Best day trip from ABQ? (condos, parking, different)

[Trkstp Tina]

I like EnjoyEP's advice above about sticking around ABQ.

And if you make ABQ your home, a nice little day trip is to see the Very Large Array (featured in the movie "Contact"). Another fun little day trip we took once was to visit a wolf sanctuary--can't remember where it is or what it's called exactly, but we headed west on 40 from ABQ, and it was maybe 20 minutes off the highway. Maybe a 2 hr. drive? A little Googling, and you can find it I bet.

There are lots of great day trips in NM, just be aware that they often take lots of driving. For instance, you might think driving 4 hrs. to see a wolf sanctuary is not worth it--but if you have that attitude, you probably won't see much in NM. You have to like driving through the wide open, empty spaces, and not find it boring. My husband and I like this kind of driving around and we love the scenery, so it works for us.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by Trkstp Tina

There are lots of great day trips in NM, just be aware that they often take lots of driving. For instance, you might think driving 4 hrs. to see a wolf sanctuary is not worth it--but if you have that attitude, you probably won't see much in NM. You have to like driving through the wide open, empty spaces, and not find it boring. My husband and I like this kind of driving around and we love the scenery, so it works for us.

So very true TT - your wolf sanctuary story sounds just like my wife and I driving the 1.5 hours to the "ice cave" / old volcano area nears Grants. You know what? I still think about how cool that "ice cave" is to this day - just out there in the middle of nowhere in western NM.

And yep, you've gotta love to drive. And drive. And drive. Long, barren desolate stretches. Fortunately for my wife and I, we found those stretches to be some of the most beautiful scenery that God could've scripted.

[El Perro Patron]

Originally Posted by jrod2828

I just got a cheap hotel in the center of town since we are going to be driving all over. The Suburban Extended Stay or something like that. It's close to the center of town.

I stayed at the Suburban last year for 4 days and had a pretty pleasant experience. The only problem with it is that there is nothing within walking distance. So if you're looking for a neighborhood where you can walk to shops or restaurants, that's not the place for you. Look for something near Old Town or UNM.

[GregW]

I remember the drive from Reserve to Magdalena as extraordinary. Living in the northeast views like that is just not possible. A 75 mph speed limit on a two-lane road is not possible either. Wonderful.

[bigduly]

Whenever I go to ABQ or to the casino (Sky City) I would always take Route 53 to Grants from Zuni. Just beautiful! You see all the beauty of the forest. I also thought about the ice caves, how cold is it in there. There are also plenty of bat caves near the Continental Divide.

[GregW]

When I get out there my motorcycle is going to get a LOT of miles. A LOT of miles.

[jrod2828]

Originally Posted by El Perro Patron

I stayed at the Suburban last year for 4 days and had a pretty pleasant experience. The only problem with it is that there is nothing within walking distance. So if you're looking for a neighborhood where you can walk to shops or restaurants, that's not the place for you. Look for something near Old Town or UNM.

Thanks for the info. If we stay at the suburban and drive places how is the parking in old town, nob hill/unm, dowtown?

[ziaAirmac]

For old town, you can try to find something along the street, but it's less trouble to park in the lot south of the Albuquerque museum and walk in. Downtown has parking structures, but I don't have trouble finding a streetside within a couple passes. They're working on a new parking structure in Nob hill, until then, it's street side or at one of the businesses that has available lot space (you should make an effort to stop in that business :-) ).

[mortimer]

ziaAirmac reported:

> They're working on a new parking structure in Nob hill, ...

Where is that? Is it related to the Central streetside condo thing going up?

[Towanda]

Just have to throw my two cents in here ...

I SO agree with Trkstp Tina and EnjoyEP ~ part of the fun of seeing interesting places all over New Mexico is the long long drives through miles and miles of wide open empty spaces which in my opinion are very beautiful and part of the fun of going places around the state.

Tina ~ I have not been to the wolf sanctuary but I have it on my list for the future.

And....I am quite a wuss and have only been to Sandia Crest from Cedar Crest in a car (and not a motorcycle or a bicycle ) but it is an awesome drive up and the view from the top is SPECTACULAR. Bring a jacket and a hat ~ it's cool and windy up there. Of course, bring a camera, too.