Taos, NM

What to do in Taos, NM

Walking Tours

Wander through town on your own or join an informative tour to explore the historic streets full of galleries and artists who open their studios to the public. The rich history is just as apparent as the art.

Pride of Taos Tours

This tour offers you an overall view of all that Taos has to offer. Lasting three hours, your guide will lead you through the historic areas of town, the Taos Pueblo, and the Ranchos de Taos Church.

Taos Historic Walking Tours

Offering a complete history lesson in a few hours time, this walk through the historic district is an excellent way to understand the pride Taoans take in their homeland.

Enchantment Dreams Walking Tours

There is no better way to see the history of Taos than this tour with theater artist Roberta Courtney Meyers, who acts out the lives of interesting local characters.

Van Vechten Lineberry Taos Art Museum

A new addition to the museums in Taos, this collection features much of Van Vechten's work, as well as that of many other Taos artists. The museum also hosts special shows by the Taos Society of Artists.

Harwood Museum of the University of New Mexico

This high-ceiling, rustic building holds images of New Mexico produced by Taos artists dating to the 1800s. The permanent collection consists of 19th-century religious paintings.

San Francisco de Asisi Church

The monument that made the adobe structures famous, this church is a represents the stark beauty of the sunset-colored adobe. Attend a service in Spanish or English for the full historical experience.

Golf

The 18-hole course at Taos Country Club is a golfer's paradise. Ranked as the third best course in New Mexico, the club attracts top players around to its challenging course. There's also a driving range and practice putting area, with lessons from PGA professionals. Angel Fire Resort Golf Course is another great range, and is actually one of the world's highest at 8,500 feet. The course is surrounded by stands of ponderosa pine, spruce and aspen making it a beautiful as well as challenging game.

Skiing

The Taos Ski Valley was chosen by its developer for its high elevation and dry sunny weather, since these are the perfect ingredients for a ski paradise. Seventy-two trails vary in skill levels to suit experts, beginners, and intermediaries. Lots of sunshine and an average yearly snowfall of 320 inches make for a perfect ski vacation!.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

A magnificent feat of engineering, this bridge spans the Southwest's greatest river 650 feet above the canyon floor. Beautiful views of the gorge and the surrounding area change dramatically with the changing light of day.

Rafting the Rio Grande and Rio Chama

Guides lead you down both rivers, wild or mild to accommodate beginner to experienced rafters. Thrill-seekers get a ride on water moving at 90 mile per hour!.

Horseback Riding

Taos offers everything from simple hour-long trail rides to three day pack trips in high country wilderness. This is a great way to experience the desert plateau and canyons any time of year.

Llama Trekking

Take a load off while a llama carries your gear over mountain ridges and into gorges. The scent of a llama draws wildlife into view for a close-up look. Trips vary from half-day to 8-day excursions.

Hiking

Taos Country mountains and the mesa offer miles of secluded trails. For the best hiking near Taos, journey through the Wheeler Park Wilderness or Latir Peak Wilderness, both with Alpine tundra and high lake country.

Biking

Garcia Park and Rio Chiquito have numerous trails for the beginner and intermediate cyclist, and Gallegos and Picuris Peaks cater to expert riders.

Fishing

Taos is a desert area, but it's certainly not lacking in lakes and streams full of catches like rainbow and cutthroat trout, as well as kokanee (a freshwater salmon). The season runs from April to December, and though the Rio Grande is a favorite fishing spot, numerous streams just outside Taos are also great spots.

Ballooning

Floating serenely above the desert at sunrise or sunset is such a beautiful experience it hardly seems real when you're up there, but it certainly is and the awe-inspiring views are something you'll never forget!.

Go Shopping

It's no surprise that most visitors want to take home some of the fine art that defines Taos. There are about 50 galleries around Taos Plaza and many others a short way from downtown selling local sculptures, paintings, and photographs. For more than just art, the St Francis Plaza in Rancho de Taos is a modern example of the historic marketplace that sells all goods from clothing, to jewelry, crafts, traditional foods, furniture, and more.