Jsykes

Have booked a 9 day (first visit) trip to Sante Fe. Early planning suggests day one in Sante Fe then a potential "circular tour" El Camino Real de Terra>>Kasha-Katuwe>>Tent Rocks>>Valles Caldera>>Manhattan Project>> Bandalier National Monument>>back to Sante Fe>>then Pecos return to Sante Fe. Google maps suggests ~ 375 miles. Would appreciate thoughts on the above itinerary re (i) additions/omissions (ii) overnight stays (iii) Sante Fe locations. I have seen photographic recommendations for Alberquerque and south, but too ambitious to cover on this trip?

TIA

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

I suggest you look at this site: https://www.newmexico.org/

I’d skip the Valles Caldera. Personally, having lived in Española for several years, I’d spend more time in Santa Fe and hit places like Chimayo. I know there are some New Mexicans on this forum. They may have more current information.

Jsykes

Many thanks

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

I can only speak about Bandalier National Monument and Tent Rocks, both are definetely worth a visit.

BillCanon Loc: Los Alamos, New Mexico

I visited the Los Alamos area 3 years ago and never left. There are countless photographic opportunities in this area as well as all of New Mexico. The hill road entrance to Los Alamos alone is world class awesome.
Your itinerary is a good one, you won't be disappointed with any of it. Here is a mesa that I pass by daily. Also, a casual Sunday drive between Los Alamos and Whiterock, illustrating a lone remnant burned out tree from a recent wildfire.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

You should include Taos in your itinerary.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Those are all excellent choices.
Bandalier and Tent Rocks are awesome.
If you can somehow find a way try and fit Abiqui and Ghost Ranch into your trip. You wont regret it, especially if your a Georgia O'Keeffe fan.

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Absolutely!!!

gfpresley Loc: Florida

I would add the following:

San Francisco de Asis Church, Rancho de Taos. This is the closest thing to Mecca for visual artists (Paul Strand, Ansel Adams, Laura Gilpin, Georgia O’Keefe). Built in 1815, it has been a magnet for just about every photographer who has traveled west of the Mississippi. It’s claimed that this is the most photographed and painted church in the world.

Taos Pueblo. It’s the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and a National Historic Landmark. The apartment style adobe architecture has been inhabited for over 1000 years and is totally fascinating.

Rio Grande Gorge. This is a 650-foot deep scar cut into the earth by the relentless pounding of the Rio Grande River. We will hike to the river (and back, hopefully) while shooting the spectacular landscape and fast flowing river. A wonderful location for sunrises.

Abiquiu Area. This location, near Taos, has been made famous by Georgia O’Keefe and her Ghost Ranch. We will explore and photograph some of the spectacular red rocks that inspired O’Keefe and visit the Ghost Ranch Visitor Center and Museum, the very interesting and little known White Place and Echo Amphitheater, a dramatic overhanging natural sandstone amphitheater.

Las Vegas, New Mexico—a picturesque western town with friendly inhabitants and over 900 historic buildings, often frequented by the likes of such desperados as Billy the Kid and Doc Holliday.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

You might want to stop by El Rito and see where the not wealthy live. Sleepy little town with some old and interesting buildings.

Big Yankee Fan

1) West of Albuquerque follow the remnants of the old Rte. 66. Like a time capsule.
2) Acoma Pueblo is spectacular but you have to purchase a permit to take pix.
3) Some very cool little box canyons with ancient Indian ruins on the Navajo Reservatioin if you know where to find them.
4) Take Railrunner train b/n Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and other points if you don't want to drive.
5) Very Large Array. Forget where it is. I think not far from Bandolier. Hundreds of square miles of open space devoted to one of the largest radio antennas anywhere.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Very large array is west of Soccoro and probably about 3hrs from Santa Fe.

gwcole

I loved Taos and Chimayo. My wife is a weaver and the standing looms there are cool. The Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the U.S. - several hundred years older than St. Augustine, Florida. They don't give tours but you can get beautiful pictures of the exterior. There's also a beautiful adobe church that Georgia O'Keefe loved to paint. I don't know if The Coyote Cafe is still open in Santa Fe but it was great.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I would strongly suggest a visit to the Rancho de las Golondrinas just south of Santa Fe. It's a working museum, full of interesting people and activities. I stopped for what I thought would be an hour and stayed all afternoon!

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Coyote Cafe and the Blue Corn Cafe are or were excellent. As far as I know Coyote Cafe is open but the Blue Corn Cafe is closed. Not sure if its permanent or not. I hope not.
The Mine Shaft in Madrid is still open and makes awesome spicy Margarita's and Green Chile Cheeseburgers.
Gabriel's, between Santa Fe and Espanols is excellent and has amazing views from the outside balcony and deck.
I love New Mexico. LOL.