Day trips from Albuquerque are a perfect
way to experience the best of both worlds in New Mexico. Staying in downtown
Albuquerque offers a wide selection of dining, shopping and nightlife options
by night, while providing a central location from which to explore the myriad
activities the Land of Enchantment has to offer by day. This four-part series
will provide ideas for every type of traveler wishing to discover the unending delights
of this state.
Less than an hour’s drive northwest of
Albuquerque is New Mexico’s state capital, Santa Fe. But since it’s best explored on foot,
consider leaving your car behind for the day and taking the New Mexico Rail
Runner Express from downtown for a 90 minute ride through the Rio Grande Valley
up to the nation’s oldest capital.
The Plaza is the best place to begin your
exploration of this city rich in history. The Spanish settlers built their
homes here in 1610,with the following centuries seeing riots, revolts, and
respite by travelers from the Santa Fe Trail. A great city for history buffs,
Santa Fe also boasts the nation’s oldest public building in continuous use, the
oldest church, and the oldest house in the United States. But you don’t have to
be a history buff to enjoy Santa Fe! In all directions from the Plaza, shoppers,
art lovers, and food connoisseurs can find their fill of treasures by spending
a day in the city of ‘Holy Faith.’
If you’re in the mood to combine human history
with hiking, then a visit to Bandelier National Monument is the perfect place
to go. Approximately 2 hours north of Albuquerque,
this park’s human history dates back over 10,000 years, where you will find
petroglyphs, ancient dwellings, and old masonry walls. With over 33,000 acres
of preserved land, there is plenty of hiking, camping, boating, and picnicking
opportunities, as well as interpretive programs and even Opera on the Rocks!
If geological history is your thing, or
you’re simply looking for more breathtaking hiking trails, then head to Kasha-KatuweTent
RocksNational Monument. A joint venture between the Cochiti Pueblo and the
Bureau of Land Management, this area is dotted by tall spires of volcanic ash
that were formed from eruptions that occurred6 -7 million years ago. And as
with any outdoor adventure in New Mexico, don’t forget your sturdy shoes,
sunscreen, and plenty of water.