Taos is located about an hour and a half north of Santa Fe at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
It is a very culturally and historically rich area like Santa Fe but much more rustic and conscious of keeping their small town feel.
Taos started as a Pueblo 900 years ago when the Taos and Picturis Pueblos established the area as their home. It was thought that the mountain was sacred and was very generous to the pueblo. In reality it was a very fruitful area for farming and the pueblos survived well there for centuries.
In 1540 Conquistador Hernando de Alvarado followed the Rio Grande north to Taos Valley. When he saw the sun shining on the straw in the adobes at Taos Pueblo, he believed he has found the famed Cities of Gold. This began the influx of the Spanish where today there are ancestors of these settlers.
The Pueblo people became unhappy and angry with the Spanish for their ways and revolted and gained control back of Taos in 1680.
But in 1696 Don Diego de Vargas of Spain resettled the area around Taos Pueblo, Taos Plaza and Ranchos de Taos. And so it remained in Spanish control like the rest of New Mexico until The Americans occupied New Mexico in 1846 when Col. Stephen W. Kearney with his "Army of the West" occupied New Mexico for the U.S. and Charles Bent of Taos was appointed as the first American Governor of N.M.
In 1847 Taos Pueblo Indians and firebrand Hispano nationalists revolted against the U.S. occupation and landgrant land losses. Governor Bent was murdered and Taos was at war again but it was between Mexico and the U.S.
In 1848 The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed ending the Mexican/American War ceding Taos and the Southwest to the U.S. and making all non-Indian inhabitants who did not leave within one year citizens of the U.S. and so just like Santa Fe a tri mixture of cultures has influenced the present day Taos in its food, art, and presentation.
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is a must see when visiting Taos.
Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years.
The hours to visit are Mon-Sat 8am-5pm /Sun 8:30am-5pm. There are many opportunities to buy the local’s wares and food here. There are rules for photography and for showing respect posted for this ancient home of the Taos Pueblo. Please respect these rules when visiting.
On this site you can see the calendar of events at the Pueblo
http://taospueblo.com/calendar.php
Museums
There are some must see museums in Taos and the surrounding area that show the history and/or art in the area:
Blumenschein Home & Museum. Home of co-founder of the famous Taos Society of Artists. Furnished with original art and antiques just as when the artist and his family lived here.
222 Ledoux St.
505 758 0505
La Hacienda de los Martinez. One of the few remaining Spanish Colonial haciendas open to the public. Period rooms and demonstrations illustrate the rugged lifestyle of the early
1800s. Ranchitos Rd.
505 758 0505
Harwood Museum of Art. The collection showcases many of Taos' best known artists from the early days of The Taos Society of Artists through the 20th century. Also featured 18th to 20th century Hispanic art and the Agnes Martin Gallery. Closed Mondays.
238 Ledoux St.
505 758 9826
Kit Carson Home and Museum. The famed scout's home with furnished period rooms, mountain man relics, gun displays, Hispanic and Hispanic artifacts.
Kit Carson Rd.
505 758 0505.
Millicent Rogers Museum. Acclaimed collection of historic and contemporary arts and crafts of northern New Mexico. Native American jewelry, pottery by Maria Martinez, Hispanic arts. Closed Mondays, November through March.
1504 Millicent Rogers Road.
505 758 2462
Taos Art Museum at Fechin House. Nicolai Fechin's studio and home features his architecture, hand-carved furnishings and art work. The Taos Society of Artists are also exhibited. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.
505 758 2690.
Art Events
The Taos Spring Arts Celebration, the Taos Fall Arts Festival, Taos Talking Pictures film festival, Taos Mountain Film Festival, and the World Poetry Bout are just a few of the events that showcase the diversity of creative talent in Taos.
You'll also find an array of performing arts events held at the Taos Center for the Arts plus numerous arts and crafts fairs and cultural events held throughout the year in Kit Carson Park and historic Taos Plaza.
Taos Institute of Arts, the Taos Art School, and the Fechin Institute offer classes in everything from painting and writing to music and dance.
Taos has inspired the likes of Ansel Adams, D.H. Lawrence, and Georgia O'Keeffe.
Taos Ski Valley
Taos Ski Valley is known as the place to spend time in the winter - skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating.
Taos Ski Valley is world renown for their mountain sports (They do not allow snowboarding though)
In mid November they open up for the winter season. The snowfall is usually about 305 inches a year. They have 105 trails for all levels.
There are twelve lifts which include quad, triple, and double chairs lifts and surface lifts.
If winter sports on a 12.481 foot mountain of beauty if for you, this area must be tried.
