Things to do in Taos
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Joseph's Table
Chef Joseph Wrede doles out unique and creative Southwestern dishes with an emphasis on ingredients from local farms. The dining room sprouts pussywillow chandeliers and a lush flowery mural painted by his wife and his mother. Couples should go for a 'loveshack, ' one of the cozy, romantic window booths.
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San Francisco de Asís Church
Four miles south of Taos in Ranchos de Taos, the oft-photographed San Francisco de Asís Church was built in the mid-18th century but didn't open until 1815. It's been memorialized in Georgia O'Keeffe paintings and Edward Weston photographs.
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Taos Chamber Music Group
For classical and jazz, this group performs at venues throughout the region.
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Taos Pueblo
One of the most photographed destinations in New Mexico and continuously inhabited for more than a thousand years, this quintessential example of Pueblo Revival architecture is a must-see for anyone interested in Native American life, history and culture.
Built entirely out of adobe and set against the stunning backdrop of the Sangre de Cristos, Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The two five-story complexes, built between 1000 and 1450 AD, are one of the best examples of pueblo-revival architecture in the country, and have been continuously inhabited for 1000 years. To…
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Los Rios Anglers
- Taos, USA
- Activities › Fishing
Taos is ringed with stocked streams and lakes that draw adventuresome anglers (some choice spots require a rigorous hike to reach) and happy hooking, cutthroat and German brown trout. Many sites are within steps of your car door; some spots are fully wheelchair-accessible. You must have a license to take advantage of all the fish; check with local outfitter and tackle shop Los Rios Anglers for the scoop on this and good fishing spots. The company also runs a host of tailored guided trips – for beginners to experienced anglers – that take you to unspoiled private lands threaded with secret sparkling streams. Make reservations 48 hours in advance; day trips for one/two/t…
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Los Rios River Runners
- Taos, USA
- Activities › Rafting
The major summertime attraction is white-water rafting in the Taos Box, the steep-sided cliffs that frame the Rio Grande. Busloads of rafters from Santa Fe go up to Pilar, which can become a flurry of sunburned and screaming tourists. The best time to go is in May and June, when snowmelt keeps the rivers rapid, but it’s warm enough to enjoy the splash. In town, contact Los Rios River Runners, which runs trips for around $100. It also does half-day trips on the slightly less rabid Racecourse ($50) – make it more exciting by running it in an inflatable kayak where you’re the sole driver.
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Taos Art Museum & Fechin Institute
This museum was home to Russian artist Nicolai Fechin, who emigrated to New York City in 1922 at age 42 and moved to Taos in 1926. Today his paintings, drawings and sculptures are in museums and collections worldwide. Between 1927 and 1933, Fechin completely reconstructed the interior of his adobe home, adding his own distinctly Russian woodcarvings. The Fechin house exhibits the artist’s private collection, including much Asian art, and hosts occasional chamber music events. Five-day watercolor, sculpture and other arts workshops are offered from May to October at the nearby ranch.
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Taos Diner
- Taos, USA
- Restaurants › Other
[ourpick] Taos Diner It's with some reluctance that we share the existence of this marvelous place, a mountain-town diner with wood-paneled walls, tattooed waitresses, fresh-baked biscuits and coffee cups that are never less than half-full. This is diner grub at its finest, prepared with a Southwestern, organic spin. Mountain men, scruffy jocks, solo diners and happy tourists - everyone's welcome here. We like the Copper John's eggs with a side of green chili sauce.
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Sustaining Cultures
- Taos, USA
- Restaurants › Café
Some people can’t start their day without a Wheatgrass Hopper from this New Age outpost. Although it’s known for the best salad bar in town (open 11am to 3pm), should your Cancer moon ache for the avocado and cheese sandwich or your Taurus ascendant insist on the tempeh burger glazed with peanut sauce, there’s still hope: tarot-card readers ($1 per minute) are usually available to assist you in these and other decisions.
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Apple Tree
Whether you’ve ordered a simple but elegant lunch or a gourmet twist on an old New Mexican classic (mango chicken enchilada), you’ll want to savor your meal on the patio. The fancy surroundings in this historic adobe blend well with fine art, candles and a huge wine list. At lunch an abbreviated to-go menu wraps up simpler, but still stunning fare for a few dollars less than you’d pay to eat inside.
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Kit Carson Home & Museum
Although the collection of artifacts at the Kit Carson Home & Museum is pretty light, you can watch an interesting 20-minute History Channel video about the famed frontiersman's life and explore his one-story home. For a more interesting - if haphazard - collection of period artifacts, walk across the street to the tiny museum inside El Rincón Trading Post.
