The thing I would do in Albuquerque is the Sandia Tramway summer or winter. http://sandiapeak.com/index.php?page=tram-hours-of-operation
In the west end of the city you have a zoo, arboretum and the aquarium. There are several museums in the western part of the city. The bus service was good when I was there last.

Yes, skipping ABQ would be a shame. I would do 2 days in each. Snow is very scarce so far this year.

I always think it's a crying shame to miss out on the local culture, whether it be in Paris or Albuquerque. There's a very interesting Indian Cultural Center in ABQ:

http://www.indianpueblo.org/

I agree with DebitNM. Albuquerque has a lot to offer, and I would spend a couple of days here - at least the day you arrive and most of the next day before heading to Santa Fe.

Lee Ann

With all due respect to DebitNM - IMO - Albeq is just another city and I prefer to spend the most time out in the Sante Fe's and Taos of the world - and points in between, such as Chimayo - or up to Rocky Mountain scenic Chama.

http://tinyurl.com/a6vjlpd

You know Tom, with all due respect, that is such a ridiculous statement.

There are many excellent things to see and do in Albuquerque; to just wipe it off the slate with a broad sweep is really unfair.

Santa Fe and Taos have their place. Before moving here, I visited several times. I enjoyed a bit of time in both Santa Fe and Taos but there are just as many great things in Albuquerque too.

December is going to limit outdoor activities [hiking, climbing, biking] to snow related things.

Just a few things to see and do in ABQ:

BioPark including Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and Aquarium.
Museums
National Hispanic Cultural Center
Casa San Ysidro
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Acoma Pueblo
Jemez Springs
Tent Rocks

just to name a few.

I agree with Debit et al. Many wonderful things to see in and around Albuquerque. We've visited the area at least 25 times over the last 30 years, as we have relatives there.

Thanks guys! I've added a night in Albuquerque and took a night away from Taos. Seems like there's not a ton in Albuquerque, but old town and taking the tramway up to Sandia Peak for dinner sounds sound like a nice way to start the vacation. Thanks again guys!

Don't have dinner at the top of the tram. And keep in mind the top of the tram is going to be very cold.

Hi, fsuguy92. Given how warm the winter is so far, I'm sure you are concerned how that might impact your winter sports activities. I share a similar concern with an upcoming vacation (a bit later, in January). To maximize snow, I'd vote for Taos over Albuquerque. But without snow, that would be too long in Taos. And if you have not been to Albuquerque, it deserves at least a day.

If at all possible, you might try for "Plan A" and Plan B." If it stays this warm and dry, you'll find some fine alternatives in Albuquerque. As much as I like the area, I do have to agree that it has grown into a big urban sprawl just like many other cities. But, encapsulated within all that, you can still find wonderful gems.

Watch the weather, and try to make some reservations that can be changed or cancelled accordingly.

The BioPark and the science museum are great . . . but thinking they'll hold little attraction for a 20 y.o. Ditto Taos Pueblo. If you're not going to ski and won't let junior drive off to Angel Fire or TSV without you, Taos will be horrendously dull for him.

With all due respect to Tomsd, I actually find ABQ more interesting than Santa Fe - maybe it's because we see enough of the "old West" type of towns here in California. Coming from FL, however, you may find Santa Fe more charming to wander through.

Also I find Taos Pueblo way overhyped while the Acoma Pueblo is a lot more interesting. Just my two cents.

sludick has given you very good advice on having alternate plans.

If you get to Taos - do try to take the Enchanted Drive - Ring of Fire - above Taos - past Angel Fire resort, etc Very beautiful, and the drive to the Taos Ski resort is also very pretty.

see: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-enchantedcircle.html and

http://www.city-data.com/articles/Enchanted-Circle-Drive-Taos-New-Mexico.html and

http://www.onroute.com/drives/drives_enchantedcir.html

And easyt: Not sure what "old west" type towns you are referring to here in California?

Other than Virginia City - is there something else of major interest? I don't count the ones way out in the middle of the Mojave desert - nor have I ever felt the draw of turning off to Bodie - by Bridgeport.

Now - driving along Hiway 49 - where you have the Victorian themed towns in Gold Country - that is authentic - but that's not really "old west" - at least IMO.

I have never known The Enchanted Circle to be called Ring of Fire. Can you clarify?

Tom: You don't have to drive out to the boonies to visit an "old West" town in California. There's even a reconstructed portion of the capital, Sacramento, called "Old Town". Plenty of small dusty towns in California with some remnant of the old West.

Didn't say I don't like Santa Fe, only that I like ABQ better.

Whether it's Old Town Sacto or Santa Fe, it's the all spruced up touristy feel that I personally don't particularly like.

