This is post is part of a partnership with Visit Taos and I am so excited to share why Taos, New Mexico holds such a special place in my heart! In this post, I will go over all the fun activities Taos has to offer… basically everything! If you’re looking for where to stay and eat check out this post.
Destination: Taos, New Mexico
About: Located in north-central New Mexico along the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Rio Grande River Valley.
Distance: 289 Miles from Denver
Time: 4h 30m from Denver (2h 30m from Albuquerque)
Trip Length: Overnight
Season: Year-round or Winter for skiing
Sleeping: Resort Living or Airbnb
The question really is what can’t you do in Taos?! No matter what time of year you visit Taos you will find something everyone can enjoy from cultural tours, skiing to shopping Taos has it all.
Taos Pueblo
The Taos Pueblo is a must visit for everyone. You really get a sense of history and culture of the area by visiting The Pueblo. The Pueblo is over a 1,000 years old and the homes are often called the first apartments. Even today, people still live in the Taos Pueblo making it the longest inhabited place in North America. I highly suggest taking a guided tour of the Pueblo on your visit. Check out their website to learn more about tours and special events.
Museums & Gallery
Taos is known for their art so and the museums and galleries in the area are top notch. Whats really cool about most of the museums is that they are located in old homes. So you are not only seeing incredible southwestern art but also getting a taste of the area’s history and architecture.
Millicent Rogers Museum – My personal fav! Millicent Rogers has a fascinating life story and is integral to putting Taos on the map. The museum showcases art, pottery, blankets and more from her personal collection. She also has a stunning silver and turquoise jewelry collection that is just to die for!
The Hardwood Museum – Located in town on Ledoux Street, The Hardwood Museum showcases a collection of historical southwestern art as well as modern-day art. We visited The Hardwood Museum during The Lighting of Leduex were all the museums, shops and galleries line the street with paper lanterns and open their doors to visitors.
See a full list of Museums in the area here.
Get Outside!
Taos is an outdoor lovers dream! Ski during the day then hit the single track in the afternoon. How about a long hike then a soak in the hot springs, or maybe an all-day float trip down The Box.
La Vista Verde Trail – To reach this trail you head to south Taos then make your way up the Rio Grande (directions here) This out and back trail gives you a totally different perspective as you are hiking inside of the gorge. On our hike we saw tons of bighorn sheep – watch my video at the bottom to see!
The Gorge Bridge – Hop in your car and take a drive out to The Gorge Bridge. On the far side of the bridge is a parking area that often has local vendors. From there you can walk to the middle of the bridge and take in the sheer depth of the gorge. There are also a few trails from the parking lot that lead you around the rim and are super easy, with fantastic views. Whenever I am in Taos I always make a trip to the Gorge Bridge.
There are some great outfitters in the area that can help plan your trip. If you’re looking for a mix of adventure & shopping or culture check out Heritage Inspiration Tours.
Skiing – Taos Ski Mountain is a quick 30 mins drive from Taos and offers the best skiing in New Mexico. With 101 runs there is something for everyone plus the ski school is consistently rated one of the best in the country.
Spa & Hot Springs
Along the Rio Grande River north of the Gorge Bridge are two natural hot springs, Black Rock and Mandy. Learn how to locate and hike to the hot springs here.
El Monte Sagrado – An eco-friendly resort and spa located in the heart of Taos offers world-class spa services in their award-winning “living Spa”. Read more here
Shopping
You can’t explore Taos without shopping. The streets are lined with fabulous galleries, boutiques, and jewelry shops. Yes, some of the stores are a little touristy, but you just need to know where to look! Off the plaza check out Bent Street and John Dunn Street and north along Paseo Del Pueblo Norte for the best galleries and boutiques. East on Paseo Del Canõn you will find more galleries, museums and home goods.
Heritage Inspiration Tours
If you are a little overwhelmed with all the activities or prefer to have someone else plan everything for you check out Heritage Inspiration Tours. Angelisa, the owner, guided us around Taos for two days and was absolutely amazing. Angelisa knows the land, history and culture so well and does a great job showing and telling all Taos has to offer. Best hike? Best Coffee? The best place to watch a game? Best ski run for bumps? Angelisa knows!
