Itinerary suggestions in NM
 

I am planning a 5-6 day solo trip to New Mexico in May. I am a 31 y/o female and I am interested in scenery, culture, food, and outdoor activities. I am not terribly interested in museums, but may make time for 1 or 2. I am planning to fly into and out of Albuquerque and will rent a car. My thoughts are to spend 1-2 nights in Albuquerque, then 2-4 nights in Santa Fe. I wanted to spend a day or so exploring each of the cities, and make a few side trips for scenery, hiking, etc. What are the best places to venture, and should I try to book a guided tour for safety since I am on my own?

I am considering at the end, driving up to spend a day in Taos to see the Circle of Enchantment and Pueblo, then heading to Ojo Caliente that evening. I am not sure if I should just spend a few hours there then head back to a base in Santa Fe, or if I should stay at the resort for my final night. Looks like if I stay there, I can use the springs the following morning as well. So I was thinking I would relax for the morning before making the drive back to Albuquerque for a 5pm flight out. Would it be worth it to spend the night there, or would 2 days on my own be too boring in that remote location? I read there is great stargazing, which I do not really get much living in a New England city.

Suggestions for timing/what is more worth the time are appreciated!

I will just comment on Ojo Caliente since I love it and find it very relaxing. If you go in the evening, spending the night is a great idea because you can enjoy a night soak and get up the next day for more, or even a have a spa treatment if you choose. (Make a reservation for that in advance.) There's also a little hiking on the property, too.

Your trip sounds nice. I love the whole area you plan to visit and have been many times, but there are others on this board who can offer more details.

My only other suggestion would be to take the Turquoise Trail (Highway 14) from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, stopping to look around in Madrid and Cerrillos.

I highly recommend visiting Bandelier Nat'l Monument. http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm


Nothing wrong with relaxing at a resort while on vacation.

Lived in NM for many years. My idea is that you are too ambitious, bearing in mind that there are distances between these places. I think Taos is now way to commercial and given over to tourism...Santa Fe ditto altho getting off the main square and walking down lanes and alleys you may find better experiences. Go to the Shed for a great meal if you can that is typical of the NM food. Visit the cathedral and skip the museums, with the possible exception of seeing the famous woman artist, Georgia Okeefe). want mountains? go to Sandia peak,...I think they still have a cable car that takes you up, up to an incredible view of the locality. Don't try to do too much or you miss it all.

Uh, let's unpack what justwishin said.

There's not a whole of Taos in Taos, so the overtouristed aspect is a bit overstated. Taos PUEBLO is more touristy.

Santa Fe does have a restaurant called The Shed, it also has a less expensive version of the same place called La Choza (same owners). There are many good restos in Santa Fe. Look for beachgirl247's posts. But be careful, some have closed since she last put up her list.

Sandia Peak is not in Santa Fe, it's in Albuquerque. There is a cable car, which operates when the wind conditions allow. With more than 600,000 people, Albuquerque is a city, not a locality. Santa Fe is, at best, a large town.

This is not your ordinary museum, it's in Albuquerque: http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/

Check out Tent Rocks just south of Santa Fe - there's some unique scenery and a good mountain hike for you.

Thanks, BigRuss. I guess I'd better get busy with a new restaurant post -- it's no secret I like to eat out in Santa Fe!

5-6 days and not a museum marathon I would hit the road north upon landing in ABQ and go to your northern most point, Taos. It's still charming and much smaller in feel than Santa Fe. The pueblo is a must but check the schedule online to make sure they are accepting visitors for your date. I love the charm of Taos and it's beauty. You can take a full day's drive by going up from Taos to Red River and down through Eagle Nest and Angel Fire known as Enchanted Circle. It can be a 1/2 day's drive if you start early and don't stop for a long lunch and hike. We do this in the fall and spend the entire day but we are driving from Santa Fe and stop a lot along the way.

Ojo Caliente could be something to do on your second day in Taos and overnighting after your Enchanted Circle drive or Taos Pueblo visit. Spend the night, enjoy the stars but the dining choices are very limited. Maybe 3 places?? It's great for getting away from everything as there isn't anything else in the area.

Next morning after you hot springs head to Santa Fe and can take the high road through Truchas, Chimayo and Nambé. Slow leisurely drive through small town New Mexico. For one of the most charming shops stop in Nambé trading post. The owner and daughter are lovely and talented artists. You might recognize the mother's talents as the costume designer for Dances with Wolves and her daughter is very talented in jewelry.

Spend a couple of nights in Santa Fe. Check out Bandolier for a 1/2 day hike or there are many pretty hikes here in Santa Fe with many choices for level of hiking and time, too. Restaurants are plentiful and all price ranges. The Shed is a favorite for many reasons and some locals go to La Choza off the plaza, too. I'm partial to The Shed as it offers so much to those visiting with ambiance and it's on the plaza. The Shed is well known for their red chile dishes and green chicken enchiladas. This food topic is a thread of it's own so I'll get to that later when you've narrowed down what you want to do.

You could spend your last night in ABQ by driving the Turquoise Trail to Albuquerque or saving the drive for a morning drive into Albuquerque for your flight at 5.

Hope this makes sense as I'm trying to eat dinner and protect it from my large, ornery dog and type something at the same time. :-)

I third the suggestion for visiting Bandolier. Do take the turquoise trail back to Albuquerque and if you want a view of the city from Sandia peak you can get it from the turquoise trail. Lots of neat places to stop along the way.

FYI, it's Bandelier. I don't know why. But it's not named for your shoulder harness that holds your bullets.

We were in Santa Fe in December and our favorite day trips for scenery and hiking were Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks and Valles Caldera & Bandelier (these latter two are close enough to be combined).

>>FYI, it's Bandelier. I don't know why. But it's not named for your shoulder harness that holds your bullets.<<

http://newmexicohistory.org/people/a...illiam-h-wroth

BeachGirl247's itinerary looks like a great way to see everything yo want to see here.

Lee Ann

<i>We were in Santa Fe in December and our favorite day trips for scenery and hiking were Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks and Valles Caldera & Bandelier (these latter two are close enough to be combined).</i>

I had the same experience as Patty, though we traveled in different Decembers. Loved Tent Rocks, Valles Caldera and Bandelier.