Taos
 

Will you please tell me what you find special about Taos? It appears to be a one-road town. I know about the two big harvest events May 3 and Sept 30, but aside from that, what do you find special about Taos?

The Pueblo is quite interesting and they do a nice tour. You may take pictures if you pay extra for your camera and ask permission from any native Americans that you wish to photograph. It is basically a one road town and there is a nice ski area there as well as a small casino. The pueblo won't take more than a couple of hours to tour. I found it interesting and fairly similar to Acoma Pueblo and both claimed to be the oldest continually occupied pueblos in the country. If you are traveling in the area it is a nice place to stop. It is only a couple of hours from Bandelier National Monument which is very interesting and has different types of ancient native habitation sites.

We visited last summer and had a very enjoyable few days. By day we visited Taos Pueblo, rafted on the Rio Grande & went hiking. In the evening we enjoyed some really good, live music right in the hotel lobby/bar (Taos Inn). It was a nice pace. Very friendly people, and relaxed atmosphere.

1. Taos Pueblo is unique - an architectural gem and an interesting place because the native Americans try to preserve a traditional way of living.

2. Taos Ski Valley is the best ski area in Northern New Mexico.

3. Kit Carson lived in Taos and his home is now a museum.

4. Taos makes a good daytrip from Santa Fe.

Taos - what it DOESN'T have:
lots of chain motels, restaurants, major roads or highways, tons of nightlife, amusement parks, glitz etc.

What is DOES have:
Peace, tranquility, nature, history, beautiful landscapes, a river to raft, mountains to climb, excellent food, nice people, beautiful weather in summer, fall and winter, adventures for those who seek action or more serene for those who wish to reflect on the past.

"Taos lends itself to a unique lifestyle - an eclectic mix of the past and present, historic and contemporary, busy yet laid back.

Life in Taos, and throughout northern New Mexico, has two unusual elements that make it like no other place - the way our history and art are infused in our daily lives.

Our history is alive here; the Taos area is a mix of Pueblo Indian, Spanish, and Anglo peoples. The Taos Pueblo people have been here for more than a thousand years; the Spanish people for more than 400 years; and, the Anglo people for a couple hundred years. All have traditions and festivals dating back these many years. You feel the rich texture of so many years of tradition interlaced with the present time - in all you do here.

Art is an essential element of Taos. Art is found in everything we do. We are surrounded by towering mountains, vast plains, infinite blue skies. And the light -- the way the light shines during the day at this elevation and within these vast natural spaces creates a beautiful golden glow. Artists have been awe-struck by the 'quality of light' throughout the ages here in Taos. Art is a respected, important element of all our lives.

...experience for yourself the beautiful sunsets, inspiring nature, exhilarating outdoor sports, regional cuisine, and the creative lifestyles that abound in Taos."

www.taos.org

Deb

Well said, Deb.

I can see how it would underwhelm if you were just buzzing through. (not that you can buzz very fast most of the year because of all the others on that one road.)

We preferred Taos to Santa Fe to be honest. We found everyone so friendly, the atmosphere relaxed, and it was, for us at least, just more enjoyable than Santa Fe.
Plus the Pueblo, and the Church in Ranchos de Taos, combined with that amazing light, are a photographers dream ;).
After two visits to Santa Fe, I shall be driving straight through to Taos, if I ever get back to New Mexico.

I drove through yesterday, stopping at the Taos Museum, Michael's Kitchen, and saw the pueblo. That was my 3rd time driving through. It doesn't seem like much, and it is very muddy this time of year, with gray skies and clouds. I might go back for the harvest; what I saw, reminded me a little of some places I've seen in China. I did enjoy the oldest church in the US. Enjoyed the museum, but I guess to get to know it, I'd have to stay a few days.

The saying, "slow down and smell the roses," really applies here. This is the start of the mud season. If you noticed in my first reply, I said that summer, fall and winter are nicest.

I specifically left off spring, because it is muddy, windy and is a pretty yucky time here.

It has been pretty warm these past few days, with no precipitation so there has been a lot of melting going on.

The best part of Taos [and for that matter, most small towns] cannot be seen from the main road. You have to veer off to really see the beauty.

Deb

Hoping the 'yuk' mud is gone by May.

Ditto what Deb posted from taos.org!

I just returned from 9 days in Taos. Loved it! There is so much Taos has to offer. I would go back in a heartbeat!

Taos had always been a day trip for us from Santa Fe. This trip, however, we decided to stay in Taos instead of Santa Fe and we loved it very much. Here is my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35176493