Albuquerque Travel Forum

We're planning a return trip to NM that will probably have us in Santa Fe for 6 nights and Albuquerque for 3. We pretty much just flew in and out of Albuquerque last time so I'm doing a lot of reading about what to do while we're there - have decided for sure on Petroglyph NM, Sandia Tram, Acoma and a little R&R in Old Town and looking for more, if we can fit it in. What am I missing?

Was looking at booking the Clubhouse Inn as they have decent rates for big rooms, balconies (which we like) and are not too far from Old Town, museums, etc. but I read in another posting that Menual isn't a great area. How bad is it really? Any better suggestions?

No problem with an agenda for SF - will go back to Bandelier and Chaco for some hiking, an art cruise on Canyon Road, a day trip up to Taos, etc. Would be fun to hit some of the wineries I'm reading about in other posts! And I can't wait to do that drive over the mountains to Chaco again - that was a high point of the last trip!!!!

We'll be driving directly to SF the quick route, when we fly in, but would Turquoise Trail be a good route back to Albuquerque? We'll have time to putz a bit on that drive and we haven't been to Madrid yet.

Thanks for any advice ya'll might have for me!!!

If you need something else to do, it really depends on your interests. If you're into dining and/or nightlife, you should get down to the Nob Hill area and just walk around a bit, which is Central Avenue from about University east to Carlisle. Similarly, the western part (west of the railroad tracks) has a bit of a bar scene.
Otherwise, there's a fantastic museum of anthropology on the UNM campus and, last time I went, it was free. If you're willing to drive out to Acoma, you can also hit El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments. El Morro is just an interesting rock while El Malpais is huge fields of ancient lava. Also, don't forget about the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens, zoo and aquarium. It's a really wonderful place.
No, Menual isn't a good area, unfortunately. It's safe to stay in, but you can't really walk around there. Several hotels in Old Town. The ones on Central Avenue are generally terrible, although the Monterey gets good marks.
Chaco isn't really a hiking destination. It's a ruins site stuck in a desolate canyon that's really somewhat magical. It's worth seeing, but, for hiking, you should probably look at some of the national forest trails around Santa Fe.
Madrid and Cerrillos are cute towns. Madrid has several art galleries and you can certainly kill some time there. Cerrillos is sort of an Old West styled town.
You may also want to try to get to Chimayo. Gorgeous spot, and on the way between Santa Fe and Taos.
hth

Yes, we did Chimayo last time and will stop there again for lunch. Actually, there's really only one hike, to a ruin at the top of the canyon, that we want to do at Chaco plus we just want to see the place again 'cause we both love that canyon and the drive over the mountains was gorgeous!!!

Thanks for the info on Menual - was afraid of that. Will have to try and see what's available - for a decent rate - nearer to Old Town, I guess. Getting a handle on safe areas has been a challenge!

In Albuquerque, you can go to Sandia Crest. It's absolutely beautiful up there! I love nature and it was gorgeous!

Here's a link with a few photos: http://www.turquoisetrail.org/sandiacrest.htm

Menaul is not a "bad" area, you just can't walk to much from there. There are several good motels on that stretch just east of University avenue. There is a popular restaurant there called the Range Cafe.
The Hotel Albuquerque is in Old Town, but prices there are probably a little higer.
There are a couple of good hikes at Chaco. One goes up to the ledge overlooking Pueblo Bonito, the other goes to a nearby outlier on the western mesa. I don't know what mountains you drove over to Chaco since it's pretty flat on the way. Maybe you are thinking of the "high road" to Taos from Santa Fe?
There is a nice hiking area, Elena Gallegos open space, right in Albuquerque on the east side up against the mountain. Hike the Domingo Baca trail and in about an hour you will reach a canyon with a creek and trees.
See my home page for some ideas for Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Happy trails!

Yes, the Turquois Trial would be a nice drive. It's much prettier than I-25! There are many shops to browse in Madrid (prounced MAA-drid for some unknown reason).
If you haven't been to Shidoni Foundary (about 5 miles north of Santa Fe on Bishop's Lodge road), it's worth a trip. There is a large outdoor scupture garden and also a glass blowing studio on the same grounds.
In Santa Fe be sure to visit the Nedra Mettucci gallery where there is also a very nice outdoor sculpture garden.
I don't know where you are staying in Santa Fe, but the Hotel St. Francis is my favorite. It is right downtown.
At the very end of upper Canyon road there is an Audubon nature center with a 1 mile loop walk and visitor center. This is a couple miles up from the art gallery area.
There is a really nice Whole Foods store in SFe with a huge deli assortment.
Also there is a smaller deli, Kahune's, near the capitol buiding...also a good coffe shop next door. I can also reccomend the Chama River Steak House near the capitol.

Yup, it's that hike to the top of the canyon, overlooking Pueblo Bonito, that we want to do. We did Chaco about 9 years ago but didn't get that one done. Will also try the other one you suggested. I think we took 96 (through Youngsville, Coyote, etc) over the mountains and down to where it connected with 550, and then 550 to Nageezi, It took longer than going 25 to 550 but was just beautiful, good road and hardly anyone on it. There was one heck of a gorgeous lake up there too (Abiquiu Dam area?). We took the faster route going back at night. :)

We're on for the Turquoise Trail!!!!

Manual is ok, plenty of places to eat and you can get to any area of the city fast from Manual.Try Richard's Mexican Restaurant 3301 Menaul Blvd NE
Phone: (505) 881-1039 the food is great and shoping in the area is good. I ride my bike on the bike trail in that area and no problems.
Turquoise Trail is a nice drive. The Bio Park,Zoo or hike the River Trail all close to Old Town. Downtown has good shopping and food.
Try Casa Rondena Winery 733 Chavez Road NW, with tasting room and wine shop a nice drive and close into city.