We are going to the Balloon Fiesta Special Shapes Rodeo on the early morning of Thursday (10/11) but there are many more opportunities to see this AMAZING event. Morning sessions are the best, where hundreds of balloons ascend from one location. The evening sessions are very beautiful as well, where hundreds of balloons are set up and have a light show called Evening Glow, followed by fireworks. We highly recommend anyone and everyone experience this amazing festival. PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON THE WEBSITE! There are lots of little details like taking a shuttle from various locations around ABQ that will make your life much easier! Dress warmly for the morning and shed layers once the sun comes up!
We've been to Santa Fe a handful of times and still haven't made it to this very popular attraction. It comes highly recommended by everyone we talk to. Expect to spend a couple of hours going through the interactive experience. Keep an open mind! You'll probably see some very strange/awesome art!
If you want to see some fall foliage, the drive up to Ski Santa Fe will not disappoint! There are many options for short or long hikes off the main road. The higher you drive, the better the fall colors! During weekends & Holidays in September and Balloon Fiesta week, Ski Santa Fe will run our Super Chief Quad chair from 10am to 3pm (weather dependent). The Coffee Bar and La Casa Cafe will be open from 9am to 4pm. Our 18 Hole Disc Golf Course will be open starting Labor Day weekend through October 14. The last chairlift ride down is 3:30pm.
The center of the art world in the Southwest! There are countless galleries along Canyon Road. Sculptures, painting, photography, you name it, there is a gallery for you. The best way to see it is on foot and it is easily walkable from all of the hotels! Nedra Matteucci Galleries is a very unique gallery to check out!
We've heard great things about Ten Thousand Waves. It's a Japanese Mountain Hot Spring Resort with spa services and soaking pools. Communal and private pools available. It comes very highly recommended. Reservations recommended.
For the geologist in all of us: Dinosaurs and More! A spectacular collection of great beauty, Dinosaurs & more is an educational mecca for all ages. Visitors will find a comprehensive collection of the many varieties of meteorites as well as a fossil room set up in a geological time line. Dinosaur art, bronze statues, singing bowls and jewelry absorb the senses. A striking collection of gongs from Burma, India and Tibet bring a unique sound to the gallery.
There are a few options that come highly recommended: Santa Fe Brewing Company (https://santafebrewing.com/) Second Street Brewery (https://secondstreetbrewery.com/) Duel Brewing (http://www.duelbrewing.com/index.html)
A great spot to have a taste (or bottle!) of New Mexican sparkling wine. We loved chatting with the staff and trying a flight of their wines. They have a great patio and it's very near the square!
Mellow Velo (https://mellowvelo.com/) Broken Spoke (http://brokenspokesantafe.com/)
The entire north side of Santa Fe's downtown plaza is taken up by the 1610 Palace of the Governors, the oldest continually occupied public building in the United States. Its front adobe facade is completely shaded, and in this "portal," the Native American Vendors Program has been operating for over six decades. There might be some "finer" pieces available in the chic boutiques elsewhere in Santa Fe, but here, in the shade of a four-century-old adobe building, you can meet the artists and even haggle a bit. The crafts and the jewelry are usually made by the person with whom you'll be conversing.
Highly recommended natural hot spring spa just north of Santa Fe. Worth a stop for some relaxation!