Taos, NM Road Trips

The Town of Taos is one of several places with "Taos" (pronounced "touse", rhymes with "house" or "mouse") in their name, all part of the region and contributors to its attractiveness but differing in just what the attractions are. Ranchos de Taos is a small village south of Taos proper that is notable for a spectacularly scenic and much-photographed church. Taos Pueblo is just north of town, and is an ancient American Indian community (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) in a particularly beautiful setting. Taos Ski Valley, also known as Twining, is about 20 miles (32 km) north of town in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Finally, the Taos Box is a section of the nearby Rio Grande known for its superb whitewater. Before setting out for an attraction, know exactly which Taos you're visiting; there are attractions outside Taos proper in Ranchos de Taos, Taos Pueblo and Taos Ski Valley, all of which are covered below with those for the town. It's not clear exactly when the first humans arrived in the Taos area, but samples taken from the main structure of Taos Pueblo found it to likely have been built somewhere between 1000 and 1450 AD, which would make it one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Americas. Situated in a tributary valley of the Rio Grande, Taos marked the northernmost extent of the Pueblo Indians. It would also mark the northernmost extent of Spanish settlement in the Southwest following the arrival of Spanish conquistadors and missionaries in the 17th century.

The historic district at the center of town, this is where you'll find the majority of traveler attractions in Taos. 1 Taos Plaza, the historic center of town, is a shady town square surrounded by adobe architecture about half a block west of the intersection of Paseo del Pueblo and Kit Carson Road, which gets clogged with tourists in the summer months. The buildings surrounding the Plaza hold many of the town's finest restaurants and hotels, as well as a number of houses that belonged to founders of the art colony or other significant personages which have since been turned into museums and galleries. 2 Kit Carson Home and Museum, 113 Kit Carson Rd (a block east of the plaza), ☏ +1 575 758-4945. March-October: Daily 10AM-5PM; November-February: Daily 10AM-4PM. The Taos home of Kit Carson, a 19th-century frontiersman, Indian agent, and Army officer who played a prominent role in the Indian Wars. The house has been lovingly preserved, with artifacts from Carson's life and period furnishings illustrating frontier life in Taos, including one room done up to look like a frontier trading post. $7 adult, $6 senior, $5 teens/students, children 12 and under free. (updated Dec 2015) 3 Governor Bent Home, 117 Bent St (a couple of blocks north of the plaza). Summer: daily 9AM-5PM; winter: 10AM-4PM. The former home of Governor Bent, the first Governor of New Mexico when it was territorial United States, who was killed here in a raid by angry residents who objected to American rule. This small museum has some artifacts from the uprising, as well as some works from local artists.

1 Taos Ski Valley, NM 150, north of town. A major downhill ski locale, usually with the best snow in New Mexico if not the entire Southwest. The slopes usually open on Thanksgiving weekend and close in early April, although early season snow can be sparse and spring conditions slushy. This is a challenging hill, and beginners may feel more comfortable on one of the nearby areas listed under "Get out," but the expert skier can have a fantastic time here. One caution: there is Nordic (cross-country) skiing up-valley from the downhill area, but the valley is prone to avalanches, and Nordic skiers have died there. If the locals warn you against skiing (downhill or Nordic) outside the safe areas due to avalanche hazard, take them seriously. There are a number of fine hikes in the mountains after the skiing ends and the snow melts, with trailheads at Taos Ski Valley and elsewhere. Wheeler Peak, the highest summit in New Mexico at 13,161 ft (4,011 m), is on the ridge opposite the main ski runs and is a popular hiking destination. Do not underestimate this mountain; in addition to the avalanche hazard during the winter, bad weather can strike at any time of the year and turn what is normally a hands-in-the-pockets walk into a life-threatening, and sometimes -ending, experience. The Taos Box, within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, offers superb river running on the Rio Grande during the spring and summer. Several outfitters and guide companies operate out of Taos, and there are others based in small towns between Taos and Española.

Many restaurants in Taos double as art galleries/outlets. You won't find any of the really good stuff there (unless it's art gallery first, restaurant second), but the prices on the workaday material are competitive with the galleries, and you'll have both a more interesting dining experience and an opportunity to browse or even buy the art without feeling guilty about not going for the big-ticket items. In the following, "Budget" restaurants have mains up to about $10 (exclusive of drinks, desserts and tips), "Mid-range" between $10 and $25, and "Splurge" greater than $25. There are many more restaurants in Taos than shown here. 1 Alley Cantina, 121 Teresina Ln, ☏ +1 575 758-2121. Daily 11:30AM-11PM; drinks until 1AM (midnight Sundays). Near the plaza, as much bar as restaurant. "Delicious fish and chips, margaritas" according to some reviewers; barely edible tourist fare, according to others. 2 El Taoseño Cafe and Lounge, 819 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, ☏ +1 575 758-4142. M-Th 6:30AM-9PM; F Sa 6:30AM-10PM; Su 6:30AM-2PM. More of a local hangout than a tourist place, being well south of the center of town. Acceptable New Mexican fare, with some "American" items. 3 Michael's Kitchen, 304C Paseo del Pueblo Norte, ☏ +1 575 758-4178. Daily 7AM-2:30PM, but hours seem to vary; closed on major holidays. A long-time local favorite, casual and busy. Great for breakfast, which is served all day. The New Mexican lunches are variable. Also has a nice bakery. 4 Taos Pizza Outback, 712 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, ☏ +1 575 758-3112. M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa-Su 11AM-10PM.

