Things to do with kids in Taos

Things to do with kids in Taos

1. See

   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

2. See

   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

3. See

   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

4. See

   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

5. See

   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.

6. See

   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

7. See

   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

8. See

   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)

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Taos (CC BY-SA 4.0).