Santa Fe March 2016
 

Flights are booked!
I am officially going to take my husband on *his* first trip to New Mexico. Over the years I have taken many summer road trips to Santa Fe with family, but winter in Santa Fe is totally new to me.

This is what we have booked:
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Saturday, Mar 12- Land at SAF in the AM

Stay in SF at The Old Santa Fe Inn
Saturday through Monday.

Take rent car to Ojo Caliente Tuesday, spending 1 night there.

Flight departs SAF on Wednesday at 3:30 PM
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Questions...

SNOW:
First of all, neither of us have any skiing experience.  If we wanted to some little "bunny slopes" type skiing class can we find that near Santa Fe?  Are there any other snow activities we should consider instead?  Sledding,  snowshoeing?

HIKES:
Can you recommend a good scenic hike in March? I am thinking up to 1.5 to 2 miles total.

Thoughts on the waterfall trail in Hyde Memorial Park?

Does Hyde have guided hikes?


IN TOWN
Questions about some attractions I am considering:

1. Wheelwright museum - what is this one like? More history or art?
2. Oldest house-  is there a museum here or not?  I couldn't find much detail online about its current situation.


OHO-
Anything cool that we should see on our drive up? (We already have Bandelier on the list, just not sure what day we will go)

After we are done soaking, yogaing, or getting whatever we decide,  what is our best bet for dinner that night?


I know it is still early,  but your tips will help me think of more questions to ask.

P.S.
If you have any bizzare, off the wall recommendations please share!

Loved Santa Fe about 15 years old. Rates as one of our best trips. Go to Los Alamos. A day trip out of Santa Fe. My recollection is that the food was exceptionally good. And we were there in March and weather suited us well.

You may want to take a look at my trip report. We were there is October 2014. Click on my name to find the report.

Oktotravel - It's good to hear that you had good weather in March.

Michael- Thanks, I took some notes on the restaurants that I haven't been to before (like Joseph's). Also, I didn't know Bandelier closed for the season, so I better give them a call before we drive up...

Bandelier is open year-round, according to their website.
http://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/hours.htm

What is your interest in going to Ojo Caliente? Santa Fe has spas - Ten Thousand Waves is probably the best known. https://tenthousandwaves.com/

Lee Ann

Ojo has been on my "to do" list for a while after my parents recommended it. We want to stay the night and enjoy the hot springs at our leisure. My husband will probably want a massage, but I look forward to soaking and yoga. :) :)

Ok, I thought Bandelier was open year-round.

I misread Michaels trip report and got myself confused. They were there the last day that a shuttle is required, not the last day of the season. Whoops!

March can still get some snowfall and predictions are calling for a "godzilla el niño" for us this year. Trails will be for snow shoeing and cross-country skiing most likely, especially for the trails up Hyde Park Road on up to Santa Fe Ski Basin. Skiing at Santa Fe Ski offers all levels but I think it's one of the better beginner ski resorts.

A snowy visit to Ojo Calente will be beautiful but know its a very small community with very-limited dining choices. Also, if the roads are bad I don't know that it gets plowed right away. Ten Thousand Waves is one of the best in the nation and also has lodging, located just up Hyde Park Road. Hyde Park road is plowed 2x/day if it is snowing so you wouldn't have a problem, depending on your vehicle and the amount of snowfall. Weather is unpredictable so in theory you could have a beautiful, warm day and no icy trails.

I agree with Sheila. I would opt for 10,000 Waves. Ojo is very rustic and minimal; 10,000 is much nicer as far as accomations and services. Ojo is really out of the way, remote.

March is still very much winter here and this year will be no exception. IF you're lucky it will be mild, more likely it will be winter like during day and definitely winter at night.

BeachGirl247- Thank you for the info on skiing, snowshoeing etc.
I will contact Ski Santa Fe for info on their classes.

As I mentioned in a previous post, one of the main purposes of this trip is to visit Ojo Caliente. We will certainly be sure to start watching the weather in another 2.5 months and pack accordingly. (and make sure no one is shut down for snow ;) )

Hi Barroness
I have some expert advice for your trip to Santa Fe.
Although, Bandolier is open year round, it can get quite muddy depending on snow melt. I have seen the ruins be closed due to unhikable conditions.
Ski Santa Fe rocks!
The oldest house is just a walk by photo op. There is no entrance and no museum.
On the same street however are great local restaurants next to the Capitol like Rio Chama and the Pink Adobe. I highly recommend the Dragon Room's nachos for happy hour and the prime rib dinner at Rio Chama.
Your top 3 should be
1. Georgia O'Keefe museum
2. Miraculous staircase at the Loretto Chapel.
3. The palace of the governors on the Plaza. Not called the square....the Plaza.
I agree with the majority, do 10000 Waves over Ojo if you really want a special lifelong memory kind of experience. They don't let you drink from the lithia spring at Ojo anymore and that was always my favorite part.
Dress up date night? There are a handful of epic fine dining choices.
-in no particular order. The Compound, The Ore House, Luminaria, Inn of the Anasazi, Martin, and probably Geronimo but I have not personally been there. I always go to the Compound when visiting Canyon Rd. Which you must do!
I think Los Alamos is a creepy place but hey to each their own.
As far as my choice for off the beaten path, Casa Gaillina is a bed and breakfast in Taos with yoga nearby.Good for an overnight stay. Enjoy

>>The oldest house is just a walk by photo op. There is no entrance and no museum.<<

Not true, according to the National Park Service website:
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/america..._district.html

Lee Ann

Ok Lee Ann,
I live here and recently the building has been up for sale. No entrance in years despite what the NPS says. But I recommend calling the number they provide on the website you linked for a definitive answer if it really is an important stop for you. There are many cultural experiences to be had in the "city different" and the oldest house would not be on my priority list.

I'm not the OP, but I visited the place a couple of years ago.

Lee Ann

Great link, Lee Ann!

>>There are a handful of epic fine dining choices. The Ore House<<

Ore House has been closed for a very long time

As someone who frequents Geronimo and The Compound I highly recommend either for fine dining with a nod to Geronimo, a Top 100 US Restaurant.

Agree the Oldest House wouldn't be on my must-do list either.

Just a warning from my experience. I have been to Santa Fe many times over the past 15 yrs. On 3 of those times I had pretty bad altitude sickness for the 1st 24 hrs. One of those times I passed out and fell on the floor during dinner the 1st night, prompting an Emergency Rm visit. Another time I got very nauseated and dizzy while at 1000 waves the 1st afternoon. My travel companion came to Santa Fe with a slight cough and cold , and with the altitude it turned into pneumonia very quickly.

Santa Fe is at 7000 ft. You may want to plan to take it easy the first 24 hrs.until you are acclimated. And consider strongly not drinking any alcohol the 1st 24 hrs too. I have been to higher elevations without any problems, but each time you go to a high altitude is a completely new situation, and it does not matter how you have handled altitude in the past, you can still have symptoms. Just be aware.

A good reminder, emd.