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My wife and I moved out to the Santa Fe area (Eldorado), in Dec. of 2009.
Since this will be our first summer here, as residents, I have a question to ask?
Now I'm sure downtown Santa Fe, will be quite crowded.
I'm pretty sure that Taos, and other parts of New Mexico, will be equally as crowded.
So here's the question:
What are your favorite spots, within a 1-2 hour drive of Santa Fe, that generally are NOT overrun with summer tourists?
Any helpful hints/suggestions, will be GREATLY appreciated!!
P.S. I won't tell a soul.
Steve
To address the original OP, Gearhound, a drive out from Cuba to the Crownpoint Navajo Rug Auction is an experience, with a stop along the way at Chaco Canyon. It's a little further than a short drive, but very interesting territory, especially in early spring when it is still cool. If you don't want to drive back to Chaco, simply stop right along the road at the Pueblo Pintado ruin, which is part of the anasazi Chaco culture. Crownpoint Navajo Rug Auction, Crownpoint, New Mexico
Doesn't much matter to me if I have been here for 2 years or longing to get here for 40.
I just want to be a good citizen and contribute to make this city a better place for my being here.
And that's all I expect of others. I have met many wonderful lifelong residents of Santa Fe, and many wnderful newcomers. I don't really keep track of time as though that were the important thing.
When I lived in Los Alamos here are some summer activities we enjoyed...
Go to Valle Caldera National preserve and take one of the many gorgeous hikes (west of Los Alamos) in a huge sunken valley/old volcanic crater. Wildlife abounds in the protected area and there are NEVER crowds.
Hike in White Rock Canyon (south of Los Alamos) for some spectacular river canyon hiking that is surprisingly challenging.
Drive up to the Ghost Ranch area north west of Espanola near Abiquiu for some hiking...amazing high desert scenery, rock patterns and colors are unbelievable. Out of all the places in the world I've hiked the area near Abiquiu is number 1 or 2 because of the feeling of remoteness while still being relatively close to SAF, the striking colors and patterns in the rock. There is a reason Georgia O'Keefe became famous painting scenes from the Ghost Ranch area...
Los Alamos itself is great for a day trip. Check out the Fuller Lodge and History Museum, the history of the Manhattan Project is fascinating, and the museum helps you fathom how the area converted from a boys' school to a secret government science project and what it was like to live there at that time. The Bradbury Science Museum is also not to be missed.
Bandelier National Monument does get crowded in summer, but many people don't go to the separate Tsankawi Unit, which is also really beautiful. You park right on the side of highway 4 to get to it, between White Rock and 502.
Don't forget to go to White Rock itself and follow the signs to White Rock Overlook, a spectacular view over the Rio Grande Valley.
A visit to the Santuario de Chimayo is also a nice daytrip from Santa Fe. Make lunch reservations at the Rancho de Chimayo. I still haven't been there since they reopened.
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