SF/Taos/ABQ trip guidance needed
 

We (my husband, my 16 yr old daughter, my 11 yr old son & I) are visiting the area in early August.

We arrive in ABQ late Saturday night so we thought we should stay that night in ABQ. Any hotel suggestions? Also, what should we do on that Sunday in ABQ?

We are then going to SF. We are staying at the Hotel Santa Fe for 4 days. What good sights are there for us to see & do? Also, my husband and son want to go whitewater rafting - any suggestions for that?

Lastly, should we go to Taos for the day? How far is it from Santa Fe? We are leaving from ABQ on a Friday night - should we go to Taos that day and drive directly to the airport from there? Or should we go to Taos one day during the week and spend time in ABQ on Friday before our flight?

We really appreciate any suggestions and recommendations.

Thanks!

Lots of great info to get you started if you do a search for the cities you are visiting:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35110463

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35118830

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35099478

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35096682

Food in ABQ:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34921091

Food in Taos:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34485710

Food in Santa Fe:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35087613


I think that should get you started!

Short on time but will come back this weekend.

Note: August 23 & 24 is Indian Market. It is a very busy month. While the market is later in the month, many come to stay for the entire month so plan ahead, make reservations and get ready for an exciting time to see Santa Fe. It is a hoppin' time to be there.

BeachGirl

Acoma pueblo is not terribly far from Albuquerque and is very interesting. It is set up on a mesa. I would definitely take a day from Santa Fe to visit Taos. See the fabulous pueblo there. While in Santa Fe, visit Bandelier National Monument, cliff dwellings you can climb ladders into.

My husband and I just returned form a trip to the Santa Fe area.

We very much enjoyed our day trip to Taos, took the high road there and stopped in Chimayo on the way (and probably would have stopped a couple other places had we not gotten a late start due to bad weather), went to the Taos Pueblo, and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which is only seven miles or so further and your kids would probably really enjoy seeing.

We also really enjoyed a day trip which most people do in 1/2 day, to Tent Rocks, which is between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, so maybe you could do it on the way up, if you don't take the Turquoise Trail up, tho' I recommend that too - it's an alternative to taking I25.

We didn't go to Bandolier National Monument this time as we'd both been before and wanted to go to the places above where we'd not been - but we highly recommend it.

Sorry, I know nothing about whitewater rafting. Beachgirl gave you a ton of threads to look at so I'll leave it at that...my recent trip report has a lot of restaurant mentions, so if you're into food you might want to take a look at that. I realized after writing the report that I'd left a few non-restaurant places out, but they're so well covered in those other threads that I decided not to revise.

Have a great time!

Just a few quick thoughts before I sign out for the night:

Depends on what you're interested in doing in ABQ:

If you are interested in Native American culture/history, you could begin at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (www.indianpueblo.org) for an overview of the pueblos in the area, as well as live dance performances (typically weekends) and craft demos by puebloans (drum making, etc) then head to Petroglyph National Monument (ww.nps.gov/petr). Lunch at one of the Flying Star Cafes is a nice break (www.flyingstarcafe.com) -- locations everywhere.

Love Taos -- definitely go if you can. Agree .. High Road up, highway (along river) back. That'll be a good place to get a rafting trip organized. I recommend Los Rios River Runners (www.losriosriverrunners.com) They have a variety of trips to choose from. Realize that the water will be much calmer than it is right now.

I am sure you'll get many suggestions for Santa Fe. Something neat, if you're into it, is a backstage tour at the Santa Fe Opera. Free Daily (I think at 9am now, check the website), No reservations necessary. Staging, Costume Room, etc. (www.santafeopera.org) They will also have performances going on when you are there; shuttle to the venue from your hotel, have a pre-performance 'tailgate'/picnic, and enjoy the performance in the amazing setting --- a great night!

Definitely do BANDELIER. TENT ROCKS is awesome. PECOS is great, and different than the other two, and very close to Santa Fe.

In Santa Fe, Thursday night is gallery night - stroll up and down Canyon Road stepping in and out of galleries, meeting the artists at openings along the way.

Enjoy your trip to the Land of Enchantment!

Save time in SF for just wandering around the Plaza area-- browsing the shops and all the handicrafts of the Native Americans, who will be lined up on one side selling all kinds of interesting items. I love to combine that time with lunch at the Plaza Cafe.

bkmk

I don't know what you have read so far but this is a little of everything for the kids. This is an excerpt from T&L's Santa Fe for Kids:

1 Catch a rodeo. During intermission, the youngest can ride woolly rams and ewes. The Rodeo de Santa Fe (505/471-4300) takes place June 21-24.

2 Fly-fish along the trails of the Pecos Wilderness Area. For a reliable guide, call Santa Fe Fly Fishers School & Guide Service (800/555-7707 or 505/757-3294) or High Desert Angler (888/988-7688 or 505/988-7688).

3 Float over the Rio Grande Gorge in a hot air balloon. Liftoff is before dawn, when the conditions are calmest. Completion of the hour-long flight is celebrated with an apple cider toast (Paradise Balloons; 505/751-6098; $195 per person).

4 Hike the Jemez Mountains and Valle Grande caldera, and see the pink cliffs of volcanic ash and the black lava mesas up close. Ask the Santa Fe Guiding Co. (505/466-7964) to help plan and lead your expedition.

5 Learn to rock climb on the walls of Las Conchas canyon. Southwest Climbing Resource (505/983-8288) specializes in guiding families, beginners, and intermediates. Kids can brush up their skills at the Santa Fe Climbing Gym (825 Early St., Suite A; 505/986-8944).

6 Go white-water rafting on the Rio Grande. Kokopelli Rafting Adventures (800/879-9035 or 505/983-3734) will set up a trip for kids and adults of all skill levels.
www.kokopelliraft.com

http://www.travelandleisure.com/arti...ta-fe-for-kids

This is from an old article so double-check the phone numbers.

The Sandia Tram outside of ABQ would be enjoyable.
www.sandiapeak.com

The Santa Fe ski life operates Sept-Oct but call as they may have something new for summer.

The Shidoni Foundry has a bronze pour on Saturdays around 1pm. After that you can go to Tesuque Village Market for lunch which is a minute away.

Also, Horseback riding at Bishop's Lodge is very enjoyable. Book ahead for a private ride.

Also, Broken Saddle has horseback riding.
www.brokensaddle.com