1 Adobe Bar, 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (at the Taos Inn, see below), ☏ +1 575 758-2233 ext 191. Bills itself as "the Living Room of Taos," and with good reason; passersby wander into this comfortable watering hole (half in the hotel's lobby, half on the sidewalk) as though it's home away from home. Live entertainment every evening is complimentary- open mike on most Mondays. Excellent magarita and wine list. 2 Eske's Brew Pub and Eatery, 106 Des Georges Ln (just southeast of the plaza), ☏ +1 575 758-1517. Daily 11:30AM-10:30PM. Offers "guest beers" from other microbreweries as well as their own selection, including "Green Chile Beer". Also acceptable meals (generally "American"). Alley Cantina (see above under "Eat") often has country/western music and dancing.

There are many hotels and B&Bs in this area, owing to the thriving tourist trade, and many of them are quite good yet not on this list. Budget lodging in Taos can be a somewhat dicey proposition, and some hotels get extremely negative reviews. If you're really on a budget, one of the national chains may be the way to go, at the expense of "local color." 1 Abominable Snowmansion, 476 State Highway 150, Arroyo Seco (Take US-64 North out of Taos, turn right onto State Highway 150 North (KTAO radio will be on your right) and continue on the highway for 5 mi (8 km), veering right at Junction 230 (a.k.a. Old Blinking Light). The hostel is on the left as you enter Arroyo Seco.), ☏ +1 575-776-8298. A cozy, sociable hostel in the style of a ski lodge. They offer dorms, rooms, teepees, and tiny cabins. Guests can pay a nominal fee to use vegetables from the garden, and staff will occasionally cook for donations. The town of Arroyo Seco is hitchhiker friendly, and it's easy to catch a ride into Taos and back just south of the hostel. Bunks from $27, rooms from $60. 2 Super 8 Motel Taos, 1347 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, ☏ +1 575 758-1088. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A typical Super 8, generic rather than colorful, but OK for a night's sleep. South of the downtown area and a bit too far to walk, but satisfactory restaurants are nearby. Rooms from $75. (updated Apr 2016) 3 Taos Valley RV & Camping Park, 120 Este Es Rd (off of Paseo del Pueblo), ☏ +1 575 758-4469. Friendly place, nicely landscaped with privacy fences and shelters at most of the tent sites.

Taos Regional Airport (TSM IATA). JSX from Dallas–Love, Denver–Rocky Mountain, Austin–Executive, Burbank, San Diego/Carlsbad (updated Apr 2025) The Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ IATA), three hours' driving time distant, is one of the nearest airports with extensive commercial air service. Santa Fe Airport is the other nearest airport with extensive commercial service, with 2 hours drive time. Taos is about a two-hour drive north of Santa Fe. Its position on the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains restricts road access somewhat, as there are few passes through the mountains and the ones that exist may be closed in the winter due to snow. Coming from Denver and other points north, there are two options: either follow Interstate Highway 25 to Raton and then US Highway 64 over Palo Flechado Pass and into Taos, or follow Colorado state road 159 south to the New Mexico border, at which point it becomes New Mexico state road 552 and continues to Taos. There are also two routes into Taos from Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The most direct route follows US Highway 285 through Pojoaque to Española, then New Mexico state road 68 along the banks of the Rio Grande to Taos. There are a number of scenic viewpoints on this road; it's worth stopping to see if river runners are on the Rio, particularly during high water (spring) at which time this stretch of river is one of the finest whitewater experiences in the continental United States.

With little traffic Taos is easy to drive around in, seeing as there is really only one main road stretching from the beginning of town to the end. the downtown area is great for walking, with many restaurants, shops, and galleries to visit. Taos Trolley Tours runs bus tours that reach most of the main attractions. The trolley-style bus won't move any more quickly through traffic than your car will, but using it will at least save you some aggravation behind the wheel, and reduce the congestion slightly for the other drivers. Call ☏ +1 575 751-0366 for details; usually closed during the winter. For those without a car, it's relatively easy to hitchhike in and around town. For nearby northern towns, such as Arroyo Seco, Valdez, and Arroyo Hondo, walk north toward the gas station where Paseo del Pueblo (US-64) forms a fork with highway to the Taos Pueblo. Other established hitchhiking spots are at the Junction of US-64 North (Airport/Manby Spring), State Highway 522 (Arroyo Hondo/Stagecoach Spring), and State Highway 240 (Arroyo Seco), and north on Highway 240 at Old Blinking Light. Taos also has an official form of public transportation, and that's the Chile Line shuttle service, ☏ +1 866-206-0754, which operates a free, fixed-route service on weekdays with designated stops along the main street of town (Paseo del Pueblo) up to the pueblo and a shuttle service from many of the hotels in Taos to the Taos Ski Valley.

The areas of and near Taos of most interest to the traveler generally have little crime, although the potential for petty theft from unlocked cars always exists, particularly in remote areas (e.g. at trail heads in the national forest). The main concerns are weather and road hazards. Winters can be harsh, particularly at higher elevations, and the wise motorist uses snow tires and has chains or 4 wheel drive available from November through March. Keeping warm clothing and an emergency kit in the car during this time is a good idea. Heavy snow creates hazards for outdoor recreation as well; use extreme caution in the mountains, as avalanche conditions are frequent. During the summer a different hazard appears: lightning. The Sangre de Cristos generate thunderstorms that produce frequent cloud-to-ground strikes. If you go hiking in the high country during summer, make sure you're off the high summits by 1PM at the latest, and keep an eye out for earlier-than-normal electrical activity. Another contributor to safety concerns on the roadways is the unfortunate but undeniable fact that northern New Mexico has severe problems with drunk driving. Taos has less problems itself with this than some nearby areas, but vigilance on the highways is still a good idea, particularly after dark and on the highways into and outside the town. Another safety hazard along the road to Taos are rock slides that may leave large rocks in the roadway capable of damaging the undercarriage of your vehicle. Take curves with caution and be prepared to slow to avoid hazards.