Tinkertown is on the road to Sandia Crest. You go north on Hwy. 14 through Cedar Crest, then hang a left on the Sandia Crest Hwy. Tinkertown is about a mile or so up the road.

It's a bit of a drive to the top of the crest, then a mile or more walk (at over 10,000 ft. elevation) to the tram, which takes you back down to Albuquerque. Doing that would take a big chunk out of your day. I would go to Tinkertown, then head on up the Turquoise Trail. In the evening, go back to Albuquerque on I-25.

Model Pharmacy is fun; they have good sandwiches and ice cream.

There's not much to see between Albuquerque and Portales, but keep your eyes open for pronghorn antelope!

Lee Ann

I agree that Red River is a very small community - I was offering a completely different opportunity/setting than ABQ, Santa Fe, or Taos, but within a drive for, perhaps, another time she's in NM. With her son in school there, I got the feeling the OP would be returning time and again to this beautiful state. No one goes to Red River for the restaurants or lodging - they go for the magnificent beauty of the mountains! I was just suggesting an alternative for future visits...

While I'd otherwise prefer 2 days in Santa Fe (sorry Debi) I agree that in your situation the 2 days is better spent in ABQ. Like your plan and also like Elendi's suggestion of taking the Turquoise Trail up to Santa Fe and I-25 back. The Trail is always nice both ways IMO, but with your limited time I-25 will save you some time.

dfr- you can object to my suggestions anytime :) but I know that most of the time we agree, so once in awhile disagreement is A OK!

Given the OP has children, I think for a first time visit, ABQ is the way to go. She will have lots of other opportunities to visit SF, Taos, Red River and maybe even head a bit further up and see SW Colorado and Durango and Mesa Verde NP.

Debi

crarmy - If you go to Fiesta, be sure you book everything in advance (months and months, even!) as you will find problems with sell outs and inflated prices.

If you happen to spot good airfare, I'd be delighted to know. In the past, I've paid $218 - $278 during Fiesta from IAH. Last year was over $300 and the best non-stop (based on time schedule) this year is over $450.

My e-mail is my screen name @ gmail.com.

We loved Las Vegas NM. We stayed acouple of nights at the Plaza hotel there. I really hope to get back to New Mexico and spend more time there.

You guys so helpful, thank you so much!

Lee Ann - So the Tram brings us back to ABQ so that means I would have to ride the tram back up to the peak? Oh my! walk a mile++ at 10,000 ft, I think we are going to die coming from sea level here in Houston.

pronghorn antelope, we will definitely keep our eyes peeled for that!!

Any suggestions for Santa Fe, restaurant with good New Mexico food??

moldyhotelsaregross - I think we will always fly into Lubbock since that is closest to Protales (that is where my son is attending college), but I will for sure start looking for airfares.


I think Ballon Fiesta sounds very exciting, we will definitely have to work that in with one of my son's football games. What are the dates in Oct?? I wonder if it is too late to find hotel room this late in the year??

It looks like it is Oct 6-14th. They have a website: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/.

My husband and I will be there around that time as well and hope we can get to join some of the festivities if we can work around it.

If you guys really want to do the tram, the easiest way is to drive to the base (off Tramway at I-25), then ride up from there. Look around and go back down - the restaurant at the top isn't that great.

We don't eat out in Santa Fe that often, but I hear good things about Tomasita's and The Shed.

Lee Ann

I recommend a visit to Bandelier Ntl. Mmt. Kids love the short hikes that include climbing ladders to visit the cave dwellings. If it's a hot day, go on the main loop in the early morning or late afternoon. Or take the hike to Alcove House, formerly known as Ceremonial Cave. It is 140 feet above the floor of Frijoles Canyon and is reached by 4 wooden ladders and a number of stone stairs. Much of that hike is in the shade.

You may want to consider swinging by the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos if it's open at that time. It's the museum of the Los Alamos laboratory, which developed the bomb that ended WW II. See http://www.lanl.gov/museum/ for hours and other info. Although the content is more for adults, there are some fun things for kids.

Consider driving through the Jemez Mts with a stop by the Valles Caldera National Preserve. it's a beautiful drive and an impressive volcanic caldera. See http://www.vallescaldera.gov/

<i>Any suggestions for Santa Fe, restaurant with good New Mexico food??</i>

Tomasita's, Shed, or Maria's: http://www.marias-santafe.com/.

I don't think I mentioned Tent Rocks. It is west of the interstate on the way down from Santa Fe to ABQ.

It isn't a long hike and the formations are truly unique. The kids will love them and so will you. If you want to just look at them, you can do so from parking lot if time is short.

http://www.nm.blm.gov/recreation/alb...sha_katuwe.htm
Debi

Hi crarmy
I'm reading this thread with interest, because I'm hoping to spend 3 nights in SF next year. I really want to see the Bradbury Museum and also Taos (as I painted a picture of one of the churches some years ago, so would like to see it!)
I'm a bit flustered on accommodation (although there's a whole year to go yet!). I fancy the El Farolito, but am toying with the idea of a vacation home, because it works out cheaper.
Have a GREAT time!

El Farolito..... sigh.... I need to stop opening these threads since it'll be fall of '08 before we can get back to Santa Fe. :((

crarmy- Just thought I'd give you a heads up. I just saw good fares from IAH- ABQ. I know it isn't the same route you need but perhaps there is something equally good for you.