Trip Ideas--Guest from Italy

[TURobY]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

Stuff to see on the way...In Amarillo, they have a cool quarterhorse museum. The also have the famous restaurant "The Texan" where if you eat a 72 oz. steak and plate of potatoes it is free. There is also a cattle processing facility just outside of town that smells as bad as any place in the world.

Make sure you check out the Cadillac Ranch while you are there.

[dsjeffries]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

Stuff to see on the way...In Amarillo, they have a cool quarterhorse museum. The also have the famous restaurant "The Texan" where if you eat a 72 oz. steak and plate of potatoes it is free. There is also a cattle processing facility just outside of town that smells as bad as any place in the world.

Tucumcari means Land of Cheap hotel/motels.It also has the world's largest collection of life-size bronze dinosaur skeletans. The town is pretty at night of you like old neon signs.

I love Albuquerque and would go to the botanical garden to see the walk through light display along the river. It is like Rhema, but it shapes of animals and other stuff and includes an ice skating rink. My favorite hotel is closed...the La Posada Hotel downtown was the first hotel ever owned by Conrad Hilton.

In Santa Fe, we stay at the Inn of the Governors. It is the best location in town. Make sure and go see the Georgia O'Keefe Museum. It is 13,000 feet and has only one artist, arguably the most important American artist of last century. If you are there on a Saturday and the weather is nice, you can buy wonderful silver jewelry from artists selling their wares on blankets in the town square.

I stay out of Denver, but love to go a half hour west into the mountains to Black Hawk/Central City. It is an amazing drive and the town consists of a hundred hotels and casinos. It is like a quaint and proper version of Las Vegas, but the smarmieness is gone because state law allows no more than a five dollar bet. You can easily find a one dollar blackjack table.

Have a good trip and drive safely.

Thanks for the tips! We're leaving T-Town on the 29th and should be back on the 1st or 2nd. Photos to follow.

[waterboy]

Man, we have some insightful well travelled folks here. I would only add two things. Minnesota area is due for a heavier than average snow fall cycle this year.

And don't forget, Amarillo is the Helium capital of the US, for what that's worth!

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by TURobY

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

Stuff to see on the way...In Amarillo, they have a cool quarterhorse museum. The also have the famous restaurant "The Texan" where if you eat a 72 oz. steak and plate of potatoes it is free. There is also a cattle processing facility just outside of town that smells as bad as any place in the world.

Make sure you check out the Cadillac Ranch while you are there.

Darn--beat me to it.  For another place to stay in Sante Fe, I would recommend the Bishop's Lodge (http://www.bishopslodge.com/), which is right outside the city, and a little more remote.  It's closer to the ski resort, if you are going to do any skiing, and rooms are a little more spacious.  But RM's suggestion is great as well.  The drive to Taos is beautiful, if it is along the way to Denver.  Try to visit Bandelier National Forest and Los Alamos. Albuquerque's old town is really nice, and the La Posada is a great hotel.  

In Denver, 16th Street is a lot of fun.

[Red Arrow]

If you get north of Denver to Boulder, check out the Boulderado Hotel. www.boulderado.com It is kept in early 1900s style but with modern features.  Even if you don't stay there, at least stop in to visit the lobby and bar.  I was there on a company trip in the 1980s.  Very nice and also interesting building. The (then) new addition was done in the same style as the original.

[Renaissance]

Good call.  I'm coming late to this discussion, but it is bitterly, bitterly cold in Minnesota this time of year.  Definitely not the time to visit.

[TheArtist]

The thought of cold weather and possibly being caught in a snowstorm had occured to me. Especially when your driving. Was there any reason for not going South?