New Mexico Tips and Links

There’s so much to see and do in New Mexico outside of Albuquerque (in fact ABQ was my least favorite place) that you’ll need to rent a car to get the most our of your trip.

Tips and Links:
- There’s a new train that runs from ABQ to Santa Fe, the Rail Runner. So if you are stuck without a car, you can still get from ABQ to Santa Fe.

- We stayed at two places in the Heritage Hotels family and really liked them. They have several other properties in the state that look equally as nice and are under/around $100 a night.

- I was very surprised to learn that New Mexico has quite a few wineries with tasting rooms open to the public. And the wine is pretty good!

- Santa Fe is very small. If your hotel is near the main plaza you’ll be able to walk anywhere in town. In ABQ you’ll more likely need a car or have to take plenty of cabs as the city is pretty spread out. The Nob Hill area, on Central Ave (Route 66) is a lively are by the university with lots of bars and restaurants.

- Taos is even smaller than Santa Fe, but it worth a visit to the Taos Pueblo. There are also several skiing areas nearby.

- If you plan to visit Pueblos like Taos and Acoma, check the times carefully. Even if they are still “open” they may not be taking in any more tours after a certain time, or they may be closed for special ceremony days. You’ll need to pay a camera permit fee if you want to take photos. Taking videos is not allowed. Be respectful of the fact that you are touring a community – don’t go poking around someone’s house like I saw one couple doing!

- New Mexico is very strict on drunk drivers. Not that you’d want to be drinking and driving anywhere, but you really don’t want to get caught doing it here.

Other than visiting ABQ and Santa Fe and checking out some Pueblos and wineries, things to see and do in the area include:
- Sandia Peak – there is an aerial tram that is the longest in the country and take you to the top of the mountain.

- Casinos – every reservation has one, but these small casinos are nothing like the ones in Vegas

- Tent Rocks National Monument – pretty cool rock formations with hiking trails.

- Hot springs - there are several scattered throughout the state.

Other towns to visit include Jemez Springs, Las Vegas, Las Cruces, and Truth or Consequences

Total Trip Cost:
Round trip flight from ORD to ABQ on American - $260
5 nights in hotels - $725 (this is more than I would normally spend, but I had to stay at Tamaya for my conference)
5 night Enterprise car rental plus gas - $200
Spending money for food and drink for 5 days - $200
Pueblo admission fee, wine tasting - $20
Total for 5 days in New Mexico - $1405