Top ten attractions (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Carlsbad: ski resorts, apartment complexes, condo)

[AngelaFLA]

Hi guys, Ignore earlier posts, we decided on Albuquerque for our big move from south Florida. Made our first trip last September loved it, will be returning this June, trip is booked can't wait. We did the tram, balloon fiesta, Santa Fe, and Durango Co. thing, just wondering what are your top 10 things (attractions) to do in the Land of Enchantment. Also how hard will it be to find jobs in the pool business and condo maintence businness.

[Lovehound]

Santa Fe has the best Mexican food bar none. I would love to eat myself to death in Santa Fe. Okay I'm kidding, but their Mex food is the best I've ever had.

[Towanda]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

Santa Fe has the best Mexican food bar none. I would love to eat myself to death in Santa Fe. Okay I'm kidding, but their Mex food is the best I've ever had.

Do you like New Mexican food as well? Can't beat that in ABQ / Santa Fe either.

Mexican food is okay, but New Mexican food is awesome.

[Towanda]

My Top Ten things to do/go/see in the Land of Enchantment:

(Hard to restrict it to ten, and it could change any given day)

1. Jemez Mountains

2. Abiquiu

3. Enchanted Circle (Taos, Angel Fire, Red River, Eagle Nest, etc.)

4. Turquoise Trail (Madrid, Cerillos, etc.)

5. Acoma Pueblo/sky city

6. Sandia Peak

7. Drive through Glorieta, Pecos, Las Vegas

8. El Malpais National Monument

9. Raton Pass

10. Just for fun - one of the casinos - Camel Rock is the one I have been to the most

[kensgirl]

Hi, Angela and welcome to NM. Here are some of our favorites and not in any order:

- Jemez Mountains/Bandelier
- Hwy 14 - Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe
- Driving up to Sandia Crest
- We enjoy going to all the museums in ABQ and Santa Fe - our family really loves the zoo, aquarium and botanic gardens and the Children's Museum.
- River Rafting in the Rio Grande Gorge
- The Enchanted Circle is so big, it really is 3 or 4 favorites. Just the drive up, whether you take the high road or the low road is spectacular. In summer, we do the chair lift rides at the ski resorts, winter is skiing, going out to eat is a year round activity! We also love going to Wild Rivers to hike.

This year we want to do the Cumbres and Toltec train (if they clear the snow on the tracks!).

As to jobs, there are homes with pools in the area, but when we had a pool liner replaced, it didn't seem that there were too many pool companies to call(certainly nothing like FL). As to condo maintenance, there are condo and apartment complexes in the city. They are around the city, but there are concentrations in the NE Heights and again on the West Side.

Good luck with the move and enjoy your next visit!

[Devin Bent]

Welcome and the lists above are great.

A few minor tweakings;

If you go to Las Vegas, take the time to drive around a little and look at the buildings and to stop in at the Plaza Hotel -- an interesting slice of New Mexico and western history from the days when the railroads came. Some nice inexpensive restaurants in town -- not a bad place to stop for a meal and rub elbows with the locals or sometimes people working on a movie. There's a restaurant in the Plaza, a good Italian restaurant, and a new Brew Pub opening up.

If you like cold, clear water then Nambe Falls can be a nice place for a family picnic. Green and wet with a spectacular walk to the falls -- it is a change from much of New Mexico. The Nambe Indians will charge you to enter, but by the car, so it is reasonable for a family and usually uncrowded. (Last year it was $8 for a car.) Fourth of July will be crowded.

If you take the scenic railroad from Chama -- be sure to do it on a nice day when you can ride in the open car -- spectacular views straight up and straight down. (Edit after the fact -- this is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad recommended by jazzlover below and kensgirl above.)

Low road (68) to Taos -- stop off at Sugar's for BBQ or the restaurant at Embudo station (across the river) for a sit-down meal.
High road -- take 503 East from 84/285 for the first section and either
1) cut north through Chimayo stopping to see the Sanctuario and its healing powers or
2) take 503 all the way to its end and go through up a couple of old villages looking somewhat like the past.


Have fun

[jazzlover]

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama--one of the most scenic and historic railroads in North America (Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad ).

[Towanda]

Devin ~ Thanks for your posts about Nambe Falls. We have never been there, so it goes on the list of things to see later this year after our move.

[6 FOOT 3]

Angela....well since the others mentioned Northern NM then i'll go to the Southern part of NM if you ever go down there from ABQ.

1. Ruidoso and Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway
2. Great White Sands National Monumant
3. Carlsbad National Caverns
4. Elephant Butte Reservoir
5. Silver City and the Geronimo National Scenic Byway
6. Valley of the Fires State Park
7. Very Large Array Radio Observatories
8. Old La Mesilla
9. Sunspot National Observatory
10. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

[Devin Bent]

Great list also, 6/3

If I were in ABQ, I'd go north (typically higher) in summer and south (typically lower) in winter. Kind of ideal.

Mountainous (higher) areas in the south would also provide a break from summer heat.