Santa Fe, NM

[Walla2]

My wife and I are going to Santa Fe for a visit next month. We have never been there, chose it blind. Does anyone have any recommendations for sightseeing, dining, etc.? We would enjoying having them. Thanks in advance. We will be there for a week.

[marlin39a]

I haven't been to Santa Fe, NM, in 15 yrs. I had a job that had me visiting the State prison there. The downtown area was pretty much a tourist trap. Native Americans selling handmade items by the town square. Lots of shops and restaurants. It is run by liberals who want your money, and move on. I never found it to be a welcoming city. I'd like to here your opinion after your visit.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

Wall2, PM me your e-address and I'll set you up with the state magazine.

Order your vacation guide and get info here:
https://www.newmexico.org/plan/guide/

The trees are beginning to turn now.

I'd be glad to meet you for lunch or dinner if you have time.

[popper]

Big casinos there. Big deep canyon up toward Red River. If driving, watch your speed. Pretty arid area of the state, north and east are more green. Pretty much just med sized city with a lot of claims to Pueblo indians (not). Used to have THE village north of town but I think it's gone now. Don't now if Los Alamos has anything to see. Albuquerque is just big town but the geography is interesting.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Taos ..

[RKJ]

The museum at Los Alamos was interesting (years ago) and the bridge coming into town from highway 4 (I believe) provides some really good vies. Santa fe has the church downtown that has the spiral staircase and a great story about it.

[Wag]

Unfortunately, a lot of touristy stuff these days. Don't get trapped into buying too much "indian" or "native" art, jewelry, etc. Most of it is not. Native OR art, that is.

Nevertheless, there are some cool things to see. If you go North to Taos, the Taos Gorge is a cool sight to see.

Search for all of the old Spanish missions. The architecture of some of these places are very interesting, if you're into that sort of thing.

Then there are the Petroglyphs. Again, if you're into that sort of thing. Along those lines, one of my favorite places to visit is Chaco Canyon. Truly spectacular. You WILL need a pickup truck to get there and at this time of year, possibly a four-wheel drive. But worth it. Probably best to get there from the South, from Grants. It's a full day's trip, minimum, especially if you're going there from Santa Fe.

The Albuquerque plaza in Old Town is decent. Again, a bit touristy.

Definitely try all the New Mexican food. It's similar to Mexican food, but there are differences that matter. If you've never had a Sopapilla, you're in for a real treat. Eat them hot right when they get to your table and use honey on them. When you order any food, they'll ask you if you want Red or Green. They're asking you if you want Red chile or Green chile. Get both on the side so you can get an idea of what you prefer. There aren't any real hard and fast rules about which is hotter!

I like little hole in the wall restaurants. Posa's (El Merendero) on Rodeo Drive ranks right up there. If you're on the Plaza, The Shed has great food, too. Busy as all get out, though. (Nobody wants to eat at an empty restaurant!) If you get into Albuquerque, the best New Mexican restaurant is Casa de Benevides on Fourth Street. They have great Margaritas and the food is outstanding.

White Sands missile range and the Trinity Site are just down I-25 so it's quite a drive. Also, they're not always open to tourism. Only certain days of the year so double check before you just drive down there. If you're into that kind of history, The National Museum of Science and History is worth a visit, especially if you're in the area. For that matter, I happen to like going up to Los Alamos where they built all of that technology back in the 40's. I can't think of a specific location in Los Alamos that will be truly intriguing, however, it's a great place for reflection. Tiny place, too, so you'll likely spend as much time driving there as you will coming back.

If you have time, the forest drive from Los Alamos, around to the Valles Caldera is interesting. That Caldera is beautiful, too. One of the Super Volcanoes we have in the country. From there, South to Jemez Springs and then further south through the Jemez Pueblo. Just an easy drive. When you get to Hwy 550, continue South and you'll get back to I-25 where you can head back North to Santa Fe.

There's definitely more to be seen. Let me know if you stumble across anything specific and I'll answer any questions if I know the answers! I think you'll have fun out here. Be warned, though. You'll be tempted to move here, if only just for the food!

--Wag--

[Wag]

Oh, I nearly forgot to mention, if you come in during the first full week of October, you can go check out the Balloon Fiesta. If you're planning your trip during that week, get your hotel reserved ASAP because if you don't, you won't find a place to stay. It may already be too late!

--Wag--

[abunaitoo]

Must be nice to just jump in the car, and drive someplace new.
Stuck on this rock all my life, I've seen just about everything.

[Hickory]

Must be nice to just jump in the car, and drive someplace new.
Stuck on this rock all my life, I've seen just about everything.

