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New Mexico: Albuquerque to Taos: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 6-day version for October: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.
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6
days
250 km
distance
11.7 h
driving
39
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Balloon Fiesta fills the Albuquerque sky and the aspens gild the high road to Taos.
Day 1 Albuquerque
- Transit
- 2h39
- Finish
- ~17:20
- Temperature
- 5.7°C–21.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~3
- Daylight
- 11.1h
09:00
Feel the energy of live Broadway and concerts in an elegant hall.
90 min · Albuquerque
10:50
Discover Southwestern art and Albuquerque's rich colonial history.
50 min · Albuquerque · $4, $2 seniors, $3 teens, $1 children, under age 4 free (admission free first Wednesday of the month and every Sunday 9AM–1PM)
open: Tu–Su 9AM–5PM except major holidays
12:05
14:45
Examine nuclear history, including replicas of atomic bombs and science exhibits.
50 min · Albuquerque · $12, $10 seniors/youth, $8 veterans, $7 active military, age 5 and under free
open: 9AM–5PM daily except major holidays
16:30
Ride the world's longest tramway with stunning mountain and city views.
50 min · Albuquerque · $25 round trip for adults, $20 round trip for seniors/military/students (age 13–20), $15 round trip for children, free for children under 5
open: Operates every 20–30 min from 9AM until evening (no morning rides on off-season Tu), with closures in April and November for maintenance
Overnight here
e.g. Sandia Peak Inn – Albuquerque · Quality Inn & Suites
Day 2 Around Albuquerque
- Transit
- 1h18
- Finish
- ~17:15
- Temperature
- 5.7°C–21.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~3
- Daylight
- 11.1h
09:00
10:05
Witness a breathtaking sky filled with colorful hot air balloons soaring overhead.
90 min · Albuquerque · $10, children ages 12 and under free (parking $15 per car)
12:25
Travel through time with dinosaur fossils and planetary exhibits.
50 min · Albuquerque · $8 for adults 18-59, $7 for seniors (60 and above) and children 13-17, $5 for children 3-12, under age 3 free. Separate fee required for planetarium and …
open: W–M 9AM–5PM, closed Tu (closed on major holidays)
13:25
14:25
Discover colorful fish, jellyfish, and eels in themed aquatic exhibits.
50 min · Albuquerque · $12.50, $5.50 seniors, $4 children, under age 3 free (includes admission to Botanic Garden; train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo …
open: 9AM–5PM daily, except major holidays
15:25
Observe polar bears, lions, tigers, and giraffes in well-kept habitats.
50 min · Albuquerque · $12.50, $5.50 seniors, $4 children, under age 3 free (train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo ticket)
open: 9AM–5PM daily, except major holidays
16:15
County Line BBQ countyline.com map ↗
Take in city views while enjoying hearty Texas-style BBQ.
60 min · Albuquerque · $10–20
open: W–F 11:30AM–2PM and 5–9PM, Sa Su 11:30AM–9PM
Overnight here
e.g. Sandia Peak Inn – Albuquerque · Quality Inn & Suites
Day 3 Santa Fe
- Transit
- 1h49
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 3.6°C–19.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~4
- Daylight
- 11.1h
10:20
Behold the unique, round design of the Roundhouse.
50 min · Santa Fe · Free
open: Self-guided tours M-F 7AM-6PM, call for guided tours
11:20
12:20
Gaze in awe at the legendary Miraculous Staircase.
50 min · Santa Fe · $3
open: M-Sa 9AM-4:30PM, Su 10:30AM-4:30PM, until 6PM M-Sa during summer
13:20
14:20
Explore the oldest public building in the U.S. filled with history.
50 min · Santa Fe · $12 adults, youth 16 and under free, youth/resident discounts; free Friday after 5PM; discount pass for Museum of New Mexico applies
open: Daily 10AM-5PM, closed M Nov-Apr (open Fridays 5-7PM May-Oct and first Friday of each month Nov-Apr), Memorial Day-Labor Day
15:20
Immerse yourself in the works of the famous 20th-century artist.
