Leave at the planned time; route follows US-6/I-25 south toward Colorado Springs then west toward the San Luis Valley — scenic drive with mountain and foothill views.
Stroll the short, iconic red-rock formations and stop at the Visitor & Nature Center for exhibits and viewpoints; the park grounds are open dawn–dusk and the Visitor Center is typically open ~9:00am–5:00pm (confirm seasonal hours).
Continue southwest toward the San Luis Valley and your overnight near Great Sand Dunes National Park — the drive is scenic with wide‑open mountain/valley views.
Choose a local New Mexican or Mexican restaurant in Alamosa or Mosca for hearty chile-focused dishes and comfort food after a long drive; many places are open into the evening but hours vary — call ahead if you have a specific spot in mind.
Quick breakfast and coffee in town—grab sandwiches or breakfast burritos to take for a picnic near the dunes; many cafes open early but verify individual hours.
Explore the high, shifting dunes at cooler morning temperatures; the Visitor Center generally opens around 9:00am, but the park landscape is accessible at dawn—bring water, sun protection and good footwear. Sunrise/early morning gives much better temperatures for climbing and photography.
If Medano Creek is running (spring/early summer runoff possible), kids/adults enjoy wading and building sand structures; otherwise short dune walks and rim viewpoints are rewarding.
Either a picnic at the park pullout or lunch in Alamosa; choose a place with big portions (burgers, burritos) to refuel for the afternoon drive into northern New Mexico.
Head southwest into New Mexico toward the Taos area — the drive passes through remote and scenic high desert and mountain corridors; plan for ~3–4 hours driving with stops.
Stretch your legs at the sweeping Rio Grande Gorge Bridge for dramatic canyon views and photography; the bridge and overlook are open year-round (visitor facilities limited).
Enjoy classic southwestern plates or a refined meal at the Taos Inn's Doc Martin's Restaurant or pick a laid-back taqueria for green chile specialties; Taos restaurants stay open into the evening but check specific hours.
Browse galleries, shops and historic buildings around Taos Plaza; even though Taos Pueblo is closed per your note, the plaza and local museums/galleries provide plenty of cultural immersion.
A direct drive to Santa Fe runs about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on stops — route is scenic as you descend into the Rio Grande rift toward Santa Fe.
Arrive in Santa Fe and have lunch at The Shed for classic New Mexican dishes (red/green chile specialties) just off the Plaza; popular—expect a wait at peak times, open ~11am on most days (confirm hours).
Visit San Miguel Chapel (one of the oldest churches in the U.S.; open generally mid‑morning to late afternoon) then wander the historic Plaza, shops and the Palace of the Governors exterior.
Walk through the Roundhouse and outdoor plaza for public art and history — the capitol is usually open weekdays ~8:00am–5:00pm (Saturday hours can be limited).
For an elevated evening try Geronimo on Canyon Road (reservations recommended) or La Boca for Spanish small plates; both offer excellent food and are near downtown Santa Fe.
Explore the extensive collection and rotating exhibitions dedicated to Georgia O'Keeffe and her Southwestern landscape work; museum hours are typically 10:00am–5:00pm but check for special closures or ticketed entry times.
Enjoy another taste of New Mexican cuisine at a nearby spot; La Choza is a reliable, chile-forward option a short drive from the Plaza (hours generally include lunch service).
Visit the Loretto Chapel to see the famed ‘miraculous’ spiral staircase; chapel visitor hours are typically around 9:00am–5:00pm and a small donation is often requested.
Plan a 2–3 hour immersive, multi-sensory experience at Meow Wolf — it’s ticketed (reserve a timed entry in advance) and is one of Santa Fe’s most unusual contemporary art attractions; hours commonly 10:00am–9:00pm but vary by day.
Walk Canyon Road for galleries, sculpture and a sunset vibe — many galleries close mid‑to‑late afternoon but the street is scenic and restaurants begin to fill for dinner.
Choose The Compound for a refined experience on Canyon Road or Tomasita's for classic northern New Mexican plates on the Old Pecos Trail; both are open for dinner (reserve for The Compound).
Visit this renowned pilgrimage site (the Santuario is generally open 7:00am–5:00pm) to see the chapel and holy dirt; the site is 25–30 minutes north of the Plaza and makes for a peaceful morning stop.
Drive ~45–60 minutes to Bandelier and hike the Main Loop to see pueblo ruins and cliff dwellings; the monument typically has ranger hours ~8:00am–5:00pm (check current conditions and road access).
Sazón is an excellent spot for elevated regional cuisine (reservations recommended); the Coyote Café is another downtown favorite for contemporary regional plates and live music nights.
Walk the overlook or explore the gorge trailhead; this is an excellent spot for panoramic photos and a different perspective than your arrival-stop earlier in the trip.
Do NOT attempt to visit Taos Pueblo (closed per your plan). Instead visit local museums (Millicent Rogers Museum) and galleries, or the Harwood Museum in Taos for regional art.
Finish the day with a comforting dinner near the Plaza; Plaza Café and similar restaurants offer New Mexican classics and casual dining late into the evening.
Head north on I-25 (via US-285/I-25 depending on chosen route); expect 6–7 hours of driving time total to Fort Collins area with breaks — plan stops in Taos/Truchas/Salida as preferred.
Stop for lunch mid-way in a Front Range town—Canon City and Pueblo both have solid Americana and Mexican food choices. Stretch legs at a local park or brief hike if time allows.
Arrive to the Front Range town of your choice for a relaxed evening less than 1.5 hours from the Denver airport; this avoids an ultra-early long drive on Sep 2.
Enjoy a final evening meal at a Colorado Front Range favorite (brewpub or local steakhouse); Fort Collins has many excellent breweries and relaxed restaurants.
Depart for DIA allowing 1–1.5 hours depending on lodging location, traffic and rental-car return time — aim to arrive by 9:30am to be ready for a 10:00am appointment/departure requirement.