightseeing?

HTTY

HTTY, how much time do you plan to spend in Santa Fe? I know I'm opening myself up to a barrage of criticism, but I'd choose Santa Fe over Alb. If you've already spent a lot of time in Santa Fe and/or plan to go there next on the trip then.... nevermind

The Hilton is just off I 25 at a good location. Ask for a room high up, facing University to minimize interstate noise. There isn't much in the area - pedestrian wise. If you have others you are considering, ask away.

Stayed at the ABQ Hilton once, several years ago and still remember two things ... it took them until 6 PM to clean the room, and when they finally finished the shower was really dirty, with long hairs oscillating down the shower stall when the water ran. Gross.

Realizing this is no doubt not the norm for any decent hotel, much less one in the Hilton chain, still I'd never stay there again.

I agree with Starrs when she wrote I'd choose Santa Fe over Alb ... by about 100-1, any time of the year, unless I was staying in ABQ to catch an early flight the next AM. ABQ is just another big city, with lots of strip malls and very heavy traffic. Santa Fe is a real gem, a unique American city.

There are some really great sites in Albuquerque [and the immediate surrounds] that are worth the time to see. Yes, it is a city [hardly a "big" one] , but that does not preclude the possibility of having a worthwhile stay.

The National Hispanic Cultural Center http://www.nhccnm.org/
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center http://www.indianpueblo.org/
Acoma Pueblo http://www.indianpueblo.org/19pueblos/acoma.html

These are just a few, more here:
http://www.itsatrip.org/activities/m...e/default.aspx

Not to downplay Santa Fe, but come on - there is more to NM than Santa Fe.

I'm far from being a NM expert but I've visited several times. A favorite time was a long holiday weekend spent with friends whose family has lived there for 60+ years. I agree that there are nice things to do in Alb. Even so, the family chose to devote one of our days to go to Santa Fe.

Here's my point of view - if you are spending 5 to 7 days in New Mexico, then two days sight-seeing in Alb would be a good balance of time. If you have limited days in New Mexico, I'd spend the majority of the time in Santa Fe, Taos, going to Bandelier, Abiquiu, etc over Alb. That's just my personal preference.

I agree with Bill_H regarding the feel of Albuquerque. Sorry, but I do. That is probably the reason I enjoy the rest of NM more.

My DW and I spent 2 nights at the Route 66 Hostel on West Central Avenue. We'd stay there again.
For sightseeing you cant beat Sandia Peak. http://www.sandiapeak.com/index.php?...ates-tickets-2
We enjoyed the Botanical Gardens, the Aquarium and Old Town.

Wow, that was fast.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've planned three nights in Santa Fe, but perhaps I should extend it to four.

We will drive into New Mexico from Tucson. The route includes White Sands NP, Cloudcroft, and Lincoln. After a night in Ruidoso Downs, we will drive into Albuquerque via the Turquoise Trail.

From Albuquerque, we plan to drive to Santa Fe via Bandelier NM and Los Alamos.

While in Santa Fe we will drive one day to Taos and the Enchanted Circle (Questa, Angel Fire, etc.).

After Santa Fe we will spend two nights in Canyon de Chelly, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona, and we will visit friends in Scottsdale before returning home.

Comments, please.

HTTY

Are you sure you mean the Turquoise Trail from Ruidoso to ABQ?

As far as I know, TT goes from ABQ to Santa Fe.

http://turquoisetrail.org/

My map shows that 55 and 337 between Mountainair and Tijeras is the southern stretch of the Turquoise Trail.

Any other suggestions?

HTTY

I guess it may be referred to as TT, but we here tend to think of it as the ABQ -SF stretch.

IM[not so}HO, I think 3 nights in SF and 2 in ABQ is a good split.

I agree with tomfuller about Sandia Peak.

Thanks everybody, you've been a big help.

HTTY

I agree with DebitNM on this one, especially since you've spent time in Santa Fe in the past.

Lee Ann

Thanks for your concern, but these will likely be our last calls to some of the favorite places we have visited over the years.

Unfortunately Sandia Peak Tramway is out because the precious one suffers from acrophobia and attacks of vertigo.

We will have a day and half in Albuquerque which I hope is enough time for us to walk around Old Town and Nob Hill, which is what we want to do. Scenic drives and walks in interesting neighborhoods is what we're into.

Again, thank you all.

HTTY

See Petroglyph National Monument along Rt. 345 just west of the city and the Rio Grande.
Buy some postcards with pictures from Sandia Peak.

You might enjoy one of these self-guided walking tours:
http://www.cabq.gov/albuquerquegreen...walking-tours/

Lee Ann

Do you plan to stop at the Abó, Quarai, and/or Gran Quivira units of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument? The latter 2 are along SR 55 (north and south of Mountainair, respectively), and the first is on US 60 west of SR 55.

Personally, I prefer the red rock of Abó and Quarai, but all three are fascinating visits.

http://www.nps.gov/sapu/index.htm

Thanks for all these great ideas. It amazes me the doors you open and how much more rewarding travel is when it is planned the the suggestions you offer.

HTTY

I should throw this out too, if you haven't seen it:
Tent Rock. There are 2 trails, one is hard [climbing etc] but the other is pretty easy. Also, if you go a few miles down the road, there is another really nice easy walk with great views if the first loop is too much or for added views.

http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/rec...ent_rocks.html

My pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/TentRocksNov2010