Taos Pueblo is a must-see. Check first to make sure they will be open to the public when you visit. www.taospueblo.com

We enjoyed the Taos Art Museum, which is located in the house that artist Nicolai Fechin built for himself. http://www.taosartmuseum.org/ Drive over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge if it's open (I think there is road work going on) and maybe visit the Earthship colony located on the other side of the gorge.

Take a look in the New Mexico folder for restaurant recommendations.

Lee Ann

There are some fun B&Bs in Taos. For our upcoming trip this September, we will stay at Casa Benavides http://www.taos-casabenavides.com/. A few years ago, we stayed at Orinda B&B http://orindabb.com/. But there are others that look really attractive also, here is a list: http://www.taosbandbinns.com/

You could also consider Taos Inn, right in the middle of things. Even if you don't stay there, it's a good place to sit, people watch, and have a margarita (they have a whole menu of them). I particularly recommend "Fire on the Mountain."

We're on a budget and most places are booked now for Memorial Day Weekend. In the cheaper hotels is one chain better than another? We were thinking the Best Western. Not romantic but usually a good, clean place to sleep.

Restaurants?

We enjoyed visiting the Hacienda de los Martinez http://taoshistoricmuseums.org/hacienda-de-los-martinez/ and the Kit Carson home http://www.kitcarsonhomeandmuseum.com/

Be sure to take the Ring of Fire/Enchanted Circle above Taos. Very pretty - and goes by a classic Western Town.

http://www.onroute.com/drives/drives_enchantedcir.html

There is a town on the main road/Enchanted Circle Drive - that has a Western motif (wooden sidewalks, etc) and there is also a Ghost town: http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nm/elizabethtown.html

I hear ya - this time it's a splurge for us. Some years back we were traveling with young son and his friend, wish I could remember the place as it was spacious and comfortable yet affordable. Grounds were rambling.

There is a Best Western there? The closest one I saw is in Red River. That will be a busy weekend naturally, but I do see Don Fernando still has availablity at $99. What's your budget?

Are you thinking the Kachina Lodge? We stayed there a couple of years ago when it was a Best Western. I do not recommend it unless it has gone through some renovations and updating. Losing its Best Western franchise is probably not a good sign.

There's a whole row of the chain hotels (Quality, Comfort, Super8, etc.)at the south end of town; most new and modern (in the ever-present "southwest pueblo" style), and reasonable rates. It's a great option for the budget, and you can spend your tourist dollars elsewhere.

El Pueblo Lodge clean, sw feel to it. Reasonable price.
http://www.elpueblolodge.com/

With only two days, you might not have time to drive the Enchanted Circle, unless you and your son are up for a nice day's drive.

Lee Ann

I just booked the last room at El Pueblo Lodge. Looks great and I like the price. It looks like the location is good, right in town.

Now, where should we eat? Again, no dining, just good food that isn't expensive. A little ambiance would be nice.

Thank you all for the help. You are great as always.

Michael's, just down the road for starters. I'll post more later when I get home.

I think this is the old West town - Red River - and your son would probably love seeing it. http://www.redriver.org/history

And plenty of inexpensive places to eat in Taos - Mexican food, etc.

Is there any special food or recipes that we should try? I know that I love NM enchiladas. We're getting so excited about our trip. That Red River town looks pretty cool and makes my trip educational.

Heavens - very good to hear you got El Pueblo. Haven't stayed there myself, but it looks very "Taos New Mexico" and is rated #1 on tripadvisor.

Having said that, you are starting to get some good restaurant recommendations. We ate a Mexican place just off the plaza (east?); trying to find the name for you. Again, stop off at the Adobe Bar in Taos Inn if you would like to have a margarita and something lunchy or an appy.

As you may already know -- you will be prompted for "red" or "green" or "christmas" (both). Personally, I love the tang of green, but it is traditional to call for Christmas if you haven't already experienced it.

Just stayed for three days in room #103 at El Pueblo. Room pretty large, very clean with Taos ambiance. Big hot tub amd decent pool .
Good, basic continental. Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies at 3:00. Lots of lawn area with plenty of seating.Walk to the plaza.

Try Doc Martin's at the Taos Inn. Classic old hotel with free musical entertainment every night and good food and drink. I really enjoy the shrimp and scallop enchiladas. Sip some NM wines and hang out. They have a smallsh shaded patio. Great place.

I love the Millicent Rogers Museum. Google her name and read her story before going. The museum is quite different due to her background, money and talent. Museum website highlights the collection.

lindagjon May 11, 12 at 9:08pm


Just stayed for three days in room #103 at El Pueblo. Room pretty large, very clean with Taos ambiance. Big hot tub amd decent pool .
Good, basic continental. Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies at 3:00. Lots of lawn area with plenty of seating.Walk to the plaza.

Can you tell me any more about the place or the location? Is it walking distance to the town? What is nearby? Should we bring our own pillows? Thanks. It looks perfect for us, actually.

No, it is not really what one would consider walking distance to town. It is at the northern end of town, closer to the pueblo.

Nearby? As in tourist sites? You are going to have to pretty much drive to everything that is not in the plaza area. Taos, like most of New Mexico is pretty spread out.

Bring pillows? Why?

http://taos.org/ for things to see and do since you really haven't said what interests you have and what you want to see and do.

There is a huge motorcycle rally in and around Red River, so I wouldn't head there.

I already mentioned Michaels as a good place to eat. Also - Dragonfly Cafe, Love Apple, Orlando's [New Mexican]