4-day New Mexico Road Trip
Here's a day-by-day breakdown of this trip. Because of our flight times, this trip ended up being a 6-night, 4-day trip. You could easily adapt this into a 5-night, 5-day trip, with more time in Santa Fe, Abiquiu or Albuquerque.
Night 1 - Arrival
El Rey Court, a renovated motel, is the place to stay in Santa Fe.
After checking into the hotel, Vinaigrette is a great option for dinner, followed by a night cap margarita at La Reina - the bar at El Rey Court.
Day 1 - Santa Fe
Because we arrived the evening before into Albuquerque and drove to Santa Fe, so we hit the ground running first thing the next morning.
Modern General is a great place to grab a light breakfast before heading to Ten Thousand Waves, a dreamy Japanese spa in the hills of Santa Fe. Be sure to make a booking for a private bath and spa service well in advance.
Meow Wolf is a well-known contemporary art experience that is a must-see in Santa Fe. Check visiting hours and reservation policy in advance.
Since you'll certainly be eating a lot of TexMex in Santa Fe, consider Paper Dosa as an alternative for dinner. Don't be put off by its location - the food is great.
Day 2 - Abiquiu & Santa Fe
I dream of breakfast at Tia Sophia. They have a breakfast roll that is somewhere between a breakfast taco and breakfast burrito, and I recommend that you get that.
Now, your day is going to be all about Georgia O'Keeffe. With a full belly, drive north to Abiquiu for a tour of Georgia O'Keeffe's Home & Studio (advance reservation required). You'll check in at a visitor center, and they'll drive you in a van to the property from there.
On the way home, stop at Plaza Blanca, a beautiful white rock formation. The staff at the Georgia O'Keeffe visitor center can provide you with a map. You can make this stop as quick as a photo op or a longer hike.
Once you're back in Santa Fe, explore downtown. Visit the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum to see a collection of her work, and check out Shiprock for incredible textiles and jewelry. Close out your evening at Cafe Pasqual's for dinner.
Day 3 - Santa Fe > Lightning Field
This is what the trip is all about: a 1-night stay at Lightning Field. Before you leave Santa Fe, make a stop at the grocery store for some snacks & provisions, then hit the road. They provide basic meals, but you'll want to supplement with your own options - particularly since you won't have access to much once you leave Santa Fe.
Drive about 3.5 hours to the Dia Foundation offices, with a stop at La Ventana Natural Arch along the way. From there, the property manager will drive you and the other guests to Lightning Field for your overnight stay.
Lightning Field is a land art installation by Walter De Maria, consisting of a 1-mile by 1-kilometer square of lightning rods. It's an indescribable place with almost no light or sound pollution. You'll stay the night in a 3-room cabin, and you can explore the installation at any hour.
*Important to note*
Reservations for a stay at Lightning Field open up annually on February 1 by written correspondence (email) only; be sure to plan in advance for this.
Day 4 - Lightning Field > Very Large Array > Albuquerque
You'll depart Lightning Field around 11am the following morning.
I recommend taking an alternate route on a few small highways back to Albuquerque. Stop at the Very Large Array, made famous by the film Contact. It has a fun self-guided tour, and you can get up close to the satellite dishes for some great photos. If you're low on snacks, grab something at the gift shop - it'll be another while until you have access to services.
Los Poblanos Inn is a luxury hotel option in Albuquerque. Even if you aren't staying there, freshen up and head to dinner before flying out that evening or the following morning.
Trip Extensions
If you're looking to do a longer trip, there are a few options to consider:
- Taos: Taos is in the opposite direction as Lightning Field, but it's a popular destination if you're up for a longer drive.
- Abiquiu / Ghost Ranch: We visited Abiquiu as a day trip, but you could explore an overnight stay there as well.
- White Sands National Park: This would be a great addition to your road trip loop between Lightning Field and Albuquerque.
Additional recommendations
For additional recommendations, check out my New Mexico Road Trip List.
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