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New Mexico, United States

Taos

Spend two days: Taos Pueblo, the gorge and Earthships, then galleries, green chile and margaritas around the Plaza. Below: 6 sights, 1 activity and 2 places to eat, plus how Taos fits into a longer trip.

Plan Taos with friendsBrowse 10 places
Taos, New Mexico, United States
Places
10

6 See · 1 Do · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Northern New Mexico High Desert

Best season
Mar – May

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

30°C / 86°F avg high

Coolest month
December

5°C / 40°F avg high

Wettest month
July

about 71 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Taos

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

6 sights worth building a day around across Taos Pueblo, West of Taos and Greater World. 2 of them are free.

  • Taos Pueblo in TaosPhoto: John Mackenzie Burke · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Taos Pueblo

    Multi-story adobe village lived in for over 1,000 years; a UNESCO site.

    Tip Closed for some ceremonies and in late winter; check before going. Ask before photographing.

    • Taos Pueblo
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in TaosPhoto: Daniel Schwen · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

    Steel bridge 650 feet above the Rio Grande, among the highest in the US.

    • West of Taos
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Sunset
  • Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center in TaosPhoto: Vadim Solodukhin · Google
    See

    Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center

    Self-guided tour of off-grid homes built from tires, bottles and earth.

    • Greater World
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon
  • San Francisco de Asís Mission Church in TaosPhoto: Liveon001 © Travis K. Witt · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    San Francisco de Asís Mission Church

    Adobe church with massive buttresses painted by O'Keeffe and photographed by Ansel Adams.

    • Ranchos de Taos
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Late afternoon
  • Millicent Rogers Museum in TaosPhoto: Peter D. Tillman · CC BY-SA 2.0
    See

    Millicent Rogers Museum

    Native American and Hispanic art collection in a hacienda-style house.

    • El Prado
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Morning
  • Harwood Museum of Art in TaosPhoto: newmexico.photographer · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Harwood Museum of Art

    Art of the Taos Society and Agnes Martin's octagonal gallery.

    • Downtown
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon

Do

1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Taos Ski Valley.

  • Williams Lake Trail in TaosPhoto: Sashin Aluwihare · Google
    Do

    Williams Lake Trail

    Alpine hike from Taos Ski Valley to a lake below Wheeler Peak.

    Tip High altitude; start early to beat afternoon storms.

    • Taos Ski Valley
    • Free
    • 3 hr
    • Jun–Sep

Eat

Where we would book a table in Taos across El Prado and Downtown.

  • Orlando's New Mexican Cafe in TaosPhoto: Jason Bennett · Google
    Eat

    Orlando's New Mexican Cafe

    Popular local New Mexican spot north of town with a fire-pit patio.

    Tip Expect a wait; the carne adovada is a standout.

    • El Prado
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Lunch
  • Michael's Kitchen in TaosPhoto: Sarah Smile · Google
    Eat

    Michael's Kitchen

    Diner and bakery known for big New Mexican breakfasts.

    • Downtown
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Breakfast

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Taos in Downtown.

  • Adobe Bar at the Taos Inn in TaosPhoto: Adobe Bar · Google
    Drink

    Adobe Bar at the Taos Inn

    'Living room of Taos' with margaritas and live music most nights.

    • Downtown
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Evening

How to fit Taos into a trip

Taos is stop 3 of 3 on our Northern New Mexico High Desert route. Follow it as-is or lift Taos into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Taos month by month

Average daily highs run from 5°C / 40°F in December to 30°C / 86°F in July. July is the wettest month, with about 71 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Taos weather and the best time to visit →

Near Taos

8 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Taos questions, answered

How many days do you need in Taos?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Taos. On our Northern New Mexico High Desert route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Taos best known for?

Spend two days: Taos Pueblo, the gorge and Earthships, then galleries, green chile and margaritas around the Plaza. Standouts on our list: Taos Pueblo (Multi-story adobe village lived in for over 1,000 years; a UNESCO site); Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (Steel bridge 650 feet above the Rio Grande, among the highest in the US); Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center (Self-guided tour of off-grid homes built from tires, bottles and earth).

When is the best time to visit Taos?

Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (30°C / 86°F), the coolest in December (5°C / 40°F) and the most rain in July (about 71 mm).

What are the best things to do in Taos?

Start with Taos Pueblo, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center, San Francisco de Asís Mission Church and Millicent Rogers Museum. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 6 sights, 1 activity, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Taos?

Our picks: Orlando's New Mexican Cafe (El Prado); Michael's Kitchen (Downtown). Expect a wait; the carne adovada is a standout (Orlando's New Mexican Cafe).

What is near Taos?

The closest destinations in our guides are Abiquiú (about 70 km / 44 mi), Santa Fe (about 87 km / 54 mi) and Nob Hill (about 174 km / 108 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Taos with your crew

Open the Northern New Mexico High Desert route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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