It's not clear exactly when the first humans arrived in the Taos area, but samples taken from the main structure of Taos Pueblo found it to likely have been built somewhere between 1000 and 1450 AD, which would make it one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Americas. Situated in a tributary valley of the Rio Grande, Taos marked the northernmost extent of the Pueblo Indians. It would also mark the northernmost extent of Spanish settlement in the Southwest following the arrival of Spanish conquistadors and missionaries in the 17th century. Of all the pueblos, Taos may have been the most resistant to the brutal treatment they received from the Spanish, leading the Pueblo Revolt in 1680 and keeping up armed resistance to the Spanish long afterwards. Over time, the Spanish eventually began to fight alongside the Pueblo Indians against other tribes in the region, which led to the creation of the Spanish village of Taos in the 1790s.

In the early 1800s, many mountain men and fur trappers arrived in the area, many of them Americans who had arrived in New Mexico via the Santa Fe Trail. The transition to American rule was marked by violence in Taos; following the U.S. takeover of New Mexico in 1846, a group of Hispanics and Taos Indians led a revolt against the American government, killing the newly-appointed U.S. Governor, Charles Bent. The U.S. military responded in force, laying siege to Taos Pueblo and crushing the revolt, burning down the pueblo church in the process. In the years that followed, relations between natives and American settlers cooled down significantly.

Taos came to widespread attention in the early 1900s, when a group of prominent artists, lured by the region's scenery and culture, formed the Taos art colony and promoted the town within artist and writing circles. Their work typically focused on the landscape and the culture of Taos Pueblo and the Hispanic farming villages in the area. Modern artists and photographers would follow in the decades to come, as would Hippies and New Age practitioners, laying the groundwork for the thriving art scene that persists to this day and serves as the town's main draw.

• Taos Regional Airport (TSM  ^IATA). Taos Air from Austin, Dallas–Love, Los Angeles–Hawthorne, San Diego–Carlsbad (updated Jan 2020)

The Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ ^IATA), three hours' driving time distant, is one of the nearest airports with extensive commercial air service.

Santa Fe Airport is the other nearest airport with extensive commercial service, with 2 hours drive time.

Taos is about a two-hour drive north of Santa Fe. Its position on the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains restricts road access somewhat, as there are few passes through the mountains and the ones that exist may be closed in the winter due to snow. Coming from Denver and other points north, there are two options: either follow Interstate Highway 25 to Raton and then US Highway 64 over Palo Flechado Pass and into Taos, or follow Colorado state road 159 south to the New Mexico border, at which point it becomes New Mexico state road 552 and continues to Taos.

There are also two routes into Taos from Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The most direct route follows US Highway 285 through Pojoaque to Española, then New Mexico state road 68 along the banks of the Rio Grande to Taos. There are a number of scenic viewpoints on this road; it's worth stopping to see if river runners are on the Rio, particularly during high water (spring) at which time this stretch of river is one of the finest whitewater experiences in the continental United States. The slower and higher, but even more scenic, "High Road to Taos" diverges at Pojoaque and first follows New Mexico 503 to Chimayo, then New Mexico 76 and New Mexico 75 to Peñasco, and then New Mexico 518 to outlying Ranchos de Taos and finally the Town of Taos. This is a beautiful drive in the spring and summer; the Sangre de Cristos are snow-capped until June or so, while later in the summer, the thunderstorms that build over the mountains provide a different kind of elemental beauty.

Faust Transportation (☏ +1 575 758-3410) provides local taxi, regional and airport shuttle, and charter bus service to the North Central NM area. Its airport shuttle is no longer operating. Twin Hearts Express Shuttle (☏ +1 575 751-1201) also provides shuttle services to the Taos area.

The NCRTD provides weekday commuter bus service that links Taos to the surrounding communities of the region, and a weekend service, the Taos Express, to Española and Santa Fe.

