OT: New Mexico & Texas Panhandle travel recommendations requestd

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Flying in and out of Albuquerque next month to visit gf's family in Amarillo. TX is taken care of between family, rodeo, "Texas" at Palo Duro Canyon, BBQ, Cadillac Ranch (Anything else?)

I've never been to NM, but the basic plan is Albuquerque/Santa Fe/Taos on the back half of 10 days. Our splurge is a 2 night special that's already been booked at Ojo Caliente Spa. We are flexible budget-stretchers who enjoy all the Boneyard OT food discussions and will therefore enjoy Mexican & BBQ along with nature & culture.

Any and all specific or general musts (to see OR avoid) would be appreciated. I got my best tips for post-summer Cape Cod here last year. Thanks in advance.

Would either Roswell OR Truth or Consequences (or anything else along that way) be worth changing the Albu-to-Amarillo arrival route for a day?

 

[sammydabiz]

Roswell, has some alien stuff as you would expect, mainly a college town (ENMU)

The white sands were pretty cool too, .....if your lookin to let loose... J-town might be an option, but in the current climate (beheadings/ cartel) I prolly wouldn't go, but if you do, you're almost certain to come back with a story.

NM overall.. Is beautiful place scenery wise especially along the mountain range. But east of that into west tx, not much of anything.....Great pistachios

Edit- j-town is Juarez, across the rio grande from El Paso

 

[UConnKev]

I went to New Mexico State in Las Cruces. Which is 3 hours south of Albuquerque. I have made the drive from CT to Las Cruces 4 times so I've taken a lot in, obviously. The drive from Albuquerque to Amarillo is extremely boring. Both Amarillo and Albuquerque are relatively boring cities to visit. You will undoubtedly love Santa Fe, it is beautiful as is Taos.

Roswell is what it is. A tourist trap.

If you are looking into some great areas to visit I would look into visiting Las Cruces and especially Old Mesilla. Ruidoso is beautiful mountain town that has a nicer casino area. In between Las Cruces and Alamogordo I would definitely take in White Sands National Monument. You'll love it.

If you decide to go into southern New Mexico let me know. I'll give you some great restaurant suggestions.

 

[boba]

Guadalupe National Park, particularly McKittrick Canyon is pretty cool (scenic wise) but very warm this time of year. Be sure to go to El Paso's Chinatown (they built the railroads) if you pass through. If you're there when the bats fly out of Carlsbad, it's quite a sight.

 

[UConnKev]

Some of my best stories from college came from my time in Juarez. You couldn't pay me enough to cross the border now.

 

[Kitaman]

I stayed here in Santa Fe for a couple of days on my way to Las Vegas (driving from CT): La Posada

I booked my wife a wonderful massage at a local spa (I'm a cheap arse) and not the resort. Splurged with the savings on first class dining. As far as to dos, lots of indian culture to see, however its somewhat sad to see them peddling at the local markets (think poverty). Nice restaurants in Sante Fe and of course architecture. Would love to go again if it wasn't so damn far.

 

[Mots010]

In Taos, eat at Orlando's just off 64 north of downtown. Best red chili i've ever had. It's a local favorite.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Flying in and out of Albuquerque next month to visit gf's family in Amarillo. TX is taken care of between family, rodeo, "Texas" at Palo Duro Canyon, BBQ, Cadillac Ranch (Anything else?)

I've never been to NM, but the basic plan is Albuquerque/Santa Fe/Taos on the back half of 10 days. Our splurge is a 2 night special that's already been booked at Ojo Caliente Spa. We are flexible budget-stretchers who enjoy all the Boneyard OT food discussions and will therefore enjoy Mexican & BBQ along with nature & culture.

Any and all specific or general musts (to see OR avoid) would be appreciated. I got my best tips for post-summer Cape Cod here last year. Thanks in advance.

Would either Roswell OR Truth or Consequences (or anything else along that way) be worth changing the Albu-to-Amarillo arrival route for a day?

The Taos Pueblo is pretty special. Essentially the oldest condo in the world! The drive from Taos back to Sante Fe along the river was beautiful as we were there in the Fall. The art walks in Sante Fe were fun too if you like that stuff. If you are in Albuquerque during a baloon festival that is a must see.

 

[UConnKev]

Please eat plenty of green chile for me when you are in New Mexico.

 

[Hugo]

The Taos Pueblo is pretty special. Essentially the oldest condo in the world! The drive from Taos back to Sante Fe along the river was beautiful as we were there in the Fall. The art walks in Sante Fe were fun too if you like that stuff. If you are in Albuquerque during a baloon festival that is a must see.

Definitely visit the Taos Pueblo if you have the time. It really defines what Taos is. In one of the few gift shops in the Pueblo, we met the owner who spent many years in Waterbury and still goes back once a year to visit relatives. And yes he follows the Huskies.

Santa Fe is a great visit with many museums, native art, galleries, excellent dining and a relaxing atmosphere. Good high end hotels and numerous B&B's near the plaza. You can walk a good portion of the city and enjoy the many side streets and the Southwestern architecture. We spent 3 days there last year and never saw everything we would have liked to see.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Thanks for all so far. Surprised no one has mentioned this . . .