Taos, New Mexico - Things to Do

I have to admit I was skeptical of traveling for a week to the desert (or is it mountains?) in search of the peace, quiet and tranquility of Taos, New Mexico. I figured I'd be bored by day 3. Despite it's remote location, however, Taos has a lot going on.

Getting There

Ok, it's not really easy. I thought there was a commercial airport in Santa Fe, which is about an hour's drive from Taos. There's not, and in retrospect, I think that's a good thing. The closest airport is almost 3 hours away in Albuquerque, which leaves the Taos skies free of air traffic in order to allow scenic artisans to be mused without interruption. There is little, if any, public transportation in the area, so it goes without saying that unless you plan to hitchhike (which is surprisingly not uncommon here), you'll be renting a car. Even though gas prices are killer lately, an SUV is well worth the expense. Some of the back roads are super rugged. After getting a map and talking to some of the locals, the 3 hour drive is arguably one of the most scenic that I've ever taken. The road from Albuquerque to Taos leads north toward the southernmost tip of the Rocky Mountains, passing through canyons, valleys, mesas, desert plains, and unobstructed 360 degree views of nothingness.

Where to Stay

We opted for an adobe casita rental off the beaten path, literally. Dependent on your comfort level, there are smaller bed and breakfasts and a few "larger" hotels on the main strip in the downtown area. The wonderful thing about Taos is that it prides itself on not being too overdeveloped (from a New York perspective, that is) and you will not find high rise hotels or bling here. What you will find is a picturesque landscape and mountain backdrop that mimics an Ansel Adams photograph. Although we traveled in the spring, Taos lies in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and is known as a skiers paradise in the winter months. Hotels and house rentals often book up quickly during that time.

Things to Do

Taos Pueblo