Turquoise Trail
The historic Turquoise Trail takes half an hour longer to drive (77 miles in total, compared to 67 miles on I-25), but there are several nice stops on the way.
Directions to Turquoise Trail
- Please take I-25 North from Albuquerque Airport, go around 3.5 miles.
- Take the exit 226A to I-40 East to go towards Santa Rosa. Go 14.5 miles.
- Take exit 175 towards NM-14. Follow the sign to NM-14 towards Santa Fe.
- Depending on the time you have, you can stop at the following on your way.
Things to do on Turquoise Trail
Tinker Town
It took Ross Ward over 40 years to carve, collect, and lovingly construct what is now Tinkertown Museum. His miniature wood-carved figures were first part of a traveling exhibit, driven to county fairs and carnivals in the 1960s and ’70s. Today over 50,000 glass bottles form rambling walls that surround a 22-room museum. Wagon wheels, old fashioned store fronts, and wacky western memorabilia make Tinkertown’s exterior as much as a museum as the wonders within.
Sandia Crest
6 miles up on Turquoise Trail, you can turn left on Sandia Crest Road. This is an 11 miles drive (22 miles return side trip) to Sandia Crest. A nice view of Sandia Mountains and Albuquerque. Go back to Turquoise Trail.
Henderson Store in Golden
Now a ghost town, once Golden was considered to be the capitol of New Mexico when gold was discovered here. Now, you will find a nice family owned store for local Native American arts and crafts. If you are interested, the store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 3:3PM.
Town of Madrid
A must stop. Once a coal mining town, Madrid has been a ghost town till a group of artist changed it to creative community with artist owned and operated galleries and shops.
The Hollar and The Mine Shaft Tavern
There are two restaurants called the Hollar and the Mine Shaft Tavern. Both are good places for lunch.
Cerrillos
Just another 2.8 miles north from Madrid, is an even smaller village of Cerrillos. Once famous for Turquoise mines, now if offers a peek into the distant past. Turn left into the village for a five minute circling around an old town. If you are interested, please reserve in advance to go for a horseback ride with Broken Saddle. Their phone number is 505.424.7774.
San Marcos Café & Feed Store
505.471.9298
3.5 miles further on the Turquoise Trail is San Marcos Café & Feed Store on your left. They are open till 2PM. A great local place for lunch.
Direction to the B&B: Go another 14 miles to I-25. Turn right onto I-25 North.
- FROM INTERSTATE 25, please take exit #284/OLD PECOS TRAIL. Turn NORTH onto OLD PECOS TRAIL towards the Plaza. Go 1.4 miles. You will go through 2 lights.
- => Turn RIGHT at the 3rd light toward the Plaza and the Downtown. Go 2 miles. You will go through 3 light.
- => Turn RIGHT at the 4th light on PASEO DE PERALTA. Go 1.1 miles. The road will curve to the left. You will go through 3 lights.
- => Turn RIGHT at the 4th light on OLD TAOS HWY, go only a short block.
- <= Turn LEFT on Paseo de LA CUMA. B&B is the 2nd house on your RIGHT.
Enjoy your Turquoise Trail drive, and we will see you at the B&B.
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