Taos Vacation Ideas: Taos Pueblo, Ski Valley & High Road to Santa Fe

Taos Pueblo

• What is Taos Pueblo?
  • When visiting Taos Pueblo, you are not visiting a museum, but people’s homes. Living and thriving for more than 1,000 years, Taos Pueblo is the only Native American living community designated as both a National Historic Landmark and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• When were the buildings of Taos Pueblo constructed?
  • Most of the existing buildings were probably built sometime between 1000 and 1450 A.D.. When the Spanish arrived in the Taos Valley in 1540, they believed they had discovered the City of Gold.
• What are Hlaukwima and Hlauuma?
  • Hlaukwima (South House) and Hlauuma (North House) are believed to be of the same age and are key parts of the Pueblo.
• How is Taos Pueblo structured?
  • The Pueblo consists of five stories of individual homes that are built side-by-side and on top of each other with common walls. Several feet thick, the walls were made of earth mixed with water and straw to maintain a cool interior.
• Do people still live in Taos Pueblo?
  • About 150 Taos Indians live in the Pueblo today permanently.
• How do Pueblo residents balance tradition and modern life?
  • Since tradition demands no electricity and no running water in the Pueblo, most families come to the old Pueblo for ceremonies and live in modern homes on the Pueblo land or elsewhere.

Taos Pueblo, 120 Veterans Hwy, Taos, New Mexico 87571, Phone: 575-758-1028

Taos Plaza & the Taos Historic District

• What is Taos Plaza?
  • Just like when it was built 300 years ago, Taos Plaza remains the heart of Taos. Located in the center of the Taos Historic District, it is surrounded by picturesque shops, galleries, and the historic Hotel La Fonda, where D.H. Lawrence painted his erotic paintings.
• What can visitors do at Taos Plaza?
  • Visitors can relax on a bench under the lovely old trees, enjoy an ice cream, and watch people passing by.
• Is Taos Plaza a good place to start exploring?
  • Yes! If you are wondering what to do in Taos NM today, this is a great place to start exploring.
• What events take place at Taos Plaza?
  • There is always something going on in the plaza, but it gets especially lively from May to October when you can enjoy the Taos Plaza Live concerts.
• What architectural styles can be found in the Taos Historic District?
  • As you stroll from the Plaza through the Taos Historic District, you will notice an interesting mix of architectural styles, where Spanish Colonial Style houses stand next to homes built in the Territorial, Pueblo Revival, and Mission Revival styles.
• Where can I find Taos Plaza on the map?
  • View it on the map here.

Kit Carson Home & Museum

• What is the Kit Carson Home and Museum?
  • The former house of Josefa and Kit Carson, a famous frontiersman, this museum aims to preserve traditional Spanish colonial architecture and provide educational opportunities about life in a frontier town.
• What can visitors see at the museum?
  • The museum is filled with period memorabilia and hosts lecture events and tours for schools and groups.
• Has the home been restored?
  • Yes, the home and museum have been lovingly restored to look as they did in the 1800s, allowing visitors to experience the period firsthand.
• What are some highlights of the museum's collection?
  • The museum is filled with the actual belongings of the Carson family. Highlights include Kit Carson’s Civil War saber.

Kit Carson Home & Museum , 113 Kit Carson Road, Taos, NM 87571, 575-758-4945

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

View the scenic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

High Road to Taos

On your way to Taos, prepare yourself for the town’s unique world by taking the famous "High Road."

Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM

• What is the Millicent Rogers Museum?
  • The Millicent Rogers Museum celebrates the Southwestern art heritage, featuring a priceless collection of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo art from the last 2,000 years.
• What do Millicent Rogers and Maria Martinez have in common?
  • Millicent Rogers donated her spectacular turquoise jewelry collection, while world-famous Pueblo potter Maria Martinez and her family contributed a collection of her most significant works, forming the core of the museum.
• How many galleries and exhibitions are in the museum?
  • The museum has 20 galleries and exhibition spaces showcasing an assemblage of priceless art.
• What can visitors experience at the museum?
  • As you stroll through the galleries, you will see the history of the region through the eyes of the artists who lived and died in the Taos high desert.
• Where is the museum located?
  • The museum is housed in a charming historic hacienda overlooking the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The hacienda was generously donated by the Anderson family of Taos.

Millicent Rogers Museum , 1504 Millicent Rogers Rd, El Prado, NM 87529, 575-758-2462

Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

• What is the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway?
  • Exploring the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is a perfect way to spend an adventurous weekend while in Taos. The route is only about 83 miles, but there is so much to see that you will want to take your time.
• What are some must-see stops along the Byway?
  • - Taos Gorge Bridge – A spectacular detour as you leave Taos on NM 522. - Arroyo Seco – A lovely artistic village on the road to Taos Ski Valley. - Arroyo Hondo – A scenic stop as you continue north. - D.H. Lawrence Ranch – Visit the home and burial site of the famous writer. - Questa – Experience dramatic landscapes with access to the Rio Grande. - Red River – A town with spectacular vistas of aspen and spruce groves. - Eagle Nest Lake State Park – A 2,400-acre lake ideal for hiking, fishing, boating, and cross-country skiing. - Angel Fire – A great family resort before heading back to Taos.
• What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy along the Byway?
  • Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, skiing, and wildlife watching along the route. Keep an eye out for deer, elk, bears, and eagles.
• Where can visitors find a map of the route?
  • You can view the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway on Google Maps.

Taos Art Museum at Fechin House

• What is the Taos Art Museum?
  • The Taos Art Museum at Fechin House is housed in a historic building, the former home of Nicolai Fechin, a prominent artist who emigrated from Russia.
• What makes the Fechin House unique?
  • The building itself is a museum, incorporating elements of Native American, Spanish, and Russian architectural styles.
• What artwork is displayed at the museum?
  • Many of Fechin’s pieces are on display, along with works by members of the Taos Society of Artists.
• What types of exhibitions does the museum offer?
  • The museum features both permanent and temporary exhibitions that celebrate diverse forms of art and related events throughout the year.

227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte PO Box 1848, Taos, NM 87571, 575-758 2690, Map

Harwood Museum of Art

• What is the Harwood Museum of Art?
  • The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico showcases the history of art in northern New Mexico.
• Why is northern New Mexico significant to artists?
  • Since the early twentieth century, artists have gravitated to the region to capture the beauty of the natural environment of New Mexico.
• What type of artwork is displayed at the museum?
  • The museum is filled with depictions of the stunning scenery painted by local artists.
• What kind of collections and exhibits does the museum offer?
  • The museum houses collections spanning from the early twentieth century to the present day, as well as temporary exhibits that change throughout the year.

Harwood Museum of Art , 238 Ledoux Street, Taos, NM 87571, 575-758-9826