Taos

Adobe Bar

Bills itself as "the Living Room of Taos," and with good reason; passersby wander into this comfortable watering hole (half in the hotel's lobby, half on the sidewalk) as though it's home away from home. Live entertainment every evening is complimentary- open mike on most Mondays. Excellent magarita and wine list.

Alley Cantina

Near the plaza, as much bar as restaurant. "Delicious fish and chips, margaritas" according to some reviewers; barely edible tourist fare, according to others.

Daily 11:30AM-11PM; drinks until 1AM (midnight Sundays)

Bent St. Cafe & Deli

"European-style," beautiful patio dining and yes, it rocks. Excellent menu selections, wonderful sandwiches, accommodating and gracious waitstaff. Licensed, with a good selection of beers. A local favorite, popular with visitors and regulars alike. Great for people-watching. On the pricey side of "budget".

Church of San Francisco de Asis

An incredibly photogenic example of the churches founded in New Mexico during the Spanish mission period. It's a short drive from Downtown Taos on New Mexico 68 and close enough to the highway that you won't have to spend more than 15 minutes getting to and from it if you want to settle for a quick visit. For serious photography and painting, you may have to join a crowd of other aspiring artists. Tours of the interior are available except around times of worship services.

Doc Martin's

Exclusive Chef Zippy White, selections from the spectacular wine list of 400. Excellent seasonal menu additions and desserts. American cuisine with a Southwest twist; breakfasts are also creative. Renowned for the chile rellenos appetizer. The inn has a garden for fresh and organic ingredients. Live music in the adjacent Adobe Bar nightly.

Breakfast 7:30-11AM, lunch 11:30AM-2:30PM, dinner 5:30PM-closing. Weekend brunch 7:30AM-2:30PM·Most dinner entrees range in price from about $20, lunch $10-15

E.L. Blumenschein Home & Museum

The former home of Ernest L. Blumenschein, who became captivated by the scenery in Taos when he and a friend were traveling through and a wagon accident forced them to stay in Taos. Blumenschein told other artists of the beautiful scenery and returned to Taos, where he helped create the Taos Art Colony. Today, you'll find the home furnished with many of Blumenschein's original belongings and paintings.

Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun noon-4PM·$8 adult, $7 seniors, $6 student, children under 5 free

El Taoseño Cafe and Lounge

More of a local hangout than a tourist place, being well south of the center of town. Acceptable New Mexican fare, with some "American" items.

Mon-Thu 6:30AM-9PM; Fri Sat 6:30AM-10PM; Sun 6:30AM-2PM

Eske's Brew Pub and Eatery

Offers "guest beers" from other microbreweries as well as their own selection, including "Green Chile Beer". Also acceptable meals (generally "American").

Daily 11:30AM-10:30PM

Far Flung Adventures

Also runs trips on the Rio Chama and Colorado's Arkansas River.

Five Star Burgers

Grilled sandwiches and panninis, fresh salads, sides, desserts, beer & wine.

Governor Bent Home

The former home of Governor Bent, the first Governor of New Mexico when it was territorial United States, who was killed here in a raid by angry residents who objected to American rule. This small museum has some artifacts from the uprising, as well as some works from local artists.

Summer: daily 9AM-5PM; winter: 10AM-4PM·$1 adult, $.50 children

Hacienda de los Martinez

One of the few existing Spanish Colonial haciendas, or "Great Houses", you can take a self-guided tour of this wonderful old place, with its numerous rooms surrounding two courtyards. Besides being a good representation of architecture from the time, the numerous examples of period furnishings and interesting artifacts such as wagons, a recreated blacksmith shop, a collection of religious art, and a weaving room give you a sense of what frontier life was like here in the early 19th century.

Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun noon-4PM·$8 adult, $7 seniors, $6 student, children under 5 free

Harwood Museum of Art

A vast collection from Taos artists dating from the 18th to the 20th century, with particular focus on Hispanic artistic traditions and paintings from the Taos Society of Artists.

Wed-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM, closed Mon-Tue·$10 adults, $8 seniors/students, youth 18 and under free

Kit Carson Home and Museum

The Taos home of Kit Carson, a 19th-century frontiersman, Indian agent, and Army officer who played a prominent role in the Indian Wars. The house has been lovingly preserved, with artifacts from Carson's life and period furnishings illustrating frontier life in Taos, including one room done up to look like a frontier trading post.

March-October: Daily 10AM-5PM; November-February: Daily 10AM-4PM·$7 adult, $6 senior, $5 teens/students, children 12 and under free

Kit Carson Park & Cemetery

A lovely, shaded public park with fields, trails, a playground, and a cemetery with the graves of Kit Carson, his family, and other notable Taos citizens.

Michael's Kitchen

A long-time local favorite, casual and busy. Great for breakfast, which is served all day. The New Mexican lunches are variable. Also has a nice bakery.

