I haven't been to Taos or Santa Fe in decades, but I would like to mention that they are fairly high altitude - 7200' for Santa Fe and almost 7000' for Taos. We went up into the mountains above 10,000', and the air was even thinner there. If you are hiking in these areas, don't expect to go as far as you normally would.

Most of what you will want to see in Santa Fe is in the historic central district; I would start at the Tourist Bureau and see what they have to say. I'm sure you can get free maps there. If I went back, I would want to shop for pottery/ceramics, but I have no idea which gallery would be best. When we were last in Tuscon, we went to the desert museum at the edge of town, and they had good prices on pottery there, but not nearly the selection you would find in Santa Fe. I would try to go to as many galleries and museums as possible! I would especially want to go to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, which wasn't even opened until 1997.

I was there in 1966, when Santa Fe was a relative small town, about 25,000, and Taos was extremely small but very interesting.

I've only passed through Albuquerque.

That's a fabulous part of the country. I've spent a good deal of time out that way over the years, and last fall was able to take my DH (who had never previously been to New Mexico) and he too fell in love with it all. We're going again this fall for two weeks, renting a little house near Mt. Taylor in the Cibola National Forest. We primarily want to hike. You say your daughter will be hiking, but what sorts of things are you interested in? Hiking? Museums? Shopping? Seeing the pueblos?

Re altitude - it's good to keep in mind that it may be different than what you're used to, as Lars points out. It can affect people differently. Your 24-year old daughter will likely acclimate very quickly, presuming she doesn't have a medical condition. Last year when we based ourselves in Santa Fe I was a little worried how the altitude would affect me (I'm 54 and not as fit as I once was), but it really wasn't a problem at all. We summited Tesuque Peak at 12,047 feet and I did feel a little spaghetti-legged and winded, but it was an uphill trek so I expected that.

Five years ago in April I stayed at the charming Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe in Santa Fe. It is quite centrally located - can walk to many central museums, restaurants, town square, etc. It still gets very good reviews. Some sites to consider visiting:

109 East Palace, Santa Fe - where the scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project arrived in secret

Tsankawi Ruins at Bandelier National Monument - an easy trail where you can climb up Kiva ladders to look at Pueblo ruins.

Also, probably already on your list, Taos galleries and studios, Taos Pueblo, the Georgia O'Keefe museum.

The food in Santa Fe is spectacular, practically everywhere. The Shed comes to mind in particular.

Bandelier is wonderful (we did a long backcountry hike there, which was quite an adventure), as is Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. The latter is very near Cochiti Pueblo, a little less than an hour's drive west of Santa Fe. Great hiking, and the views are spectacular.

If you go to Taos, take the high road and stop along the way, as there are many interesting and historic sights to see. Definitely go to Taos Pueblo and take the tour, which is informative. You can have lunch in Taos - La Cueva is sort of a hole-in-the-wall, but very popular for Mexican food. (We ate at Michael's Kitchen, as is my family's tradition.) Drive out to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and take a walk, looking down into the canyon. It's pretty impressive, and definitely worth the short drive outside of Taos to get there.

Thank you all so much! I must admit, I am a little concerned about keeping up with my very fit, adventurous, and outdoorsy daughter. And the high altitude to boot! It's a good thing that my stop on the way home in Scottsdale is at a spa!!

My favorite things to do when traveling are art museums, historical sites, food(!), and exploring local culture. My daughter and I are good traveling companions, having gone to several European countries together before. I know she will want to see the Georgia O'Keefe museum, and has also mentioned visiting galleries in each place we visit.

And thanks for the hotel and restaurant mentions!

Enjoy your wonderful adventure! I'd LOVE to go to NM. Probably won't happen unless I'm willing to ride on a scooter and I'm NOT...yet. It was on our short list of places to go for our 25th wedding anniversary but we chose a cruise instead, which led to an expensive every otheryear habit lol I'm sure LynnNM will offer some more tips/advice.

