Location: Taos
Top Things to do in Taos
10 Things to do Good for Kids in Taos That You Shouldn't Miss
A rolling mesa at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos has a magical quality. Its rugged beauty, majestic mountains, wild Rio Grande river and unique blend of cultures - Spanish, Native American and Anglo - have historically drawn artists and photographers, evidenced by the plentiful galleries, museums and festivals. To experience the Native American culture here, explore Taos Pueblo, where the Tiwa Native Americans have practiced their traditions for centuries. Finally, the Anglo influence is prevalent in the business district, with its shops, art galleries and some of the finest restaurants in New Mexico. Skiing is also a major draw, but the challenging slopes are geared to the more advanced crowd. There's no rat race here; a fair share of non-mainstreamers have made this laid-back, low-key mecca their home. You, too, may not want to leave its tranquility and natural beauty.
Restaurants in Taos
1. Rio Grande Balloons
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Offering sunrise hot air balloon flights over the beautiful and unique landscape of the Rio Grande Gorge. We are a locally owned and operated small business that places great importance on safety and sharing a genuine and personal experience of flight with our passengers. We hope that the uniqueness of both what we do and how we do it will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
2. Wild Earth Llama Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 508 reviews
Llama Trekking Adventures in New Mexico's Pristine Wilderness! "Take a Llama to Lunch!" Wilderness Day Hikes • Multi-Day Wilderness Adventures • Custom Wilderness Events Explore New Mexico's Pristine Wilderness, with our team of eco-friendly trail llamas, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Rio Grande Gorege, near Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico. On the trail, our gentle surefooted llamas carry the gear, leaving you unburdened to experience the natural beauty and inspiring solitude of the New Mexico wilderness. Experienced Naturalist Guides share information about local ecology, natural history, regional folklore, and wilderness skills. Backcountry Gourmet Meals are served on all of our New Mexico wilderness trips. All ages and fitness levels are welcome! Call us to answer any questions of to make reservations!
3. Los Rios River Runners
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 383 reviews
Los Rios River Runners is New Mexico's oldest, largest, and most experienced rafting company. We've been rafting through the spectacular river canyons of northern New Mexico since 1972. We offer trips from mild to wild, from half-day to 3-days, from the world-class white-knuckle whitewater of the Taos Box (available as a full-day adventure or as part of a multi-day overnight) to family fun adventures and serene floats. Spend starry nights in the serene Chama wilderness, or float along a mellow section of the Rio Grande with a Native Pueblo guide and a traditional feast meal awaiting you at the takeout. Sunset dinner floats too! And check out our multi-sport adventures: rock and raft, pedal and paddle, and paddle and saddle. Los Rios has more access to more stretches of river than any other NM rafting company, and offers the broadest variety of trips. Come boating with us, and take home lifetime memories.
4. Far Flung Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 263 reviews
Far Flung Adventures has been safely outfitting family and group river trips for over 40 years. We have run commercial adventures on dozens of rivers around the country and the world. With that said, these days we like to concentrate our work here in New Mexico, because this is the land and the people we care most about. The northern region of New Mexico offers access to unprecedented southwestern scenery and landscapes, and there is hardly any better vehicle for exploring that beauty than via one of our two great river systems. We are located in Taos, NM which provides easy access to the finest New Mexico rivers. The best rafting in the region can be found on The Rio Grande at the bottom of a beautiful gorge, or on America's Newest Wild and Scenic River, the Rio Chama. The fun starts shortly after ski season, as the snow begins to melt, providing excellent river conditions during runoff and throughout the summer.
5. Mountain Skills Rock Guides, LLC
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Mountain Skills Rock Climbing Guides offers guided rock climbing trips to the best climbing destinations in Northern New Mexico, and Las Vegas, NV. Whether you are a first time beginner or a seasoned veteran, come visit one of these pristine locations with us. You will be led by our professional, friendly, and experienced staff through an enjoyable adventure where you can relax and climb with confidence. Our staff has experience working with one on one privates, families, scout groups, church groups, corporate team building, and school groups of all sizes.
