A country of immense breadth and open skies is nestled at the edge where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico expand westward towards the sage-brushed mesas and plains. The charming high desert town of Taos, a renowned centre for outdoor leisure and a former artist colony, may be found here.
Visitors to Taos frequently remark on the town’s apparent magnetic pull, which keeps them coming back. They are mesmerised by the craggy mountains, the scorching landscape, and the almost spiritual sensations that this magnificent place exudes with its centuries-old customs.
Since the Pueblo Indians, the conquistadors, Mexican settlers, and Anglo ranchers all made Taos their home over the years, history is honoured here. The town is renowned for having fostered the artistic energies of people from all over the world.
Taos Plaza
Take a stroll around Taos Plaza’s unique stores and galleries. Despite being more than 300 years old, the plaza still has its original layout. Windows and doors that face onto the plaza, which were built for defence, allow the few entries to be blocked off when necessary.
The American flag may only be flown here, one of a select few locations across the nation, day and night. According to legend, the plaza received this honour because a group of patriots who guarded an American flag there during the Civil War were responsible for it.
The substantial crucifix also honours the several town residents who lost their lives during the WWII Bataan Death March.
Shopping on Bent Street
The plaza is connected by Bent Street and the John Dunn Shops, a lovely pedestrian-friendly area with several additional unusual shops.
Visit Coyote Moon for a wide selection of Southwest folk art, and La Tierra Mineral Gallery for a fantastic collection of carvings, unusual minerals, and fossils. The focus of Seconds Eco Store, where you may find distinctive recycled crafts, is on New Mexico sustainable goods.
Taos Pueblo
All tourists must see the Taos Pueblo. It is the only current Native American settlement to be both a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The multi-story adobe structures have been continuously occupied for more than a thousand years, and the Puebloan way of life has not changed.
Traditional adobe construction involves combining straw, dirt, and water; the finished product is then passed down from one family to the next and maintained by them.
Although there is now a doorway that leads to the structures, there are still ladders that lead to rooftop entrances, evoking the time when such construction was required for defence reasons.
Take a tour of the location to improve your experience and discover more about its history and Puebloan way of life. A residence that doubles as a storefront offering pottery, paintings, jewellery, and traditional Native American foods like fry bread is worth a visit before you depart.
Common topics of conversation among the locals include their upbringing, education, the Pueblo government, and the situation of their neighbourhood now.
Museum Hopping in Taos
One more of the town’s well-liked attractions is its museums. At the Kit Carson House & Museum, you may take a guided tour of the adobe home that mountain man and Indian scout Kit Carson gave to his wife Josefa Jaramillo as a wedding gift in 1843, bringing history to life.
The museum, which has been beautifully renovated and is now stuffed with details and memorabilia from Carson’s life, provides a view into the Wild West era. When you depart, head to the Historic Kit Carson Cemetery to visit the graves of Kit, his family, and other important figures.
The Hacienda de los Martinez, one of the few late Spanish Colonial period “Great Houses” in the American Southwest with a northern New Mexico style, is also noteworthy. This fortified-looking structure, constructed in 1804, developed into a key commerce centre for the Spanish Empire’s northern frontier.
Hiking in Taos Ski Valley
You can reach the Taos Ski Valley, a year-round outdoor playground, after a 30-minute drive. The same breathtaking terrain that skiers adore in the winter is also enjoyed by mountain bikers. From popular Williams Lake to tough Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico, hikers take to the trails, which offer courses for all levels and skills.
Go to Taos Cow in the nearby community of Arroyo Seco for some handcrafted ice cream with southwestern flavour combinations like pion caramel and Mexican chocolate after you’ve had your fill of heart-pounding adventure.
Hot Air Balloon
Exploring Taos’ spectacular landscape on foot is one thing, but seeing it from a vantage point thousands of feet above the ground is quite another. The wonders of this area in northern New Mexico are only fully appreciated after that.
When the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains are a deep purple and the sky is stained with brilliant colours of pink and orange, a hot air balloon ride at daybreak is the ideal way to get this vista. At the same time, a terrifying and surreal shape of the massive Rio Grande Gorge can be seen.
Pueblo Balloon is well recognised for its renowned “splash and dash” experience in the Rio Grande, its knowledgeable and experienced pilots, and their unblemished safety record. If the weather is favourable, the balloon’s pilot will fly it into the Gorge and allow the basket to glide along the river.