What, an island paradise and the natives are restless!

[rmark]

The art galleries along Canyon road off the plaza in Santa Fe are fun to walk through, visit the church as mentioned above, there's a public parking area about 1-2 blocks off the plaza. The shops on the plaza run from tourist t shirts to nice furniture. Santa Fe brewing has a small tasting area.

The Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque is October 6-14? so that might be a nice side trip but most of the event is early mornings before the wind gets up (midweek is easy, smaller crowds - and its where I'll be in two weeks, my 4th time to go)

[arlon]

if you like history Fort Union is about an hr drive east, Pecos National Historic Site is 30 minutes east. Both are very interesting. Get to see the Glorieta Pass civil war battle sight at Pecos. Some interesting history there. Bandelier National Monument is pretty nice if you like to walk. More history and interesting dwellings carved into the canyon walls.

[Echo]

Roger on Ft Union. We were just there a couple of days ago. Also - ABQQ is not too far, and the National Nuclear Museum there is Flamin' OUTSTANDING! Believe me, it is WELL WORTH THE EFFORT!

[Char-Gar]

There is much to see, do and eat in Santa Fe. The fall after the summer tourist season is a great time to go. I have been there many times and will do back, God willing. In fact it is my favorite town in this country, but I am a squirrely kind of guy.

I always stay in the La Fonda Hotel right on the square. It is a very old and historic place and a great place to people watch as well. Good places to eat come and go, so I am reluctant to name any as they might not be there, or have changed hands and the food not so good anymore.

[Don Purcell]

Wife and I will be at the balloon fest in Albuquerque next month. Taking a morning balloon ride for our bucket list.

[waksupi]

I stayed at some friends hacienda a couple blocks off of Canyon Road for a few weeks. I didn't even know there was a "new" part of town until I was nearly ready to leave. I did find one interesting place, I think it is called Jackalope. I remember they had a big pile of Mexican spurs for ten bucks a pair. Rancho de la Golondrinas is an interesting stop west of Santa Fe. Eat at small greasy spoons, great Mexican food. If you get to Taos, be sure to go out to the old pueblo, rather than just doing the town. Kit Carson's home and museum is also in Taos.

[arlon]

Roger on Ft Union. We were just there a couple of days ago. Also - ABQQ is not too far, and the National Nuclear Museum there is Flamin' OUTSTANDING! Believe me, it is WELL WORTH THE EFFORT!

I was there at Ft Union Tuesday afternoon..

[C.F.Plinker]

Wife and I will be at the balloon fest in Albuquerque next month. Taking a morning balloon ride for our bucket list.

Think about taking the first hop on the second wave. That way you get to see the first wave take off from ground level. Then when you are up in the air you will see the third wave inflating and getting ready to take off.

The second hop passengers travel in the chase vehicle until the first hop lands, then they board the balloon for their flight and the first hop passengers follow in the chase vehicle. The tickets can be pricey, but it is worth it.

[Don Purcell]

Thanks for the info guys. We are going with a bank group so I don't know yet how our place in line for the balloon ride will work. We have a final meeting for the trip this Tuesday evening so I will try to find out. Yes, it is somewhat pricey at $750.00 total for us both but a person can blow that much on something they don't want to like a car or house repair just to be right back where they were. At least with this it's something you WANT to do and will have the photos and memories.

[David2011]

The bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge is a must see. As you approach it looks like there's a guard rail for no particular reason, no hint of the gorge and suddenly it's 800 feet to the bottom. Georgia O'Keeffe's museum is in Santa Fe. I don't go to just any fine art museum but she painted New Mexico as she saw it and I like her work. Seeing Old Santa Fe is almost obligatory but it's a nice area. Northern New Mexico Mexican food has to be sampled. It has its own flavor and is unlike true Mexican or Tex-Mex, using lots of green chiles (not hot normally) in the food. You can even get green chiles on your hamburgers in northern NM.

A public highway (502) runs through Los Alamos Scientific Labs/ National Laboratory. I don't know what they have for the public but driving through to get from point a to point b it is a massive facility. There are museums; I just don't know if they are inside the facility or in town. The Valles Caldera (huge volcanic crater about 12 mi across, NM has lot's of old volcanoes) is beautiful. The entire area is beautiful and it's an easy day trip. The road goes as high as 10,500 feet asl and the views are spectacular. On another day Taos isn't far and the scenery around the ski area is nice - and the mountains are steep. The roads are typical mountain roads but it's pretty and you might think you transported to Switzerland.