Hi:
We're headed to New Mexico for a 5-day vacation at the end of April. We'd like to spend the bulk of our time at Bandelier Monument and Taos (hiking, driving, etc.). We're landing in Albequerque. Would you recommend that we head immediately to Santa Fe and explore that area (and for how long?) before heading to Taos and Bandelier, or would you recommend that we simply head out from Albequerque? We're concerned about having enough time to explore key areas, take the scenic railway at Chamos (a day trip, I think), etc. Thanks for your help!

Karen:
It depends what time you are landing in Albuquerque, Santa Fe is an hour& 15 minute drive away. I would say visit Santa Fe in the morning and head to Badelier in the afternoon. If you like it spend the night in Los Alamos and head back the next day and then head to Taos in the afternoon.
If you arrive in Albuquerque in the afternoon then drive to Santa Fe and spend the rest of the day there. If you have enough time drive up the Turquiose Trail (HWY 14) and see some of the small villages, Young Guns was filmed in some of them.
Have Fun!

If you don't have a day to spend in ABQ,land--drive up the turquoise trail (a good recommendation Don!) and on up to Santa Fe. If you have a day, go to Old Town Albuquerque..and up the Sandia Peak (there is a restaurant at the top of the mountain you could eat at).

Definitely check into the scenic railroad in Chama. Not sure when the run. Do a web search for Cumbres and Toltec railroad. Nonetheless, the drive from Chama to Santa Fe is beautiful. I'll be doing it next weekend on my way to Colorado. You should also consider taking the Sandia Peak tram car to the top of Sandia Peak in Albuquerque. There was a similar post on a few days back. Try a New Mexico search...
Paul

Thanks, all. Will be looking into your suggestions. The sandia tram sounds great!

Karen; I just used the search engine on this forum: typed in Santa Fe and click on New Mexico. There's lots of info. I would not recommend using Albuquerque as a base for your trip. Too much driving back and forth. It takes an hour to get to Santa fe from the SunPort. I recommend heading straight there. But check out some of the reports on this Forum. good luck and enjoy your trip.

Karen, The tram is nice, but I wouldn't recommend eating at the restaurant at the top. It's not that good and it's overpriced. There are many better places to eat in this town.
Also, depending on how much hiking you plan on doing... Bandelier can be done in 1/2 day. You may want to try the "Enchanted Loop". That's the back road out of Taos, through Angel Fire and Red River. Very scenic drive. The Turqouise Trail from ABQ to SF is another good suggestion. Be sure to stop in Madrid.

Have fun and enjoy your visit!

My family took the train from Antonito to Chama and really liked it. The bus trip going the other way goes through somewhat different scenery and was more enjoyable than I expected. Chama's a nice little town - you might want to spend a night there if you are making any kind of loop.

Santa Fe would be a great base if you want to stay in one hotel and make daytrips. The Turquoise Trail and High Road to Taos are memorable. There is usually snow on the higher mountains in late April, but this year...

We just did this same trip two weeks ago. Avoid Albq. Old Town...it blows. It tries to be what Sante Fe really is; charming, unique, artistic. All of the stuff in Old Town is imported/manufactured. I say rent a car and head north as soon as you land.

Spend most of your time in Santa Fe, not Alb or Taos. Taos really disapponted me--the stores on the square have gotten cheesy and junky.

I agree with the drives being scenic.