50 min · Santa Fe · $20 adults, youth 17 and under free, senior/youth discounts, free Friday nights after 5PM
open: Daily 9AM-5PM, F open until 7PM
16:10
Posa's El Merendero santafetamales.com map ↗
Quickly grab tasty catering-style New Mexican fare.
60 min · Santa Fe
open: M-Sa 7AM-8PM, Su 8AM-3PM
Overnight here
e.g. Eldorado Hotel & Spa · Inn on the Alameda
Day 4 Around Santa Fe
- Transit
- 1h46
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 3.6°C–19.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~4
- Daylight
- 11.1h
09:00
10:00
Appreciate a diverse art collection with a focus on New Mexico.
50 min · Santa Fe · $12 adults, youth 16 and under free, youth/resident discounts; free Friday after 5PM; discount pass for Museum of New Mexico applies
open: Daily 10AM-5PM, closed M Nov-Apr (open Fridays 5-7PM May-Oct and first Friday of each month Nov-Apr)
11:05
Admire potent American Indian pottery and historic artifacts.
50 min · Santa Fe · $12 adults, $11 students, youth 16 and under free
open: Daily 10AM-5PM May-Oct; closed Mondays Nov-Apr, several discounts and free admission on occasion; discount pass for Museum of New Mexico applies
12:05
Discover vibrant global toys, textiles, and model villages.
50 min · Santa Fe · $12 adults, $11 students, youth 16 and under free, several discounts and occasional free days; discount pass for Museum of New Mexico applies
open: Daily 10AM-5PM May-Oct; closed Mondays Nov-Apr, Memorial Day-Labor Day
13:40
Enjoy world-class opera with a majestic mountain backdrop.
90 min · Santa Fe
15:55
16:45
Plaza Cafe thefamousplazacafe.com map ↗
Dine on hearty meals near the Portal vendors.
60 min · Santa Fe
open: 7AM-9PM daily
Overnight here
e.g. Eldorado Hotel & Spa · Inn on the Alameda
Day 5 Taos
- Transit
- 2h46
- Finish
- ~17:05
- Temperature
- 0.3°C–15.5°C ❄
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 11.0h
10:55
Experience a UNESCO World Heritage site.
50 min · Taos · $16 adult, $14 senior/student, children 10 and under free (additional fee for photography)
open: M-Sa 8AM-4:30PM, Su 8:30AM-4:30PM; closes occasionally for religious ceremonies, including an extended closure in early spring, usually around Easter
check access before you go details
12:00
Admire art in the home of artist Fechin.
50 min · Taos · $10 adult, $9 senior, $6 student, children under 12 free
open: May-October: Tu-Su 10AM-5PM; November-April: Tu-Su 10AM-4PM
13:00
Step into the home of a Taos artist pioneer.
50 min · Taos · $8 adult, $7 seniors, $6 student, children under 5 free
open: M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM
14:00
View centuries of Taos art in one place.
50 min · Taos · $10 adults, $8 seniors/students, youth 18 and under free
open: W-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM, closed M-Tu
15:05
Tour rooms around two beautiful courtyards.
50 min · Taos · $8 adult, $7 seniors, $6 student, children under 5 free
open: M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM
16:15
Overnight here
Day 6 Around Taos
- Transit
- 1h21
- Finish
- ~16:40
- Temperature
- 0.3°C–15.5°C ❄
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 11.0h
09:00
10:40
Marvel at a stellar collection of Southwestern art.
50 min · Taos · $10 adult, $8 seniors, $6 student/military, $2 children, children under 6 free
open: Daily 10AM-5PM (closed on Mondays November–March)
11:50
13:50
Explore preserved frontier life in Carson's home.
50 min · Taos · $7 adult, $6 senior, $5 teens/students, children 12 and under free
open: March-October: Daily 10AM-5PM; November-February: Daily 10AM-4PM
15:40
Alley Cantina alleycantina.com map ↗
Taste crispy fish and chips, accompanied by lively bar chatter.
60 min · Taos
open: Daily 11:30AM-11PM; drinks until 1AM (midnight Sundays)
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.