Old Town restaurants and things to do

Any comments on any of these would help:

Staying at the Best Western Old Town (any reviews would help).

Things to do near Old Town ?

Old Town restaurants that are really good ?

Driving from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, any things I need to see on the way or near Albuquerque before I dump the car ?

Thanks to all for your help

Bob

Old Town restaurants and things to do

To be honest with you, the Best Western Rio Grande near Old Town has been around for awhile, and while it retains the basic qualities of a Best Western, one must also understand that it is a ';well-used'; hotel, being one of only two ';hotels'; adjacent to this super popular tourist attraction.

Having said that, here are the 40 reviews at present on TripAdvisor.com

tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60933-d92717-R…

A mixed bag, but the majority are either ';Good,'; or ';Very Good.'; Just arrive not expecting a Hilton, or a Motel 6, and you should find it adaquate for your stay.

There are several museums in or adjacent to Old Town (which is only about 1/2 mile x 1/2 mile). These include, on Mountain Road (Rio Grande Blvd. and Mountain Road is the intersection where you enter the NW corner of Old Town)...the Albuquerque Museum of History and Art, two blocks to the east. I would make this my first stop, even before entering Old Town. An hour%26#39;s visit will enlighten and inform you about the unique, and ancient history of Albuquerque, and Northern New Mexico through the times of the Anasazis, Pueblo tribes, Spanish, Mexican, Anglo, and later ethnicities.

Nearby the Albuquerque Museum, is the Atomic Museum, tracing the history of atomic power. If you have an interest, it%26#39;s worth seeing. If not, I would skip it personally. I would recommend the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, one of the newest natural history museums in the U.S. There is Expo, a science museum best suited for kids, next door. In Old Town, visit the Rattlesnake Museum. Not for the sqeemish, but a fun, rather ';odd'; attraction probably not encountered in many other places. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, owned by the remaining 19 Pueblo tribes, is about 2 miles away, but also a good choice...museum, restaurant, shops, etc. They have ceremonial dances on weekends, at 12pm, and 2pm, last I inquired.

If you want a classy, romantic dinner, try the Antiquity Restaurant, hidden away in the SW corner of Old Town. The best New Mexican cusine for Old Town is Little Anita%26#39;s, at Rio Grande/Mountain Rd.

The restaurant in the Hotel Albuquerque of Old Town (between your BW and Old Town), also has a good reputation, and diverse menu. If you%26#39;d just like a good burger, try Blake%26#39;s LotaBurger on Rio Grande. Don%26#39;t forget to add the ';traditional'; green chile, and cheese!

Driving either from or to Santa Fe, take the ';Turquoise Trail'; NM-14, the ';backroad'; between the two cities, east of the Sandia Mountains. (There is also a scenic highway to the crest from NM-14 if you%26#39;re a mind). NM-14 passes through some pretty countryside, and a couple of old mining towns. Madrid (Mad-rid) especially has some interesting little shops.

Enjoy your trip!

Old Town restaurants and things to do

Rattlesnake Museum, great fun!

We like Little Anita%26#39;s Restaurant. Did not care for Church St Cafe.

From Santa Fe to Albuquerque, maybe stop in Bernalillo and see Coronado State Monument, a pueblo ruin.

Also possibly take the Sandia Tram.