Albuquerque/Santa Fe

[mjohnson]

Rancho de Chimayo is worth it for the scene and the drive, absolutely. Especially so now that we're late in the summer when you'll get a few storms making atmosphere over the Sangres.

Crime doesn't seem to have changed much - I think it's better than it was 10-15y ago, especially near the air base. West valley I can't speak to... Just don't be stupid. It will be clear when you shouldn't be somewhere, and many of those places have gentrified over the last decade or so and have great shops and restaurants. (Looking at you, Ta Linn market and Coda Bakery at the Central/Louisiana intersection. BTW probably not worth a detour but the bahn mis at Coda are killer good.)

[fintstone]

We prefer Albuquerque...but stay out of the few bad parts of town at night. We have a second home in Albuquerque and a rental (both in the far northeast corner of town. This is a view from the back deck looking east and then the front looking west then east.

[look 171]

The tram is a must. We really enjoyed it. The kids were kicking our butts hiking around. A ton of nice smaller restaurants in Santa Fe. We just pick one then try another for dinner. ABQ was OK, we just hung around the university because we were there for a graduation few years back. Typical Mexican food if you ask me. But then again, We have a ton of great Mexican foods out here, so we are spoiled.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by daepp

Also, not unlike many places, lots of drug crime these days there - practice situational awareness, esp. at night.

S/F and Taos - where it's at!

We were told that too by the graduating young man. Stay near by and don't go to places where you shouldn't be.

[Rtrorkt]

Sky City, the oldest continually occupied place in the US. https://www.hiddennewmexico.com/blog/sky-city

[golfnutjtl]

I like Cafe Pasqual’s for brunch and La Choza for dinner.

[notmytarga]

Balloon Museum - try a simulator

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by look 171

The tram is a must. We really enjoyed it. The kids were kicking our butts hiking around. A ton of nice smaller restaurants in Santa Fe. We just pick one then try another for dinner. ABQ was OK, we just hung around the university because we were there for a graduation few years back. Typical Mexican food if you ask me. But then again, We have a ton of great Mexican foods out here, so we are spoiled.

The university area (on Central) is essentially the bad part of town. Where one goes to get in trouble (where a lot of Breaking Bad was filmed), find drugs, or a prostitute (so I am told). Of course, college students have little choice if they live on campus and are walking or riding a bike. It does tend to give the town a bad name as lots of folks never explore any farther (the airport is there).

Depending on where they work, many folks that can afford it generally try to live in the far northeast area where they can commute to Kirtland AFB, Sandia National Labs, or the Airport without having to cross the Rio Grande River as thoroughfares bridging east and west are restricted by the river and petroglyphs and those are packed during rush hour. It is generally the safest area with the best schools...but, real estate is expensive. There are also some nice older areas along the north and south Rio Grande valley where people have old water rights that allow them somewhat unrestricted agriculture.

There are some decent restaurants in the Nob Hill portion (on Central near the University) but IMHO there is certainly better. We lived in Albuquerque and rarely went there to eat. Because of the college and nearby Air Force Base, there are brew pubs and similar to cater to a younger crowd, but those are really not fine dining.

[HobieMarty]

https://youtu.be/e8TUwHTfOOU


I knew I should've taken that left turn in Albuquerque!!!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by look 171

...We have a ton of great Mexican foods out here, so we are spoiled.

Yes, you are spoiled. We're actually pretty short of proper Mexican food down here, maybe a few good "mariscos" places at best. NMex is good fare but at some point you have to acknowledge that we're a big empty state with few people and even fewer dollars (some wealthy transplants and tourists aside).

I did some training recently in Anaheim (sp?) and I was floored at how many different things and cultures that I could eat within a 10 mile radius. Not that I really want to live there but the visit was awesome.

Now it's off to warm up some tamales with red chile for breakfast!

(and the spell checker needs a NMex mode where "chile" is actually a word - maybe I'll have chili in the midwest or, shudder, Texas but it's chile here gosh darnit!)

[Seahawk]

I should have mentioned that Magdalena has a few breakfast places that are good. Socorro is where I would stay then hit the cafe's in Magdalena for breakfast.

It has been a while, so I really don't remember the names.

Again, I like to drive and hike in the Southwest. Makes me happy.

[PorscheGAL]

Neither my sister nor I have never been to NM. My husband has only seen it during Ranger School and he still says we will love the landscape (if he can find beauty while suffering through that training, I'd say its a good sign). We plan a trip every August with the intent of going to a city we have never seen. We are staying at Ojo Santa Fe.

