If you were planning a trip from Sedona, AZ to Albuquerque, NM... archived

I am assuming you will spend some time in Santa Fe?

Not exactly on the route but Santa Fe.

Ok, so assuming we can swing up to Santa Fe, what should we be sure to see?

If you need a place to stay in Sedona, I highly recommend Enchantment Resort. It is a splurge, but it was worth every penny. Also in Sedona, eat at the Cowboy Club, fun menu and family friendly

Wow, beautiful and the Cowboy Club could be great, we will likely stay with family, but it would be fun to take them out too.

Santa Fe is worth an overnight if you can do it. The plaza, shopping on Canyon road, the churches etc. I

Be sure to stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!

http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/arizona/arizona.html

And you can't miss Pie Town

http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/new%20mexico/newmexico.html ;-)

Santa Fe is a don't miss. Its my third favorite city in the us. Hang on for more info.

Oh pie! I think we can make that work.

Note correct spelling: Albuquerque. A dear family friend who moved there prides herself on learning how to spell it correctly.

And the "Heisenberg Tour": https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210068994063648859995.0004c599eab0a94d0f229&dg=feature

Get down to White Sands National Monument, if you can.

In SF don't miss the springs and spas, this one in partic:

http://www.tenthousandwaves.com/

Also, Canyon Road is a wonderful mecca of art galleries and beauty.

I'd definitely plan on visiting those relatives frequently! There are so many nearby National Parks--Grand Canyon, for example, and White Sands, as noted above. If you are going up to Sedona from Phoenix, a short stop at Monteauma Castle National Monument is worth the visit.

Going directly from Sedona to Albuquerque there are interesting National Parks/Monuments right off I-40: Petroglyph National Monument right outside Albuquerque and Petrified Forest NP.

We did this same drive a few years ago and did an arc over several days, driving up to UT, across to CO and down to NM. It's one of our favorite family trips. Our trip in order...

- Sedona - really enjoyed the Pink Jeep Tour (Broken Arrow) and Slide Rock Park
- Grand Canyon - reserve very early if you want to stay in the park. sunrise and sunsets were magnificent
- Monument Valley - probably too quiet for a lot of people but we liked it there. There's only 1 hotel in the reservation run by native americans. The view from our room was AMAZING - http://www.monumentvalleyview.com/

- Arches National Park - we really loved this park. Great hike to Delicate Arch. We definitely want to go back to Utah one day.
- Mesa Verde National Park - the kids were a little disappointed, but I thought it was pretty cool.

Ended in Albuquerque

If you want to drive straight drive from Sedona to Albuquerque, it's only 5 hours and you'll drive through Petrified Foest NP which has some beautiful vistas.

This place is off the beaten path (or at least it was 20 years ago!) and absolutely blew my mind...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaco_Culture_National_Historical_Park

Within Sedona, absolutely do not miss riding the Red Rocks. You have 2 choices - the Pink Jeep tours or do the same route yourself with Barlow Jeep Rentals. We just did the Barlow Jeep rental and it is one of those unforgettable drives. You go on the same trails like Pink Jeep (Broken Arrow trail) but you are doing the driving - scary but definitely fun. Sometimes, the only thing holding you in your seat is the seatbelt. Some pictures from the web attached. It's more fun than Pink Jeep and much cheaper (about $250 total for 5 of us).

We also ate at the Cowboy Club in Sedona and, quite honestly, it was more a tourist trap than good.
They seemed overwhelmed at the lunch time - perhaps that's why the service was indifferent and food just ok. Not terrible, but definitely not worth the hype.

We also ate at El Rincon - http://www.elrinconrestaurant.com/ - this was one of the best Mexican restaurants I have eaten at.

If you are into organic, healthy food - this place is a great choice - http://chocolatree.com/

Grand Canyon - if you are headed there - grab some bikes at the Bright Angel bike shop and ride to Hermit's Trail (the end point).

If your a golfer i'm told Sedona Golf Resort is a religious experience. I'm just an occasional player but I thought the course was awesome.

We went from Albuquerque to the Grand Canyon - stopped at Acoma (a New Mexico pueblo on top of a mesa - fantastic views, very historic site - you'll have to hire an Acoma inhabitant as your guide and purchase a sticker to allow you to take photographs, but I felt it was well worth it.) We also stopped at Hubbell's Trading Post in Ganado, AZ (within the Navajo Reservation) and the displays of woven rugs were beyond description.
Not sure if it is on your exact route, but we also enjoyed the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest parks.

Thanks all! The route is not set in stone yet, so I appreciate all the input. Seems I have some research to do this weekend.

We also did this trip:

Ditto the suggestions for the Enchantment (eat a meal there to enjoy the view even if you stay elsewhere) & Pink Jeep tours. Also recommend Slide Rock State Park & Sedona Stargazing.

In NM, we stayed at a beautiful Hyatt resort between ABQ & Sante Fe which had Native American activities (e.g., bread baking) for the kids. Also enjoyed the ABQ Trolley tour & most of all New Mexico Private Jeep tour.

If you go to the Grand Canyon (do-able as a day trip from Sedona), make a reservation in advance to eat at El Tovar - a great respite from the heat.

Has anyone visited the meteor crater by Winslow, AZ? We didn't, and I've always wished we had done so.
You might want to check this out, too, and see if it's near where you'll be and if it interests you.

lucygoosey said:

Great hike to Delicate Arch.

That always happens to me too.

If you have kids, spend a few hours at slide rock state park near Sedona. Swimming in a stream is good for the soul
My favorite was Antelope Canyon in Page AZ.
If you're up for a fancy lunch, dining by the creek in at the Auberge in Sedona was lovely.

commutermom said:

We also did this trip:

Ditto the suggestions for the Enchantment (eat a meal there to enjoy the view even if you stay elsewhere) & Pink Jeep tours. Also recommend Slide Rock State Park & Sedona Stargazing.

In NM, we stayed at a beautiful Hyatt resort between ABQ & Sante Fe which had Native American activities (e.g., bread baking) for the kids. Also enjoyed the ABQ Trolley tour & most of all New Mexico Private Jeep tour.

If you go to the Grand Canyon (do-able as a day trip from Sedona), make a reservation in advance to eat at El Tovar - a great respite from the heat.

The Hyatt is called Tamaya and it's a lovely spot.

svitale03 said:

Be sure to stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!

http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/arizona/arizona.html

Here's our friend Michelle doing just that...

-s.

When in Albuquerque eat like a local and visit Duran Central Pharmacy for their enchiladas. Don't be surprised when they deliver them and they look like a stack of pancakes. When they ask "Red or Green" say green
http://www.yelp.com/biz/duran-central-pharmacy-albuquerque

did you take the trip yet?

Oops, just realized you are going in November! You must have the planning gene that I seem to have misplaced ;-)

agbarganza said:

Oops, just realized you are going in November! You must have the planning gene that I seem to have misplaced ;-)

Ha. Actually, I love to make a list of places to see/things to do, but ultimately we vacation very casually. We will set out with ideas, but no plan. That way I avoid disapointment and enjoy the moment.

Flying Star cafe, several locations, for decent coffee, lunch and goodies when you are ready for a break from chile. They are all over ABQ and one in Santa Fe.

Gallup is a good stop. Walk in old downtown (Aztec St, I think), eat at the train station cafe or Earl's Cafe. If you have New Mexican food you can request your chile on the side in case it is too spicy. And ALWAYS have sopapillas (with honey) with your NM food - the perfect counterpoint. Skip El Rancho - overrated and no sopapillas.