New Mexico Road Trip (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: rental car, rental, camping)
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As part of my Southwest trip, I'm going to New Mexico in March. I choose Santa Fe only because like my other threads I've never been there, so I really have no idea if those are good places to see.
Can someone tell me:
a) if these are great places to see
b) suggest things to do in each area
I'm in my early 30's --- and like fishing, outdoors, hiking, sports, eating healthy food, drinking unique beer, drinking wine, bars/music/jazz all great.
I'll have a rental car. And there's no time limit on my trip.
Thank you all.
Last edited by TravelChange2012; 12-11-2012 at 09:41 AM..
If you are flying in to the area, you may consider flying in to Albuquerque, renting the vehicle there, see some of the sights, driving the 60 miles to Santa Fe, and whatever.
So you think I should fly to Albuquerque and drive to Santa Fe?
Possibly yes.... And drive through Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (New Mexico) - The Perfect Day Trip between Santa Fe and Albuquerque But it depends on you. But how did you plan on getting to New Mexico? If you are coming across Interstate 10, there some things to see there. Or you could fly in to El Paso, drive up I-25 all the way to Colorado. Or if you fly into Denver, there is a lot to see driving down I-25 to Santa Fe. Etc, etc, etc...
Quote:
Originally Posted by TravelChange2012
What is there to do in those areas, in your experience?
I have lived in the Albuquerque area 14 years. I first visited New Mexico 44 years ago. Yes, I am old. Guess where I retired...
The three web sites I pointed you to is a good overall guide.
By all means check out Santa Fe for a day (maybe 2), then see what NM is really all about.
1. ABQ has world class beer at La Cumbre Brewing Co
2. The San Juan River just below the Navajo Dam has world class trout fishing
3. Should be snow enough for world class skiing in March at Taos Ski Valley
4. You'll find more bars/music/jazz in the ABQ area than SFe
6. Ponderosa Valley Vineyards is a fun place to visit - not sure what it's like in Mar tho
5. I have more suggestions, but I don't know what sports you like to participate in
6. Hiking will be warmer down in southern NM - check out the Organ Mts
Sports? I mean I really will do anything, but I mostly hike, jog, I play football, softball. Not much into water, but I enjoy the beach. Wish I could be more help, really, it's just that I'm starting to travel with zero experience because I simply want to see what else is out there in the US.
Added Organ MTS to my list for sure but it seems like a drive from santa fe/abq
I'll have a rental car. And there's no time limit on my trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TravelChange2012
Added Organ MTS to my list for sure but it seems like a drive from santa fe/abq
So, sounds like you are wanting to limit your NM visit to just north-central NM then?
From ABQ to Las Cruces (Organ Mts) is only 3.5 hrs
March is great for skiing around north-cental NM, no so great for hiking since there is still snow in the mts. If you want to be outside camping/hiking etc in warmer weather, June would be better.
You have the car. Get a Road and Recreation Atlas from Benchmark Maps. Pick random places and drive to them. I suggest the sunspot observatory, the VLA, the NMT Museum Mineral display and possibly a short jaunt to Antalope Wells.
N8! - really?? What about April? The thing is, I am going to arizona as well, and austin, during this trip, and assumed the weather in those areas are generally warm, so march was best
but i prefer not to hit any place any time its cold, not a fan of the cold
how can I massage the trip route so its warmer in NM?
Unless you get deterred by cooler temps, from Santa Fe go to Taos, using the high road one way & 68 or the low road the other way. Don't miss the gorge.
Still snow in March along the high road with Sipapu ski area open. Usually sunny!
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Road trip
