New Mexico
 

Hi Fodorites! Last fall you helped my husband and I plan a great trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. We are definitely going to go back for a third trip, but this year we would like to be tourists in the good old USA. My husband is interested in seeing the cliff dwellings and has always had a desire to see New Mexico. I have been to Taos to ski but driving from the airport to the mountains and back can hardly be called visiting New Mexico. We will use the New Mexico Tourism website for ideas but always appreciate the honesty people share here on the 'don't miss' and 'don't bother' lists! We will probably go in early September and make it a 7 to 10 day trip depending upon the distances between cities. Thanks!

Definitely make a stop at the New Mexico State Fair if you are in Albuquerque. It is held in September for a couple of weeks.

http://www.exponm.com/SF/2007_NMSF_Queen.htm

We flew into Albuquerque a couple of years back and made our way to Mesa Verde which is in Colorado. On our way there we stopped at Chaco Canyon and Aztec Ruins. It was really interesting to see the evolution of the dwellings made from the stones. You probably also want to visit one of the active pueblos. We found the Museum of Natural History to be quite interesting, especially at the end of our visit as we met one of the paleontologists who was in on the find of the pentaceratops and had just been near the area where it was found.

There are many posts on here about things to see and do in NM. I have a few that might prove interesting, will put links on here for you.

Also, try typing in New Mexico or Albuquerque or Santa Fe or Taos in the search box. You might want to drive about 3 hours more and come to Durango area. Type that into search box as well.

Final suggestion for now; click on the DESTINATION link at top of this page and then on Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos and see what Fodor's has to say; they do a great job with suggestions.

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

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34926390

Restaurants in ABQ:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34921091

Type my name in the search box and then using the drop down menu click on New Mexico and hit search; lots there.

Do same for Colorado if that is of interest. The best ruins to be found are in SW Colorado.

Hope this helps..
Debi

MandT...If you havent read the new issue of Conde Naste, please get a copy.The Ombudsman is the first time I have seen the "petitioner" lose.And it was over a car rental in New Mexico.Very interesting, actually rather heartbreaking....

BB - is that available online? I let my subscription lapse :o(
Debi

To all of you that have responded so quickly, thank you. That is what I love about Fodor's. Ask a question and you get knowledgable answers! I will enjoy reading about all of your suggestions and planning this trip. One more 'opinion' question. We do not particularly like very hot weather. For us 65-70 is ideal. It appears from the weather information the last two weeks of September appear to be the time to go - do you agree?

Eeek!! The magazine is but I have never been able to find the Ombudsman.The guy was there to attend a conference up in "the hills".When he got to Enterprise to p/u the car he declined their CDW saying that his Plat AMEX covered his car rental.Lo and behold, he crashed the car.He was unhurt but the car was totalled.Several of the attendees were returning in a convoy, on a gravel road.He fishtailed and rolled over several times.The rental agreement w/Enterprise specifically stated that driving on "unpaved" roads was prohibited.AMEX refused to pay the $15K or maybe it was 18 dont remember.Enterprise sided with him,s aying the provision of the unpaved roads was to keep people from off roading which is a temptation there in the wild nowheres.But AMEX stuck to their guns: they interpreted the rental agreement word for word.And THEIR coverage specifically refused payment if the driver was in violation of the rental agreement. Had he taken the Enterprise CDW, he would have been covered.Bottom Line: read the fine print of your CC insurance coverage of a rental vehicle.

The weather here in late September is glorious. Sunny warm days, but the nights do get a good bit cooler. Temps can drop 30 degrees at night, so warm clothes are needed.

The mountains will be cooler during the day. The sun makes it feel a bit warmer than actual temp. I would suggest doing the last week in Sept and the first week in October to be able to take in the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta [starts October 6th]. It would be a shame to be here at that time of year and not see it:

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

Hope this helps...
Debi

September is a fabulous time in New Mexico. The first part of Sept may be warmer than 65-70 but not enough to send you home!

Check out DebitNM's threads -- has lots of info.

Turquoise Trail from Abq to Santa Fe is fun and can be as long or short as you want it depending how often you stop.

I highly recommend driving to Abiquiu which is north of Santa Fe about an 1hr15min. Go to Ghost Ranch where you can take short hikes if you wish amongst the beautiful red rocks that Georgia O'Keefe painted. Its truly beautiful scenery. Also, in the town of Abiquiu is her other home which is available for tours.

Chaco Canyon is very much worthwhile. Its a full day so you would need to get there in the morning to enjoy what you can before the sun starts going down.

Taos Pueblo is always a favorite. Here is the website for the pueblos:

http://tinyurl.com/2b6jhy

Also, if you at the end of September you can attend the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Festival which has become quite the event! Missed it this year but maybe we'll see you there this year!

www.santafewineandchile.org

Then you could end your trip with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct 6-14.

www.balloonfiesta.com

Have fun planning!
Sheila

I'm noticing that you and I think a lot alike, Sheila: beachbum vs. BeachGirl, margaritas and charred tomato salsa at Ore House, and now Wine and Chile Fiesta. My wife and I attended for the first time last fall. What a party! If it fits into your schedule, Margaret & Tony, go! We'll be back, but unfortunately not this year.

Hey Beachbum, you know what they say....great minds think alike! ;)

<ahem> Beachbum - that was why I asked you if you wife's name was Sheila- I was thinking of beachgirl! And Beachboi too. Lot folks with the name of beach liking NM! I just wish we had a beach out here!
Debi

Ahhhh.... so BeachGirl's the Sheila to whom you were referring! ((I))

You might not want to include me in that "great minds" comment, Sheila. /:)

Oh, why not Beachbum?

Is it better to say, "birds of a feather.."?

Yes, Debi, no beach in your neck of the woods! But the Ore House is a good place to drink margaritas, eat the charred tomato salsa and talk about your next beach getaway.

Hey, there is the cement pond at ten thousand waves....

We did a Colorado/NMexico trip in Sept 2005 - a great time to go! Weather was perfect. We had both been to these states in the past but our primary destination was Chaco Canyon -neither of us had ever been.
We spent a few nights in Ouray (loved it), Mesa Verde (always amazing), then into New Mexico where we camped 2 nights in Chaco. If you are interested in seeing ruins, you should be sure to get to Chaco.
After Chaco, we headed toward Jemez Springs, a surprising highlight of the trip. Hiked to some hot springs and stayed at a remarkable B&B. Highly recommend this area. We ended up in Taos, which I was not fond of at all. Other than the Taos Pueblo, which was amazing, I could have skipped Taos. Here is a link to our photos:
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/co_and_nm_05

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Debi...Yep, do luv NM...Peace, tranquility, natural beauty abounds.And , then, alas....the food...Must say hav had only 1 "bad" expereince in NM..That was the first ascent on Sandia Peak..I dont like heights, but I fly every week..It of course is a spectacular visual encounter.But its the last 20 yards of creeping up to the landing....ugh!But a cold brew and that fresh air cured my ills instantly..

new mexico is beautiful. you can climb around in cliff dwellings at bandelier national monument, near sante fe. it is a very beautiful place and a nice walk to the ruins.

you might also want to see some of the pueblos which are very cool. acoma pueblo south of albequerque is also wonderful - called "the city in the sky"

you might also want to take a look at taos just as a fun walking town and taos pueblo. these are all wonderful spots.

We also went to zuni pueblo and went jewelry crazy! way better prices than any shops anywhere and yes bargain, but not outrageously...

the pueblos are an integral part of what is new mexico also but for taos and sante fe these are are somewhat remote places to get to but don't worry the views are something and the payoff great.

i think you can get information on the pueblos from the tourism dept.