Location: Taos
Top Things to do in Taos
Countries
Top 6 Historic Sites in Taos, New Mexico (NM)
A rolling mesa at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos has a magical quality. Its rugged beauty, majestic mountains, wild Rio Grande river and unique blend of cultures - Spanish, Native American and Anglo - have historically drawn artists and photographers, evidenced by the plentiful galleries, museums and festivals. To experience the Native American culture here, explore Taos Pueblo, where the Tiwa Native Americans have practiced their traditions for centuries. Finally, the Anglo influence is prevalent in the business district, with its shops, art galleries and some of the finest restaurants in New Mexico. Skiing is also a major draw, but the challenging slopes are geared to the more advanced crowd. There's no rat race here; a fair share of non-mainstreamers have made this laid-back, low-key mecca their home. You, too, may not want to leave its tranquility and natural beauty.
Restaurants in Taos
1. Blumenschein Home & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By conmom828 - Falls Church, United States
I was amazed at the size of all the building in Taos. Each road and street was one where my Grandparents walked and befriended the Artist who lived there in the early 1920's My Dad was born in what is now a restaurant etc. Most important we were able to give back to the community paintings which have been gifted to our family years before. We even toured the Pueblos which are pictured often and are still lived in now!
2. Kit Carson Home & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 412 reviews
Christopher “Kit” Carson, is perhaps Taos' most famous resident. He was a fur trapper among the earliest Western explorers, a scout during the first mapping of pioneer trails, a cattle and sheep rancher, a transcontinental courier, U.S. Native American agent, and an officer in the United States Army. Yet he was more than any of those things. Some people say he was a hero who was instrumental in opening up the West. Others say he was a rugged frontiersman who understood the ways of Native Americans better than any other Westerner. Still others maintain that he was an Indian hater whose only interest was to fight and kill Native Americans. He never accepted any of these labels, and neither have modern biographers who have portrayed him as an enigmatic Purchased by Kit Carson for his bride Josefa in 1843, this 3-room adobe home displays artifacts, antique firearms and other pioneer belongings, Kit Carson memorabilia and an exhaustive supply of books about New Mexico.
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, United States
We parked at a metered space on the street and entered the gate access to the courtyard behind the Kit Carson house. The structure behind the house provides an area for a gift shop entrance to the house museum. A very knowledgeable and personable guide gave us some history of Kit Carson and his life in the west, and he played a well done video about part of Carson's life. We learned much about the frontiersman, his Indian and Mexican wives, his children, and his adopted Indian children. The house displays artifacts of his life and the culture of New Mexico at the time of his life. Afterward, we took a short walk to the town cemetery where Carson and his third wife are buried. The museum is very worthwhile for the experience.
3. Kit Carson Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 122 reviews
Historical tombstones pay tribute to Western pioneers.
Reviewed By alexwolf2016
If you like to visit the grave sites of famous people, this is a must see, since everyone's heard of Kit Carson. BTW, Dennis Hopper is buried in Taos, across town.
4. D.H. Lawrence Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 41 reviews
A memorial chapel for the famous 20th-century author D.H. Lawrence is located on the ranch where he lived on and off in the early 1920s. The author described Taos as "...one of the chosen spots on earth."
Reviewed By Austin720 - Austin, United States
Part of the appeal of this pilgrimage, is the drive to the ranch site. The drive is through stunning scenery and once you reach the ranch the views are exceptional. The association of Lawrence and his widow are part of the lore of Taos His ashes are in the concrete of a shrine, she built for him. The staff member who greeted us was very helpful and informative so don’t be shy about asking questions. The only downside your car will be REALLY dirty after the trip
5. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic church
6. Governor Bent House and Museum
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 60 reviews
Home of the first territorial governor of New Mexico, which features adobe architecture, 19th-century frontier artifacts and family furnishings.