The historic district at the center of town, this is where you'll find the majority of traveler attractions in Taos. 36.40716-105.574471 Taos Plaza, the historic center of town, is a shady town square surrounded by adobe architecture about half a block west of the intersection of Paseo del Pueblo and Kit Carson Road, which gets clogged with tourists in the summer months. The buildings surrounding the Plaza hold many of the town's finest restaurants and hotels, as well as a number of houses that belonged to founders of the art colony or other significant personages which have since been turned into museums and galleries.

• 36.4069-105.5722 Kit Carson Home and Museum, 113 Kit Carson Rd (a block east of the plaza), ☏ +1 575 758-4945. March-October: Daily 10AM-5PM; November-February: Daily 10AM-4PM. The Taos home of Kit Carson, a 19th-century frontiersman, Indian agent, and Army officer who played a prominent role in the Indian Wars. The house has been lovingly preserved, with artifacts from Carson's life and period furnishings illustrating frontier life in Taos, including one room done up to look like a frontier trading post. $7 adult, $6 senior, $5 teens/students, children 12 and under free. (updated Dec 2015)
• 36.40846-105.573243 Governor Bent Home, 117 Bent St (a couple of blocks north of the plaza). Summer: daily 9AM-5PM; winter: 10AM-4PM. The former home of Governor Bent, the first Governor of New Mexico when it was territorial United States, who was killed here in a raid by angry residents who objected to American rule. This small museum has some artifacts from the uprising, as well as some works from local artists. $1 adult, $.50 children.  
• 36.40898-105.570294 Kit Carson Park & Cemetery, on Paseo del Pueblo (a couple of blocks north of the Plaza). A lovely, shaded public park with fields, trails, a playground, and a cemetery with the graves of Kit Carson, his family, and other notable Taos citizens. 

• 36.41075-105.569925 Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, 227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (north of Kit Carson Park), ☏ +1 575 758-2690. May-October: Tu-Su 10AM-5PM; November-April: Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. Located in the former home and studio of Russian born artist Nicolai Fechin, the Taos Art Museum has works from famous Taos artists, most notably a collection of paintings from the Taos Society of Artists from the early 20th century, of which Fechin was a member. The building is a wonderful example of Southwestern adobe architecture, with interesting ornamentation and examples of Fechin's own handcrafted furniture, and the collection offers a good insight into the work of the artists who brought artistic renown to Taos. $10 adult, $9 senior, $6 student, children under 12 free. (updated Dec 2015)
• 36.40595-105.576816 E.L. Blumenschein Home & Museum, 222 Ledoux St (a few blocks southwest of the plaza), ☏ +1 575 758-0505. M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. The former home of Ernest L. Blumenschein, who became captivated by the scenery in Taos when he and a friend were traveling through and a wagon accident forced them to stay in Taos. Blumenschein told other artists of the beautiful scenery and returned to Taos, where he helped create the Taos Art Colony. Today, you'll find the home furnished with many of Blumenschein's original belongings and paintings. $8 adult, $7 seniors, $6 student, children under 5 free. (updated Dec 2015)
• 36.40591-105.577587 Harwood Museum of Art, 238 Ledoux St (a few blocks southwest of the plaza), ☏ +1 575 758-9826. W-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM, closed M-Tu. A vast collection from Taos artists dating from the 18th to the 20th century, with particular focus on Hispanic artistic traditions and paintings from the Taos Society of Artists. $10 adults, $8 seniors/students, youth 18 and under free.  

