14 minute drive from Taos Regional Airport to city center

A visit to Taos is like a visit to nowhere else on the planet. Nestled in a curve beneath the lofty Sangre de Cristo mountains, Taos is the ancient heart of the Enchanted Circle. A unique blend of cultures, a rich artistic heritage, and outstanding natural beauty combine to bring the visitor an experience full of variety and adventure. No matter the time of year, Taos offers outdoor experiences from the mountain top to the expanse of the mesa, from the cornflower blue skies to the wild and scenic rivers.

Beyond its reputation as an artist colony of old and home to the ageless Taos Pueblo, Taos is probably best known for its skiing and snowboarding—and for good reason. Some of the most challenging, pristine terrain in the American west can be found here at the legendary Taos Ski Valley. The powder is dry, the weather is fine, and the lift lines are friendly. And although there’s plenty of steep-and-deep for the experts, beginner terrain and a world-class ski school make Taos a great winter destination for the whole family. You can even catch some early spring skiing if you’re just not ready for the season to be over yet.

In summer, the mountains, mesas, and dramatic Rio Grande Gorge provide ample opportunities for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking, and the area’s rivers and lakes call out to rafters, kayakers, and fly fishers. You can play a round of golf (or disc golf!), explore the terrain on horseback, or head out into the wilderness for a glamping excursion under the full moon. There’s really no limit to the opportunities for outdoor fun. Taos is home to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, comprising more than 240,000 acres of public lands for all to enjoy.

Fall may be the most glorious season in Taos, with ideal temperatures and quieter sidewalks. A trip into the mountains affords a view of spectacular autumn leaves with yellow quaking aspens and the occasional burst of orange and red. It’s a perfect time to hover over the Taos mesa in a hot air balloon or go on a trek through the woods with a troupe of friendly llamas (really!).

Regardless of the season, the essence of Taos can always be appreciated through our many excellent museums of art and culture, our bevy of art galleries ranging from the classic to the quirky, and the variety of shopping opportunities; whether you’re in the market for a sculpture or a Stetson, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for in Taos.

No trip to Taos is complete without visiting Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been continually inhabited by the Native people of Taos for over 1000 years. Also steeped in rich history is the San Francisco de Asis church in Ranchos de Taos, built in the early 1800s and made famous by legendary artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. Modern attractions like the vertiginous Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and the Greater World Earthship Community abound as well.

Whether you come to Taos for the arts and culture, the outdoor adventure, or just the chance to be somewhere different, we can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful and unique corner of the planet.