hi friends...for a one week holiday, which of this two cities will afford me a more fabulous time. please take into consideration the nearby towns i can drive to in a day when you answer. i am looking for a place where i can get a variety of activities. looking forward to any suggestions. thanks guys!!

Hi Felicia:

Wow - you are talking about two very different places!

Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and Santa Fe is small, quaint and has a lot of history.

Personally, it's Santa Fe hands down!

We live in Tucson (2 hours from Phoenix) and dread every time we have to go there.

Phoenix is large, congested and in the summer will be HOT! It doesn't have a lot of character and well, you can tell it's not my favorite. Sorry - though Scottsdate is nice.

Santa Fe, though quite pricey and somewhat touristy has a wonderful feel, loads of wonderful shops and restaurants and quaint places to stay.

You can spend a day in Taos and a day on Bandolier mountain. And you can just wander around the wonderful square in Santa Fe.

That's my vote!

I agree with the previous post. Phoenix is a big city and has all the big city stuff to offer - lots of malls, chain restaurants, etc. Phoenix is beautiful and fun, if you are looking for the big city atmosphere. Santa Fe is smaller and less crowded. I guess it all depends on what you want out of your holiday, but my vote for a vacation - get away location would be Santa Fe.

Good luck and have fun no matter which one you choose...

i agree...there is no contest here. santa fe is better than phoenix. there is not a lot to see in phoenix really and the heat is just overwhelming. sante fe gets my vote as well.

Comparing the two cities is like comparing apples and potatoes.
This time of year, and until late October, Phoenix will be HOT. I live near Atlanta, so know hot when I am out in it. I don't care if 110 in Phoenix is a "dry heat", it is still hot.
Santa Fe is about 7,000 feet in elevation and is much cooler in the summer. It is a varied culture, but touristy. I think it all depends on what type of environment you want.
I personally would seek a 3rd alterntive.

thanks for your suggestions. i am now having second thoughts about going to either. i don't drive but i have a friend who does and who hates travelling alone so since i was always curious to go to santa fe and she wit phoenix, so i thought we could go together and keep each other company. i'm from ny and i wanted to go somewhere west. hate LA by the way. yellowstone was my 2nd choice but i guess that's another question. someone please sway me towards santa fe!!!

Well - honestly my choice would be Yellowstone! I love it, but I am a mountain/outdoors kind of person. Back to Santa Fe vs. Phoenix - Santa Fe would be my choice hands down! It is beautiful, not as hot, not as crowded, I would not say it is anymore pricey than Phoenix, just not as many opportunities to "shop around". Taos is not far away and is another wonderful spot.

ali, you are just plain fabulous!! i called my friend and read her everyone's suggestions (she's a recent fodor's convert) and santa fe is it. next question, will 5 days be sufficient? the 2 days will be for travel time from ny. what is there to see in taos? are there any hiking trails by any chance?

I believe 5 days will be good. I am not sure about hiking trails, I bet there is a local book with hiking trails, maybe contact the Chamber of Commerce or the Library. Taos is a small town, lots of shops, art galleries, fun place to walk around and have a great meal. HAVE FUN!!

And don't forget the Taos Pueblo.

Albuquerque is a nice, small city too, especially the old town. If you're on the adventuresome side, you might look into a balloon ride.

Randall Davey Audubon Center is a great park for hiking in Santa Fe. I lived in Phoenix for 4 years and vacationed for a week in Santa Fe. I think for a vacation Santa Fe would be better. Phoenix has areas to drive to for "side trips" (Sedona, Grand Canyon, etc) but they are more like 2-3 day side trips instead of the one day trip to Taos. If you are going in hot summer weather Santa Fe will be a bit more comfortable. I think Santa Fe/Taos was probably a little nicer 15-20 years ago before all "us tourists" discovered it, but certainly worth a visit. One last thing to confuse you...if you are NOT going in the heat of summer and want yet another alternative...we just went to Austin and San Antonio and really enjoyed it. Something for everyone between those 2 cities and surrounding areas, plus they are less than an hour apart from one another.

Was in Alb in October and I found Old Town, while pretty, overrated. Went for dinner on a Sunday evening and there was only one restaurant open at 8pm and they were getting ready to close. I am not overly fond of Santa Fe but it is a better visit than Alb. Take a day trip to Taos. Also take a ride to Madrid. Spent some time in Bandolier National Monument
and on the same day consider visiting Los Alamos.