Taos (pop 6,000) is a hotbed of recreational opportunity located in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. A thriving and energetic outdoor minded community, Taos was first inhabited over eight centuries ago by ancient Tiwa Pueblo peoples. During the 1800s, Taos became home to the legendary mountain man Kit Carson and played host to a variety of wild west characters over the years.
Today Taos is more quaint than wild, with a scenic downtown area studded with numerous galleries, museums, curio & kitsch shops. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains surround town, their rugged peaks protected by the Santa Fe National Forest, allowing for a variety of recreational activities only a short distance from town. Taos is also home to its namesake, Taos Ski Valley Resort, the largest and most challenging ski resort in the state. In addition Taos is located along 'the enchanted circle', a circumnavigation of the Sangre de Cristo mountains by I-64, NM Highway 38 and NM Highway 522, which connects Taos with the prime recreational towns and national lands to its northeast.
Visitors to Taos will find a good number and variety of accommodations to choose from, with choices ranging from cheap local motels to charming bed & breakfasts to over-the-top expensive luxury suites. Dining options in Taos are broad, from grab-on-the-go burrito stands to elegant, multi-course and 'beau coup bucks' gourmet meals, there is something for everyone here.
Taos is best accessed by automobile from the east via I-25 to US Highway 64, from the south via I-84 to NM Highway 68 north and from the north from Colorado via NM Highway 522. During winter months, daily air service from Albuquerque to the small municipal airport in Taos is available. To learn more about Taos, select a topic of interest from the left-hand navigation bar.
