Desert landscapes, mountain views, and centuries of history give this small Southwestern town a unique atmosphere. Creative, spiritual, and deeply connected to its surroundings, it has long attracted artists, travelers, and free spirits alike.
Set beneath the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico, Taos is known for its rich cultural heritage and dramatic scenery. Historic landmarks, art museums, desert landscapes, and nearby mountain wilderness all contribute to its reputation as the “Soul of the Southwest.”
Just outside town lies Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Together with the town’s thriving arts scene and surrounding nature, it helps make Taos one of New Mexico’s most rewarding destinations.
High Road to Taos
Stretching all the way from Santa Fe, the High Road to Taos is an absolute treat to travel along as it winds its way through the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Besides taking you through lots of lovely landscapes and stunning scenery, the ravishing route also has lots of interesting historic sites and phenomenal viewpoints for you to stop off at.
Reaching ninety kilometers in length, the scenic byway passes through everything from vast valleys and mighty mountains to verdant forests and high deserts. Dotted alongside it are Spanish colonial towns and Pueblo Indian villages to visit, full of beautiful old buildings and excellent art galleries.
Due to their historical and spiritual importance, many people stop off at the captivating churches of El Santuario de Chimayo, San Jose de Gracia and San Francisco de Asis. While these three National Historic Landmarks boast arresting, adobe architecture, they are just a few of the spectacular sights you can expect to see along the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway.
Taos Plaza
The historic heart of the town, Taos Plaza, is lined by lots of beautiful old buildings and booming businesses. With a lovely, lively yet laidback feel to it and lots of arresting architecture on show, no visit to Taos would be complete without stopping by the pretty and peaceful plaza.
As it is hemmed in by lots of superb Spanish Colonial-style buildings and Mission Revival houses, the leafy plaza still looks very much like it did when it was founded back in the late eighteenth century. Lying at the center of all of its enticing art galleries, shops and restaurants is a splendid sculpture of Antonio José Martinez – a prominent New Mexican priest and politician.
On top of its attractive aesthetic and appealing ambience, Taos Plaza also hosts a number of cultural events and concerts throughout the year. As many of the town’s main tourist attractions lie nearby, it also makes for a great starting point from which to tour around Taos.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
An absolutely phenomenal feat of engineering, the remarkable Rio Grande Gorge Bridge lies just fifteen minutes’ drive to the northwest of Taos. Due to its proximity and the fantastic views on offer, the bridge is a very popular and picturesque place to visit.
Completed in 1965, it rears high above the raging Rio Grande river and gaping gorge of the same name. Made out of solid steel, its three spans stretch 390 meters in total with epic views to be enjoyed out over the yawning chasm and the wild waters far, far below.
Thanks to its stunning setting and dizzying drop, it has appeared in countless films over the years with locals knowing it as both ‘Gorge Bridge’ and ‘High Bridge’. Besides basking in its beauty, visitors can also hike along the gorge’s rugged rim to snap fabulous photos of the breathtaking bridge from afar.
Taos Pueblo
One of the New Mexico’s standout tourist attractions, the tiny Taos Pueblo can be reached in just under ten minutes from the center of town. Remarkably enough, the Native American site has been continuously inhabited for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest communities in the United States.
At the small settlement visitors will find some astounding adobe architecture with most of its multi-storied buildings believed to have been built over five centuries ago. Such was its splendor that when the Spanish came across it in 1540 they thought they’d finally found one of the fabled Seven Cities of Gold.
While it may only have been a myth, Taos Pueblo certainly is rich when it comes to its incredible history and culture. Impressively enough, 150 or so people still live in its beautiful old buildings, protecting and preserving their age-old traditions for future generations. As well as teaching you about the National Historic Landmark, guided tours also offer up an invaluable insight into Pueblo Indian life.
While it may have been a myth, Taos Pueblo certainly is rich when it comes to its incredible history and culture. Impressively enough, 150 or so people still live in its beautiful old buildings, protecting and preserving their age-old traditions for future generations. As well as teaching you about the National Historic Landmark, guided tours also offer up an invaluable insight into Pueblo Indian life.
Wheeler Peak
The highest mountain in the whole of New Mexico, Wheeler Peak lies just a forty-five minute drive to the northeast of Taos. Offering commanding views over its surroundings as well as lots of outstanding recreational activities, it is sure to delight nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the peak towers to 4,013 meters in height, dominating and defining the wonderful wilderness area which is named after it. While its upper slopes and summit are quite bleak and barren, its lower reaches are home to rushing rivers and lush forests with attractive alpine lakes dotted here and there.
Besides hiking up to its rugged rim and basking in the breathtaking views, visitors can go camping and wildlife watching among all of its incredible nature. With a scenic loop of the prominent peak for you to drive around and sensational ski resorts lying nearby, Wheeler Peak is well worth visiting for all that it has to offer up.
Kit Carson Home & Museum
Home to lots of age-old artifacts and phenomenal period pieces, the charming Kit Carson Home & Museum lies just a stone’s throw away from Taos Plaza. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963, it showcases some superb Spanish Colonial architecture and offers up an interesting insight into frontier life in the state.
Built way back in 1825, the simple, single-story structure is now named after the fierce and famous frontiersman Kit Carson. As well as being a guide, trapper and scout, the mighty mountain man also battled against local Native Americans and fought during the American Civil War.
His historic home now exhibits a collection of memorabilia from his life as well as informative displays and a short film on all of his extraordinary exploits.
Earthships
Nestled away just to the northwest of town is one of the area’s most astonishing attractions – the unique, unusual and otherworldly-looking Earthships. Designed to be eco-friendly, the community’s collection of seventy or so sustainable homes are fascinating to visit and offer up an alternative look at how humans can interact and live alongside nature.
As they are made out of recycled materials such as tires, cans and bottles, its buildings make for a startling sight as they all showcase delightfully different designs. Buried on three sides, the homes can not only heat and cool themselves but collect their own water and make their own electricity too. On top of this, residents are completely sustainable as they grow and harvest their own food.
As well as taking a tour around the site, visitors can also opt to stay in one of the imaginatively designed homes themselves. Set in a scenic, secluded and sun-scorched part of the state, Earthships is certainly worth a visit as it is sure to be unlike anywhere you’ve ever been before.
Enchanted Circle Drive
Just as magical as it sounds, Enchanted Circle Drive takes you on a lovely loop around Wheeler Peak, passing stunning scenery, landscapes and nature along the way. Stretching 136 kilometers in length, it is one of the most popular and picturesque routes to take in the whole of New Mexico.
On the way, you’ll pass by massive mesas and majestic mountains as well as verdant valleys and vast forests with plenty of scenic spots for you to stop off at. As its wonderful wilderness just begs to be explored, there are lots of exquisite outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy along the route with hiking, camping and wildlife watching among the most popular.
In addition to this, Enchanted Circle Drive has everything from cosy cabins to luxurious lodges for guests to stay at with sensational ski resorts to be found up in the mountains. With countless interesting historic sites and quaint villages also lining its loop, the remarkable route really does have it all.