What would you recommend I do for nine days in Santa Fe? Is using Santa Fe as a home base a smart move? Should we stay in different locations for a few days each place?

Thanks

You picked the destination, right?
Why, then, did you select Santa Fe?
You must have had some notion of what's out there.
What is it that you want out of this trip? What do you enjoy? Provide a few clues!

It will do no good for someone to recommend hiking trips if you hate exercise or are wheelchair bound.
And the Inn of the Anasazi and the best restaurants won't be good suggestions if you're on a tight budget.
A little background?

Having just been to that area recently, I would stay 3 days each in Taos, Santa Fe then Albuquerque.

I think it also depends on how much you like to stay put on a vacation or bounce around. Most people seem to like santa fe and taos better than albuquerque--if you are interested in the outdoors and/or indians, you might think about monument valley/four corners area--it's probably a 3 hour drive

irene,

I highly recommend that you do a search of this site (US), as there have been many informative posts on Sante Fe and Taos over the past several months.

I think Sante Fe is the perfect base for a 9 day exploration of the area. My wife and I split a week between Sante Fe and Taos several years ago, and we loved it. Driving in that area is wonderful (as far as scenary, ease of travel)--at least it was in early October when we were there.

Have a great time!