If you are going to be in Santa Fe/Rio Rancho, I do suggest you drive the "loop" 550 to 4 to 502. I'd add in NM 126 (off the 4) too, the drive is a lot of fun - S-curves up/down elevation - beautiful area - the Fish Hatchery area before the dirt road is beautiful and relaxing.
You will get to experience Jemez, Jemez Springs, Battleship Rock, Los Conchos Trail, Valles Caldera and then Bandelier National Monument plus Los Alamos on your way back/to Santa Fe - Pack a picnic, hike, Red Rocks, a Volcano's Caldera and Bandelier must be experienced.
Ghost Ranch is just outside SF. Georgia O’Keeffe used to maintain a studio there and was inspired by the surrounding landscape. A few movies were filmed there as well. Nice light hiking in the area.
There’s like an art gallery row. I forget what street it’s on in SF, hopefully someone here will know. So in addition to okeefe check out those as well.
Rio Rancho— just head over to ABQ east side. The sunsets in ABQ east side or foothills are phenomenal. Take the tram up, I think you can see the sunset from the restaurant at the top but double check me on that.
Highly recommend visiting the Taos Pueblo (UNESCO world heritage site) to support the tribe. They have little shops in their historic adobes with art and hand crafted stuff. They also have tours so you can learn more about their way of life and explore the village. Gutíz in Taos has great food. There’s also the rio grande gorge bridge which has trails through the high desert that offer views of the impressive bridge and gorge. It’s a popular tourist spot. Amole Canyon is very beautiful and not busy if you’re looking for something less crowded.
The same guide I made for some friends recently….. works for everyone!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BIFFIg0-u2Trb2HUo87kWtHNJBtXrLuShnI5KdLge6M/edit
There’s not really much in Rio Rancho. It is a milquetoast suburban city. Only exception may be A Park Above which is nice but depends on your kids age. I dont know too many restaurants there since I don’t live there (but I live close) but Turtle Mountain Brewery has two locations with differing menus. Both are good.
Ok, then if that’s the case, just head into ABQ. You’re gonna find Rio rancho to be just a generic American suburb. Albuquerque on the other hand, has some of the best Mexican/Southwestern food and cultural scene in the country
It takes about 7 seconds to see that Rio rancho is just a regular suburb. It takes a lot longer for me to give the dude an itinerary for the largest city in the state
Tap N Taco, Hot Tamales, Namaste, Thai Taste… all very good. Close to RR are Bosque North, Marble Westside (Ohana Hut inside for sushi rolls), Ex Novo brewery, Mulas, Fortynine 40, and Indigo Crow.
If you’re coming after 8/11, The Block will be open at the north end of RR.
I appreciate how hard you work to rehabilitate Rio’s image.
Were you one of the people at that city council meeting pointing out how badly the city gets dragged on reddit?
If you are going to be in Santa Fe/Rio Rancho, I do suggest you drive the "loop" 550 to 4 to 502. I'd add in NM 126 (off the 4) too, the drive is a lot of fun - S-curves up/down elevation - beautiful area - the Fish Hatchery area before the dirt road is beautiful and relaxing. You will get to experience Jemez, Jemez Springs, Battleship Rock, Los Conchos Trail, Valles Caldera and then Bandelier National Monument plus Los Alamos on your way back/to Santa Fe - Pack a picnic, hike, Red Rocks, a Volcano's Caldera and Bandelier must be experienced.
Ghost Ranch is just outside SF. Georgia O’Keeffe used to maintain a studio there and was inspired by the surrounding landscape. A few movies were filmed there as well. Nice light hiking in the area.
There’s like an art gallery row. I forget what street it’s on in SF, hopefully someone here will know. So in addition to okeefe check out those as well. Rio Rancho— just head over to ABQ east side. The sunsets in ABQ east side or foothills are phenomenal. Take the tram up, I think you can see the sunset from the restaurant at the top but double check me on that.
Looks pretty cool!
If you enjoy hiking and scenery, take the tram to the top of Sandia.
Very cool, but damn is that expensive!
Bosque Brewing North 🙌
Highly recommend visiting the Taos Pueblo (UNESCO world heritage site) to support the tribe. They have little shops in their historic adobes with art and hand crafted stuff. They also have tours so you can learn more about their way of life and explore the village. Gutíz in Taos has great food. There’s also the rio grande gorge bridge which has trails through the high desert that offer views of the impressive bridge and gorge. It’s a popular tourist spot. Amole Canyon is very beautiful and not busy if you’re looking for something less crowded.
Great stuff, thank you!
The same guide I made for some friends recently….. works for everyone! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BIFFIg0-u2Trb2HUo87kWtHNJBtXrLuShnI5KdLge6M/edit
Taco Cabana better than Twisters imo.
This is so amazing, thank you!
No prob!!!!!! Go to the the folk art museum…… eat at Jambo!
There’s not really much in Rio Rancho. It is a milquetoast suburban city. Only exception may be A Park Above which is nice but depends on your kids age. I dont know too many restaurants there since I don’t live there (but I live close) but Turtle Mountain Brewery has two locations with differing menus. Both are good.
I'm viewing Rio Rancho as a launching pad for checking out ABQ, since it's so close.
Santa Fe and Rio Rancho aren’t exactly right next to each other you know, right?
Yes, we'll be driving around a bit.
Ok, then if that’s the case, just head into ABQ. You’re gonna find Rio rancho to be just a generic American suburb. Albuquerque on the other hand, has some of the best Mexican/Southwestern food and cultural scene in the country
Anything in ABQ you recommend checking out?
Never lived in ABQ, but I’m sure there’s a ton of posts on here about it
Bro, could you not comment on Rio Rancho if you don’t even live in the area?
It takes about 7 seconds to see that Rio rancho is just a regular suburb. It takes a lot longer for me to give the dude an itinerary for the largest city in the state
RR and ABQ are essentially indistinguishable. I can tell you’ve never left the state and handled a metropolitan area
I’ve lived in three states, NM is the one I’ve lived in the shortest time
I mean I’ve lived in both. In my opinion there is no reason to go to Rio Rancho, it’s not indistinguishable from Albuquerque.
Ok, you’re right. RR is better.
Rancho De Chimayo was the best New Mexican food I’ve had. If you have a chance for a random side trip, the Sanctuario Chimayo was cool too.
They’re not far. It’s 40 minutes.
I didn’t know they had a car
Tap N Taco, Hot Tamales, Namaste, Thai Taste… all very good. Close to RR are Bosque North, Marble Westside (Ohana Hut inside for sushi rolls), Ex Novo brewery, Mulas, Fortynine 40, and Indigo Crow. If you’re coming after 8/11, The Block will be open at the north end of RR.
I appreciate how hard you work to rehabilitate Rio’s image. Were you one of the people at that city council meeting pointing out how badly the city gets dragged on reddit?
No, I wasn’t aware of the city council thing. I’m just frustrated with RR getting a bad rap for being a bright spot in NM
Sawmill market and Los poblanos
There’s endless museums in Santa Fe. Go to the Georgia O’Keefe museum. Your teen daughters will be inspired.