It was early morning in mid-December after I awoke to the sounds of regular rumbling whereas mendacity within the prime bunk in my 9-by-5-foot household room in Amtrak’s Southwest Chief prepare. I climbed down a ladder to discover my husband and 5-year-old daughter nonetheless snoozing within the decrease bunk. Grabbing a seat on the grey banquette by the window, I pulled apart a blue curtain and was astounded by the view of peachy-pink clouds as we rolled throughout the rugged desert. We had been passing by Holbrook, Ariz., and the dawn was lovely sufficient to be in a watercolor portray. At that second, I felt like I used to be in a Wes Anderson film.
There’s a child-like wonderment that comes from taking a prepare by the expansive Southwest to New Mexico within the winter that you simply simply gained’t get from aircraft journey. We opted for a 16-hour in a single day trip as an alternative of a two-hour flight to Albuquerque as a result of we longed for a completely different approach of touring, one we hoped would sluggish time in our busy lives. Although we had been asleep for half the experience, we spent the remaining hours taking within the lovely surroundings, which appears particularly magnificent by the floor-to-ceiling home windows of the Sightseer Lounge, and having fun with a three-course steak dinner earlier than arriving in Albuquerque round 11 a.m.
If you’ve by no means deliberate a almost 800-mile prepare trip earlier than, you’ll discover some concerns completely different from touring by aircraft or automotive. Depending on which lodging you e book, Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, which goes all the way in which to Chicago, can be costlier than flying. But whether or not you’re touring with youngsters, by your self or with a buddy or companion, there are many methods to make it work inside your price range.
Read on for recommendations on the Amtrak expertise, together with what to do and eat, and the place to keep in New Mexico. If you’re fortunate, you may even get to take pleasure in a dreamy snowfall within the Land of Enchantment.
Booking your prepare tickets
The early chook will get the most effective lodging. Reserve your tickets — Union Station to Albuquerque — as quickly as doable because the most fascinating rooms (particularly household rooms, which can match up to two adults and two youngsters) are the primary to get snatched up. While coach seats are economical, getting to truly lie down for shut-eye within the personal rooms could make a world of distinction. The roomette and bed room choices can every match up to two adults (though the previous might be a tight squeeze), and the bed room suite combines two adjoining rooms. Some include private loos and showers, whereas others are shared, so e book accordingly. A perk of getting a room is that it’s thought of top quality, so a devoted attendant can be accessible to assist with turndown service and baggage, and eating automotive meals are complimentary.
Arriving at Union Station
Union Station in Los Angeles.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
If you’re wanting to keep away from a hectic LAX expertise through the holidays, consider Union Station as its laid-back sibling. Overnight parking is nearly at all times accessible within the Union Station East storage for $8 per day. (If you plan on parking there for three or extra nights, obtain and fill out a parking request type from the Union Station web site and drop it off within the parking workplace situated at Union Station East.)
Plan to arrive not less than an hour earlier than your prepare’s departure in case you have to verify baggage, are touring with household or for those who’ve made a particular request for help on the station. Otherwise, half-hour ought to suffice. If you may have a top quality ticket, head over to the Amtrak Station Lounge to take pleasure in complimentary drinks and snacks whilst you await your departure.
What to deliver
If you might be checking baggage, be sure to deliver a small in a single day backpack that may slot in your room or within the overhead compartment close to your coach seat. (Smaller rooms could not match carry-on baggage and chances are you’ll want to retailer it outdoors of your room, so that you’ll need the in a single day bag for simple entry.) If you want to cost a number of gadgets, deliver a small multi-plug splitter as there may be normally only one electrical outlet. Earplugs can dampen the chugging prepare sounds at night time. And carry money to tip the first-class attendants and waiters.
Transportation in Albuquerque and getting to Santa Fe
The Amtrak prepare will arrive on the Downtown Albuquerque Rail Runner station. From there, you’ll be able to e book a Turo rental wherein a automobile will get dropped off at your location, or go to Enterprise about a mile away (and name the rental workplace prematurely to schedule a free pick-up service). Or take Uber or a free metropolis bus to the rental automotive heart at Albuquerque International Sunport airport, the place extra choices can be found.
To get to Santa Fe, you’ll be able to drive there in an hour or lengthen your prepare journey with a ticketed 1.5-hour experience on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to the Santa Fe Depot Rail Runner station, which is half a mile from downtown Santa Fe.
What to do in Albuquerque
Old Town Poco a Poco Plaza in Albuquerque.
(Jean Trinh)
Stay: The historic Hotel Andaluz is a five-minute stroll from the Albuquerque station, making it a good house base for adventuring. There are loads of cozy areas to cover away at this Moorish-style lodge, with beautiful casbah-inspired alcoves within the foyer, a library with a fire, and Spanish tapas and extra on the wine bar Más.
Eat: Grab a New Mexico-style breakfast on the Central Grill and Coffee House, the place purple or inexperienced chile (Can’t resolve? Have it “Christmas style,” a mixture of each) reigns supreme on such consolation dishes as burritos and chilaquiles. For extra fashionable fare (and extra numerous choices), hit up the full of life Sawmill Market or 505 Central Food Hall for every little thing from Detroit-style pizza to ramen and tacos.
Do: Old Town Albuquerque is a year-round attraction with Pueblo-Spanish-style structure, galleries, outlets and eating places, but it surely’s additional particular through the holidays, when its plaza twinkles at night time with farolitos, or luminarias, as they’re additionally identified (a Southwest Christmas custom of brown paper bag lanterns). On Christmas Eve, you may get tickets for a 45-minute Luminaria Tour bus experience that traverses adorned streets. The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden will host its annual River of Lights vacation attraction from Nov. 30-Dec. 30 with greater than 700 illuminated shows on a 1.5-mile strolling path. For winter sports activities, take a look at Sandia Peak Ski Area, 35 miles northeast of Albuquerque. And for the youngsters, maintain them entertained on the sprawling Explora interactive museum.
What to do in Santa Fe
Snow blankets the Santa Fe Plaza.
(Jean Trinh)
Stay: During the vacations, the foyer of the downtown Inn of the Governors is remodeled into a cozy den full with Christmas decorations, a roaring fire and a every day welcome hour with sherry and biscochitos (the cinnamon and anise-laced New Mexico state cookie). Full service breakfast is included for friends at its Del Charro restaurant and bar, which is open late till midnight on most days.
Eat: Cafe Pasqual’s is packed all day for good causes: It has strong New Mexico dishes made with native and natural substances, it’s in a vibrant house adorned with colourful papeles picados, and it even has a communal desk for lone vacationers to make new mates. (Make certain to go to its adjoining artwork gallery whilst you’re there.) The 71-year-old Shed, additionally a Santa Fe establishment, is a scorching spot for margaritas, posole and purple chile enchiladas.
Do: The Canyon Road Farolito Walk on Christmas Eve is a longtime Santa Fe custom, the place hundreds stroll the artsy thoroughfare to take a look at the lights. There’s additionally La Luz de las Noches on the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, evenings from Dec. 19 to 31 (closed on Dec. 24 and 25), that includes farolitos, musical performances, meals and drinks. For snow actions, journey 35 miles northeast from downtown to Ski Santa Fe, which can be debuting a new excessive velocity elevate this winter. Also, not to be missed is the large immersive artwork expertise of Meow Wolf, and movie screenings at “Game of Thrones” creator George R.R. Martin’s Jean Cocteau Cinema.
