Albuquerque to Durango vs Durango to Denver for a child? Weather? August (Colorado Springs: home)

[doss1]

I posted another question here about things to do near/in Denver with 3yr old -- thank you very much for the suggestions.

However, we also have the opportunity to fly into Albuquerque rather than Denver in order to get to our Durango destination. I see that the time required to drive from ABQ to Durango is half that of what it would take from DEN to Durango.

So, with that said....we thought of the following:

Option A

- Fly into ABQ and drive same-day to Durango and spend 4 days there.
- After Durango, drive to Denver area and spend two days there, then fly from Den back home.

OR

Option B

1 - Fly into ABQ and drive same-day to Durango and spend 4 days there.
2 - After Durango, drive back to ABQ area and spend two days there, then fly from ABQ back home.

Questions:

What option would you do considering that we are traveling with a young child? What about weather in teh ABQ at this time of year? Will it be too hot?

Also, our flight from home to ABQ is a layover flight of 1hr, but the flight from home to DEN is non-stop and only 2hrs. However, driving from DEN to Durango would add about 3-4hrs more to the travel time vs ABQ. In a nutshell, is it just better to stick around in the Durango/ABQ area vs Durango/Denver?

Thanks!

[SkyDog77]

The Durango Silverton rail is really fun, but I think 3 is just on the young side. It’s a long ride, but very scenic. If your kid is more on the patient side, i would highly recommend it.

There is loads of hiking in the Durango area as well.

I have to think there are far more kid specific things to do in Denver than the other options simply because it’s a much bigger city. I’ll caveat that by saying I’ve never been to ABQ with my kids, just for work, so I don’t know what it has to offer. If you make that drive you can stop through Taos and Santa Fe. Both are cool, better than ABQ in my opinion.

[interloper1138]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

If you make that drive you can stop through Taos and Santa Fe. Both are cool, better than ABQ in my opinion.

Both are great towns in their own ways, but they are very much out of the way for a trip to Durango. OP is considering flying into Albuquerque because it's a much shorter drive to Durango than from Denver. Taking multi-hour detours kind of defeats the purpose.

OP, I don't think the weather will be too different. Both towns are at roughly the same altitude and have similar weather patterns. If you can get a flight for near the same price to either city, I'd pick ABQ in a heartbeat simply because it's far less time in the car that you have to keep a kid entertained.

The only thing the Denver route has over the ABQ route is that it's (subjectively) more scenic as you go over multiple mountain passes. You would also have many more opportunities to stop in various towns along the way. (Again, defeating the purpose of trying to save time).

ABQ is my vote!

[EastwardBound]

OP, in response to both of these posts, unless there's something you specifically want to see in Denver, in all reality it's another city and when in Colorado, there are many other things to do/see besides the city. If you decide to fly into ABQ, you can drive up to Durango, as you stated, then on your way back to Denver, there is plenty to see.

You can take the southern route, which has Pagosa Springs, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Salida, Buena Vista or Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

Alternatively, you can go up 550 to Silverton, Ouray, Glenwood Springs and over to Denver.

I understand from your post that perhaps you want to spend the last few days in Denver to be nearer the airport for your flight, but I would consider stopping at one of the spots I mentioned and experience more outdoor/mountain stuff over Denver. Just my personal preference.

I also second the recommendations on perhaps squeezing a day in in Santa Fe or Taos if possible.

[Mike from back east]

I like Plan A. You'll get to see mountains like you've never seen before and IMO worth the extra planning.

[reed303]

If you come up to Denver via Colo Springs, the 3 y/o would surely enjoy a visit to Santa's Workshop near the Springs

https://northpolecolorado.com/

[AirborneVespa]

Originally Posted by doss1

What option would you do considering that we are traveling with a young child? What about weather in teh ABQ at this time of year? Will it be too hot?

There are thousands of kids in that age range in the ABQ area. They're fine.

[MrGuy]

I would do Albuquerque. I think theres plenty to do in the two days you propose spending in Albq. The children's museum there is actually quite good (and so, so much less crowded than the one in Denver).

They also have the zoo and aquarium, and you can do the tram. Theres also a cool ice cream place on Carlisle (if I recall) that is awesome for kids.

The drive from Dgo to denver is long for the kids, that time would be better spent chilling for an extra day in dgo.

Have fun, Durango is awesome. Go hit the water park if you like swimming through Rapids!

[DurangoJoe]

Plan A is the best bet. ABQ is much closer to Durango than Denver and is half the distance.