That's what he always calls it, DebitNM.

For the OP - the Enchanted Circle is a lovely drive if the roads are clear. It would be a good way to spend a day in the Taos area, especially depending on snow conditions at Taos Ski Valley. http://www.enchantedcircle.org/

Lee Ann

Geesh. Enchanted Circle to be precise - but just fyi - here is how Angel Fire got it's name. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_Angel_Fire_New_Mexico_get_its_name

The article that the link goes to does not use that term; two different things.

It can be confusing to use the wrong term/name. If someone wanted to do further research, that name would be incorrect and misleading.

Now that you know better, just call it Enchanted Circle, ok?

>>Now that you know better, just call it Enchanted Circle, ok?<<

We can always hope...

Lee Ann

I always thought the Ring of Fire referred to the series of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean.

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/ringfire.htm

However, we could locate all those volcanoes to New Mexico if the locals there don't object.

We have enough of our own, already! Thanks for the offer, though

Are you all elementary school teachers?

who, moi?

Nevah!

I have driven the New Mexico "Ring of Fire" and while it was 100 degrees down below, it was snowing up at portions of the "ring" (temperatures slightly exaggerated, snow, not so much).

Debi: don't say we didn't offer to share the volcanic wealth with you.

LOL. I guess seeing the Ring of Fire display at Poas Volcan in Costa Rica some 25 years ago made an "indelible impression" on moi? http://tinyurl.com/atg8ce4

And for those who may be wondering - here is the real "Ring of Fire" - the Volcanic ring around the Pacific.

http://tinyurl.com/b3749yq

BTW - DebitNM: Hey- I had a rI did not in any way mean to malign Albeq. It's just that when I travel - I like to get out to the countryside - but it in the US or Europe or Central America, wherever.

Gosh - that got garbled: Here is it:

BTW - DebitNM: Hey - I had a roomie at the AF Academy from Albeg - and he told me some great stories about your city.

Ergo - I did not in any way mean to malign Albeq. It's just that when I travel - I like to get out to the countryside - but it in the US or Europe or Central America, wherever.

Garble dos? Supposed to read - be it - in the US.................

And I thought "Ring of Fire" was a Johnny Cash song!

I love New Mexico. Have been many times over the last 8 yrs. We also like ABQ. I especialy like Route 66 where it is Central Ave. in Nob Hill, and the strolling, architecture, and great dining, and shopping in that area. The Hyatt Tamaya resort just outside of ABQ at Santa Ana Pueblo is a very very special place; we've stayed in a lot of resorts but there is nothing quite like that one anywhere that we have found.

I can easily spend 4-5 days in Santa Fe. It is such a great walking town, so much culture, history, natural beauty, restaurants, live music, art, museums. And we have skied up on the mountain just outside of Santa Fe in January, it was great also, just the right speed for us.

I am somewhat ashamed to say that in spite of around 10 trips to Santa Fe, we have never made it to Taos. We keep saying we are going to go, but we get tied up in all those thigns above in Santa Fe, and never have made it.

One thing we really enjoyed was the drive from Santa Fe back to ABQ by way of going to Bandalier, then up the hwy to Valle Caldera (phenomenal, very unusual place) and on to Jemez and the Red Rocks where we stopped to hike, then into Bernalillo and back to ABQ. That drive and visiting Bandalier and short hike in the Red Rocks took a whole day. It might very well be too snowy in Dec. to do it. But in March it was one of the best and most diverse travel days of our lives.

Tomsd, I home school, and I live here in New Mexico. Accuracy is important to me when discussing an area, as bad advice and incorrect names, locations, etc. given out by posters is confusing and makes people not want to come to a website like Fodor's for suggestions and advice.

Lee Ann

emd3, did you mean the red rocks in Jemez Canyon, or Tent Rocks? Your route sounds like Jemez Canyon, but the capitalization confused me.

Lee Ann

If weather permits, I'd second a trip to Bandelier. It is only an hour or so from Santa Fe and well worth the trip.

I meant the Red Rocks on the route past Jemez, going towards Bandalier. I am not sure of the name of this spot, but it is well marked from the road (it is on the left side as you come into the red rock area, and there are a few stores on the right side of the road there wher we bought some drinks for our hike). There is a parking spot, a park plaque w/some info, and picnic tables and you can start hiking from there.

OK, that's what I thought. It's pretty there!

Lee Ann

I think that route from Santa Fe to Bandalier and on to Valle Caldera and Jemez and the Red Rocks and back to ABQ should be on some list of the greatest drives in the USA. That is a seriously extraordinary drive - from desert to alpine forest and the caldera and on to the red rocks, in one day. Amazing changes in geography and scenary.