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The Town of Taos

Taos casts a lingering spell. Set on a rolling mesa at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it's a place of piercing light and spectacular views, where the desert palette changes almost hourly as the sun moves across the sky. Adobe buildings—some of them centuries old—lie nestled amid pine trees and scrub, some in the shadow of majestic Taos Mountain. The smell of piñon wood smoke rises from the valley in winter; in spring and summer, it gives way to fragrant sage.

Located just 18 miles from Taos Ski Valley the town of Taos offers the traveller a unique cultural experience. Here you will find Galleries, Museums, Historical sites and the Taos Pueblo. From luxury Resorts to cozy Bed and Breakfast Inn's, rustic hostels to private home rentals. Taos offers a full range of affordable accommodations to make your stay memorable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Reasons to Go to Taos


Southwestern style. The simple elegance of adobe architecture balances the vibrancy of Southwestern art. The result? Aesthetic perfection.

American roots. The Taos Pueblo and the proud Navajo Indians that call the area home provide a unique perspective on pre-Columbian culture and accomplishments.

Desert solitaire. Bask in the ultimate stress-reducer of the empty high desert and pine-covered hills.

Green chiles. Piquant, but not overly hot, the ubiquitous green chile shows up in everything from breakfast burritos to stacked blue corn enchiladas to lobster bisque. Smokey and smooth, it's an apt corollary to Proust's madeleine.

 

 

 

 

If You Like

Arts & Crafts

If your idea of fun is museum-going and gallery-hopping, you'll love Taos. The creative spirit is strong here, and it's contagious. Even if you begin by just browsing, you might find that you can't go home without a certain painting or pot that captures the unique enchantment of the place. When browsing for art, you often have the opportunity to meet the artists themselves, an eclectic and almost universally free-thinking collection of individuals, some of whom might wear cowboy boots and speak with drawl. You can even join in the flow of creative energy by participating in art workshops yourself. It's easy to visit a lot of galleries in a short time; many are side by side on a few streets around the Plaza. Southwestern landscapes and Native American themes are frequent subjects. Look for outstanding weaving, jewelry, tinwork, and other crafts, too.

New Mexican Cuisine

Taos is a great place for New Mexican fare, prepared with locally grown chiles and homemade tortillas, but the town also draws raves for outstanding contemporary restaurants with award-winning wine lists. The many New Agers who live in and frequent the area mean that fresh, organic, and vegetarian dishes abound here. Pan-Asian and Middle Eastern flavors are also influences in the increasingly sophisticated cuisines finding their way to this small town with a big attitude.

Outdoor Activities & Sports

The glorious landscape around Taos draws serious athletes as well as those who just want to wander under the huge skies and gaze at the mountains. Cycling is popular, with rallies and races held in late summer. The vast Carson National Forest is an excellent spot for most any outdoor pursuit. The rivers and lakes are excellent for trout fishing; you can arrange for outings with local expert guides. The waters also invite rafters, especially when spring runoff fills the rivers with white water. There are innumerable trails for hiking for all levels of fitness, up into alpine reaches and down into rocky gorges. If you're really after a thrill or something different, try a hot-air balloon ride into the Rio Grande Gorge or llama trekking in the wilderness. And of course winter brings skiers from all over to the world-class slopes of Taos Ski Valley and other nearby resorts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit the 2012 Taos Vacation Guide for your trip planning.

Ref: Fodors Travel Guides