myomy

Four nights in August to see as much as we can, especially in Santa Fe. Any suggestions on the best routes for a round trip. We are in our 60's and like all scenic views, shopping quaint shops, love to see old churches. Thanks!

stokebailey

I wonder about a last day taking the high road north through Chimayo and Truchas, then heading east and south on 518 through Mora, then home that way. I guess that's 11 hrs of driving, but I love that road, and the old adobe churches.

ElendilPickle

That would be a nice loop, stokebailey. The OP could get on I-25 in Las Vegas and have a shorter drive back to Santa Fe (we did this once by accident).

myomy, do you mean you have four days once you get to Santa Fe, or four days total?

Lee Ann

myomy

that would be 4 days total...we plan on leaving dallas on thursday, getting into Albuquerque on Friday, spending the day there and heading up to Santa Fe via the Turqoise Trail.
we will leave early Monday morning and drive straight through back home.

stokebailey

Oh, good. You'll be there a Friday evening when many of the museums are free from 5-8 PM.

It's worth going to Loretto Chapel http://www.lorettochapel.com/staircase.html
to see the staircase.

stokebailey

I'm rusty on Albuquerque, but just to throw out a couple more Santa Fe things:
Breakfast at Tia Sophia's, near the Plaza.
Drinks at La Posada on the terrace when there's a guitarist.
Gallery hopping on Canyon Rd.
Trying a Christmas burrito, with red AND green.
A chocolate mousse at French Pastry in La Fonda.
La Fonda lobby for that matter.

Also consider a day trip to Bandelier NP with its magical Frijoles canyon. Some walking required, and climbing ladders if you're bold.

1reviewer

Don't miss Chimayo... both the Sanctuary (http://www.holychimayo.us/) and (the right next-door) Rancho de Chimayo restaurant (http://www.ranchodechimayo.com/) are worth the drive and should not be missed on a four-day visit here. In the Sanctuary there is "el pocito" the small pit of Holy Dirt which many people attribute as possessing remarkable curative powers.

As for the Hwy 14 / Turquoise Trail (http://www.turquoisetrail.org/) there are a few scenic pullouts besides visiting the towns along the way. However, the drive just south of that, along Hwy 337 through the Cibola National Forest is forever lined with pine trees. It's truly worth the 30 minute round trip drive through the forest just to see those beautiful Ponderosa Pines. Or stop to grab a bite to eat and drink at the Ponderosa Eatery and Saloon (http://www.ponderosaeateryandsaloon.com/), a local family owned restaurant since 1974.