Need advice for New Mexico trip
 

Hi, we're planning on visiting New Mexico in June, flying in to Albuquerque, and visiting Santa Fe and Taos. Is June a good time to go for warm weather? We plan on spending a night or two in Albuquerque and wonder how much time to spend in the other areas? Is Santa Fe a good place to stay for day trips to Taos and surrounding areas? We will have about a week. We like scenic drives, seeing hi-lights & culture of the areas, and of course - eating in good (but not expensive) restaurants. Thanks for your help.

June will be a really nice time to visit here. The days will sunny and warm and the nights will be cool.

Lots to do in all three locations; 2 nights in ABQ, 2 in Santa Fe, 1 in Taos would be a good start. I would also suggest if you have never been in this part of the country, take a day or two and drive over to Durango and Mesa Verde. [I wouldn't stay in Santa Fe and drive to Taos for a day trip...too long. Stay overnight.]

I also would suggest that you click on my name and see some of the suggested itinaries I have on here. I have lots of links for drives, hotels etc. but I am away from home right now and for some reason my laptop doesn't have them in my favorite places. I will post back towards the end of the week. Also, feel free to email me direct.

I just found this one that might be just what you want:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34895115


Hope this helps...
Debi

For a really pretty drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe drive north on 25, then hop onto 550. At San Ysidro, turn right onto Rt 4 through Jemez Pueblo up to Jemez Springs. There is a nice ruin in Jemez Springs worth looking at, on the right, at the far end of town. I think it costs a couple of bucks and it's administered by the NPS.

After that keep on Rt 4 to Los Alamos (Look at this on Google Earth, this section of the drive is a beautiful caldera, a sunken volcano which is now an open Ponderosa Pine Parkland).
Rt 4 turns into 501 and 502, then it butts into 84/285 down into Santa Fe.

A much more scenic route than the Interstate, and the ruins are really nice. In fact there are a few nice little cafes and bars in Jemez Springs which would be good for lunch. It seems to me I used to go to one of the bars on the right side of the road (can't remember which one, but there are only two I think -- don't blink). Maybe it was the second one...
And I think there is a nice place further on the left for lunch (it's before the ruin).

Have a blast,
Dan
familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com

I was just there in between holidays, and those are good suggestions. For half a day we toured the Plaza in Santa Fe, (I was visiting a relative who lives there), Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Cowgirl Cafe, (yum!)Then we went to Taos to see the Pueblos (hour and half trip from Santa Fe) That was a nice drive. Missed the Santa Fe railroad trip, but it was getting cloudy and would not have been a nice trip according to locals. Went to Canyon Road to see Museums there and the The Tea HOuse, (great Chai and coffee). Woke up to 2 feet of snow and had to leave a day early...so we missed the ruins..In Taos, we ate at the Apple Tree restaurant, good, But the best eating was in Santa Fe with the Cowgirl Cafe and Counter Culture...that was fabulous...lots of variety and baked goods. have fun...

Agree with all of the above. For my 2 cents, I think two nights in Albuquerque is enough. We much prefer Taos and Santa Fe, but we think they're so unique we could spend weeks there. I would also suggest not trying day trips to Taos from Santa Fe - the drive is spectacular, but can be slow and Taos has a lot to do/see. Certainly recommend the alternative routes described above between ABQ and Santa Fe.

Thanks for all the travel advice. Keep it coming! I need advice on places to stay ($100-$125 preferably) in Santa Fe & Taos. We prefer hotels, inns and motels to B&B's but would consider them.
I've heard Durango is a neat place to visit but seems too far. Thanks again.

We really liked the Fetchin Inn in Taos. Next to Fetchin Art Museum, easy walking distance to the Square. Very quiet and relaxing. Haven't checked their rates lately. Santa Fe will be more difficult for your budget if you want to stay close to the Plaza, but you should be able to find something on Priceline.

Hi!

Sounds like a fun trip!

If you want to stay in Santa Fe, you’ve probably already found its very expensive for what you get.
If I’m in Santa fe on business, I usually look first at the St. Francis. It’s a block from the Plaza, and is smaller and less expensive than some of the other intown places, but equally as charming. If I’m paying the tab, I stay at the Residence Inn near the hospital. Its relatively cheap, and although its not on the plaza is a very quick and easy drive down Galisteo to the good parking for the plaza, and is near some of the museums.

We just stayed at the Casa Benavides in Taos, and loved it. It’s a block from the plaza, lovely rooms, quite courtyards, huge southwest breakfast included, and some rooms are relatively inexpensive.

