I will be in Albuquerque for seven days in Sept, what MUST I see?

Question

My wife and I will be in Albuquerque - Santa Fe the last week of September. Pretend we're not camera-toting tourists and tell me what we have too see within 4 hours of Albuquerque.

Answer 1

Depends on your interests, obviously, but I'd rank these as the must-sees:

In Abq: Sandia tramway. Old Town Plaza if you have time.

In Santa Fe:  Santa Fe Plaza and the Palace of the Governors, Loretto Chapel, San Miguel Church, Guadalupe Church.  Eat lunch at The Shed.  Stroll around downtown, especially Palace Avenue and Sena Plaza.  Nearby, the Sanctuario at Chimayo if you have time.

Taos area:  Taos Pueblo, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the famous little adobe church at Ranchos de Taos.  For the drive to/from Taos, do it  one way along the Rio Grande (through Espanola), and the other way via the "High Road" (through Picuris and Trampas).

Other:  Bandelier National Monument (Native American ruins in beautiful canyon setting).

Some other candidates if you have time:  The Valle Grande and Jemez Ruins State Monument (might be able to combine these with Bandelier if you have stamina).  The old mining town of Madrid.  To the east: Pecos Ruins Natl Monument, the old town of Las Vegas (nothing like the other Vegas), maybe Fort Union Natl Monument.  

Two musts if you don't mind some serious time on the road:  Chaco Canyon Nat'l Park.  Acoma Pueblo.

Have fun.  Weather could be perfect in late Sept.