Small shops, galleries, and restaurants can be found on the edge of the plaza, but it does not have an overwhelming tourist feeling. Artifacts like Carsons Hawken Rifle are on display at the historic house. Thats why I created Out of Office in 2016 to offer a helping hand and share my experiences with you. Armed with Ernies marketing know-how and Rhodas no-nonsense attitude and enthusiasm for hard work, the Blakes built a warm and inviting lodge with a Southwestern spin. 17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New Mexico, 17 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Albuquerque, 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Santa Fe, NM, New Mexico in Pictures: 19 Beautiful Places to Photograph, 10 Top-Rated Things to Do in Silverton, CO, 12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Telluride, CO, Visiting Mesa Verde National Park: 8 Top Things to See & Do, 8 Top-Rated Resorts in Colorado Springs, CO, 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Colorado Springs, CO, Croatia Road Trip: Driving the Coast from Istria to Dubrovnik, 24 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 21 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, Average minimum and maximum temperatures for Taos, NM in, Average monthly precipitation totals for Taos, NM in. Netherlands Named for a frontiersman in the New Mexico area, Kit Carson Park is a public, grassy park in the heart of town with sports fields and kiddie playgrounds. Us either. Items on display include jewelry, textiles, pottery, and tin-work, as well as contemporary arts and crafts. Today, the home serves as an outstanding historical museum with 21 rooms and two courtyards highlighting life in Taos before the New Mexico territory was taken over by the United States. Were located right in the middle of the top attractions nearby and offer travelers an unparalleled experience and exceptional hospitality. Boats glide on the Pecos River through a fairyland of twinkling lights created by more than 100 local homeowners who spend hours creatively decorating backyards and boat docks with millions of lights. Official site: http://taosballooning.com/. Some like the Blackstone Hot Springs, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and the Giggling Springs in the Jemez Mountains are well-known. The water bubbles up from the ground at a toasty 100 degrees Fahrenheit and was historically used by the Pueblo people long before colonization and was later visited by Spanish conquistadors who were in search of the Fountain of Youth. Ice Skating Then there is ice-skating. Recommended for Things to Do in December because: Holiday Pie Mania, a festive seasonal food event, comes at a time when things are quiet in Santa Fe. Hike or snowshoe on the backside of the ski area. There's also some excellent mountain biking in the area. You won't be at a loss for things to do in Taos. Witness how Taos locals combined art with science, history, and culture. Native American culture abounds. Level Up Your Travel Skills With Our Newsletter. You can enjoy skiing, tubing, sleigh rides, and even watching some rather odd shovel races in the snow. Germany Take a drive down the most beautiful route in northern New Mexico. Learn all about the native flora and fauna while a pack llama carries your gear on this crazy journey. Though its a designated National Historic Landmark, its still an active church (named after the Catholic patron saint of animals, families, and merchants), so its advised that visitors dress modestly and be respectful if mass is in session while visiting. The Taos Earthships operate with a noble mission in mind and are fun to look at. By stevef539. You have to hike/walk into both of them, but sitting in the healing hot waters of northern New Mexico is an authentic must-have experience. Plus, the German atmosphere means youll be treated to some delicious brews and rich foods. The Taos Art Museum has a collection of more than 600 works of art, including drawings, prints, and paintings, with the body of work concentrating on local artists. Reynoldss creations also have intricate water collection, sewage treatment, and food production systems. Black Rock Hot Springs, named after the characteristic black moss that grows along its banks and rocky walls, is another popular option. Look down at the junction of the Rio Grande and the Red River on a short hike to La Junta Point in the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. Also Im a huge fan of classical gas stations so the roadside museum would be a neat spot to visit! Albuquerque may steal the spotlight when it comes to sailing up-up-and-away, thanks to its famous annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, but the ABQ isnt the only place where you can hitch a ride in a woven rattan-stick basket. Your Guide to the Santa Fe Farmers Market, Of all the incredible things to do in Taos, New Mexico, there is none more important than visiting the, Take in the views from the stunning 650-foot-tall. Theres nothing like unwinding in a hot spring after a long day of hiking in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains or spending all day on your feet shopping downtown. Facilities of the park include barbeque areas, a baseball field, a basketball court, picnic tables, a tennis court, and a walking track. You won't be at a loss for things to do in Taos. If youre a local or sticking around town for an extended period of time, consider joining the Skating Club of Taos for lessons to all levels of ability, performances and fun events. Spain Taking off from the edge of the Rio Grande Gorge, Taos-based pilots fly visitors down into the bottom of the great gorge to dip the basket in the river, look for wildlife, and explore ancient petroglyphs from the air. Known by locals as Gorge Bridge, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is one of the most photographed sites in Taos. The most unique events involve New Mexico's unique cultural heritage, such as SWAIA's Indian Market and The Traditional and Contemporary Spanish Markets held on Santa Fe's historic plaza, There are Native American dances at the pueblos, and fiestas held on town plazas throughout the state. Immerse yourself in the artistic culture of Taos, inspired by the local cultures and traditions of the indigenous area. Enjoy your time out of the office! Best National Parks & Monuments in New Mexico, 47 Fun & Unique Things to Do in New Mexico. The, This little mountain town sits 25 miles east of Taos, is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, and is home to some delightful winter activities. Taos is known for the famous Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest, continually inhabited communities in the Southwest, and the Taos Ski Valley with plenty of great ski runs and slopes. Learn more on TAOS.org. High Road to Taos. Should you find yourself in Taos during the winter months, a visit to Taos Ski Valley is in order. It's possible to occupy yourself in Taos without paying a penny. June 7 to August 9 Movies on the Green Enjoy Free Outdoor Summer movies every Wednesday at Kit Carson Park. Portugal Austria The Blake has all the trappings of a luxury ski lodge, including a pool, hausmeisters (aka hotel attendants), a fitness center, ski valets, and a restaurant, the 192 at the Blake, which serves New Mexicaninspired cuisine. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. It would be fun to work through. The pueblo offers an impressive tour with plenty of photographic opportunities. Despite its small size, Taos has a good number of museums. Address: 238 Ledoux Street, Taos, New Mexico. Marvel at the naturally-built architecture of this eco-friendly community. Other popular attractions in El Prado include Taos Clay Studio, Taos Mesa Brewing, and guide services for white water rafting along the Rio Grande waters. That is a good long list of things to do in Taos. New Mexico State Fair . Inside, visitors can find artifacts of Carsons life like a horno (an adobe oven), Josefas sewing box, Carsons military scabbard, as well as his trusty .50 caliber Hawkins rifle. But I just dont anymore. Consider taking to the skies over Taos via a local outfitter and soak in the areas unique geography, from its ancient Servilleta Basalt formation to its river valley. This high bridge looms 600 feet over the Rio Grande Gorge and prompts daring visitors to peer over its steel rails at the jagged cliffs and river below. Be sure to let us know which of these you plan to add to your winter bucket list and any other fun things to do in New Mexico in December that youre aware of. Even so, weve compiled a list of the not-to-miss things to do in Taos, New Mexico. Unfortunately, the area catastrophically flooded in 1927 and Manby was never able to recover financiallythe ruins of the bathhouse can still be seen today. Just up the road about 30 minutes from town is one of New Mexico's best ski resorts, Taos Ski Valley. Taos is almost completely surrounded by the Carson National Forest, one of five national forests in the state, where hikers and campers can find hundreds of thousands of acres to tramp (or camp) on. A few minutes away is the acclaimed Taos Art Museum at Fechin House; once the home of Russian artist Nicolai Fechin, it now exclusively features works created by the Taos Society of Artists. Winter Activities in Taos Ski Valley Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, renowned for its expert skiing terrain, also includes a tremendous number of beginner and intermediate runs. Host a barbeque at the historic park or take your dog to run around. Taos Ski Valley Ski Santa Fe Ski Apache Ski Sandia Peak Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort Ski Cloudcroft Red River Pajarito Outfitters & Accommodations ANGEL FIRE RESORT KNOWN FOR: Great family atmosphere. Birds are a gateway to engage people in our natural world - through festivals, events, birding trails, volunteer opportunities, classes and bird clubs. Taos is about an hour from our northern New Mexico Bed and Breakfast, making it an easy day trip. MORE INFORMATION AND WEBSITES Of course, this list isn't exhaustive and every part of New Mexico has incredible birding hot spots. 4 Millicent Rogers Museum. Located at the base of the tallest peaks in New Mexico, 400-year-old Taos is a friendly little town long known as an artists' colony and center for outdoor activities. Started with Breaking Bad I know I know but 2 weeks back I met a NM guy here in Thailand. Tampa Bay It became an important trading post on the Santa Fe Trail and was a lynchpin of the empires northern territory. Put your fitness to the test on New Mexicos highest mountain. Read Next: 47 Fun & Unique Things to Do in New Mexico. You can book a couple of nights at an Earthship (dont worry, theyre decked out with modern amenities like refrigerators, hot water, and even Netflix that are powered by wind-generated electricity), if youre interested in a stay well off the beaten path. Just next to the Harwood Museum of Art on Ledoux Street is the adobe house of the artist Ernest Blumenschein, one of the iconic figures of the early Taos art colony. Taos is also incredibly beautiful, and as much there is an incredible range of things to do in Taos that go far beyond visiting the Pueblo. I almost went up with some people I met at the balloon fiesta but there wasnt enough room at the last minute. This wilderness area is also a popular spot to rock climb, search for wildlife, or camp amid paramount scenery. There's no shortage of things to do and see in Taos. ; when the Spanish arrived in 1540, they thought they had found one of the fabled cities of Cibola. Located just a 15-minute drive north of Taos, the area is crisscrossed by a 75-mile trail system that is well-developed and diverse enough to offer a spectacular hiking experience for any fitness level. Canada Get to know some local Taos flavors with a trip to Taos Mesa Brewing. Wind your way through pinyon-juniper trees to the best overlook of the Rio Grande in New Mexico, which is also conveniently wheelchair accessible. This is definitely one of the best, The Bavarian Restaurant, 100 Kachina Rd, Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525, USA, If the kiddos in your family are dying to see Santa, youll want to check out this magical train ride for memories that will last a lifetime. Walk across the Rio Grande bridge and search for bighorn sheep. 1. 2023. With an abundance of fun & unique things to do in Taos, its impossible not to visit this town of adobe buildings when in New Mexico. Google Maps | Phone: (575) 758-3796 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am-5 pm Monday-Friday, 11 am-3:30 pm Saturdays, Closed Sundays | Entrance: Free. The house and museum of the former federal agent of the Ute and Taos Pueblo Tribes is a prime display of the culture of the old American frontier. Located within the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument, the Orilla Verde Recreation Area offers visitors and campers access to the river. Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Taos New Mexico bucket list.