• 36.4392-105.5468 Taos Pueblo, 120 Veterans Highway (north of town; follow signs from Paseo del Pueblo), ☏ +1 575 758-1028. M-Sa 8AM-4:30PM, Su 8:30AM-4:30PM; closes occasionally for religious ceremonies, including an extended closure in early spring, usually around Easter. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Americas, Taos is the northernmost of the New Mexico Pueblos and the most iconic, with two large adobe structures that are around 1,000 years old. A large plaza sits between the two structures, with a small creek running through the middle. While most inhabitants of the pueblo live in modern housing on the outskirts of the reservation, there are still a sizable number who live in the historic village and keep the traditional ways alive; Guided tours take visitors around a portion of the village, including into the San Geronimo Chapel and past the ruins of the old church, both on the grounds of the village, with the guide explaining some of the history and culture of the village. For anyone interested in learning about Native American culture, the tour is a very rewarding experience. Handmade wares are available from some curio shops run by local artisans in the village, with moccasins, boots, drums, mica-flecked pottery and silver jewelry being specialties; Photography and sketching is strictly regulated, with a separate fee required. Don't photograph residents without permission, and don't enter doors or homes that are not clearly marked as businesses. The pueblo also operates a small casino near the entrance to the historic village, which is mainly notable for being entirely non-smoking. $16 adult, $14 senior/student, children 10 and under free (additional fee for photography). (updated Jan 2020)

• 36.39899-105.609739 Hacienda de los Martinez, 708 Hacienda Rd (off of Ranchitos Road a few miles southwest of the plaza), ☏ +1 575 758-1000. M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. One of the few existing Spanish Colonial haciendas, or "Great Houses", you can take a self-guided tour of this wonderful old place, with its numerous rooms surrounding two courtyards. Besides being a good representation of architecture from the time, the numerous examples of period furnishings and interesting artifacts such as wagons, a recreated blacksmith shop, a collection of religious art, and a weaving room give you a sense of what frontier life was like here in the early 19th century. $8 adult, $7 seniors, $6 student, children under 5 free.  
• 36.44423-105.5940610 Millicent Rogers Museum, 1504 Millicent Rogers Rd (off of Paseo del Pueblo north of town), ☏ +1 575 758-2462. Daily 10AM-5PM (closed on Mondays November–March). Famed artist Millicent Rogers lived here in Taos and amassed a huge collection of Southwestern art, and this superb museum continues her legacy. The museum is particularly noted for its jewelry collection, assembled and worn by Millicent Rogers, which represents all the major Native American jewelry traditions. However, you'll also find excellent examples of other Native American art, including a collection of Native pottery (with a set of pots from noted Pueblo potter Maria Martinez), textiles and baskets, as well as a collection of Spanish Colonial furniture, tinwork, blankets, and religious art. $10 adult, $8 seniors, $6 student/military, $2 children, children under 6 free. (updated Dec 2015)
• 36.35801-105.6082711 Church of San Francisco de Asis, 60 St Francis Plaza (in Ranchos de Taos, south of town). An incredibly photogenic example of the churches founded in New Mexico during the Spanish mission period. It's a short drive from Downtown Taos on New Mexico 68 and close enough to the highway that you won't have to spend more than 15 minutes getting to and from it if you want to settle for a quick visit. For serious photography and painting, you may have to join a crowd of other aspiring artists. Tours of the interior are available except around times of worship services.  

• 36.597-105.4451 Taos Ski Valley, NM 150, north of town. A major downhill ski locale, usually with the best snow in New Mexico if not the entire Southwest. The slopes usually open on Thanksgiving weekend and close in early April, although early season snow can be sparse and spring conditions slushy. This is a challenging hill, and beginners may feel more comfortable on one of the nearby areas listed under "Get out," but the expert skier can have a fantastic time here. One caution: there is Nordic (cross-country) skiing up-valley from the downhill area, but the valley is prone to avalanches, and Nordic skiers have died there. If the locals warn you against skiing (downhill or Nordic) outside the safe areas due to avalanche hazard, take them seriously.  
• There are a number of fine hikes in the mountains after the skiing ends and the snow melts, with trailheads at Taos Ski Valley and elsewhere. Wheeler Peak, the highest summit in New Mexico at 13,161 ft (4,011 m), is on the ridge opposite the main ski runs and is a popular hiking destination. Do not underestimate this mountain; in addition to the avalanche hazard during the winter, bad weather can strike at any time of the year and turn what is normally a hands-in-the-pockets walk into a life-threatening, and sometimes -ending, experience.
• The Taos Box, within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, offers superb river running on the Rio Grande during the spring and summer. Several outfitters and guide companies operate out of Taos, and there are others based in small towns between Taos and Española. Some with acceptable credentials are:
  • 36.4046-105.574062 Cottam's Rio Grande Rafting, 207 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, toll-free: +1-800-322-8267. 
  • 36.4604-105.598013 Far Flung Adventures, NM 522, just north of Ski Valley Rd, toll-free: +1-800-359-2627. Also runs trips on the Rio Chama and Colorado's Arkansas River. 
  • 36.3498-105.627544 Los Rios River Runners, 4003 Highway 68 (in Rancho de Taos), toll-free: +1-800-544-1181. 

