Activities
Activities around Taos are so varied and plentiful that a one-time visitor can never take them all in. One must sometimes remind oneself that arguablythe best activity at The Skies is doing absolutely nothing at all (other than relaxing and gazing at the views).
The Taos News, issued on Thursdays covers current events including music, art , film, theater and festivals. You are apt to mingle with Taosenas (non-tourists) at these kinds of events.
Listed below are some of the popular activities that you may want to try:
The Taos News, issued on Thursdays covers current events including music, art , film, theater and festivals. You are apt to mingle with Taosenas (non-tourists) at these kinds of events.
Listed below are some of the popular activities that you may want to try:
- Skiing at Taos Ski Valley (16.7 miles, 30 minutes away), Red River (34.3 miles, 43 minutes), Angel Fire (30.2 miles/54 minutes)
- Cross-country skiing - go to www.taosoutdoorrecreation.com for informationabout this and other year-round recreational opportunities.
- Golf - 9.9 miles to the south is the Taos Country Club. Be prepared for wind and additional length on your drives due to the altitude.
- Fishing - Licenses may be obtained at Walmart (7.7 miles on Paseo de Pueblo Sur).
- Tennis - 6.6 miles away, Taos Tennis at Quail Ridge has 10 courts, a swimming pool and a hot tub, all accessible with a daily guest fee. Or you may want to play at Taos Tennis and Spa (9.4 miles away).
- Hiking - If you come from lower altitudes, work your way up to the challenging heights of Lake Williams and Wheeler Peak. Try the trail on the far side of the Rio Grande Gorge bridge, which is quite flat but still scenic. It extends for miles. Hiking boots, sunscreen and water are all important. If you are not going with a professional guide, consider choosing a book on local hikes from Moby Dickens Bookstore in John Dunne Plaza. Read and follow the hiking safety instructions. Be prepared for weather changes and always let someone know where you are going! Respect park regulations which ask that you keep your dogs leashed. Questa's Wild Rivers has many beautiful trails and a forestry service center where you may ask questions.
- Rafting - Go for white water in the famous Taos Box or opt for a more sedate "float", with time to see the scenery.
- Soaking-You may hike to some local hot springs on the Rio Hondo or drive to a full spa and resort at Ojo Caliente (37.1 miles/47 minutes).
- Dining - You will enjoy discovering your own favorites from the numerous and varied restaurants. Some of our favorites include: The Love Apple, set in a small adobe church nearby, El Meze, Orlandos (all on Paseo de Pueblo Norte); Doc Martin's at the Taos Inn (both near the Plaza - about 6 miles); The Taos Cow (coffee, lunch and ice cream) Aceq and Sabrosa, three Arroyo Seco (under 7 miles) favorites. There are many good coffeehouses, most with WIFI. If you'd like to sip your coffee in a garden, try Wired. Beer afficianados may want to relax with a local brew at Eske's Brew Pub in town, which is casual and stays open a bit later than some restaurants. You will find that, in general, Taos restaurants are geared more towards early diners. Also in town, El Gamal is a good vegetarian option for breakfast and lunch. Try their Turkish coffee with some baklava.
- Shopping- Whether you are interested in shopping for clothing with a Southwestern flare, jewelry, pottery, hand-dyed wools, hand-woven rugs, artifacts and housewares from around the globe or locally crafted, Mexican tiles,copper and iron ware, outdoor sports gear, books , art or chili peppers to hang in your kitchen, you will find that Taos and nearby Arroyo Seco offer bountiful shopping options. There are even a number of excellent second-hand stores for the thrifty. I have found shop owners to be friendly and helpful without being high-pressured. Taos has resisted succumbing to the box store culture prevalent in much of our country. Shopping in Taos is a delight. Please ask if you want advice on finding something particular.
