Itinerary help New Mexico trip December
 

Planning on taking my family of 4 (with 2 teens) to New Mexico for their winter break. We haven't been there before. Here was my original rough draft itinerary:

1. 4 nights Santa Fe
2. 1 night Truth or Consequences
3. 1-2 nights Las Cruces
4. 1-2 nights Carlsbad
5. 1 night Roswell
6. Drive from Roswell back to ABQ on day of flight (3 pm flight)

Thoughts? I've been told I might want to skip Truth or Consequences and maybe add that time to Sante Fe and just do hot springs there. If I skip T or C, then I would stay in Alamogordo instead of Las Cruces. I'm also still a bit undecided about the last half of the trip in terms of how many nights to stay in each place and if we should stay the night in Roswell or not (would just do a long pit stop on the way back to Albuquerque the day before the flight instead).

Thanks in advance!

What are your interests? Instead of listing cities, what do you want to do?

White Sands is kind of cool if it is open. Bandelier NM.

New Mexico has been one of the strictest states WRT COVID-19 protocols. Many of the native sites will probably be closed, incluing Taos Pueblo. I would recommend Acoma Sky City near ABQ, but I doubt it will be open.

Before booking I think you will need a deep dive into what you want to see and check their websites for restrictions, open hours and needs for reservations.

Thanks! Our main interests are hiking, native culture, and art (but not too much - I do have a 13 year old boy), unique local stuff (geological or cultural), food

Santa Fe area interests are: Tent Rocks (if reopened), Bandelier, Meow Wolf, Canyon Road, hot springs
White Sands
Possibly Three Rivers Petroglyph site (not a high priority, but if we can fit it in)
Carlsbad Caverns
Roswell UFO museum for the kids

Is Taos of interest? Here's my trip report for Santa Fe fyi:

https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...018-a-1652084/

Please let everyone know where you end up visiting and how it went!

Taos Pueblo closed until further notice.

This website may help
https://www.newmexico.org/places-to-...e/taos-pueblo/

If you stay in Albuquerque for a night or two, we enjoyed riding the Sandia tram and there used to be at least one winery that we visited. I'd rather visit there than Roswell but I'm not into UFO stuff as much as Native American culture and history. You do have to wear masks on the tram, which makes sense since it is enclosed, and of course the dining hall if not eating.

Thanks! I'll definitely check out your trip report. I was thinking of skipping Taos for now....need an excuse to come back, right? :) I will write up a trip report afterwards!

Thanks! I could take or leave Roswell, but I thought my kids would enjoy something different than "just another hike".

See if this sounds good to you, seeing a large flock of sandhill cranes take off is something I'll wager that you'll never forget.
https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=6442464438
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bosque_de...ons/index.html

And this is a cool little museum, who doesn't like Billy The Kid?
https://www.billythekidmuseumfortsumner.com/index.html

Not sure it's worth going all the way down to Las Cruces, but if you do:
https://www.lapostademesilla.com/

Thank you! The sandhill cranes looks AMAZING. The timing with the family might be challenging, but I will certainly try!

I understand that sunrise can be a challenge. You can also be there at dusk, as they return from feeding in the fields.They are more dispersed in the evening, but it's still an impressive sight.

I did spend 1 night in a hostel in T or C. The best thing was the set of 3 hot spring soak tubs next to the Rio Grande. I do not recommend the town. There is not even a Walmart.
While in the ABQ/Santa Fe area you might want to go up on the Sandia Ariel Tramway. It is open year round Wednesday-Monday except for closures in April and November. (closed Tuesdays).
If you go buy your tickets online before you go.

I appreciate that feedback. I am definitely torn about adding a night to Santa Fe vs keeping our Riverbend reservations in T or C for the hot springs.

Have you looked at Ojo Caliente as an alternative for your hot springs experience?