New Mexico Trip: I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in...

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in the group could give some ideas about good photo ops and places to stay. We have our accommodations for Albuquerque so we are looking for other towns to visit and places to stay especially Santa Fe

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

While in Santa Fe, take a short trip north to Taos--lots of photo ops there & at the Indian Reservation. There's too much in Santa Fe to begin to mention. It's a great trip. You'll enjoy the entire time.

kruchoski Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Zaydewise wrote:

I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in the group could give some ideas about good photo ops and places to stay. We have our accommodations for Albuquerque so we are looking for other towns to visit and places to stay especially Santa Fe

¡Dios mío! Don't get me started! If there are places I rave about more than New Mexico, they could only be Utah or Brasil!!

So, that said...

You can paste the following into the search box of Google Maps (maps.google.com): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40121047/Mikes_Picks.kmz (no need to download the file)

Alternatively, you can download the file, then open it (File > Open) in Google Earth. Sometimes there are linked photos available on Panoramio.

Many (but not all) of the local sights can be previewed using the Google Maps 'street view' feature.

I'll eventually get a pic or two of each location into a special online photo album to accompany the kmz (map) file: https://picasaweb.google.com/108162824833995898877/Mikes_Picks?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Tu amigo en la fotografía,

"Miguel" :-)

kruchoski Loc: Albuquerque, NM

jaymatt wrote:

While in Santa Fe, take a short trip north to Taos--lots of photo ops there & at the Indian Reservation. There's too much in Santa Fe to begin to mention. It's a great trip. You'll enjoy the entire time.

Obviously, the Plaza. And Canyon Road (it's within walking distance).

If you venture north to/toward Taos, take the 'High Road' https://picasaweb.google.com/108162824833995898877/High_Road_2012_06_26?authuser=0&feat=directlink through Chimayo.

Nick K Loc: Long Beach CA

Try old town Alburquerque, White sands and the mountains in between

Zaydewise wrote:

I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in the group could give some ideas about good photo ops and places to stay. We have our accommodations for Albuquerque so we are looking for other towns to visit and places to stay especially Santa Fe

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Zaydewise wrote:

I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in the group could give some ideas about good photo ops and places to stay. We have our accommodations for Albuquerque so we are looking for other towns to visit and places to stay especially Santa Fe

Acoma. My favorite New Mexico venue. Check for feast days before you go as you can't get up there then and one sometimes overlaps with balloon festival.

2thfxr

For wildlife pictures, I would go to Bosque del Apache wildlife refuge down by Socorro. Hundreds of sandhill cranes winter there. I stayed in Socorro and drove out to the refuge before sunrise and got great pictures of the birds waking up and flying off for food. I went back to bed and the came back for the sunset return of the birds. Check with the rangers there to see if the birds are back when you are in NM.

waykee7 Loc: Cortez, Colorado

Zaydewise wrote:

I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in the group could give some ideas about good photo ops and places to stay. We have our accommodations for Albuquerque so we are looking for other towns to visit and places to stay especially Santa Fe

As Edward Abbey said, "fairest New Mexico!" The Bisti Wilderness in the north part of the state is a surreal landscape. It can be really hot in the summer, and it's tough to walk in if it's wet, but that said, it's a 50,000 acre wilderness that's a photographers delight. Take a GPS or have skill with a compass or a map tho because it's EASY TO GET LOST. Not many landmarks, and it's big country. The Bosque del Apache, as someone mentioned, is fabulous, but the sandhills usually leave just before Valentine's Day.

janb

Zaydewise wrote:

I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in the group could give some ideas about good photo ops and places to stay. We have our accommodations for Albuquerque so we are looking for other towns to visit and places to stay especially Santa Fe

You won't get very much rest with just 8 days. Just west of ABQ El Malpais National Park, fascinating lava beds & tunnels, wear good solid hiking shoes. Taylor Mtn., Bandolier National Park & the Tent Rocks, a sturdy hike & awesome. You will definitely want to plan another vacation there just to visit all the Indian ruins.

Hoops12751 Loc: Lexington, KY

You will love everything about NM! To really capture the best of the Balloon Fiesta make sure you get there before sunrise - and be sure to see the "after-glow" event in the evening! Get a copy of Efrain' Padro's book A Photographers Guide to New Mexico. He breaks down every part of the state by section and tells you were to capture the best images. It is invaluable if you are going to really use your 8 days to capture the essence of this great state.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

jaymatt wrote:

While in Santa Fe, take a short trip north to Taos--lots of photo ops there & at the Indian Reservation. There's too much in Santa Fe to begin to mention. It's a great trip. You'll enjoy the entire time.

And it's a much shorter trip from Sante Fe to Bandelier National Monument. Take a look at www.flickr.com/photos/BandelierNPS for some idea of what you will see there, but the main attraction in my recollection are the abandoned cliff dwellings.

coyotecall Loc: New Mexico

"Where to go?" should be more like "Where NOT to go?" when looking for shooting opps in NM....the sky above will take up a 4G card. One can make a career of shooting here. (We live in the East Mtn. area exactly in between Santa Fe and Abq. 35 miles each way) Once you get here ask anyone and you will get 1000 directions. "Places to stay?" Better book well in advance, EVERYTHING gets booked for the Balloon Fest. (call us if you can't find anything..505 281 4824). We rent out our two spare bedrooms to good people on special occasions.

Zaydewise wrote:

I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in the group could give some ideas about good photo ops and places to stay. We have our accommodations for Albuquerque so we are looking for other towns to visit and places to stay especially Santa Fe

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

Zaydewise wrote:

I am going on a trip to New Mexico in October for the balloon races but we also want to explore state. We will be in NM for about 8 days and I was hoping someone in the group could give some ideas about good photo ops and places to stay. We have our accommodations for Albuquerque so we are looking for other towns to visit and places to stay especially Santa Fe

The tramway up to the Sandia peak in Albuquerque is nice.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

banjonut wrote:

The tramway up to the Sandia peak in Albuquerque is nice.

As is a hike along Sandia Crest. Whether by car or by tram that is a worthwhile trip - and I'd recommend both.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

High road to Taos, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge just out of Taos, Enchanted Circle (Taos, Red River, Angel Fire, Taos.) Torquoise Trail (Highway 14 Alb. to Santa Fe). Bisti Badlands. Chama area (steam train, mountain vistas, wild life.)

Bill