- Grocery-Shopping- Sometimes it is more fun to cook and eat "at home". The nearest market, and it is a good one, is Cyd's, which specializes in high-end organic selections. Their meats, and produce are top quality. Try their spring rolls for a light summer lunch on the go. And consider, how many other supermarkets feature magazines such as Mother Jones or Art News at the checkout counter? We have also been happy with Smith's, a less expesive option just beyond the Plaza, off Paseo de Pueblo Sur. For those driving up from either Albuquerque or Santa Fe, you may wish to stop and stock up either at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods in Santa Fe. Finally, in summer and autumn, you should check out the Farm Markets in town and at the Pueblo.
- Museums and Galleries- There are many choices for museum-goers in Taos. For art, check out The Harwood Museum of Art, The Millicent Rodgers Museum, Taos Art Museum and Fechin House, the Blumenschein Home and Museum and an assortment of galleries all over town. For those who lean more towards Western history (although history and art are very intertwined in this town), The Hacienda Martinez, The Kit Carson Home & Museum and the Bent House & Museum all deserve attention.
- Taos Pueblo- (6.9 miles away) is both a historical Indian Village and the cultural heart of the Taos Pueblo Indian people who are an integral part of Taos itself. Because the Pueblo is sometimes closed to the public, you should check their hours before visiting. Also, inform yourself as to the rules and customs which visitors are expected to observe and respect, such as NO CAMERAS. This is a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, yes, there is a small Casino adjacent to the historic site.
- Explore Churches - 6.7 miles away, in Ranchos de Taos is what many will consider the most iconic adobe church in New Mexico, SanFrancisco de Asis Church, most famously painted by Georgia O'Keefe and photographed by Paul Strand. In a culture where nearly every plaza boasted its own place of worship, you will find many other charming adobe vernacular churches worth exploring or painting and photographing yourself.
- Movies - The Taos Center for the Arts ( 6 miles away, on Paseo de Pueblo Norte) is where you are most likely to find "art cinema" selections while Storyteller Cinema ( 7.7 miles away) has more mainstream offerings.
- Flying - The Taos Regional Airport is less than a mile from The Skies. If you have your own plane, it couldn't be more convenient. However a friend of ours who flies was able to arrange with a pilot at the airport to be taken aloft for a bird's-eye view of the surrounding area. He took some great photographs! (As only small planes use this airport, you will not be disturbed by jet engine noise, despite the proximity).
- Horseback Riding - A trail ride through the hills around Taos is one of the best ways to get a feeling for the terrain. You do not need to be an expert.
- Llama Trekking - Check out Wild Earth Llama Adventures for tours of the Rio Grande Gorge or "Take a Llama to Lunch".
- Snowmobiling - many people head up to Red River to snowmobile. Or check out Native Sons Adventures on line for information on snowmobile tours.
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Music - Many of the local restaurants and bars feature live performances throughout the week, often free or at a modest charge. KTAOS Solar Center and Station Bar ( 2 miles away) will often host some more nationally and regionally recognized performers. Whatever the music, the immense dance floor, beer on tap and adequate bar food, a pool table and an open field for those who wish to cavort under the stars, all make for an entertaining night out (and only 5 minutes from the house!) Newer on the scene and also very nearby is The Taos Mesa Brewing Company which has something going on nearly every night, plus a wide variety of their own brews to sample.
- Touring the Enchanted Circle - Begin in Taos and circle through Questa, Angel Fire, Red River and Eagle Nest. You will see many undisturbed acres of Kit Carson National Forest. Stop at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to see a father's moving memorial to his son.
- Drive the High Road to Santuario De Chimayo and on to Santa Fe. Stop at art galleries, pottery studios (Ojo Sarco has one of our favorites) and weavers along the way. The views on this drive are breathtaking. This trip is best when there is no snow. Chimayo is a great place to buy dried chilis.
- Mountain Biking - There are several bicycle shops in Taos. In addition, Native Sons Adventures books mountain bike tours as well as mountain bike/rafting combination tours.
- Motorcycling -you must bring your own motorcycle, but if you do, you will realize why Easy Rider was filmed around here. There is a place, Blue Sky Motorcycle Rentals, in Holbrook, AZ ( a mere 6 hours away) which rents motorcycles.