But Vernon’s speakeasy steakhouse was nice and a fun experience. It’s been over a decade so don’t hold me to it.

There’s also a cool Resort Hotel if your wife is with you called Los Poblanos Inn. Probably not convenient if your on a business trip but the restaurant is very good for a dining option. Farm & Table is also a solid choice for dinner.

They specialize in sopapillas stuffed with all sorts of magical ingredients. It’s the opposite of fancy (the restaurant looks like a fast-food joint), and there’s no bar or anything, but it’s an Albuquerque institution. The #1 (beans, cheese, and red chile) is the gateway. It’s on Candelaria and 12th.

We’ll be there in mid-June for a family reunion. Are there good vineyards or other fun things to do for an afternoon (with people in their 70s)?

Santa Fe and Taos are our favorite quick get-aways from the DFW area. Here are a few thoughts on favorites that I share with folks.

First, the altitude is real - 7198 feet and higher to the east of the square. Take it seriously and go easy if you're not acclimated.

If everyone in your group is mobile the Randal Davey Audobon Center is nice for some nature walking. And a walk along Canyon Road galleries would be a great way to spend a couple hours in the afternoon, and there are a few places you could stop for lunch or drinks.

Restaurants:
The Shed is my favorite for local New Mexican style - red/Green Chile enchiladas. It's a block or so off the square, just east of the Governor's Palace, easily walkable. Call ahead or stop by to get your name on the list while you explore the plaza, as there's usually a wait.

La Choza is good too, but I didn't like it as well last time I was there. It's located several blocks off the square area and requires a short drive.

Inn of the Anasazi - Old School 5* hotel. Expensive, but a cool place to have a drink at the bar. The decor is very 1920's New Mexico.

La Fonda - An Old Harvey hotel (Santa Fe RR) - SE corner of the Plaza. They have a rooftop bar that's lovely at sunset.

Shopping:
If you're looking for Native American made wares, beware that there are only a few shops that carry only authentic items and also have good relationships with the Native artists.

The artists you will see in front of the Governor's Palace are all the real deal and tend to sell cheaper than the shops. I love buying from them directly because they can tell you all about what you're getting- how it's made, what the symbols mean... Go by there any day you're in the square as the artists change daily.

Reputable shops around the square are:

Andrea Fisher Gallery - Native American pottery. Both new and historical / Estate, all regional tribes are represented as well as some Eastern tribal artists and Mata Ortiz Mexico. Huge selection of very high quality stuff. Highly recommended.

Keshi - This is an artist collective shop that sells mostly Zuni made Fetishes/carvings. Mostly newer stuff, but it is all authentic and the prices are reasonable.

Bahti Indian Arts - A couple doors down from the shed on East Palace. Small shop, but has a cool selection of both new and estate native American artworks - carvings, pottery, beaded goods.

There's another shop a couple doors West of Bahti, also near and on the same side of the street as The Shed, who's name escapes me, but they have a HUGE selection of mostly estate wares - old pottery, silver, and even gold-tone photography from the late 1800s.

Shiprock - This place is wild. They have an ecclectic selection of rugs/weavings, some new, but mostly old (late 1800s, early 1900s), as well as a really nice selection of silver and pueblo pottery, usually including many very large olla jars. Most of what they sell is older stuff from estates. It's like a museum with price tags. The store is located on the second floor of the block of buildings on the east side of the square. The entrance is a wide staircase in the middle of the block.

Otherwise, the canyon road area is nice for art/wares that are mostly non-native - paintings, sculptures, woodwork.... A few standouts there:

The Meyer Gallery - They have a wide selection of artists covering lots of subjects, but the thing I love there is their huge selection of Dave McGary sculptures.

Zaplin Lampert Gallery - Old school oil paintings and Baumann prints - Classic New Mexico artwork from 1930s and before. Like a museum. Casual browsing is welcome, but they are covid conscious and prefer that you call to schedule a visit.

It looks like we’re only going to be there two nights and we’re staying at the Inn of the Five Graces. We’re going to eat dinner one night at the hotel’s restaurant, The Pink Adobe, but it looks like we could hit the Shed for lunch one of the days we’re there (we have a family barbecue one of the two nights so dinner is out). These other suggestions are great. I stayed at La Fonda decades ago as a kid with my family and it felt like traveling back in time. Thanks again for these thoughtful suggestions!

I noted that you are staying at the Inn of the Five Graces. That is a good call but I would recommend the Inn of the Anasazi or Bishop's Lodge in that price bucket. And you would be better served by dining at The Compound, Sazon, or Geronimo than Pink Adobe. Two of the those have recently been nominated for James Beard awards. I spend six months per year and have other recommendations for hiking, biking and fly fishing if you are interested.

Not sure what Hotel Albuquerque is like these days but its a full servive hotel with bars and restaurants. Near Old Town and there is a Seasons (restaurant) nearby.

As recommended definitely find some time to take the tram.

If your willing to venture a bit for a meal recommend El Pinto, overrated but great patio and salsa. If you dont need anything fancy for food but want delicious New Mexican fare check out Durans, Barelas,El Bruno, Padillas, and The Frontier

take the evening tram up to the crest of the Sandia Mountains (elevation 10,300') and dine at the High Finance. It overlooks ABQ and the high desert to the west. You're virtually guaranteed a classic New Mexican sunset.

It's been some years since I've last been there, and I understand they've since remodeled. Perhaps another poster can update.

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Thanks

but the Hyatt downtown was pretty nice; decent bar area in the restaurant and also some decent places in walking distance.

That said, uptown is likely where you want to be; they were developing more stuff there a decade or so ago; I want to say it was the I40 and Louisiana area. Sandia Casino/Resort might be nice as well.