One in every of my largest regrets about residing in Austin for over 10 years was that I didn’t go to New Mexico sufficient. I imply, it’s loopy—think about residing subsequent door to the aptly-named Land of Enchantment, and solely going a couple of occasions? The excellent news, in fact, is that journey is usually about high quality greater than high quality. And all of my journeys to the quick west had been extremely memorable, even when I didn’t take sufficient of them.
The higher information? Should you’re stressing over the Santa Fe vs Taos debate, what I’m about to say will calm your nerves. (Even when the conclusion I attain is lower than definitive.)
Whereas Taos vs Santa Fe tends to dominate the dialogue for guests to New Mexico, the state is greater than its northern reaches. Specifically, the beautiful White Sands Nationwide Park within the south is an absolute gem of a vacation spot, to say nothing of spots peripheral to that, together with the mountain village of Ruidoso and the ramshackle city of Alamogordo. There’s additionally the truth that, having lived in Texas throughout all my New Mexico journeys, I used to be considerably blinded to simply how particular the state is.
Taos, New Mexico
Methods to Examine Taos and Santa Fe
Vibe
In some methods, the vibes of those two cities are related—religious, earthy, possibly a bit witchy. Santa Fe has older girls promoting handmade jewellery; Taos has chili peppers hanging on buildings in every single place. Santa Fe, nonetheless, despite this, is a bigger metropolis, and has a bit sooner tempo of life.
Sights
When selecting Santa Fe or Taos, vacationer attraction issues. The Taos Pueblo looks like a residing museum, whether or not you discover San Francisco de Asis Mission, or go to Fechin Home Artwork Museum. In Santa Fe, it’s extra about getting misplaced within the streets though sure sights (Georgia O’Keefe Museum; Cross of the Martyrs viewpoint) predominate.
Delicacies
In terms of meals, you gained’t go hungry in both of those cities. Clearly, my favourite factor to eat when visiting them is conventional New Mexican delicacies like sopapillas. Nevertheless, whether or not you’re taking a extra Tex-Mex route, and even go woo-woo vegan, you’re assured to eat properly in every single place in northern New Mexico.
Panorama
On condition that the cities are lower than 90 minutes from each other by automobile, there’s not a variety of differentiation in panorama, whether or not you find yourself preferring Taos or Santa Fe. Assume towering, terra-cotta coloured mountains and countless blue skies, the place clouds slowly transfer towards the horizon because it somebody has painted them there.
Motels and buying
Whereas I can’t assure they’ll be inexpensive, you’ll have your decide of lodging in each Taos and Santa Fe, from roadside motels, to boutique inns to luxurious properties in each the lodge and trip rental class. So far as buying is worried? Let’s simply say that I hope you want dreamcatchers.
Santa Fe
How Many Days Do You Want in Santa Fe and Taos?
How lengthy you spend in northern New Mexico actually relies upon upon how far you’re coming from, and what the remainder of your journey seems like. Should you’re simply driving down from Colorado and even over from Texas, it’d is sensible merely to spend 2-3 days in Taos and Santa Fe, particularly if you happen to’re persevering with to go south to White Sands, or west into Arizona or Utah.
Paradoxically, I discover this can be period of time to spend if you happen to’re flying in from distant, assuming you may get an inexpensive fare to Santa Fe’s very small airport. Sadly, since that is so typically not the case, you’ll in all probability must fly to El Paso or Denver, that means {that a} longer street journey across the Desert Southwest might be justified.
Different FAQ on Visiting New Mexico
Is Taos definitely worth the drive from Santa Fe?
On condition that Taos is lower than 90 minutes from Santa Fe by automobile, I’d say the drive is sort of definitely price it. Even if you happen to don’t find yourself having the time to dig deep into Taos, it’s tough to not really feel charmed by the adobe mud structure constructed amid the desert panorama, to say nothing of the chili peppers hanging in every single place.
What’s so particular about Taos?
Taos has enchanted vacationers since lengthy earlier than the social media period, with a cityscape that hearkens again to the pre-American period and a panorama that additionally evokes occasions lengthy since previous. Taos can also be good in that it’s an incredible ski vacation spot within the winter, despite being extraordinarily scorching throughout the summer time.
What’s the vibe of Taos?
The earnest reply to this query is that Taos has an earthy, religious vibe, which attracts earthy, religious folks there. The extra cynical response? No matter earthiness and spirituality as soon as existed in Taos has been co-opted, turning it right into a Disneyland from the “Coexist” crowd, whose pilgrimages there make it much more synthetic.
The Backside Line
Evaluating Santa Fe vs Taos isn’t as high-stakes as another metropolis debates, given how shut they’re to at least one one other. The truth is that almost all vacationers will find yourself visiting each of those locations—it’s actually a query of which can get probably the most consideration. If I’m trustworthy, I’ve points with each of them—they each have a sure “previous women within the desert promoting turquoise” vibe, a minimum of for the informal customer. However, whereas Taos’ timeless structure seems impossibly attractive in opposition to the desert panorama, the truth that Santa Fe is a “actual” metropolis provides it the benefit for me.
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Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications reminiscent of “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Depart Your Day by day Hell, gives a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric elements of life as a traveler.
