New Mexico or Souther Utah? (updated)
 

Hi Everyone

Looking for some advice for a trip for my girlfriends birthday, narrowed it down to either Santa Fe/Taos New Mexico, or Bryce/Zion Nat'l parks and surrounding area in Utah, maybe an excursion to "Navajo nation" to experience some Native American Culture in addition to outdoor/scenic ventures. Can anyone give some advice on what they would choose, pro's and con's?
(Coming from NYC for 4 day trip, would fly in to Vegas or Albequerque)
Thanks!

Damian

Hi Damian,
As of right now I have only been to Bryce and Zion and Bryce was absolutley beautiful,at Zion there was alot of hiking and we didn't do much of that.
Tomorrow we are heading to Santa Fe so I will let you know how that was.
Also did you consider sedona Az, that is a beautiful area.
Denise

If you have never been to either area before then I'd say southern Utah hands down. You're from New York (I am too...but Upstate "The Other New York") and there is nothing more alien to you than the red rock canyons of Utah.

Taos Pueblo was fun and interesting but the town of Taos wasn't thrilling by any stretch of the imagination. Taos is a Sedona wannabe but falls WAY short. I hear Santa Fe is much nicer and, if you are into shopping, you'd probably enjoy it. Plenty of Native American exposure in both Taos and Santa Fe.

For a four day trip, you could see Zon & Bryce but that will be about it. There will be Native American articles for sale in the Zion area but southwestern Utah isn't the Native American mecca that the eastern part of the state is.

I guess the questions boils down to whether you are walkers/hikers who enjoy extreme scenery (Utah) or shoppers(Santa Fe).

<i>I guess the questions boils down to whether you are walkers/hikers who enjoy extreme scenery (Utah) or shoppers(Santa Fe).</i>

I'll add my clarification of Peterboy's good comment. I think he's dead on regarding Bryce and Zion. Regarding Santa Fe, I would add that it's the sort of place that you can really be pampered, including resorts, spas, cooking classes and restaurants. And for those who want to experience some terrific cave dwellings and a short or long hike, Bandelier National Monument is a terrific day trip.

The more that I think of it, unless everyone is really sold on the incredible beauty of Zion and Bryce (I've been there twice and it won't be my last time!), I think Santa Fe is ideal because of the diversity it offers for people who might have varying interests.

One caution about Santa Fe: Don't plan on going out at 9:00pm and having the time of your life; the sidewalks will already be rolled up. Restaurants close relatively early (most seating ends no later than 9:00pm) and the shops also close relatively early.

It's kind of like picking what child you love best. Utah is tough country, so beautiful it makes you cry. Santa Fe is shopping, eating, enjoying the history of the pueblos, spanish and eastern settlers. Lots of art, mountains. A romantic, walkable center of town.

You might stay up longer in Santa Fe - in Bryce and Zion I drop to the bed at sunset from exhaustion and beauty overload.

Santa Fe has lots of shopping..whether it is authentic is debatable. The TV program 20/20 did a piece out there and found many of the items for sale to be fakes....

Damitin,


You don't say when you are coming? I've been to Santa Fe and Taos on a ski trip years ago. It was OK.

I live in Utah!

Damain, whether you decide to go to Zion or Taos/Santa Fe depends on a number of things. Are you looking for an exclusive scenic adventure or a variety of things to do with shopping, art, restaurants, etc? If you're looking for an exclusive scenic adventure Zion National Park is one of the most breathtaking experiences you'll have. Many people call it a spiritual experience, and I can tell you that it is. On the other hand, Taos, NM is one of our favorite places to go. If you fly into Albuquerque, you can rent a car and drive the backway to Santa Fe (a beautiful drive this time of year, but hot)...stay there for a day or so (take in some art galleries, Spanish/Native culture, etc.) then head to Taos. Taos (which by the way has no interest in being like Sedona) is the home of some very famous artists, and has some wonderful art galleries. It's a small town, but the surrounding area is wonderful especially if you take the road north and travel what they call the Enchanted Circle. There's also a natural mineral spring spa about 45 minutes away in Ojo Caliente that is absolutely wonderful...especially in the evening when you can soak at the base of the red rocks and look at the night sky -- particularly romantic if you're taking your gal. New Mexico, if you're a wine buff, is also the site of the oldest vineyards in the United States. Even though I've lived all over the country (including California) there are some nice vineyards outside Santa Fe, Espinola (on the way to Taos) and outside Taos itself. In short, either trip can be wonderful, but they will be very different. Regardless, have a GREAT time!

Totally in agreement with the responses...
If you fly into Vegas...Get out quick (unless you like gambling) and go to Zion NP (a 2 hour drive) Camp and hike and be in awe. Go furthur into Southern Utah and you may never go back to NYC.

or

Fly into Santa Fe area and be in awe of the beauty of magnificent local art for a day ... Combine your trip with nature and sit in one of the hot springs in the area...go to Chaco NP and hike among the ruins that are believed to be so precisely that they match calender events such as the soltice .Bandalier as suggested is nice also.

My suggestion would be to not try to do too much in four days. Part of enjoying nature is being still.