6. Wild Rivers Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By cavers2
Want to visit a beautiful, scenic area without the crowds you'd find at a national park? This is the place. You're on a high plataeu above the Rio Grande Gorge with plenty of camping, hiking, rafting, & biking options. The remoteness of the area allows for amazing night skies so camping out is highly recommended.The campgrounds at Wild Rivers are first come, first served so try to arrive early in the day to secure your site. A favortie hike of ours is the Arsenic Springs trail to the river and petroglyph viewing - try it!
7. Heritage Inspirations
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 371 reviews
Heritage Inspirations provides you all-inclusive guided itineraries, introducing you to the people, their voices and stories, the history, the cultural sites, the traditions, the magnificent landscapes and natural wonders, which when combined amplify the magic and make New Mexico incredibly special and unique. With us, you’ll journey into the heart of local culture, truly connect to the land and its diverse inhabitants, and feed your soul with unparalleled and transformative experiences. Our exclusive tours are spreading throughout Northern New Mexico and are offered daily, from half-day to full-day trips, with all your meals, activities, lodging, transportation and comforts thoughtfully anticipated and provided. These outings navigate the Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos regions and their periphery, and we’ll gladly conduct custom and private tours upon request.
8. Taos Pueblo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,039 reviews
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. We welcome you to visit our village when you travel to northern New Mexico.Taos Pueblo Hours: Monday - Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm and Sunday 8:30am-4:00pm.Guided Tours available daily starting at 9:00 am.Pueblo Shops open daily.Taos Pueblo is expected to be open for the winter season. Any closures would be due to unexpected events within the community and will be posted on our official website.
Reviewed By MildaLeo - London, United Kingdom
We were lucky to visit Taos Pueblo during their feast day. While we didn't had enough time to see dances, we still managed to see natives in ceremonial clothes, joined a guided tour (free, with donation) lead by an inspiring young local woman, and visited local stores. Wekll worth the visit - as Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. You can see the multi-storied adobe buildings which have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years, have no running water or electricity. You will have to leave your cameras and phones in the car (or just not to take them out from your bag). But what you get is true authenticity and chance to interact with locals. We had a nice chat with a local jeweller while he was making me a silver bracelet there on the spot and measured to my wrist size.
9. San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 779 reviews
Buttressed church photograhed by legendary photographer Ansel Adams, and painted by famed artist Georgia O'Keeffe.
Reviewed By hrs314 - Houston, United States
Easy to see how this beautiful New Mexico Spanish Colonial Church inspired artists like Georgia O'Keefe and Ansel Adams to capture its unique charm. With clean adobe lines and huge buttresses, it is an architectural and spiritual gem. Built between 1772 and 1816, it is the only original church which remains intact in the Taos area. As an active place of worship, the parishioners and the community members gather annually to re-plaster the historic adobe church. Known as "The Enjarre" or "The Mudding" of the church, volunteers mix an authentic blend of clay, sand, straw, and water into a thick mud paste. Layer by layer, the paste is applied from the top to the bottom of the church and then buffed with a sheepskin to reinforce the walls to be a resilient barrier to withstand the elements for another year. A bit tricky to find as the church is tucked away off the main highway, but definitely worth a visit.
10. Enchanted Circle Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 581 reviews
Scenic drive that circles through the Carson National Forest, north and east of Taos.
Reviewed By 310ralphs
Angel Fire and Red River are winter skiing destinations and Angel Fire a summer spot for golf, zip lining and mountain biking as well as horseback riding. Continue on to Eagle Nest and maybe fish in the lake. See Wheeler Peak, tallest New Mexico mountain and then stop at the old gold mining settlement of Elizabethtown, across from Baldy Mountain. Red River is a "western" town, with occasional "gunfight" re-enactments, great for the kids. On the way back to Taos from Questa take a detour to the Wild Rivers National Recreation Area and, perhaps, drive the bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge.
