Much better than all of us were expecting…read more We ended up having nearly a four hour trip out and back. The musical guest was great and very engaging. We also had a beer tasting from the local brewery which was very good. Make sure to take in the scenery from one of the open flat cars. The 'robbery' of the car in front of us was hysterical.

The train was nice, but I was honestly underwhelmed by the experience. The ride itself was much…read moreslower than expected, and the scenery wasn't anything you wouldn't see just driving along the highway on your own. For the price, I was expecting something more unique or memorable. They did offer free sparkling wine, which was a nice touch, but they ran out of charcuterie boards after serving only a handful of couples ahead of us on the afternoon scenic ride. That was disappointing, especially since it felt like a basic amenity that should have been better stocked. It was also the only protein based snack option. However, the serving staff was nice and apologetic. The live music was pleasant, but it wasn't upbeat enough to elevate the overall atmosphere and several people around us actually nodded off several times during the ride. One of the better parts was being able to stand in the open-air car and enjoy the breeze, which was relaxing. There was also a presentation by Sante Fe Raptors of a barn owl which was rushed, but one of the highlights of the ride. Overall, it felt overpriced for what was offered, especially without guaranteed snacks or truly standout views. I wouldn't say it's a must-do experience and if you've been on other similar experiences you may be disappointed. If you're going to book, arrive early as there is no designated parking and it can take a while to find street parking due to the location near a popular restaurant.

Scott's tour of the cave dwellings at Bandelier was the highlight of our week in NM. We were…read moreimpressed with his knowledge of the geology of the area, and delighted that he knew so much about native plants too. Scott kept myself and my 14 year old son engaged for the entire hike with stories and insights about the people who lived there 700 years before and we were left feeling a little closer to them. He also packs great snacks and didn't seem to mind all of our questions. Ask him for Coyote and Kokopelli stories! Thank you Scott!

The highlight of our trip to Santa Fe! We are city dwellers and inexperienced hikers so we opted…read morefor a guide. We wondered if we would feel like we had spent money unnecessarily or if we would be relieved we sprang for a guide. We are both so glad we hired Outspire! Scott was so nice to speak with over the phone and equally easy going on the day of our excursion. He picked us up at our hotel and drove us up the mountain to the trailhead. He brought liking poles, a day pack, water, and snacks. Scott made frequent stops on the trail to accommodate our adjustment to the altitude (and our fitness level). He never once made us feel bad for stopping. As a geology professor at the local community college, Scott is uniquely knowledgeable about the area. We learned so much about the mountain and the plants and animals, without ever feeling like we were in a lecture. Scott is professional, knowledgeable, and thorough - while still being easy going with a kind demeanor. HIGHLY recommend!

What a great day we had a with Tom from GSWA. We are a group that likes to learn and Tom quenched…read morethat thirst. He was so knowledgeable about the area, the history, the geology and the people north of Santa Fe. We highly recommend GSWA and it's wonderful team. A special thanks to LaVonne for making it happen on very short notice!

My wife and I had a fantastic experience with Monique of Great Southwest Tours of the Taos, New…read moreMexico area. Our guide Monique pointed out the topography of the region as well as of all the tribal lands and the history of those tribes. Sante Fe has a rich history and Monique's highlighting of the history was incredibly enriching. Touring with Monique in the Toas area was so wonderful that we felt like we were back in college, we learned so much. When we plan next trip to the Sante Fe, New Mexico we will schedule a tour of the area with Great Southwest Tours and ask for Monique as our guide. Having a knowledgeable guide like Monique will surely make your visit just as memorable.

