When people talk about New Mexico, they usually talk about how much they want to see Santa Fe and about how beautiful it is. I like 
Santa Fe. It's a great day trip. You can see two very old churches, as many amazing art galleries as you can stand, the square with the juried local artesians, and do a couple of museums. And shop... mostly you can shop. We eat at the Blue Corn Cafe- either right in town, or on the way out- it doesn't matter which.
The food is very good New
Mexican and at Christmastime the sopapillas are star shaped... beyond cool. I highly recommend a visit in the fall or spring, but it's not where I'd spend most of my time in New Mexico. These are my favorite day trips.
Daytrip 1: the VLA... I know, I told you that before, but there's nothing like being at one of the two places in the entire world where they listen for aliens. It's never very crowded 
(because you have to drive 2.5 hours from ABQ to the middle of nowhere and then turn left!). A lot of times, you're alone on the mesa with the cows, rattlesnakes (I've not seen one, but the signs warn you that they're there), and 
huge jack rabbits. You might see a road runner or two as well. Leave 
VLA and head back to Scocorro to the original Owl's Cafe for a cheeseburger (and not much else!). Bring a dollar to autograph and leave behind and hear the story about how the place opened up to feed the young, earnest scientists who were building the bomb. They told everyone they were miners, but everyone knew it wasn't true. If you have time, you can stop at the Bird place... what's that called, Terri? de apache something or other...
Daytrip 2: A Day in ABQ: It's a walking day! Wear your hiking boots, bring a hat and water! Start your morning with an early morning walk at the Petroglyphs. 
Take your time wandering through 
the glyphs and the lava rocks. There are thousands of ancient writings waiting to be revealed to you. The ancient ones claim that they only reveal themselves to those who are ready. They won't be with us forever. Weather, age, and humans with a destructive nature are slowly destroying them.
Stop at Sonic for a drink and head into the city to find signs of art every where. The murals downtown, the shoe tree, the house shaped like a space ship or 
alien bug (not quite sure which), if you're lucky- you'll see a couple one of a kind art cars!, the wire people waiting at the bus stop, the chevy on a stick- and since you're at the Chevy on the stick, the best New Mexican restaurant is right down the street- Cervantes. I'd go a little after 1 to avoid the lunch hour rush, and I've 
been told their green chili stew is the best in town. 
But don't eat dessert! If you want to shop- it's Old Town next but if you want more art- drive down San Mateo to the Iron Garden and wander among the dragon, the bugs, the flowers. 
When you finish- if you're hungry, Dee's Cheesecake Factory is right across the street- I told you to save room for dessert. But we're not done walking.
The next stop is the park off of Montano Bridge with the wood carvings. After the fire that destroyed the trees, they started carving the ones left standing. There are always works in progress to watch as well as ones to marvel at. By now, we're pretty done in and ready to crash somewhere quiet.
If it's up to me, I'd go to the Unser Museum and wander 
around the race cars. Others might prefer to go to the Atomic Museum on Museum row. Supper is at Ragin' Cajin. Sit on the patio and order something with seafood and rice. 
After dinner, you can walk down Central Ave in Nobs Hill and have violet ice cream for desert and shop at some unusual stores, or drive out to the mesa where you can unwind under the night sky and watch the sunset.
Day 3: Sky City/Acoma. Leave early in the morning so you get there before the crowds.
The first bus up the mesa is about 10 am, I think, and it's usually not too crowded. It's about an hour drive west of ABQ, and you'll get your first real feel for the desert.
Once there, go into the Museum, book your tour (about $10 - 12 a person), pay for your camera (another $10) and go up to one of the old inhabited places in the world. 
Only 30 people live in Acoma year around and they are the spiritual leaders of the tribe- the old wise ones and a few very young young ones. They set up pottery stands and sell apple pies.
Bring money for both. You can buy my favorite pot- a beautiful black and white piece for about $1500 or you can buy some very nice tourist pieces for $5 - $25- all 
authentic native american, done by artisans. This is one of my favorite places- from the pepto bismol pink church to the outdoor laundry that never has water to the cemetery with the waiting watchguards.
But follow the rules! Don't take pictures of the cemetary or the church and ASK before you take pictures of the people who live there! You are visiting their home!!!
Afterwards, eat lunch in the cafe in the museum. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's good. Yes, it's 
the only place for miles unless you are going to the casino afterwards. Visit the museum.
On a good day, you'll spot that rarity of rarities... the young, drop dead beautiful museum director with his white shirt sleeves rolled up, his jet black hair pulled back into a long braid, and a smile on his face. After you're done with the museum, drive the mesa. It has some of the most incredible views. Most people go to the casino afterwards.
We usually only stop to get gas. I don't try to do a lot on Acoma Days. I want time to think, to wander, and to take pictures. You can be done and back in ABQ in half a day or it can take all day... depends on you and your desires. If you want, you can drive west to Gallop. I've been through there once. I always thought I'd keep going and do the Petrified Forest, stay overnight, visit the Meteor Crater (a big hole in the ground), and then come back.
Day 4: Taos and the Gorge Day: Another long drive day. It's about 368 miles round trip, but we've done in a day 
more than once. Taos is one of my favorite towns in New Mexico. It's like Santa Fe only not so commerial. Plus there's the Taos hummm- listen to see if you can hear it!
You still have the shops, the galleries, and the old churches, but there is a different feel to the place.
This is THE place to buy rugs... if you have a few thousand dollars lying around. It's also the place to meet famous people. You might bump into Julia Roberts at the grocery store, or some other movie star walking down the street.
But in Taos, you treat them like you don't recognize them. 
No one points them out or asks for their autograph. 
There are lots of fun places to eat in Taos. We tend to walk the gorge, drive into town, eat and then shop and walk the town before driving back to ABQ.
We stop along the way to take pictures. We never have the time to do Kit Carson's ranch or stuff like that because I stop too often to take pictures.
See... you haven't even been in New Mexico a full week and there's still so many other places to go... so sure, put Santa Fe on the list. You won't regret it, but you need 
to venture farther from your home base to really see New Mexico.
We haven't even talked about Madrid, or Tinkertown and going up the mountain, or the day you search for Waldo and find the Young Guns, or the Movie Ranch, or the ruins, or the.... 
Trip to Dr. Tim confirmed my suspicions that this weekend's episode was .... a kidney stone... it's gone and only the residue is left behind a bit of pain and a stronger...
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