Most trips on the Rio Grande take a full day, with some outfitters offering overnight outings that extend beyond the Taos Box. Pickup/dropoff, gear selection, etc., all vary according to the outfitter and trip; contact the outfitter directly to make arrangements. Reservations are a "must" for most trips.

• Throughout the year, Taos Pueblo hosts ceremonial dances that are sometimes open to visitors; see the website for dates and details. Of note is the Taos Pueblo Pow Wow, a gathering of Indian tribes that takes place annually on the second weekend in July, and the Feast Day of San Geronimo (the pueblo's patron saint) on September 30th.
• Fiestas de Taos. Takes place in mid-late July and is a major community celebration centered on the Taos Plaza, with lots of food, music, and parades. 
• Taos Fall Arts Festival. One of the largest arts festivals in the area, it takes place over the last week of September, with art shows, craft fairs, music, and installations throughout Downtown Taos. 
• Taos Wool Festival. A fun event that takes place annually on the first weekend of October that brings together the many weavers and sheep and alpaca growers in the region. Besides the numerous booths that sell handmade weavings, fiber, yarns and wool, there are also demonstrations of sheep shearing, wool dyeing, and food stands selling locally grown lamb. 
• Though nowhere near as large as the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally brings dozens of hot-air balloons to Taos, with mass ascensions, balloon glows, and a parade.
• The holiday season brings plenty of events and local color, including a light parade in early December, luminarias on many Taos streets, and a Christmas Eve procession at Taos Pueblo, which involves massive bonfires and the Procession of the Virgin accompanied with rifle salutes. Also keep an eye out for Las Posadas, a traditional Hispanic play about Joseph and the Virgin Mary seeking lodging which takes place at local churches and parishes in the days leading up to Christmas.

• 36.40771-105.574731 Alley Cantina, 121 Teresina Ln, ☏ +1 575 758-2121. Daily 11:30AM-11PM; drinks until 1AM (midnight Sundays). Near the plaza, as much bar as restaurant. "Delicious fish and chips, margaritas" according to some reviewers; barely edible tourist fare, according to others. 
• 36.3874-105.584282 El Taoseño Cafe and Lounge, 819 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, ☏ +1 575 758-4142. M-Th 6:30AM-9PM; F Sa 6:30AM-10PM; Su 6:30AM-2PM. More of a local hangout than a tourist place, being well south of the center of town. Acceptable New Mexican fare, with some "American" items. 
• 36.41077-105.570743 Michael's Kitchen, 304C Paseo del Pueblo Norte, ☏ +1 575 758-4178. Daily 7AM-2:30PM, but hours seem to vary; closed on major holidays. A long-time local favorite, casual and busy. Great for breakfast, which is served all day. The New Mexican lunches are variable. Also has a nice bakery. 
• 36.41733-105.570854 Taos Pizza Outback, 712 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, ☏ +1 575 758-3112. M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa-Su 11AM-10PM. Locals are divided about this pizzeria, some proclaiming it the best pizza in town, others sniffing that it doesn't serve "New York style" pizzas. Each to their own taste. 
• 36.40825-105.573485 Bent St. Cafe & Deli, 120 Bent St, ☏ +1 575 758-5787. "European-style," beautiful patio dining and yes, it rocks. Excellent menu selections, wonderful sandwiches, accommodating and gracious waitstaff. Licensed, with a good selection of beers. A local favorite, popular with visitors and regulars alike. Great for people-watching. On the pricey side of "budget". 

