Local Area Guide
Things to do / Activities / Attractions
Our area offers opportunities for every taste, age and physical ability; from outdoor recreation to quiet reflection, scenic drives with plenty of cultural and historical tours and detours, as well as fantastic shopping and dining. We have gathered a selection of ideas that are great year round, but there are always exciting events upcoming in the Town of Taos, Taos Ski Valley and daytrips in the region and you can find more about those on our links page.
Although there are many ways to enjoy this area, arguably one of our best features is our natural beauty, and all the many ways one can explore that beauty.
- Fly Fishing
- Spin Fishing
- Hiking
- Road Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Stand Up
- Paddle Boarding
- Kayaking
- Rock Climbing
- River Rafting
- Swimming
- Golf
- Disc Golf
- Hunting
Traveling with kids requires different kinds of options, although we think many of these are great adult fun also this list is kids and family friendly activities.
- Ice Skating
- Bowling
- Swimming
- Public Parks
- Twirl Playspace
- Mitchell Storyteller Cinema
- Scenic Drives
- Enchanted Circle
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Hooper Pools (Southern Colorado)
- High Road to Santa Fe
- Hopewell Lake/Chama
- Southern Colorado Loop
- Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
- The Couse House
- Blumenschein Home and Museum
- Harwood Museum of Art
- Taos Art Museum at Fechin House
- Governor Bent Museum
- Holy Trinity Historic Church, Arroyo Seco
- Kit Carson Home and Museum
- Taos Pueblo UNESCO Heritage Site
- Turquoise Tours Daily Offerings
- Greater World Earthship Community
- Milicent Rogers Museum
- Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
- Overlook Trail
- Historic St. Francis of Asis Church, Ranchos
- Dennis Hopper’s Gravesite
Dining Recommendations
Taos Ski Valley
- 192 at The Blake (Seasonal, know before you go)
- The Bavarian (Seasonal hours, know before you go)
- Black Diamond Espresso (Year Round (with closures) caffeine and grab and go snacks)
- The Blonde Bear Tavern (Located at Edelweiss Lodge and Spa, Seasonal hours, know before you go)
- Cafe Naranja (Located at Edelweiss Lodge and Spa, Seasonal hours, know before you go)
- SnakeDance Inn (Seasonal, Lunch and Dinner)
Taos Ski Valley
There are lots of places to get food in Taos. We have the national chain fast food, and dozens of local eateries, but featured here are just some of our personal favorites.
- Lambert’s of Taos (Fine dining w courtyard, great place for family special occasion, Tree House bar with fun light fare bar menu upstairs)
- Orlando’s New Mexican Café (The spot for local green and red chile dishes, posole)
- The Love Apple (Fresh, inspired dishes, great atmosphere – great place to take a date)
- La Cueva Cafe (Mexican, downtown)
- KOKO Coffee Deli Carry-Out (Fantastic grab-and-go sandwich, soup, salad, deli items, and baked goods, plus all the cafe drinks)
- Toribios Mexican (Fast, Mexican!)
- Guadalajara Grill (North and South of downtown locations, fast, Mexican)
- Sushi a la Hattori at Overland (Long wait/no to-go at peak times, feisty owner, great views of Taos Mountain, generally wonderful Japanese cuisine)
Arroyo Seco
- Abe’s Cantina and Cocina (New Mexican and Grill (AM), package liquor and bar)
- The Wake and Take (Vegan bowls and smoothies)
- Taos Cow Ice Cream (Scoop shop by the Rio Lucero)
- Sol Food Market and Café (Coffee, sandwiches, soups and salads plus specialty grocery)
- Aceq (Fresh, casual dining)
- Sabroso (Happy Hour, Dinner)
Spa
Taos Ski Valley
- Edelweiss Lodge and Spa
- The Blake Spa and Wellness Center
Taos
- Essential Massage and Spa Therapies
- The Living Spa
- Taos Sage Waters Spa
- The Face Place
Recreation
There are so many options for having active fun in the scenic beauty of northern New Mexico. The great outdoors are truly that in this area, you’ll see breathtaking views and a wide variety of natural environments, plants and animals as you play. From mountain biking and skiing to rafting and fishing, golf, ballooning, hiking, or bird watching, there’s something for everyone here!
Skiing
Although there are several great smaller ski resorts in the area, Taos Ski Valley is our favorite winter destination for travelers and where many of our properties are located. Taos boasts amazing terrain, top shelf resort amenities, and year round fun.
Location: Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
VISIT WEBSITE
Mountain Biking Taos
Taos has an amazing array of mountain biking routes and loops, most are not beginner rides, but there are a few great beginner options that are easy to get to if you`re just building your skills.
Mountain Biking Taos Ski Valley
Taos Ski Valley and the greater Taos area offer many awesome mountain biking trails. TSV Trails are high altitude, starting above 9000 feet elevation. They have created some sweet trails in the resort base backside area and around private land and national forest.
Fishing Taos and Taos Ski Valley
Taos and our abundant national forest and BLM lands offers visitors access to some of the most beautiful pristine trout waters in North America. For spin or fly fishers, the locations, and the potential catch is a reason to travel to the area.