I have sent her a link to this discussion. The balloon museum was a hit for her.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Daves911L]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

There are some amazing drives south. Leave early for Socorro, hit route 60 to Quemado, north on 36 to 117 then I 40 or rural roads back.

5 and 1/2 hours total. You'll drive by the VLA. Amazing roads and country. Back for lunch.

I have a good friend who is a 918 owner. That’s one of his favorite circuits. He makes the trip in a little less time than you. Doesn’t take long to go through the VLA at 200+.

[Daves911L]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

Thanks for all the advice.

It is an unusual landscape, or collection of landscapes. Doesn’t really look like a anyplace else.

Something I haven’t seen mentioned yet is you can drive from abq to Santa Fe via hwy 14. It’s much more interesting than the I-25 quick shot. Sandia crest (10.000’ overlook over the city) is a side trip off hwy 14. Madrid is a small and quirky tourist stop on the way to Santa Fe.

Also not mentioned yet is Pecos natl. monument, and the road up to cowles. Similarly, the drive up to the Santa Fe ski basin offers amazing vistas and nice walks at the top. Spa 10,000 waves is along that route.

I wouldn’t stress too much over the abq crime comments on here. They are not wrong, but the pachucos tend to mostly pick on each other. Frankly, I find them more fun to be around than the self important artists, pretend cowboys and snippy effiminate waiters in Zhannnta Fay

[shinrai]

Go have a coffee and light breakfast/lunch at Java Joes if you're a Breaking Bad fan

[fintstone]

If you can't find great food...cheap...in Albuquerque, you are simply not trying. We actually go there for weeks at a time as sort of a foodie extravaganza...and never hit them all. Some don't even have place to sit inside. There are tons of little cafes and dives that we come back to over and over.

Here is one that is on the other side of the tracks...that you would never find if not a local. Their tamales are better than homemade...but best to take home (or back to your room) to eat.

https://www.elmodelomexicanfood.com/

[fintstone]

Another place I like to go (from Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul fame):

Not exactly gourmet, but I still enjoy the experience (and a footlong chili cheese dog/chili cheese fries). It is one of the first drive-ins in NM.

[daepp]

Originally Posted by mjohnson

Rancho de Chimayo is worth it for the scene and the drive, absolutely. Especially so now that we're late in the summer when you'll get a few storms making atmosphere over the Sangres.

I couldn't agree more - a very spiritual place, to say the least!

[scotricker]

Well, I live in Santa Fe, so I guess it's required that I participate. I like La Choza, long wait, no reservations, good food. Green Chile. So the question is , do you like green chile ? It's sort of hot sometimes, and most of the places mentioned are famous for the chile. Tomasita's at the train station, where you'll be getting on the StarGazer train is also excellent, no reservations, good margaritas, green chile, there we go again.
But if you might want to experience some of the other food choices, take a look at Tune-Up Cafe, Harry's Road House, The Rio Chama Steak House, The Bull Ring, Palace Prime, Coyote Cafe, note, they are two separate places, Coyote Cafe is nice elegant, get a Martini, and Coyote Cantina is fun, loud, outside rooftop covered patio, and if you go there I highly recommend the Jalapeno Poppers , best in town, and super fun.
The weekends in Santa Fe will be busy downtown at the Plaza, with art shows, and sometimes live band free concerts in the evenings. Also, the Railyard district, bars, restaurants, live bands, fun, busy, locals go there, Oh, wait, don't forget Maria's , green chile and margaritas, and The Shed, but we get the red chile there. Here's the Must Get It, don't miss this, get a Frito Pie at the 5 and Dime on the Plaza, then you'll be a real local Santa Fean. And the fajita guy right there on the corner of the plaza is awesome, been there forever. I hope to help, not too confuse too much?

[Jolly Amaranto]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

It's my understanding Santa Fe is the home of the first breakfast burrito,

There are a lot of places that claim that. Both Austin and San Antonio, Texas are heavy contenders. All I know is that back in the late 1960s most any boy scout camp out in Texas was not complete without a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and salsa wrapped in a tortilla. We never had a name for it so I guess it was not a burrito.

Years ago we had a favorite Mexican Restaurant down near Santa Fe Plaza but it was gone the last time we visited. Ended up at the Coyote Cafe and was not disappointed.