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(TGA) - Travel - I'm looking to visit N.M mid June for eight days. We are planning to rent a car and travel through this state. Last year we did a similiar trip in Arizona. We're thinking of starting in El Paso and then on to Carlsbad Caverns. the next stop would be White Sands and then on to Albuquerque. After Alb. then to Sante Fe and Taos. We are very interested in visiting Native American sites and be able to shop for genuine Native American art and not Chinese rip offs. We also would like to go to fairs, flea markets, etc. And, maybe even a Pow Wow. Where should we look for genuine native american beads, rugs and fetishes? Our interests are: river rafting level 3 or less., anything Native American, learning about the legends of N.M., appreciate the art, architecture and beauty of this state.
thanks
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We have a bias against spending more time behind the wheel than at your destination, so just remember that although New Mexico only gets one page in the U.S. Atlas, it's the 5th largest state in the Union. Your schedule is ambitious we think because of all the driving you're going to do. If possible, recommend that you try to break your trip into two trips -- one in southern NM and one in the northcentral part of the state.
Regardless, we can offer a few recommendations: white water rafting is huge in North-Central New Mexico. Class 3 or less means that you'll want to go on the Chama River. Contact any outfitter such as Los Rios River Runners and they'll give you some schedules. The trips down the Chama are through part of "O'Keefe Country" and are nothing short of spectacular scenery.
Visit the actual Pueblos to shop for authentic items. Taos Pueblo, the only inhabited World Heritage Site in North America, is great for just that sort of thing. Santa Fe has more shopping choices, but that's part of what it's all about: buying and selling and shopping. If you prefer something more down to earth, try the Pueblos.
We're sure you're going to get lots of other suggestions from the others who post for New Mexico. No matter what: we hope you have a great time.
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With 8 days, you can see and do some...not everything. It sounds like most of what you want to see is in Northern NM. I would save Carlsbad Caverns f and White Sands for another trip.
Day 1 Arrive Abq. Stay near Old Town
Day 2 See Acoma Pueblo, Petroglyph Nat Mon,
Day 3 Drive to Santa Fe via Turquoise Trail.
Day 4 Santa Fe all day
Day 5 Raft Trip
Day 6 To Taos via High Road. Chimayo, Truchas etc.. See Taos Pueblo
Day 7 To Bandelier Nat Mon, also visit Santa Clara Pueblo for pottery. then on to Albuquerque for the night.
Day 8 Alb and home.
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There prob will be rental drop off charges between El Paso and ABQ. From ABQ it's a 2 hours longer drive than from El Paso though.
1. ABQ and to White Sands if your plane arrives in time.
2. White Sands and to Carlsbad
3, Carlsbad Caverns
4. Drive to via ABQ/Sante Fe via Roswell. Will take 4 days then
From El Paso:
1. EP to Carlsbad
2. Carlsbad Caverns
3. CC to White Sands
4. White Sands to ABQ/SF.
Also 4 days.
The Caverns and White Sands belong to the highlights of NM but, as mentioned before, it's a lot of driving.
Did you have a great time on your 2007 trip to AZ?
Tet
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I think it is doable, but better if you concentrate on the Northern part of NM. Taos Pueblo is good, and there is good rafting in the area, esp. the "Taos Box". You may want to check out rafting trips that originate in SF or Taos.
If you drive from El Paso, you will probably enter Las Cruces, which is a nice small univeristy town, with the "Old Town" area in La Mesilla. This could be your first overnight, then on the next day to White Sands/Carlsbad. Maybe an overnight nearby, then to ABQ. A stop at Old Town ABQ, and the pueblo museum. Up to SF late in the day, do overnight, some time left in SF and then Taos.
Since it is a large state, it may be better to return the car to SF or ABQ and fly out from there.
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For authentic native american art make sure you visit the native american vendors under the portal at The Palace of the Governors lots of jewelry and pottery and other items. Very regulated and a lottery is held every day to determine which vendors will be there that day.
Keshi a store at 227 Don Gaspar st sells mostly fetishes.
As far as rugs they are very expensive usually, there is a auction held in Crownpoint NM near gallup every month I think but not really sure on the details.
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You remembered me! Yes! we had a wonderful time and this was a memorable trip. We developed a deeper apprecation of Native American Culture that we decided to go back to New Mexico and continue where we left of in Arizona.
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Tet: The previous message was meant for you and I did want to express my appreciation for you for your help back then. That trip was nearly perfect, except for the uncomfortable accomodations in the Hogan at Monument Valley. We ended up leaving the hot, humid hogan and rented a motel room in Kayenta at 12 midnight. Even so, this worked out well for us the next day. Because we were back in Kayenta and there we found the local flea market and we both had a fun time there. Thanks again for 2007.
Roman
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Can't remember I recommended the hogan but it must have been real bad if you wanted to change it for Kayenta -lol- Yes, the flea market is neat.
You'll have a great time in NM. Always a must visit to us as well on our travels. I wouldnot want to miss the Caverns and White Sands and be sure you'll watch the bats fly out at dusk from the cave's mouth in the NP.
Best time for a visit to White Sands is late in the afternoon with a ranger tour and stay Las Cruces or Alamogordo. Bring sunglasses, a brimmed hat, water and slop on sunscreen. It's gypsum, not sand and it a spectacular place. Great visitor center should not be missed either imo.
Tet
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“ New Mexico Trip revision ”
Apr 13, 2010, 2:28 PM
After reading the other comments I have modified our trip. We are planning to be in N.M on 6/6/2010 and stay until 6/20/2010. Here's what we want to see and do:
To see:
Albuqerque, Sante Fe, Taos, Gallup, White Sands, Carlsbad, El Paso, Los Alamos, Ruidoso and maybe Las Cruces and Roswell.
To do:
White water rafting,
sightsee,
attend a Pow wow ,if available,
shop at local native american flea markets and trading posts,
visit a reservation
Enjoy the various vistas of NM
Here's the tentative plan:
Start at either Sante Fe or Alb--- for two days
next Taos and off to Gallup --- for one day
Gallup on 6/11 for the Indian rug auctions--- for one day
south to Las Cruces--- for one day
then to El Paso--- for two days
off to Carlsbad--- for one day or two
next to Mescalero for both . Whilte Sands ..Ruidoso---- for two or three days
then wend our way north to Albuquerque by the back roads in the hope of find something unique.
Leave Albuquerque on the 20th
This is a tentative plan and I would once again appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Thanks
Roman
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Not sure why you want to stay in El Paso for 2 nights. With the wonderful places in NM I'd leave a visit to El Paso for another time but that's just me.
South of Carlbad Caverns is Guadalupe Mountains NP (see the photo in my avatar). It will be hot there and it's a hiking park. You can't drive through.
Between Alamogordo and Artesia is a very nice drive via Cloudcroft (at 9000 feet) and just north of Carlsbad is Living Desert SP worth a visit.
North of Ruidoso are places like Valley of Fires NRA, Smokey Bear SP and historic Lincoln all worth visiting. And don't forget VLA (Very large Array) west of Socorro, and wonderful little places like El Morro NM south of Gallup. So many things to explore.
Tet
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