road trip

[scoami]

My wife and I are planning on driving to New Mexico over the Memorial day weekend. Any suggestions, places of interest, must sees, or places to stay? We plan on leaving Saturday morning and returning Tuesday. Thanks

[venchka]

It's a big state. Better give us a clue where you might be going.

Slightly off the beaten track: Chama for the steam train yard and/or ride the train.

The usual suspects: Santa Fe & Taos.

Bandelier National Monument if you like old ruins.

[jeffkohn]

What are you interested in? hiking? landscape photography? shopping? just relaxing?

We're doing a NM/AZ/UT roadtrip this summer and our stops in NM are going to be White Sands and Bisti Badlands. If there were more time I'd also consider the Santa Fe/Taos area. Chaco Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns woudl also be worth consideration.

[scoami]

thanks for responding, guys. We are loosely planning on staying around Albuquerque the first night and going from there. I would mostly be interested in landscape photography and the wife shopping . I've also seen some posts here about some sort of bird sancuary thats famous for lots of geese. I wouldn't mind going there either, if it's not too far.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by scoami

thanks for responding, guys. We are loosely planning on staying around Albuquerque the first night and going from there. I would mostly be interested in landscape photography and the wife shopping . I've also seen some posts here about some sort of bird sancuary thats famous for lots of geese. I wouldn't mind going there either, if it's not too far.

Get a real map of New Mexico and GOOGLE a bit and see what happens.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. There are web sites and lots of photos here at TFF. Are the geese there in the summer? I thought the place was a winterong over stop for migratory waterfowl.

If you like big cities, go to Albuquerque. I spend too much time in cities and go to places like New Mexico to avoid big cities. Santa Fe has even gotten too big for me.

If your wife likes to shop you might want to avoid Santa Fe On the other hand, the pawn shops in Santa Fe, and all over New Mexico, are great for native siver & turquoise jewelery.

It's a day from Richardson to Albuquerque. Ya'll aren't going to have a lot of time.

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by scoami

thanks for responding, guys. We are loosely planning on staying around Albuquerque the first night and going from there. I would mostly be interested in landscape photography and the wife shopping . I've also seen some posts here about some sort of bird sancuary thats famous for lots of geese. I wouldn't mind going there either, if it's not too far.

For landscape photography, I would recommend getting this book. I"ve found all 3 volumes extremely useful for planning our trip, but for NM you'd just need vol 3.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

For landscape photography, I would recommend getting this book. I"ve found all 3 volumes extremely useful for planning our trip, but for NM you'd just need vol 3.

You are a cruel person, Jeff. That book, a 7x17 camera and a couple lenses, and a LIFETIME would be just about right.

[MRCPix]

take a day trip north Sante Fe is only 60 miles north or Alb on I-25 she will love the shopping and you will love the scenery.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by mikeN80

take a day trip north Sante Fe is only 60 miles north or Alb on I-25 she will love the shopping and you will love the scenery.

Agreed. Once you get there, stay off the Interstate highways and see some really pretty country.

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by venchka

You are a cruel person, Jeff. That book, a 7x17 camera and a couple lenses, and a LIFETIME would be just about right.

No kidding. Going through all three volumes and realizing just how much there is to see and do in the 4 corners region makes me want to pack up and move west.

[ShutteredEye]

If you're hanging around Albuquerque, make sure you hit Old Town. Also worth the trip is the Tram up to the top of the Sandia's. If you want good authentic New Mexican cuisine in a charming old hacienda, check out El Pinto. Extremely worth it. http://www.elpinto.com/restaurant/

Also if you have time for a side trip up north a bit, Chaco Canyon is about 2.5 hrs from Albuquerque. Mesa Verde is about 4 hours from Albuquerque.

Originally Posted by venchka

Agreed. Once you get there, stay off the Interstate highways and see some really pretty country.

Another great town to explore that has some amazing old spanish architecture is Las Vegas, which is about an hour north of Santa Fe on I-25. (well actually west of Santa Fe on I25 North. LOL)

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

No kidding. Going through all three volumes and realizing just how much there is to see and do in the 4 corners region makes me want to pack up and move west.

Having grown up there and moved away, I agree. The amount of stuff to do, sights to see etc, is incredible. I always look forward to going back to visit.

But I'm not sure I'd want to live there....

[venchka]

GOOGLE for the list of National Parks & Monuments in New Mexico. Tent Rocks is a new addition and close to both Albuquerque & Santa Fe.

Sunset & the city after dark are fabulous from the top of the tram. Don't miss it. Take your tripod!

Jeff: Amen! I need to get back while I still have a stash of Kodachrome.

[xseption]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

For landscape photography, I would recommend getting this book. I"ve found all 3 volumes extremely useful for planning our trip, but for NM you'd just need vol 3.

Thanks for the book tip!

~ edd

[MyKey]

PIE TOWN - NEW MEXICO - USA!

Its in the middle of NO WHERE but has to be the best dang pie I have ever had!

Almost to AZ in the middle of nothing. :)

I can't wait to get back!