pupchick

We are 2 couple plan trip to New Mexico. We plan flight to Albuquerqe and think to stay in Albuquerqe and Santa Fe. We think about trip to Taos. I don't know is trip to White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad could be comfortable and valueable. Looks like it's long 227 mil. What's else could we see? we have 8 days. Thanks.

monpetit

Driving to White sands and Carlsbads need at least 2 days(the drives and visits...), so I don't recommand it...
In one week between ABQ/SF and Taos you'll have a lot to see : from ABQ, Sandia Peak/Acoma pueblo/Gallup-El Morro/Zuni pueblo/El Malpais/Chaco canyon and a little bit more far(and a a base in Gallup should be a good compromise : Canyon de Chelley/ Petrified forest and Painted desert) and of course ABQ itself(university/indian cultural center, petroglyph park,old town, road66).
From ABQ to SF, turquoise trail(Gold,
Madrid, Cerillos).
In SF, the city itself and the museums
and nearby Los Alamos and Bandelier park.
From SF, Taos, Rio Grande gorge, the enchanted circle(pueblos of the north),...
And between SF and ABQ the pueblos of the south...Try to go to an indian feast...
So for me a week is almost too short for ABQ/SF and Taos and so Carlsbad/White sands need another year
with Lincoln/Cloudcroft/El paso,..; but it's another story.
Erik.

pupchick

Thanks for reply. But if we are limited for White Sands only? I checked drive direction from ABQ to Alamogordo it's around 4hr.

monpetit

Yes, it's a possibility: but it's also 4 h in and 4 h back...so 8 hours driving in one day-from ABQ to Alamogordo==>4h30 to the park...).
White sands is wonderful and to be appreciated, some hikes need to be made early in the morning-because of the heat...There are 3-4 hikes not too difficult but the nicest is the alkali flat which needs 2-2h30...
If you are planing a visit in summer,
I think you will not appreciate the site at it has to be...
Erik.

pupchick

Thanks again. You mean that in the summer there is too hot? We are going May 29. I read some advise and they said that Sunset is most butie time.

monpetit

Sunset ans sunrise are the best times in day for desert : temperature are good and colors wonderful.
If really White Sands is for you a must, a possibility is to drive from ABQ in early afternoon to make trails in sunset, to sleep near Alamogordo and the inn at Cloudcroft is wonderfull(it's 30 to 40 mn from town but so romantic and restaurant Rebecca's is a must).
The day after, wake up early to make the other hikes on sunrise and back to ABQ...South of ABQ there are some missions-the salinas- to visit and so you can have a profitable drive...
Erik.

pupchick

It's great. But I don't understand "missions-the salinas-", what's it?

monpetit

There is a "salt missions trail",
south of ABQ, with ruins of pueblo/missions (in spanish, salinas
derives from sal-salt).There are ruins of mogollon, pueblos and some anasazi.
Very impressive.
Newmexico.org is a good website which
gives eome good informations about
attractions and also the calendar of the indian feasts...
EriK.

Tandoori_Girl

In Carlsbad, you can visit Sitting Bull Falls State Park.

Also, Ruidoso is an old Western town. You can see a cowboy shoot-out (re-enactment) and enjoy the Western show (country singers).

There is a lot of desert in New Mexico so you drive a lot to go from one place to another.

Bandelier is a very nice park north of Albuquerque. Make sure you check it out.

pupchick

Thanks, but I have another question. What good place to stay in Albuequerqe and Santa Fe, we are looking desent, budget place close to centre of city. I can't figured out where is centre of Albuequerqe.