Things to do around Santa Fe

[wandering gnome Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wandering gnome]

We are going to Santa Fe later this month. Do you have any recommendations of things to do, places to eat, etc. in and around the Santa Fe area? We will probably make at least one trip to Albuquerque and would also like to visit the local national/state parks.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

My absolute favorite drive in New Mexico--and I have several favorites--is to leave Santa Fe and head to Bandolier National Park, but on the day you do this drive, don't stop; save it for another day. Continue to Los Alamos, but on this day, don't stop; save the atomic museum for another day. Get on highway 4 and take the "back way" to Albuquerque. It is absolutely beautiful, forested, gorgeous views, and interesting stops. After you leave Los Alamos and before you turn south, you'll be driving along the world's largest caldera (hole left by long ago volcano explosion); it looks like a gigantic valley stretching into the distance--be sure to stop and read the explanation marker when you get to it. If it's been a rainy spring, you'll see really fat cattle in the valley in grass up to their bellies, and the views of mountains are wonderful.

Continue to the turn off for Jemez Springs and stay on highway 4 as it turns south. You'll see a natural soda dam--stop, smell, enjoy. Continue south and find the state monument (not national, but one of my favorites) Jamez State Monument. It's 500 year old ruins of a mission. There is a monastery right across the street from the ruins. Once I arrived at the mission right about closing (5:00 p.m.) and as I approached the mission alter as the sun was setting, the monastery bells began to ring--one of the best experiences of my life. I still love to go to the mission, but I haven't had the experience of having the bells ring at just the right time again.

Continue on south to Albuquerque. The way is clearly marked. You'll come to highway 550 and turn left.

Depending on your time, I am particularly fond of the Petroglyph National Monument in Rio Rancho, which is the town just across the river from Albuquerque (seems like you're still in Albuquerque, urban sprawl). It used to be a state monument, but the feds have it now. You will never find another place where it is so easy to see Petroglyphs. You can literally, drive right up to some of them. There are three extremely easy trails (really, just little strolls) and the petroglyphs are everywhere you look.

My favorite restaurant in Albuquerque.....that is so hard to say. However, if I picked just one, I'd pick El Pinto (north on I-25, exit 234--go left). Great atmosphere, great food.

That's the same exit for Sandia Casino (a right turn instead of a left for El Pinto)--which is very pretty for a casino. There is a tribal run trading store right across the street from the casino which is a nice one to go to, though I can't remember the name just now.

As you go north from Albuquerque on your way back to Santa Fe, consider stopping at Coronado State Monument. It is one of my favorites. It's just outside of the town of Bernalillo, which is just on the north side of Albuquerque.

I could go on and on, but this would make a very full, and to my taste, wonderful day.

[glypnirsgirl Member Find all posts View Profile Close glypnirsgirl]

More questions about Santa Fe

Pstreet, your suggestion sounds like a wonderful day.

We are planning our trip out to the north rim and we will be going to Santa Fe either on the way back.

I have 3 days budgeted for Santa Fe. Do you have any suggestions for where to stay?


We won't be timesharing on this trip. Instead, we have booked into the North Rim Lodge once we get there. We have also booked into the park lodges at either Bryce or Zion, I can't remember which off of the top of my head.

Right now, we are also planning to spend a day at Canyon de Chelly. We want to book one of the jeep tours with a Navajo guide. Do you have any suggestions?

I am so looking forward to this trip. I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

elaine

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

My absolute, hands-down favorite in Santa Fe is Inn of the Governors. It's beautifully kept; the included breakfast is wonderful, served in a dining room and open courtyard; it's easy walking distance to the plaza; parking is free.

If you're lucky, you might get it from Priceline.com It shows only as a 3 star, but it's truly a lovely place to stay, and won't feel 3 star; it will definitely feel more luxurious. I've stayed at The Lodge (also 3 star, and really very nice) too, but it isn't on the Plaza.

Here's the list of hotels Priceline uses in Santa Fe:
Santa Fe Plaza Area

4 Star
Eldorado Hotel
Inn and Spa at Loretto
La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa

3.5 Star
Hilton Santa Fe LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW

3 Star
Inn of the Governors
The Bishop's Lodge LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Hotel Santa Fe
The Lodge at Santa Fe (former Radisson) LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Hotel St. Francis

Hotwire.com currently has what look to be some good buys for the Plaza area now. Normally, they use the same hotels Priceline does, and hotels in the Plaza area are pricey, so Hotwire and Priceline do save you quite a bit.

Try looking at Biddingfortravel.com to see what bids Priceline is currently accepting. I'd be happy with any of the 3 stars, the Hilton, or the 4 stars. Santa Fe is truly a good place to be.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Just a tip. NM is not in the Pacific Northwest, but in the Southwest.

We love Santa Fe as well. One place we've stayed several times and have been very happy with is the El Rey Inn. If you have a larger party it's great as they have two-bedroom units that are almost like a timeshare. They have a kitchen, but the hotel also provides a breakfast every morning.

http://www.elreyinnsantafe.com/

Some of the restaurants we enjoy in Santa Fe:

Plaza Cafe
Cafe Pasquale
The Cowgirl
The Shed

Also, a drive out to see Tesuque is fun. My sil and bil took us out there on our last visit.

[glypnirsgirl Member Find all posts View Profile Close glypnirsgirl]

Thank you for the suggestions!

The Inn of the Governors looks wonderful since it will just be ian and I this trip. Our kids are now all in their 20s and are in school and starting jobs this year. We will be making the big driving trip all by ourselves!

All of our kids enjoy traveling. And all of them are good travelers. Still we are looking forward to being on our own and not having to worry about them being entertained.

I am a big proponent of priceline. I regularly use it for my business trips (I am self-employed so those come out of my pocket). I am less inclined to use it for a vacation that I really want to enjoy because too often I have been given the "priceline room." which is by the elevators and/or ice machine. On vacation, with my husband who is a light sleeper, I would rather not risk it.

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions also.

elaine