My husband and I are planning a 7-8 trip in mid-July to Santa Fe and Taos. If we start off with 5 or 6 days in Santa Fe, one night in Taos, where else should we go for one or two nights before our return to the Albequerque airport. How far is the drive from Taos to Durango? Is it a doable as a day trip? We like to visit museums, historical sights, natural wonders and will have our own car. Also, any suggestions for a place to stay in Taos? We would like someplace "special". Thanks!!

I could easily spend 7-8 days just in the Santa Fe/Taos area. Please do a search on this forum and you'll see some posts from me on things I like out that way. As far as Durango, I know making that as a side trip has also been discussed and recently, I think. I've never made that trip from New Mexico, but I like Durango and Mesa Verde. But I question if you'd have enough time to see it all. And there is A LOT to see. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask and to the extant I can furnish any answers I will.

I was disappointed with Taos. Not the artists colony they tell you, more T-shirt shops and souvenirs.

Drive from Taos to Durango took us about 5 hours however this was mid march and we had to drive through a whiteout in the Kit Carson National Park between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras. I would have thought four to five hours in normal conditions anyway.

I agree with Tony about Taos. A couple of hours would be enough for me.

I'd spend all the time I could in the Durango area. Of course this can be a trip in itself--Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Black Canyon, Telluride, Mesa Verde loop. FABULOUS SCENERY!
Then there is the Durango/Silverton train trip that is a must. That will take all of one day. By the way, go up one way by train and back by bus. It is a very long way all by train.

I did a similar trip to yours: Santa Fe and Taos, and then to Telluride. I'd say you've overbudgeting the amount of time for SF--3 days would be plenty, with maybe a day excursion to Taos. I was disappointed with Taos, so you might want to skip it altogether.
Telluride is wonderful--if you enjoy hiking at all, you could spend many days there.

Forgot to mention that we LOVED the place we stayed in SF: Dos Casas Viejas. In Taos, we stayed at Casa de las Chimineas, and we were underwhelmed by it, despite all the glowing press this place gets. In Telluride, we stayed at the New Sheridan (seen all the time in that one SUV commmercial). It was well-located and reasonably priced, but you could probably find someplace else better.

I have to put in a good word for Taos. My husband and I enjoyed it for the night/day we spent there, which wasn't nearly enough time. We stayed at a B&B called Cottonwood, and really enjoyed it, would go there again (Kiva room). The mountains are gorgeous there (I've been to Colorado and love the San Juans too)and it has a tranquil atmosphere about it, it's a nice place to relax. When we were there there was a Pow-Wow going on, what an experience. I think it's on the second Saturday in July, check it out, it's definitely worth going to. My husband is still talking about Taos, I thought it was fine, but I'd like to go back. There are million dollar homes built next to trailer homes. Santa Fe has more to see and do, of course, but Taos is nice for kicking back, if you like the atmosphere.

I have to agree with most others - skip Taos. We found it to be very disappointing. Loved Santa Fe! We had three days there and that was plenty for us. There is a lot of good hiking in New Mexico if you want to do that. While in Santa Fe eat at Paul's - incredible food, especially dessert! Telluride is fantastic, as is all of SW Colorado - Ouray, Durango, but you may want a week just for that area. Have a great time. Santa Fe will be quite warm in July, by the way.

I really have to disagree about Taos. My husband and I stayed there last spring for 4 days and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is the perfect place to relax,hike and enjoy the scenery. We stayed at a B&B called La Posada de Taos which was centrally located and very nice. I guess it all depends on what you want to do- Taos is not a place for shopping and great culture- but for quiet, it's great!

Has anyone stayed at the Sun God Lodge in Taos?

Jerri, Emily and I stayed there last year...

There was no one around in the lobby of our non-chain hotel, The Sun God Lodge. I rang the bell. A tall, withering lady of later-middle years who looked and acted like she’d been sniffing too much oxygen appeared from around the corner.
‘We have reservations’ said Emily.
‘Yes’ she said.
‘For today’
‘Yes’
‘Um… can we check in?’
‘Check in? You want to check in?’
Emily rolled her eyes as she looked at me.

Tonight was cold and the weather channel said even colder weather was on the way. Tomorrow we were driving into the mountains of Colorado and positively the last thing I wanted in the mountains was bad weather. I just hoped the good travel karma that had prevailed so far would keep up at least until we were over the mountains and into the desert.

Despite the cold, we still managed a couple of hours in the outdoor hot-tub around the back of the hotel. It was my first ever hot tub experience, I was a hot tub virgin and like most virgins, I found the experience a little strange.

I guess Taos is one of those places people either find a waste of time or a good reason of it. I am of the later. It is a place to be not just to do. It is a good place to relax. To see the sunrise and the sunset. The Milky Way at night. The colors of the sage brush, the mountians, the gourge valley, the sky in constant change and recreation, the the panorama in all directions is magnificent. I wouldn't go for a day, you will just pass through and see nothing but McDonald's. You should stay for a few days, relax and look. go for an easy walk and observe the dogs. It is subtile. Taos has been and will always be an attractive place to artists because of the light and color. It has a very rich history, lots of interesting mesuems and galeries. Taos will not jump out at you, but there is something wonderful to find there. Consider renting an abobe house north of town for a couple days and relax. There is no place more special in New Mexico than Taos, but it depends on what your looking for.

I prefer Taos to Santa Fe. the people there are much friendlier & Santa Fe to me is a bit stuffy to say the least. Of course I traveled there to go hiking, etc. In addition, you may actually be able to afford some of the art in Taos, where everything in Santa Fe has museum-like prices attached to it. Either place is in close proximity to many things/places but please go to the Taos Pueblo. It is worth a day in & of itself. I also stayed in Albuquerque my last night & found its 'Old Town' to be very nice as well.

I vote for Taos as well; although I can see it wouldn't be for everyone. The stores aren't drastically different than what you will find in Santa Fe. It is a bit more laid back also.

If you go, make sure to take the "high road" and visit the smaller towns along the way. It is a beautiful drive and you could easily spend all afternoon exploring on the trip up. Don't miss the Taos Pueblo either.

You could easily spend 2 nights in Taos: leave Santa Fe late morning/early afternoon taking the high road, arrive in Taos for dinner, explore the town the second day, stay that night and return to Santa Fe the 2nd morning. I recommend having one meal at the Apple Tree restaurant, they have a wonderful courtyard with table under the shade of, you guessed it, apple trees.

We stayed at the Historic Taos Inn; our room wasn't anything special, but their lobby is wonderful for drinks in the evening. They do have a wide range of rooms to choose from.

Outside of Santa Fe I'd recommend taking a drive to the Bandelier park to see the cave dwellings.

I visited Santa Fe and Taos last year. Loved Santa Fe but was very disappointed with Taos, although I really enjoyed the drive there.

Would defnitely recommend Bandelier Park. Have Fun!

Laura

Visited both Taos and Sante Fe last summer and thought they were great, but different. Don't miss Bandelier Nat'l Park for a beautiful hike and some history. Also, the Rio Grande is awesome and has some good hiking and rafting if the water level permits. In Taos, I would visit the Taos Pueblo--a bit touristy, but very interesting anyway. Ghost Ranch is supposed to be pretty cool, but was closed when I was there due to fire threats (no rain and very dry everywhere last year). Ojo Caliente is fun if you would like to go dip into some mineral springs. For accomodations, I would recommmend Casa Encantada B/B in Taos and Inn on the Alameda or Hotel St. Francis in SF. All very different but nicely appointed and comfy.