It was early morning in mid-December after I awoke to the sounds of regular rumbling whereas mendacity within the high bunk in my 9-by-5-foot household room in Amtrak’s Southwest Chief practice. I climbed down a ladder to search out 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 practice 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 journey as an alternative of a two-hour flight to Albuquerque as a result of we longed for a special manner of touring, one we hoped would gradual time in our busy lives. Though we had been asleep for half the journey, 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.
In case you’ve by no means deliberate an almost 800-mile practice journey earlier than, you’ll discover some issues completely different from touring by aircraft or automobile. Relying on which lodging you e-book, Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, which goes all the best way to Chicago, can be dearer than flying. However whether or not you’re touring with children, by your self or with a buddy or companion, there are many methods to make it work inside your finances.
Learn on for tips about the Amtrak expertise, together with what to do and eat, and the place to remain in New Mexico. In case you’re fortunate, you may even get to get pleasure from a dreamy snowfall within the Land of Enchantment.
Reserving your practice tickets
The early chook will get the very best lodging. Reserve your tickets — Union Station to Albuquerque — as quickly as attainable because the most fascinating rooms (particularly household rooms, which can match as much as two adults and two kids) are the primary to get snatched up. Whereas coach seats are economical, getting to truly lie down for shut-eye within the non-public rooms could make a world of distinction. The roomette and bed room choices can every match as much as two adults (though the previous is usually a tight squeeze), and the bed room suite combines two adjoining rooms. Some include private bogs and showers, whereas others are shared, so e-book accordingly. A perk of getting a room is that it’s thought-about firstclass, so a devoted attendant will likely be accessible to assist with turndown service and baggage, and eating automobile meals are complimentary.
Arriving at Union Station
Union Station in Los Angeles.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Instances)
In case you’re seeking to keep away from a busy LAX expertise throughout the holidays, consider Union Station as its laid-back sibling. In a single day parking is sort of at all times accessible within the Union Station East storage for $8 per day. (In case 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 positioned at Union Station East.)
Plan to reach at the very least an hour earlier than your practice’s departure if it’s important to examine baggage, are touring with household or if you happen to’ve made a selected request for help on the station. In any other case, half-hour ought to suffice. When you have a firstclass ticket, head over to the Amtrak Station Lounge to get pleasure from complimentary drinks and snacks whilst you await your departure.
What to convey
In case you are checking baggage, ensure that to convey 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 you might have to retailer it outdoors of your room, so that you’ll need the in a single day bag for simple entry.) If it’s good to cost a number of units, convey a small multi-plug splitter as there’s often only one electrical outlet. Earplugs can dampen the chugging practice sounds at evening. And carry money to tip the first-class attendants and waiters.
Transportation in Albuquerque and attending to Santa Fe
The Amtrak practice will arrive on the Downtown Albuquerque Rail Runner station. From there, you may e-book a Turo rental during which a car will get dropped off at your location, or go to Enterprise a few 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 automobile middle at Albuquerque Worldwide Sunport airport, the place extra choices can be found.
To get to Santa Fe, you may drive there in an hour or lengthen your practice journey with a ticketed 1.5-hour journey on the New Mexico Rail Runner Specific to the Santa Fe Depot Rail Runner station, which is half a mile from downtown Santa Fe.
What to do in Albuquerque 
Outdated City Poco a Poco Plaza in Albuquerque.
(Jean Trinh)
Keep: The historic Lodge Andaluz is a five-minute stroll from the Albuquerque station, making it an ideal dwelling base for adventuring. There are many 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: Seize a New Mexico-style breakfast on the Central Grill and Espresso Home, the place purple or inexperienced chile (Can’t resolve? Have it “Christmas style,” a mix of each) reigns supreme on such consolation dishes as burritos and chilaquiles. For extra trendy fare (and extra numerous choices), hit up the full of life Sawmill Market or 505 Central Meals Corridor for every thing from Detroit-style pizza to ramen and tacos.
Do: Outdated City Albuquerque is a year-round attraction with Pueblo-Spanish-style structure, galleries, retailers and eating places, however it’s further particular throughout the holidays, when its plaza twinkles at evening with farolitos, or luminarias, as they’re additionally identified (a Southwest Christmas custom of brown paper bag lanterns). On Christmas Eve, you will get tickets for a 45-minute Luminaria Tour bus journey that traverses adorned streets. The ABQ BioPark Botanic Backyard 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 Space, 35 miles northeast of Albuquerque. And for the youngsters, hold them entertained on the sprawling Explora interactive museum.
For the document:
10:45 a.m. Sept. 28, 2024An earlier model of this text recognized Cathedral Park as Santa Fe Plaza in a photograph caption.
What to do in Santa Fe 
Snow blankets Cathedral Park.
(Jean Trinh)
Keep: Throughout the holidays, the foyer of the downtown Inn of the Governors is remodeled into a comfy den full with Christmas decorations, a roaring hearth and a day by 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 stable New Mexico dishes made with native and natural elements, it’s in a vibrant area adorned with colourful papeles picados, and it even has a communal desk for lone vacationers to make new pals. (Ensure that 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 Highway Farolito Stroll 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 Backyard, 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 will likely be debuting a brand new excessive velocity elevate this winter. Additionally, to not 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.