Taos
Around Taos
Photo: Bjc471 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · New Mexico · 34k people
Taos
Where the mountains meet the desert and art meets the soul.
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Welcome to Taos! Settle in, soak up the sun, and get ready to explore the high desert. Whether you're here for the art, the skiing, or just the vibe, you'll find your people.
Clubs for Taos
No clubs for Taos yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Taos. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Taos. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Taos Pueblo Ancient adobe village and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Massive steel bridge with stunning canyon views
- Harwood Museum of Art Contemporary and historic art in a historic building
- Millicent Rogers Museum Southwestern art and textiles collection
- Earthship Biotecture Sustainable off-grid homes open for tours
- Taos Plaza Historic town center with shops and galleries
- Outdoors Hiking in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
- Outdoors Skiing at Taos Ski Valley
- With kids Visit Taos Pueblo
- With kids Cross the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
- Evenings Live music at Taos Mesa Brewing
- Evenings Sunset cocktails on Taos Plaza
- Locals love Art galleries
- Locals love Hot springs
Through the year
- Taos Fall Arts Festival September Gallery exhibitions and studio tours
- Taos Winter Wine Festival January Wine tastings and food pairings at local venues
- Taos Mountain Balloon Rally July Hot air balloons over the high desert
- Taos County Fair and Rodeo August Livestock shows, rodeo events, and carnival
- Taos Shortz Film Fest April Short films from around the world
High desert with over 300 days of sunshine. Winters are cold with snow in the mountains, summers are warm with afternoon monsoons. Best: Fall and spring
Talk like a local
- “Taoseño”
- A local resident of Taos
- “the gorge”
- The Rio Grande Gorge
- “the mesa”
- The Taos Mesa
- “green chile”
- Always with green chile
Getaways
- Santa Fe Museums, galleries, and vibrant plaza
- Los Alamos Science history and mountain trails
- Española Gateway to the high desert and river valleys
- Las Vegas Historic downtown and hot springs nearby
Local flavour
Rooting for Albuquerque Isotopes (MiLB), New Mexico United (USL), New Mexico Lobos (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Green chile stew hearty pork and green chile
- Enchiladas with red or green chile stacked, with a fried egg on top
- Sopaipillas with honey pillowy fried bread, a must with meals
- Posole hominy stew, often served at celebrations
- Breakfast burritos with green chile potato, egg, and chile wrapped in a tortilla
Where people go
- Art galleries and adobe architecture the historic district is filled with galleries and earth‑toned buildings
- Ski resorts and mountain trails Taos Ski Valley and the Sangre de Cristo range
- Hot springs natural geothermal pools along the Rio Grande
- Taos Pueblo
- Rio Grande Gorge a dramatic river canyon with a famous bridge
Heritage and traditions
Taos is proud of its deep Native American and Hispanic heritage, its historic art colony, and its stunning high-desert landscape.
This time of year in Taos
- Aspen colors Fall The mountains turn golden, and the Wool Festival happens.
- Taos Wool Festival October Showcases fiber arts and sheep.
Say it like a local: “Chile” — The local word for chili peppers, not 'chili'.
Festivals
- San Geronimo Feast Day September Traditional dances and pole climb at Taos Pueblo.
- Taos Wool Festival October Showcases fiber arts and sheep.
- Taos Christmas Eve Procession December Luminarias and processions through the town.
- Taos Pueblo Easter Dances Spring Traditional dances at the pueblo.
- Taos Art Walk Summer Evening gallery openings and live music.
Landmarks with a story
- San Francisco de Asis Church Famous adobe church in Ranchos de Taos, known for its architecture.
- Martinez Hacienda Spanish colonial home dating from the 1800s.
- Kit Carson Home and Museum Home of frontiersman Kit Carson, now a museum.
- D.H. Lawrence Ranch Where author D.H. Lawrence lived and is buried.
- Blumenschein Home and Museum Home of artist Ernest Blumenschein, a founder of the Taos art colony.
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Parish church in Taos with historic significance.
Food traditions
- Horno baking Outdoor adobe ovens used for bread and chile, a tradition from the Pueblo and Hispanic cultures.
- Ristras Strings of dried red chiles hung for flavor and decoration.
- Biscochitos Anise-flavored cookies served at holidays and celebrations.
- Posole Hominy stew often served at Christmas and special occasions.
- Green chile roasting In late summer, chiles are roasted in drums, filling the air with a smoky aroma.
Music and arts
- Taos art colony Historic and contemporary art scene with numerous galleries.
- Native American pottery and jewelry Traditional crafts from Taos Pueblo and other pueblos.
- New Mexican folk music Spanish guitar and traditional songs.
- Taos School of Art Educational programs and workshops.
A little history
- 1680 Pueblo Revolt
- 1847 Taos Revolt
- 1915 Taos Society of Artists founded
- 1930s D.H. Lawrence lived near Taos
- 1960s Counterculture movement
- Game day Taos Pueblo foot races
- Game day The annual Taos Mountain Run
- Outdoors Hiking to Wheeler Peak
- Outdoors Stargazing in the dark skies
- With kids Riding the chairlift at Taos Ski Valley in summer
- With kids Visiting the Earthship community
People speak English with a Spanish influence, and many use Spanish words. The name 'Taos' is pronounced 'Touse' (rhymes with house).
Only here
- Taos Pueblo is the only continuously inhabited pueblo in the United States.
- The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is one of the highest bridges in the US.
- Earthship sustainable homes are unique to the Taos area.
- The Taos Hum is a mysterious low-frequency noise heard by some residents.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Taos as 'Touse' (rhymes with house).
- Drink plenty of water to adjust to the high altitude.
- Try the green chile, it's a local staple.
- Respect Native American lands and ceremonial events.
- Be prepared for rapid weather changes, especially in the mountains.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaEspañolaNew MexicoWhere the Rio Grande meets the high desert.Santa FeNew MexicoWhere adobe glows and chile warms the soul.Los AlamosNew MexicoWhere the atomic age began and the mountains are your backyard.Las VegasNew MexicoWhere the mountains meet the high plainsRatonNew MexicoWhere the mountains meet the plainsAlamosaColoradoHigh desert heart, wide open skies.AlbuquerqueNew MexicoBig skies, green chile, and the Sandias' glow.PuebloColoradoWhere the river meets the chile fields.
Taos, NM. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.