3-1/2 days in NM... any ';must-see/must-do'; activities??

My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to New Mexico Jan. 31-Feb. 3. We%26#39;re flying into Albuquerque and renting a car. Neither of us have ever been to NM so what should be our sight-seeing priorities as first-timers? Art and American Indian culture are two areas we%26#39;re both interested in, but it seems those sorts of things are plentiful statewide. Neither of us is into skiing or winter sports. Please help!

3-1/2 days in NM... any ';must-see/must-do'; activities??

With only 3-1/2 days available, I%26#39;d spend at least 2 of them in Santa Fe with the rest in ABQ. That%26#39;s about as far as you will have time for without spending too much precious time traveling. It%26#39;s a big state with lots to do, but you%26#39;ll at least get the flavor if you keep it simple and try not to jam in more than you really have time for.

I%26#39;ll leave the more specific suggestions to the local experts for SF and ABQ.

3-1/2 days in NM... any ';must-see/must-do'; activities??

Possible must sees in Albuquerque: Old Town with it%26#39;s historic adobe residences now turned into diverse shops and restaurants. The Albuquerque Museum just east of Old Town on Mountain Road, provides a first time visitor, an excellent introduction into the history of the region, in less than an hour. Possibly a ride to the top of our Sandia Mountains aboard the longest tramwayin the world. Great views on clear days. A spin or two at a slot machine at one of our areas Pueblo owned casinos. A visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where there may still be traditional dances on weekends, usually about 12 noon and 2pm.

Santa Fe: the downtown historic district, plaza, Palace of the Governors. Canyon Road with many shops and restaurants, and ';personally'; from me, the International Folk Art Museum...very unusual.

I%26#39;d also say Taos is a must. Check out the area surrounding the plaza, and then take in Taos Pueblo (just 3 miles north), which looks much the same as it did in Coronado%26#39;s time! It is really only one of two (the other being Acoma Pueblo, 60 miles west of Albuquerque on I-40), that preserve their ancestral appearance to the best effect. Enroute, north of Espanola, you%26#39;ll drive alongside the Rio Grande River inside it%26#39;s gorge, and you also might want to take in the Martinez Hacienda in Ranchos de Taos, one of the few remaining Spanish-era, windowless fortified homes (for protection against marauding Comanches and Apaches primarily) remaining in the state. Santa Fe is an hour from Albuquerque (speed limit is 75mph if the weather is good). Taos is about 1 1/2 hours from Santa Fe. Have a great visit, and thank you for visiting!

In Santa Fe, the Loretto Chapel, the Georgia OKeefe Museum and lots of other museums and art galleries. If you go are going to Taos, google Taos earthships and plan on driving by the earthship community. Very interesting...we%26#39;ve driven by several times but never when the model was open for a tour.

Santa Fe.... the State museums, my favorite is the Indian Art and Culture. They are not open on Mondays, so plan accordingly. Also the Plaza area, Canyon Road and maybe a drive up to Shidoni Foundry in Tesuque.

Also Bandelier Nat Mon and Pecos Nat Mon are nearby and worth a visit. Taos would be a full day trip, so you may not have time for that.

Many great places to eat in Santa Fe. Make sure you try Northern NM food... Tomasitas, The Shed, Blue Corn Cafe etc. Try both the red and green chile, called Christmas!