• Antonio's, 1379 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, ☏ +1 575-758-2599. M-Sa 11AM-2PM, 5PM-9PM. The menu combines "New Mexican" with "old" Mexican. 
• 36.38291-105.587336 Five Star Burgers, 1032 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, ☏ +1 575 758-8484. Grilled sandwiches and panninis, fresh salads, sides, desserts, beer & wine. 
• 36.40711-105.573757 The Gorge, 103 East Plaza. Overlooking the Plaza. A large dining room, a large patio with intense late afternoon sun and prime sunset dining. A moderately priced menu with quality preparation. A large bar with a good selection of wine, draft and bottled beer. 
• Guadalajara Grill, Two locations. Lunch and dinner daily. Order at the counter, which will give you an uncomfortable feeling that you're about to consume fast food, but the meal brought to your table will dispel any such concerns. Mexican/New Mexican, with some excellent seafood dishes; the Camaron a la Diabla (shrimp in a very spicy red sauce) is recommended. $7-20 for dinner. 
  • 36.37209-105.595748 Guadalajara Grill, 1384 Paseo del Pueblo Sur (south of downtown), ☏ +1 575 751-0063. 
  • 36.42223-105.573069 Guadalajara Grill, 822 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (north of downtown), ☏ +1 575 737-0816. 
• 36.43081-105.576110 Orlando's New Mexican Cafe, 1114 Don Juan Valdez Ln, ☏ +1 575 751-1450. Daily; lunch 10:30AM-3PM, dinner 5PM-9PM. Locals disagree on where in town you can get the best standard New Mexican cuisine, but this one is always in the discussion. North of the center of town, and not a convenient walk from the Plaza. 
• 36.46059-105.5940411 Pizanos, 23 Highway 150 (Taos Ski Valley Road next to KTAOS), ☏ +1 575 776-1050. Serves New York style pizza, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers, such as blue corn calamari and fish & chips, and delicious salads. Beautiful views from the patio. Daily lunch and dinner. 

Many of the better restaurants in Taos decline to give "closing" hours for dinner, opting instead to stop serving when they feel like it. "Closing" is usually around 9PM M-Th, 9:30 or 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays. If you're anticipating a late dinner, it's good to call for information and make reservations.

• 36.408-105.5725812 Doc Martin's, 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (at the Taos Inn, see below), ☏ +1 575 758-2233. Breakfast 7:30-11AM, lunch 11:30AM-2:30PM, dinner 5:30PM-closing. Weekend brunch 7:30AM-2:30PM. Exclusive Chef Zippy White, selections from the spectacular wine list of 400. Excellent seasonal menu additions and desserts. American cuisine with a Southwest twist; breakfasts are also creative. Renowned for the chile rellenos appetizer. The inn has a garden for fresh and organic ingredients. Live music in the adjacent Adobe Bar nightly. Most dinner entrees range in price from about $20, lunch $10-15. 
• 36.40156-105.5753113 Aji Restaurant, 309 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, ☏ +1 575-758-2712. Nice Peruvian selections like ceviche and paella here. 

Budget lodging in Taos can be a somewhat dicey proposition, and some hotels get extremely negative reviews. If you're really on a budget, one of the national chains may be the way to go, at the expense of "local color."

