Overnight trip - grandma, mom and two kids (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: hotel, restaurants)

[cynanthus]

My mother is coming to visit in a few weeks and I would like to take her (and my two early elementary aged children) somewhere for the weekend. We'd probably leave Saturday morning and return Sunday night. But I'm stumped on where to go. My kids and I have been to all parts of the state, but my mom has only seen Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, and the Acoma Pueblo.

Something that involved showing off our gorgeous state, spending a bit of time in the outdoors and ended in a decent hotel with a pool would probably be best. Any suggestions on what direction to head or where to go?

[aries63]

Las Vegas is good for an overnight trip. You can check out the Plaza area, the Rough Riders Museum is good for all ages, have dinner in the Plaza Hotel, go up to the Montezuma Castle and hot springs pools by the side of the road. For breakfast or lunch, try Charlie's **** and Span Bakery & Cafe on Douglas Ave. The Best Western Montezuma Inn & Suites has a small pool. Memorial Day weekend, there can be lots of motorcycles everywhere so be careful. On the way there or back, stop in at the ruins at Pecos Monument. Fort Union makes a nice little sidetrip from Las Vegas, you can see the ruts from the Santa Fe Trail.

Just one idea.

[GreatSantaFe]

I'd recommend heading to Jemez Springs, with a stop at the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos (opens at 1:00pm on Fri thru Monday, otherwise 9:00am) and then the Bandelier National Monument (maybe do one on the way out and the other on the way back). It's a relatively short drive, with JS less than 75 miles away. There's at least one lodging place with an outdoor pool in Jemez Springs.

[Towanda]

One of my favorite trips that I like to take visitors is the Enchanted Circle up through Taos, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, (side trip to Cimarron), Red River, and Questa. Beautiful scenery and things to stop and do along the way.

However, if you are doing it on Memorial Day weekend, there will be about a million morotcycles in the Red River area.

If there is time, you can take the high road back from Taos, and a stop in Chimayo is always an added bonus.

Abiquiu and that vicinity is also a good choice.

[aries63]

I usually recommend Jemez Springs also, but not on such short notice for a holiday weekend. Unlikely to find vacancies.

[Dancingearth]

Roswell, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands. Kids of all ages love White Sands--not sure how hot it will be in a few weeks. It depends on how far you want to drive for a weekend. I really want to go to Silver City--I hear it's nice but have never been there.

[Disco Inferno]

The only thing I can recommend is Santa Rosa. Blue Hole, Park Lake, Santa Rosa Lake. Plus there are "old route 66" restaurants. My venturing out in this state is slim. I'm also familiar with Clovis and Portales, but its just like being in Santa Fe and Albuq.

[bongo]

How about to Chama & the Cumbres and Toltec railroad ride? I find the red rocks north of Abiquiu toward Chama one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the state.

[loborick]

Originally Posted by Disco Inferno

The only thing I can recommend is Santa Rosa. Blue Hole, Park Lake, Santa Rosa Lake. Plus there are "old route 66" restaurants. My venturing out in this state is slim. I'm also familiar with Clovis and Portales, but its just like being in Santa Fe and Albuq.

Clovis and Portales are just like Santa Fe and Albuquerque? Are you serious? Clovis and Portales are small, dusty, hot in Little Texas. They have more in common with Lubbock than New Mexico. Santa Fe and Albuquerque have greenery, beautiful mountains, much to do...that has to be one of the most ludicrous statements I have ever read.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by bongo

How about to Chama & the Cumbres and Toltec railroad ride? I find the red rocks north of Abiquiu toward Chama one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the state.