New Mexico trip in Sept.
 

We are senior citizens with lots of mobility. We would like to try New Mexico for a trip this fall. Not knowing anything about New Mexico, we have on our radar, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. We have no time limit, but a week would probably be satisfactory. We live in Maryland, so would start our flight from Baltimore. What our the top 3-4 sights that are "Must See" in these cities? We like culture, museums, and high points of these cities. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Quick comments--with no time limit one week is too short. You will get lots of help on this post. I love all three places and have visited a few times but will wait for those more knowledgeable before I respond with my ideas.

First, you need to do some research on this yourselves. There is plenty of information and New Mexico has various tourism-oriented websites.

Albuquerque is a legitimate city (holds about 40% of NM's population), but it's in the southwest and that means it is spread out and covers a large area. This museum may not crop up immediately in your research but is great to visit and considering the length of your existence on the planet, will be interesting and potentially nostalgic or at least memory-regurgitating - http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/

Santa Fe is a small city/large town (<70K people). It is one of the smallest capitals in the country. The aura is different from Albuquerque and there are various galleries, museums, knick-knack shops, etc. Los Alamos is about 75 minutes away as is Bandelier National Monument. Tent Rocks Monument is about 40 minutes away. The aspen forests on the road to the ski area may be starting to turn or have already reached their color by the time you go.

Taos is an oversized village. To us, there's not much there other than access to the ski areas. To others, it's a gateway to the Taos Pueblo and puttering around the small towns of northern NM.

And check BeachGirl247 - she's posted various times about NM restaurants.

1 week is too short.

Make sure you include Balloon Fiesta, it is a must see. Since it is very weather [wind, rain] dependent, I usually suggest that you plan on being in ABQ for a few days to be sure you can see a mass ascension. The weekends are better, more balloons go up. Maybe start and end in ABQ with the weekends at either end. October 1-9.

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

I'll be back with more ideas and happy to answer Qs

Fly Southwest from BWQ to ABQ, usually the best prices. Sign up for sale emails from them. Book sooner rather than later for best price. If you haven't flown with them before, if the price goes down, you can rebook at lower price with no fee and get credit for difference that's good for a year.

<<Fly Southwest from BWQ to ABQ, usually the best prices>>

Better yet, fly Southwest from BWI to ABQ. ;-)

And ABQ is basically the only airport for your proposed trip. ABQ is small; Santa Fe's is thimble-sized . . . for an airport.

ooops BWI

Thanks BigRuss

We really liked Acoma Pueblo west of Albuquerque. You park at the Visitor Center and they take you up in small vans (road is VERY steep).

Thanks, thanks, thanks!! I am getting information via tourism from New Mexico, but the websites you offered are fantastic. I think we are on our way to figuring the path of our trip.!!

""Santa Fe's is thimble-sized . . . for an airport.""

I love our thimble-sized airport. It's ridiculously easy (we are growing from 1 gate to 2 - woohoo!), close to town and it takes me to DFW or Denver non-stop. Saves us a lot of time and many times AA is the same as SWA. Forget United. I'd rather ride a donkey than fly United. :-p

I would limit your choices of visits to those in Northern New Mexico instead of those like Carlsbad Caverns. With a week it would be a lot of driving.

Check out the sites in the towns, divide it up and be sure to include an afternoon High Road drive from Taos to Santa Fe. The light coming through the golden aspens and cottonwoods on the drive is magical. :-)

If you go to Santa Fe Labor Day weekend, you will be there for Fiesta and the Burning of Zozobra and great street food and mariachi galore. I found it a real treat because it is at least as much for locals as for tourisst, maybe more. Like a county fair, there is plenty of tatty but it is not one of those "festivals" (wine, beer, films, crafts) that Chambers of Commerce invent to bring in the $$$.

In addition to the sites you already have,

Chaco Canyon NP

el Morro/Inscription Rock NM

Accoma Pueblo

Aztec Ruin

Pecos Ruin

Salinas Pueblo

New Mexico is great, as are the adjacent states, but if you just want NM, you could easily spend a month exploring it.

Do get a senior pass for the National Parks. It is $10 and is good for a lifetime for entrance to all the National Park Service areas.

If you click my name and scroll down, you can see several trip reports to the area.

The burning of Zozobra is something I have always wanted to attend. If you go then, please do a trip report!!!

All your responses are fantastic! BeachGirl247....read your trip itinerary...thanks to all for all this information!!

If you end up planning a one week trip, click on my name for a relevant trip report.

You received great replies but I have to add a little bit...My husband and I are also flying from Baltimore to Albuquerque in September! We have been at least 6 times and love it there...You will love Alb, Santa Fe, and Taos. I love the Puye Cliff Dwellings near Taos on the Santa Clara reservation better then Bandelier- I can tell you fantastic places to eat and stay in Taos...And off the beaten path ideas. In Albuquerque of course you will go to Old Town but it is fun to eat near Univ. of New Mexico, or Nob Hill. I am partial to Taos over Sante Fe but the art galleries in Sante Fe are fantastic! Also for buying Indian jewelry Gallup is best! Also going to Jemez Pueblo. The South of New Mexico is fantastic too but for another trip..