But there is plenty of beauty in the other seasons in these mountains. There is fishing, bird watching, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, barn dances, and star gazing.
Check out all you can do in Taos Ski Valley:
http://taosskivalley.com/recreation.php
Shopping
Taos Plaza The heart of Taos the Plaza has shops and galleries. Park in the nearby Guadalupe Plaza and Paseo del Pueblo Norte has more stores.
Bent Street & Ledoux Street Two historic roads just off the Plaza offer more shops and galleries housed in charming old adobes
I Love Taos Company has the Taos products unique to the area plus the typical souvenirs you may want to bring home.
Overland Sheepskin Co is actually a compound north of Taos with beautiful sheepskin, wool, and leather apparel, a furnishings store called the Ranch Store, and the Ranch Café for curing those shopping hunger pains. Taos Book Shop has the hard to find Taos and Southwest books on Nature History and Art.
Check out The Taos Company and Taos Folk and Taos Wood Creations for the areas ‘s style furnishings.
Gift shops you might like to visit are Altarra, John Dunn House Shops, and Taos Moccasin Company Factory.
Lodging
Inn at Snakedance
Stay 10 yards from the ski/summer lift in Taos Ski Valley. Great winter/summer activity packages. You can\t match our comfort, convenience, service and value in any other resort! Well-equipped rooms, award-winning restaurant, bar, spa, hot tub, masseuse, library, sundeck, more!
Sagebrush Inn & Conference Center
Capture the elusive Southwest at the historic Sagebrush Inn. Built in 1929 it offers tradition, aesthetics and comfort-all at reasonable prices. Three miles south of Taos Plaza, it is removed from the crowd, yet easily accessible to attractions in the area. A full complimentary breakfast, 2 sized hot tubs, nightly entertainment and dancing are available.
Adobe & Pines Inn B & B
Adobe & Pines Inn is centered around an historic 1830s adobe hacienda preserved with its original architectural elements and transformed into one of the most charming and luxurious hide-aways in the Southwest, according to Frommer\s, Fodors, and The New York Times. As featured on HGTV, guests can relax while enjoying works of fine art by Taos artists, scenic country grounds, full gourmet breakfasts, in-room CD players, fireplaces, private baths, and stunning views of Taos Mountain.
Best Value Indian Hills Inn - Taos Plaza
John & Suzanne Slenes invite you to experience Taos and our exceptional hospitality. Location, Quality, Service, and Value are unequaled. Walk to Taos Plaza and museums. Great restaurants nearby. Huge courtyard. All king and queen beds. Gas log heater/fireplaces available. Best Value rates!
Inn on the Rio B and B
Nestled under centuries old silver cottonwoods on the banks of the Rio Fernando, The Inn on the Rio, is located a mile and a half east of the historic Taos Plaza. Each of the Inn's 12 rooms is decorated in a comfortable Southwestern style reflecting the rich and colorful heritage of Northern New Mexico.
Adobe and Stars B and B
Spacious and contemporary, this luxurious B&B inn was designed especially with the views in mind. Big windows, decks and patios invite star gazing, sunset viewing and the pleasure of contemplation in the hot tub under the stars. Many traditional Pueblo style features have been included to create warmth and Southwestern ambiance. Such features include: high viga beamed ceilings, kiva fireplaces tucked in the corners of rooms, and outdoor portals to shade the strong Northern New Mexico sun.
Dining
There are a number of fine restaurants with renowned chefs taking over lately to choose from the in town.
Doc Martin's Restaurant.
The culinary style here ranges from New World to European, with influences from the American Southwest, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Using consciously prepared ingredients, combined with original flair and a little mystery, he transforms common and uncommon elements into delicacies one has never quite tasted before (Inside the Taos Inn)
Michaels Kitchen and Bakery
Michaels serves all three meals in a family style restaurant. Inexpensive and good. A Taos landmark for over 30 years.
Trading Post Cafe
Right up the hill from the famous Saint Francis de Assisi Church in Ranchos de Taos is the Historic Trading Post building now housing the Trading Post Café, a definite local favorite. Chef René prepares flavorful dishes from around the world from his open air kitchen. Have a seat at the bar and watch the action up close or in one of three dining rooms, two with fireplaces.
Taos can have very different more drastic weather than in Santa Fe. It is advised that you prepare for snow in the Fall and Winter and rain in the summer. It rains and snows much more in Taos because of being at the foot of the mountains. When visiting dress appropriately.
Taos is a great getaway and rich adventure for all types. Plan on spending more than a day to get the Taos rustic hometown feel and feel welcomed.
Eileen Richardson