Had a truly enchanting time here while driving through Cerillos on a sightseeing adventure with an…read moreout-of-town friend and car full of children. My city-mouse friend mentioned that she had always dreamed of petting a horse, so when we drove past an eclectic looking stable with gorgeous horses (seriously looks like something out of a movie), I figured it was worth a shot to see if we could meet the animals. I told my friend, "What's the worst they could say? No?" I parked my car and walked up to what looked like the main building, and I was greeted by a sleepy grey cat and outrageously cute little dog. A man that I presume is the owner followed behind the dog and asked me if I needed help. After pitching my request to him, offering money to let my friend just spend some time visiting the horses, he kindly told me that we were welcome to respectfully walk around for free. He told us we could meet any horse that came up to us, but reminded us to not feed the horses. By the looks of the horses, the man I spoke to clearly cares for these animals deeply, and I was really taken by the cleanliness and health of the horses. In the end, my friend was able to meet a horse for the first time, and my kids loved seeing the beautiful animals. They especially loved the sweet grey cat and inquisitive one-eyed horse. We will definitely be back to schedule a ride here, as I was so impressed by the animals and thankful for the kindness we were shown. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Broken Saddle!

I made reservations with the owner over a month ago and when we showed up they said they couldn't…read morelocate my reservation nor did they do anything to try to make it right.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve, and it was absolutely beautiful. The…read moremain 1.5-mile loop is easy, quiet, and full of character -- cottonwoods, old reservoir ruins, and a nice mix of sun and shade. It's amazing how peaceful it feels being just a few minutes from town. We also took a short side hike on the Dale Ball Trail System, which connects nearby. The views opened up fast -- rolling foothills, crisp mountain air, and wide open blue skies. Perfect mix of short-and-scenic without feeling rushed. Highly recommend this combo if you want something relaxing but still photo-worthy. Bring water, take your time, and enjoy the calm New Mexico landscape before heading back into Santa Fe.

Nice little hike along the ruins of the old Santa Fe Reservoir. Signs with old photos give…read morehistorical and ecological perspectives. Nice lush scenery along the Santa Fe "River," usually a steam. Some wonderful cool hidden benches for the romantically inclined. No dogs or bikes. Trailhead across from Audubon sign is not easy to find.

In the July heat, I could hear the birds more than I could see them but it was still fun to take…read morethe short trail hikes and use the Merlin app (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) to figure out what birds we were hearing. Closer to the center you'll have a chance to see the birds that visit the hanging bird feeders and you can stroll the garden that has labelled flowers and plants. The docent led tour of the Randall Davey house and studio is interesting if you are there on a Friday and is a great way to support the Center.

I had a lovely visit to this free (I know, free!!) Center and really enjoyed the short hike and…read moreviews. A good spot to visit if you have some time to kill or are with kids and want a easy and super short hike.

Beautiful trail with great views. A little rocky in some areas but a good incline overall and nice…read moreoption for a hike or trail run. It is in a residential area and the only parking is right in front of the trailhead with room for about 4 cars. We got lucky and the 4th spot was available when we arrived! Worth a visit! Near downtown so an easy trail for visitors staying at hotels to check out!

The trailhead for this beautiful and easy 1.9-mile loop hike is about 3/4 miles above St. John's…read moreCollege on Santa Fe's eastside. The trail affords great views of the north end of Santa Fe and the Jemez Mountains. There are frequently lizards and horned toads along the trail edges. Although the trailhead parking lot is small (4 cars), there is roadside parking near St. John's College.

It's just a train stop and that's it, but a very important one I would imagine for locals and…read moretourists alike. I waited here for the rail runner train to Albuquerque, which arrived perfectly on time, and was painless to figure out even for a visitor like me. You just wait based on the schedule, it shows up, and you can buy your ticket online or on-board. You can also buy a day pass, which is worth it if you plan to ride more than one way, a significant savings. This stop has a large parking lot for commuters, and bike lockers for those who routinely would bike to and/or from the stop. It's right in the heart of the downtown area of Santa Fe, and there are plenty of places to eat, drink, and shop nearby while you wait. For me, it was an excellent junction point for my trip. Served it's purpose, this public transit is GREAT, and the ABQ/Santa Fe area is lucky to have it.

I loved this area. It has many shops, restaurants, and other facilities. It's clean and surrounded…read moreby a park and the train that takes you into town.