Albuquerque is tougher: I usually check the mid-town Hilton first. Its facility is as good as anywhere, but because its older and is in a lousy neighborhood you can sometimes get good rates. If you want to splurge the Hyatt Tamaya is IMO the best place in the area. Its 1/3 of the way to Santa Fe so and is probably much less then you’ll pay at much lesser places in Santa Fe. Some of the best views anywhere in town, great restaurant, really neat architecture.

One night is probably OK for Taos, one or two for Santa Fe, depending on how many museums or shopping you want to see.

PhotoDad’s suggested trip is very scenic. Plan on it taking half a day to get to Santa Fe though. Durango is 4 hours – I’d skip it. Another great scenic drive is the back road from Santa Fe through Nambe and Truchas to Taos.

Other things we have really enjoyed: Acoma pueblo west of Albuquerque is definitely worth a 3/4 day trip.
Rancho Golondrinas living history museum south of Santa Fe. The back road from ABQ to Santa fe through Madrid.

I posted a summary of the drive I talked earlier about on my family road trippers blog
<a href="http://familyroadtrippers.blogspot.c...html"> here.</a>

Dan
familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com

PhotoDad, loved your NM blog!! I took the Jemez route from Albq. to SF in reverse. A really great drive. For a good book on Los Alamos, read "109 E. Palace Ave." I travel with two small pooches and they have seen the whole Colorado Plateau by now. We always end up in SF.

Thejule, you can easily do Taos in a day. Make sure the Taos Pueblo is open. They close periodically for different reasons. Santa Fe has so much to do and see, you will love it. I stay on Cerillos Rd., which is in your price range. Short drive to Plaza with convenient parking lots.

Ayani, the Residence Inn looks very nice also. It's quieter in that neighborhood.

El Rey Inn on Cerrillos is nice and reasonably priced, with plenty of non-chain Santa Fe ambience and a free breakfast. It's an easy drive down to the plaza, which is where you will want to go in Santa Fe. Park in the public garage on San Francisco for an easy walk to the plaza. There's also a public restroom in that garage.

Also, if you are looking for inexpensive lodging near the plaza, Garretts Desert Inn is a standard motor lodge motel in a great location. We booked it last July for $125 (two queen beds.) It was actually quite nice.

We're going to Santa Fe in May and are planning on taking PhotoDad's route from Albuquerque. Due to 4 p.m.-ish arrival, we'd like to stay somewhere near the beginning of the route that first night, before proceeding on to SF the next day. Does anyone have a suggestion for a nice place along the way?

whoops, I meant a nice place TO STAY.

What is your budget? The Embassy Suites at I-25 and Lomas is nice. If you can spend a little more, the Hyatt Tamaya in Bernalillo gets great reviews here.

Lee Ann

Say, up to $200 for the night -- looking for southwest atmosphere but not over-the-top.
I'll check out the ones you mentioned.
Thanks for suggestions.

Lee Ann: Hyatt Tamaya looks great but is sold out for May 2nd. Anything else along those lines?

I live here, Gailw, so I don't really know much about the hotels. When Debi is here again, she should be able to help.

Whoops, typed too soon - you might check Sandia Pueblo's hotel and casino.

Lee Ann

Embassy Suites is really nice, but not southwest at all. Would you be interested in a B&B? If so, Los Poblanos is wonderful in the North Valley area. http://www.lospoblanos.com/

It isn't too far from downtown ABQ but is a world away. I checked and they have availability on 5/2.

Hope this helps...
Debi

A nice beginning to that trip is go spend the morning at Petroglyph National Monument. I'll add it onto the route one of these days.

Dan
familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com

Yes, I found the Petroglyph Natl Monument in my guidebook and was very interested. I hadn't studied books/maps enough yet to know if it is reasonably on the trail, but it must be, since you're suggesting it to the route. I'd love to go there! We'll have all day to meander our way to Santa Fe. Thanks.
gail

Debi: Los Poblanos looks beautiful. I searched the web and found a funky little place in Bernalillo called Hacienda Grande and, barring any other options, was thinking of staying in their "bridal suite" which looks pretty atmospheric. I'll check out Poblanos this weekend. I appreciate the suggestion, thanks.
gail

First of all, thanks for all of the advice on this board. I've narrowed down a place in Santa Fe but I need some advice for accomodations in Taos for 1 or 2 nights. Is the "Fetchin Inn" a good choice?

Fechin Inn is very nice, in a great location.

Gailw, nothing is all that far from anything else in Albuquerque. :-) You'll have time to visit Petroglyph National Monument; just make sure you have water, a hat and sunscreen.

Lee Ann

I can't seem to reach anyone for Fetchin Inn. Maybe it's too early. What about Historic Taos Inn or Sagebrush Inn? Has anyone stayed here? Also, How many nights in Santa Fe versus Taos?