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Taos Mountain Outfitters
- Taos, USA
- Activities › Hiking
The huge Taos Mountain Outfitters rents and sells everything you need to get out and play. It also has loads of info on nearby hiking trails, ranging from easy day hikes to overnight backcountry trips, and alpine mountain trails along rivers to awesome hikes along and through the Rio Grande Gorge. Many hikes begin near the Taos Ski Valley, 20 miles north of town.
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DH Lawrence Ranch & Memorial
In 1924, Mabel Dodge Luhan gave DH Lawrence’s wife Frieda this 160-acre ranch, now administered by the University of New Mexico, where the Lawrence-obsessed can pay their respects to the famed author of such classics as Lady Chatterley’s Lover. While you are free to wander the grounds, you can’t go into the cabins.
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Tim’s Stray Dog Cantina
Famous for its flame-roasted red and green chile, Tim’s Stray Dog Cantina is a ski valley institution. It serves fabulous northern New Mexican cuisine – the breakfast burritos are perfect fuel-up food – along with fresh margaritas and a big selection of bottled brews. The perfect après-ski or hiking hang-out.
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Lambert’s
Winner of multiple Best of Taos awards, including best restaurant, Lambert’s is a cozy local hangout where patrons sink deeply into sofas and conversation for hours on end. Lace curtains and subtle elegance make this atmospheric eatery a fine experience, whether you’re digging into caribou, buffalo or the pepper-crusted lamb loin ($34).
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Doc Martin’s
Hang out where Bert Philips (the Doc’s bro-in-law) and Ernest Blumenschein cooked up the idea of the Taos Society of Artists. Sit by the kiva fireplace, pop a cork on one of the award-winning wines, dive into the chile rellenos ($12) and you’ll be inspired to great things as well. Reservations recommended.
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Stakeout Grill & Bar
- Taos, USA
- Restaurants › Grill
Steak and seafood prepared with a continental flair draw folks 8 miles south of town off NM 68. Patrons also come for the great wine list and the stellar sunset views of the Rio Grande Gorge from atop Outlaw Hill. (Yes, there were outlaws here at one point.) It’s the most romantic place to dine around town.
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Graham’s Grille
Locals say this is the best new restaurant in town. It serves honest, creative and nonfussy food in hip retro-mod environs – think lime-green walls, purple lightbulbs and starched white tablecloths. The menu features lots of sandwiches and salads, along with mac ’n’ cheese and Frito pie bowls.
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El Rincón Trading Post
Even if you're not looking to buy anything, stop by El Rincón Trading Post to browse through the dusty museum of artifacts, an engaging jumble of Native American crafts, jewelry and Old West memorabilia. There's even a detailed discourse on the role of the peyote plant.
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Rio Grande Stables
Rio Grande Stables, on the road to the ski valley, offers one- to three-hour trips ($45 to $135), all-day rides (including one to the top of Wheeler Peak) and combination horseback/rafting/camping treks they’ll customize just for you. Rates start at $45 for one hour.
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Adobe Bar
- Taos, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
Everybody's welcome in 'the living room of Taos.' And there's something about it: the chairs, the Taos Inn's history, the casualness, the tequila. The packed streetside patio has some of the state's finest margaritas, along with an eclectic lineup of great live music and never a cover.
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Taos Pizza Out Back
Warning: these pizza pies may be cruelly habit-forming. Located behind another business (no, it's not Australian), it uses organic ingredients and serves epicurean combos like a Portabella Pie with sun-dried tomatoes and camembert. Slices are the size of a small country.
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Bent Street Deli & Café
- Taos, USA
- Restaurants › Café
All three meals (and in-between snacks) are tasty, whether you’re building your own sandwich or choosing one of 21 recommended combos and an array of irresistible sides. Dinner revolves around gourmet comfort food, while the rotating brunch menu is over the top.
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Taos Ski Valley
With a peak elevation of 11,819ft and a 2612ft vertical drop, Taos Ski Valley offers some of the most challenging skiing in the US and yet remains low-key and relaxed. Once exclusive to skiers, the resort now allows snowboarders on its slopes.
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Historic Taos Trolley Tours
- Taos, USA
- Activities › Tour
Offers two different tours aboard red trolleys from the visitor center. One visits Taos Pueblo, San Francisco de Asis and the plaza (where they’ll also pick you up); the other takes in Millicent Rogers Museum and the Martinez Hacienda.
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