We have been going to Angel Fire/Red River/Taos for years, and we will be back in June to do our normal routine but we are looking to reach out a little bit and explore some other areas. Anything worth making a day trip down to Santa Fe? Open for suggestions.

Rent some SxS’s and go see some back country

Been many years but Rosas had the best margarita I’ve ever had. Nobody even comes in second. Good food too.

I’ve done the cliff dwellings, ballon flights and climbed the mountains. I like the area but it is easily the most liberal place I’ve ever been. Even San Francisco can’t compare.

Only thing worth any respect in that town is the National Cemetery.

Canyon Road has some cool shops and a couple of good restaurants, but it's pricey.

We went through it last year, Canyon, TX to Pagosa Springs, CO.

I was not impressed.

I haven't stopped for anything more than gas or lunch in the last 15 years, used to be a cool place in the 70's. There's bound to be something trip worthy there, I just don't like the traffic.

Wife and I have been there three times over the years. It was Ok, but nothing special. Got no desire to go back.

The Summer weather is much cooler than here, on average.
Plenty of good but pricey restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, etc.
Lots of rentals available near the downtown area, which is the only area worth the trip.
Most food and entertainment is within walking distance.
Lots of museums, the Capitol building, historic churches and chapels.
It is driving distance so, no airports involved.

It's ok.

We were in Santa Fe about 2 weeks and then now 3 weeks in Taos before heading to Colorado for a few months.


https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.htm

https://www.newmexicoculture.org/historic-sites/jemez-historic-site

https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org/

https://www.lanl.gov/museum/

Oldest church in the USA

https://sanmiguelchapel.org/

We enjoyed dining here:

https://www.lachozasf.com/

We enjoyed visiting this historic hotel:

https://www.lafondasantafe.com/

and if you go further south this was very interesting:

https://www.nuclearmuseum.org/


We feel like the Santa Fe box was checked pretty well.

Miss that area. Spent a lot of summers at Sipapu in the 90s as a teenager we'd drive all over that area. My favorite year was the year we hauled our pontoon boat up with us and fished Eagles Nest.

I wouldn't go out of the way, but if you are there the food is good.

My friends love it, I couldn't care less. Have to drive through it to get to Pagosa Springs.
Did the downtown thing, now I only stop for the casino's now.

Do you want Red or Green with your order Sir?

Xmas

It took me a couple trips to NM to warm up to that red / green thing but now I love it. Hatch chiles are the shnizel.

This place is on my bucket list. Heard good things from locals about the Taos location.

https://ojosparesorts.com/

Green chili is the NM thing. When I'm in Texas, always red. In NM/CO, always green.

Thanks for the tips. We get plenty of fishing, mountain biking and ATV time in around AF. Sounds like we haven't been missing out on much not going to Santa Fe after all.

Bandelier National Monument is a great day trip. But looks like the main parts will be closed for construction.

https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

We were just there. It's another related site called Tsankawi Unit that's closed for construction.

The biggest thing is get there early or go on a weekday.

Eat at "The Shed" just off the square. Also look for a street busker named Johnny Lloyd, cowboy with a big white beard. He's well worth listening to. However, if you want the best and I've had red sauce all over the world, then go to Albuquerque to the Cocina Azul and get the Rib Eye Enchilada's with Frank's red sauce. It is outstanding; but, heat warning...!