Leeds to New Mexico: an Autumn itinerary for Santa Fe, atomic bomb history, mountain biking and art
Why New Mexico?
Like so much of my travel research, my interest started with an off-hand comment from an friend - she mentioned New Mexico was the most surprisingly beautiful place on her west-to-east road trip. So I set off researching.
New Mexico’s capital city of Santa Fe was once inhabited by American Indians, then some time later, was the seat of power of the ‘Kingdom of New Mexico’ which was controlled by the Spanish Crown. When Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Santa Fe transferred hands to Mexico, until the lands (along with California) were ceded to the USA at the end of the Mexican-American War in the mid-1800s……….such myriad cultural influences means that modern-day Santa Fe is renowned for melding Hispanic, Anglo and Native American history and cultures together on the high desert plateau.
Nowadays, it is known as the highest capital city in the USA, actively celebrates the cultural inheritance and spirit of the Pueblo people, is an art destination and a paradise for outdoor pursuits, as well as a place to experience the aforementioned coexistent cultural influences in food, architecture and art. On top of all this, the state of New Mexico has important connections to the development of the atomic bomb, and also space exploration, both of which are of interest to my boyfriend.
Itinerary At A Glance
10 night independent itinerary for New Mexico in the central Southwest of the USA
Based on travelling Leeds to Santa Fe with a hop in Amsterdam and Atlanta. Car will also be essential to move between locations
Highlights include visiting the Manhattan Project Trinity Site where the atomic bomb was tested and the town where it was developed, hikes around the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, mountain biking around Santa Fe and ancient glyphs and rock art from around 1500AD
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely cultural activities and biking, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Itinerary Details
WHEN
October
It would work equally well for Spring - April - both with pleasantly warm days and cool evenings.
Importantly, the Trinity Site (where the first atomic bomb was detonated) is only open for visitors on the first Saturday of April or October; this will be a crucial part of our trip and so I would design the itinerary around being able to visit this.
Conversely to the UK weather, summer is the wettest season as well as being swelteringly hot and humid. I would avoid visiting at this time of year
TRAVEL MEANS
With KLM, Leeds LBA to Albuquerque ABQ, with stops in Amsterdam and Atlanta
Car hire will be essential for the duration of the trip in Santa Fe
ACCOMMODATION
Contemporary, minimal & artful pied-a-terre
Beautifully modern casita minutes from downtown
Clean and modern casita outside of downtown
Gorgeous traditional cottage in central Santa Fe with lovely rock garden
Sauna, hot tub and spectacular views in this traditional casita
Modern bungalow just outside the centre
Stunning cottage with gorgeous gardens
ACTIVITIES
Visit the Trinity Site
The whole reason for the trip, the Trinity Site (where the first atomic bomb was detonated) is open for visitors just twice a year - on the first Saturday of April or October. There is a coach tour departing from the Space Hall of Fame, which includes transport, snacks and entry to the museum afterwards.
Visit Los Alamos
Take a day trip to Los Alamos to learn more about its important role in the development of the atomic bomb with this self-guided walking tour of the town and visit the Bradbury Science Museum, with its atomic bomb replicas and interactive exhibits of the World War II Manhattan Project (40 mins drive each way from Santa Fe)
Hike Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
About 40 miles south of Santa Fe, lies the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument* where visitors can hike the site to take in the unusual rock formations.
*potential misinterpretation alert: in the USA, ‘National Monuments’ are nationally significant lands and waters set aside for permanent protection which is unlike how we use the word ‘monument’ in the UK, which usually refers to a building or structure, that is of historical importance or interest.
Book to see a performance at the Santa Fe Opera house
A unique outdoor high-calibre performance venue with views of the Sangre de Cristo foothills and the Jemez Mountains is only open during the summer, and the programming is focused on the art of opera
Book a ride on the Cumbres & Toltec railway
A narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates on 64 miles of track between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico, through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West
WHERE TO WANDER
There are quite a few mountain biking options close by to Santa Fe - info here and here - we will probably spend at least 3 days biking
Contemplate some contemporary art at SITE Santa Fe
Visit the only museum in the world focused on wax - It’s a broader medium than you might think - from the use of ancient beeswax to the modern crayon, wax can be scuplted, painted with, drawn with and even used as a surface to receive transfer from photography. The Museum of Encaustic Art in Cerillos, just outside of Santa Fe, has the largest, most extensive, and best represented encaustic art collection in America.
Enjoy a spa day at the thermal springs of Ojo Santa Fe Spa
Stroll along Canyon Road in downtown Santa Fe - 1.5 kilometers long, the strip packs in over 100 galleries and boutiques. It’s considered to be one of the most concentrated street of art galleries in the world.
Visit La Cieneguilla Petroglyph site for a 2 mile hike to see ancient glyphs of birds, animals, fish, insects, plants, and humans as well as geometric and abstract designs, likely created by the between 1200 and 1600 AD
Take a day trip to Taos via the High Road and the Low Road - round trip of approximately 165 miles
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