I would do one night/ two max in Taos and 2 nights/ 3 max in Santa Fe. I think the Sagebrush is a Best Western?? I would really try for Fetchin Inn. If you want to go out of town, Bishops Lodge is a bit north of town and is beautiful.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Lee Ann: It's hard to tell how far apart things are just looking at maps -- I live in NH where the whole state could probably fit in a New Mexico parking lot! -- so I really appreciate your advice about making it to Petroglyph Monument. I know both of us would really enjoy that and find it interesting. I'm getting psyched about our trip. Thanx for the input.
gail

The best photos in Petroglyph park are often taken in indirect light because the rocks are so shiny. Try to get there around dawn or dusk. If it's really sunny, try to shade the rocks you're shooting. A white sheet would be ideal to make the shade, but I doubt if you'll happen to be carrying one.

Have a blast,
Dan
familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com

Dan: I never thought of those rocks being shiny -- thanx for the heads-up. My S.O. likes to wake up REALLY early (not moi) so you've inspired me to join him and head out for the park. I'll let you know how it turns out.
muchas gracias

I have 6 nights planned to stay in Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque. I thought 3 nights in Santa Fe, 2 in Taos and one in Albuquerque. Do you think this is a good plan or should I plan on 1 more day in Albuquerque as we will be coming back from Taos? We want to do all the scenic drives in between each area. Thanks for your help.

RE: Fechin Inn
Wyndham Vacation Owner bought them 1/26/07. The hotel will be converted into a timeshare resort and will undergo renovations.

Re: Fetchin Inn
Thanks DebitNM for the info. I would have still been trying to reach them. I'm leaning toward a couple of B&B's right now for Taos.

I have vacationed in New Mexico probably two dozen times, and here is my opinion. Keep in mind everyone is different, but I wanted to give some additional info. I love Santa Fe so much, I do not stay even 1 night in Albuquerque unless I have an early flight, and then I stay at the end of the vacation. I definitely wouldn't stay 2 nights there.

Our last New Mexico trip was to Jemez Springs. I would only take that route to Santa Fe if you really want the long, out of the way, scenic route. Santa Fe from Alb. takes about 1 1/2 hours, but through Jemez with lunch there it would be 4 hours easy. It is beautiful, but so are the other areas you're going. It might be best saved for when you could spend some time there.

I've stayed quite a few places in Santa Fe and really like Hotel Santa Fe. It is Native-American owned, and usually has an entertainment book coupon. We usually do day trips to Taos, taking a route that is a big circle. Go there by scenic route, return by the faster highway.

One last thing: If you happen to be a Georgia O'Keeffe fan, she had a home in Abiquiu (about an hour from Santa Fe) and you can tour it in a small group. If this is your thing, be sure to make reservations in advance.

Just to add to your wonderful delimma, you can also get to SF via the Turquoise Trail (Hwy 14), which is dotted with old mining towns that are really interesting, especially Madrid.

Besides The Turquoise Trail, where are the most scenic drives located? Are they closer to Santa Fe or Taos?

ttt

We went to NM last year in early May. Most days the weather was perfect, a few coolish day, one was hot (about 85 degress)! So bring both short sleeves and sweaters. We rented an adobe house in Taos on www.vrbo.com and cost less than a hotel would. The house was beautiful and comfortable.

We had all kinds of plans to go many places but NM is very large and so we did not go to many of the places. We decided just to slow down and enjoy all the rustic beauty and the wonderful people and food of the Taos area. It was such a relaxing trip. You can pick any direction and you won't go wrong on a scenic drive!

We loved Bandelier National Park. Also, Ojo Caliente Hot Springs is really cool. You drive this backroad and think you are lost and then there it is. We rented a private hottub and it was so romantic!

I love NM, heck even the airport and highway overpasses are cool!

Hi. I'm not sure exactly how this works, but here is my dilemma:

Going to Santa Fe NM May 3 - 8th. Flying into Albequerque around 5 pm.

Would love to take some scenic drive trips from Santa Fe to other areas but my husband and I are really scared-y cats after driving up a hairy mountain road in California. Thought we were going to fall over the edge. Way too stressful when you are on vacation.(We are from FLAT Ft. Lauderdale FL!)

I am looking for roads and destinations where you don't feel like you are going to die at every turn!

Thanks for your help.

I am from Nebraska and understand flat. Nothing hair raising at all in the drive from Albuquerque to Sante Fe and up to Taos. The Enchanted Circle drive was wonderful too. I know what you mean about California and there is nothing like that! Not even close!

Thanks for the 4-1-1.

Does anyone know anything about the train trips from Santa Fe? Are they worth the time and $$?