We were thinking about going to the Bandelier Cliff dwellings for the morning and then something else the afternoon / evening.

Thoughts on this and what else we should do in this short time frame?

Plan ahead, there is usually a shuttle, look at current restrictions. It's a nice half day there, you could see everything in that time frame. Go early, I remember lots of sun and exposure.

If you don't have dinner plans in town already, you could head over to Chimayo and see the historic church there and then end with a meal at Rancho de Chimayo. It's an interesting restaurant, plan for a wait.

Clafoutis bakery
Agree with Rancho de Chimayo
Go to Los Alamos, see the Bradbury museum, Bathtub Row, and the county historic museum.
Don't know if anything is open for the Manhattan Project museum, but check it out
Then drive to Valles Caldera. Most beautiful place in that part of NM. They only allow a few vehicles a day to enter, but you can drive NM 4 and cross the South side

Edit: Manhattan Project tours cancelled through 2021

La Choza for dinner. Hit the galleries on Canyon or at the depot. 10,000 Waves if you can do it. Museums up near St John's are good. Meow Wolf if you want to do drugs and get weird. Maria's is great and has a killer margarita list. Coyote Cafe Bar (not the restaurant part) for great rooftop and great food.

barnacle bob said:

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Plan ahead, there is usually a shuttle, look at current restrictions. It's a nice half day there, you could see everything in that time frame. Go early, I remember lots of sun and exposure.

If you don't have dinner plans in town already, you could head over to Chimayo and see the historic church there and then end with a meal at Rancho de Chimayo. It's an interesting restaurant, plan for a wait.

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Second Rancho de Chimayo. In SF, try Pasqual's for breakfast. Not far from the Square.

Third Rancho de Chimayo. Fantastic southwestern Mexican food. We try to go once each time we visit Santa Fe.

Been going to Santa Fe for years as my parents live in SW Colorado and always stop there. Gonna have to try Chimayo as y'all suggest but in all honesty, ya don't have to dry 40 minutes out of Santa Fe to eat great new mexican in ambiance. I

True. They are tons of great places to eat in Santa Fe, but Rancho De Chimayo is a good spot if you want to get out of town and see the area. In town I like the Shed for blow your face off green Chile stew and awesome margaritas!

The shed is great

Those Shed enchiladas are f'ing legend. And make sure you buy the ground red Chile when you are there so you can cook with it when you go home. Hard to get otherwise.

For a change up, go eat Italian at Trattoria A Mano. The orecchiette dish is the single best Italian dish I've ever had anywhere.

Radish and Rye is a really tremendous restaurant.

Travel to SF once or twice a month.

Balloon ride in the morning, then Bandolier in the afternoon. Take water. Combining these two is easily doable.

Tons of great restaurants.

My go to hotel is the Old Santa Fe Inn. One block to everything and free parking. Free breakfast burritos in the morning.

Wife loves Shed...me, not so much my I like southern NM food vs northern. Also love Vanessie's for dinner...elk is great. Geronimos is also excellent but very expensive.

If you are brave, try Tia Sophias for breakfast...the green chile sauce on anything is to die for but VERY HOT. They are known for naming the breakfast burrito.

DM me for other suggestions if you want.