• 36.515559-105.5708621 Abominable Snowmansion, 476 State Highway 150, Arroyo Seco (Take US-64 North out of Taos, turn right onto State Highway 150 North (KTAO radio will be on your right) and continue on the highway for 5 mi (8 km), veering right at Junction 230 (a.k.a. Old Blinking Light). The hostel is on the left as you enter Arroyo Seco.), ☏ +1 575-776-8298. A cozy, sociable hostel in the style of a ski lodge. They offer dorms, rooms, teepees, and tiny cabins. Guests can pay a nominal fee to use vegetables from the garden, and staff will occasionally cook for donations. The town of Arroyo Seco is hitchhiker friendly, and it's easy to catch a ride into Taos and back just south of the hostel. Bunks from $27, rooms from $60. 
• 36.37491-105.592582 Super 8 Motel Taos, 1347 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, ☏ +1 575 758-1088. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A typical Super 8, generic rather than colorful, but OK for a night's sleep. South of the downtown area and a bit too far to walk, but satisfactory restaurants are nearby. Rooms from $75. (updated Apr 2016)
• 36.36957-105.593183 Taos Valley RV & Camping Park, 120 Este Es Rd (off of Paseo del Pueblo), ☏ +1 575 758-4469. Friendly place, nicely landscaped with privacy fences and shelters at most of the tent sites. (updated May 2020)

• 36.38552-105.585334 Don Fernando de Taos Hotel, 1005 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, toll-free: +1-800-759-2736. Comfortable "Taos-style" and convenient, with several restaurants nearby despite its location south of the main tourist areas. A minor downside: Access to some rooms can be exposed and slippery during periods of bad winter weather. Don't let that stop you from staying there, but if your mobility is impaired, tell the helpful staff when you make your reservations. Rooms from $99. 
• 36.41251-105.568235 Kachina Lodge, 413 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, ☏ +1 575 758-2275. Another satisfactory hotel in the downtown area. A tip: try to avoid rooms 283 to 286, which have problems with noise from the busy road in front of the hotel; the other rooms there are considerably quieter. How many small-town roadside hotels/motor lodges have you stayed in that have a Frederic Remington statue out front? This one does. 
• 36.40822-105.571956 Taos Inn, 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, toll-free: +1-888-518-8267. Features a 1950s-style neon sign out front; this is a very comfortable and nicely renovated hotel right in the middle of the tourist attractions, a great base camp for exploring the town. The restaurant (Doc Martin's) and bar (Adobe Bar) are popular with visitors and locals alike. Rooms mostly from $120, and has occasional discounts. 
• 36.40688-105.574577 Hotel La Fonda, 108 South Plaza, ☏ +1 575 758-2211. This hotel is on the plaza and has Joseph's Table on site which provides fine dining in the heart of Taos. This boutique hotel has history, art, and beautiful suites. 
• 36.40659-105.572338 La Dona Luz Inn, 114 Kit Carson Rd, ☏ +1 575 758-9000. Historic adobe bed and breakfast near the plaza. Very nicely decorated rooms. 
• 36.59592-105.449849 Alpine Village Suites, Taos Ski Valley, ☏ +1 575 576-2666. Lodging at Taos Ski Valley value-per-dollar is respective to the accommodation's proximity to the ski runs, but the Alpine Village is right at the foot of the runs, is reasonably priced, has large and comfortable rooms, and stays open in the summer. 
• 36.40682-105.5766110 Taos Territorial, 114 Padre Martinez Ln, toll-free: +1-877-588-8267. A historic compound which has been restored as a vacation rental near the center of town. The half-acre compound consists of the Taos Territorial, the Chicken Coop and the Historic Wagner A and Wagner B Casita's, hand painted by local artist Jim Wagner. Rooms from $100. 
• El Pueblo Lodge, 412 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Taos, ☏ +1 575 758-8700, elpueblo@newmex.com. Features a central swimming pool and hot tub. (updated May 2021)

• 36.3989-105.573711 Palacio de Marquesa (formerly Casa de las Chimeneas), 405 Cordoba Rd (southwest of the center of town), ☏ +1 575 758-4777. Perhaps the best, and most expensive, of a number of B&Bs in the region. Non-smoking rooms only, 2 night minimum. 
• 36.40248-105.5683512 El Monte Sagrado, 317 Kit Carson Rd, ☏ +1 575 737-9880. A resort with luxurious themed suites, a spa, a restaurant & bar, meeting space, and wedding facilities.