Some pics, just for fun:

Albuquerque looking east towards the Sandia Mountains; Rio Grande in foreground:

El Pinto Restaurant:

I cannot visit the Albuquerque area without setting aside time to hike in the Sandia Mountains. Although there is often snow in April near the highest elevations.

And Santa Fe:

La Fonda Hotel, "The Inn at the End of the Santa Fe Trail"

Taos, along it's Plaza:

They don't call us "The Land of Enchantment" for nothing!

We went last October and stayed in a bed and breakfast in Santa Fe. I absolutely loved being there. We loved the day trip to Taos as well. We drove to Los Alamos one day, and the scenery was beautiful along the way but there wasn't much to see once you got there. I've been to Albuquerque the two times we went to Santa Fe, and I thought that the old town section was much more "touristy" this time than it was the first time we went. If you're a Breaking Bad fan, there was a lot of Walter White memorabilia. I'd much rather spend more time in Santa Fe and Taos personally!! Enjoy your trip!

Great tips, Lynn. I am printing them out since it's been years since we were there. My aunt and uncle bought a second home in Santa Fe, and we are excited to see it. We are going in late September/October. Flying in to Albuquerque, spending a few days in Santa Fe then to the Grand Canyon and Sedona and ending in Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta.

Lynn - Do you think there will be any fall color then?

I'm not Lynn, but yes - you'll likely be there for the color peak.

I've been to Albuquerque the two times we went to Santa Fe, and I thought that the old town section was much more "touristy" this time than it was the first time we went.

I thought the same thing about Santa Fe when we last visited five years ago. I will return to Albuquerque to hike in the surrounding areas, but don't plan to revisit Santa Fe.

Wow!!! I can't thank you all enough, especially you, Lynn for such detailed recommendations and gorgeous photos! I can certainly understand the pride you have in your home state- it's just beautiful. I am now so excited to go! The only thing I will NOT be doing is driving over that Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Just the photo makes me weak in the knees due to my fear of heights. A couple of years ago, when my daughter and I were visiting Ireland, we went to the Cliffs of Mohr. I didn't go up the path quite as high as she did. When we got home, she posted a photo of her feet dangling over the edge of the cliff at it's highest point with the caption "Sorry, Mom!". I would have had a panic attack if I witnessed that firsthand!

I only wish we had a little more time, and that we could be there for the Hot Air Balloon Festival. Maybe next time!!

Again, thank so much to everyone!

Well, I'm glad that you can use some of the info, Jshore. But, if you have a fear of heights, the Tram ride might not work for you. You can, though, drive up to The Crest via the east side of the mountain, where there's a nice visitors overlook (with sturdy guard rails and fencing) that has viewer finders/large fixed binoculars. It's not scary to be there for most people with acrophobia (I have it myself to some degree, but I can still make the Tram trip ok). It does have pretty much that same view.

Or, Albuquerque has a gorgeous shady, very nice zoo, an aquarium and botanical gardens that are all right in the heart of ABQ, just south of Old Town a bit.

There's also several great museums that are all in town and a quick drive to: the Art Museum, Natural History Museum (fun!), the Anderson-Abruzzo International Hot Air Balloon Museum, a Rattlesnake Museum in the East Mountain area that I've actually been to once ages ago with my son's cub scout troop. My pick would be for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, also in Albuquerque. It's large, easy to get to, with safe, abundant parking. It's very beautiful, with many very impressive displays and lots of art. It has a very nice gift shop that sells quality, real, Native American things. It also has a nice restaurant that serves Native American foods, as well as regular fare. And, they have dances out on their plaza, but I'm not sure how often. I've been there 3 times with out-of-state visitors, but it's always been on weekends, when I know they have dances.

Thank you, Lynn. I am determined to take that tram ride, I think I can do it. The bridge is another story, although my daughter does want to drive on the Land of Enchantment Highway- so we'll see what happens there!