Daily 7AM-2:30PM, but hours seem to vary; closed on major holidays

Millicent Rogers Museum

Famed artist Millicent Rogers lived here in Taos and amassed a huge collection of Southwestern art, and this superb museum continues her legacy. The museum is particularly noted for its jewelry collection, assembled and worn by Millicent Rogers, which represents all the major Native American jewelry traditions. However, you'll also find excellent examples of other Native American art, including a collection of Native pottery (with a set of pots from noted Pueblo potter Maria Martinez), textiles and baskets, as well as a collection of Spanish Colonial furniture, tinwork, blankets, and religious art.

Daily 10AM-5PM (closed on Mondays November–March)·$10 adult, $8 seniors, $6 student/military, $2 children, children under 6 free

Orlando's New Mexican Cafe

Locals disagree on where in town you can get the best standard New Mexican cuisine, but this one is always in the discussion. North of the center of town, and not a convenient walk from the Plaza.

Daily; lunch 10:30AM-3PM, dinner 5PM-9PM

Pizanos

Serves New York style pizza, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers, such as blue corn calamari and fish & chips, and delicious salads. Beautiful views from the patio.

Daily lunch and dinner

Taos Art Museum at Fechin House

Located in the former home and studio of Russian born artist Nicolai Fechin, the Taos Art Museum has works from famous Taos artists, most notably a collection of paintings from the Taos Society of Artists from the early 20th century, of which Fechin was a member. The building is a wonderful example of Southwestern adobe architecture, with interesting ornamentation and examples of Fechin's own handcrafted furniture, and the collection offers a good insight into the work of the artists who brought artistic renown to Taos.

May-October: Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM; November-April: Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM·$10 adult, $9 senior, $6 student, children under 12 free

Taos Pizza Outback

Locals are divided about this pizzeria, some proclaiming it the best pizza in town, others sniffing that it doesn't serve "New York style" pizzas. Each to their own taste.

Mon-Fri 11AM-9PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-10PM

Taos Pueblo

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Americas, Taos is the northernmost of the New Mexico Pueblos and the most iconic, with two large adobe structures that are around 1,000 years old. A large plaza sits between the two structures, with a small creek running through the middle. While most inhabitants of the pueblo live in modern housing on the outskirts of the reservation, there are still a sizable number who live at least part time in the historic village and keep the traditional ways alive; Guided tours take visitors around a portion of the village, including into the San Geronimo Chapel and past the ruins of the old church, both on the grounds of the pueblo, with the guide explaining some of the history and culture of the pueblo, and how the pueblo operates in the present day. For anyone interested in learning about Native American culture, the tour is a very rewarding experience. Snacks and handmade wares are available from some curio shops run by local artisans in the village, with moccasins, boots, drums, mica-flecked pottery and silver jewelry being specialties; Photography and sketching is strictly regulated, with a separate fee required. Don't photograph residents without permission, and don't enter doors or homes that are not clearly marked as businesses. The pueblo also operates a small casino near the entrance to the historic village, which is mainly notable for being entirely non-smoking.

Mon-Sat 8AM-4:30PM, Sun 8:30AM-4:30PM; closes occasionally for religious ceremonies, including an extended closure in early spring, usually around Easter·$16 adult, $14 senior/student, children 10 and under free (additional fee for photography)

Taos Ski Valley

A major downhill ski locale, usually with the best snow in New Mexico if not the entire Southwest. The slopes usually open on Thanksgiving weekend and close in early April, although early season snow can be sparse and spring conditions slushy. This is a challenging hill, and beginners may feel more comfortable on one of the nearby areas listed under "Go next," but the expert skier can have a fantastic time here. One caution: there is Nordic (cross-country) skiing up-valley from the downhill area, but the valley is prone to avalanches, and Nordic skiers have died there. If the locals warn you against skiing (downhill or Nordic) outside the safe areas due to avalanche hazard, take them seriously.

The Gorge

Overlooking the Plaza. A large dining room, a large patio with intense late afternoon sun and prime sunset dining. A moderately priced menu with quality preparation. A large bar with a good selection of wine, draft and bottled beer.

Fiestas de Taos

Takes place in mid-late July and is a major community celebration centered on the Taos Plaza, with lots of food, music, and parades.

Guadalajara Grill

Order at the counter, which will give you an uncomfortable feeling that you're about to consume fast food, but the meal brought to your table will dispel any such concerns. Mexican/New Mexican, with some excellent seafood dishes; the Camaron a la Diabla (shrimp in a very spicy red sauce) is recommended.

Lunch and dinner daily·$7-20 for dinner

Taos Fall Arts Festival

One of the largest arts festivals in the area, it takes place over the last week of September, with art shows, craft fairs, music, and installations throughout Downtown Taos.

Taos Wool Festival

A fun event that takes place annually on the first weekend of October that brings together the many weavers and sheep and alpaca growers in the region. Besides the numerous booths that sell handmade weavings, fiber, yarns and wool, there are also demonstrations of sheep shearing, wool dyeing, and food stands selling locally grown lamb.

Aji Restaurant

Nice Peruvian selections like ceviche and paella here.

Cottam's Rio Grande Rafting

207 Paseo del Pueblo Sur