Located only two hours from the city of Santa Fe, Taos is one of New Mexico’s most interesting destinations. Despite its small size, the town has a large amount of tourist attractions.

During the winter, Taos is a base for skiers and snowboarders. Taos Ski Valley boasts some of the best runs in the entire Southwest. Ski season generally starts in mid-November and continues through March or early April. Mid-winter conditions are often ideal, but the slopes are the most crowded during this time. The cultural attractions and unique ambiance of Taos makes it a good alternative to the stereotypical ski resort experiences available in the Rocky Mountains.

The Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is inhabited by local Native Americans. The site is open daily at 8 a.m. It is sometimes closed when residents perform religious ceremonies or hold private festivals. There is an additional fee for taking photographs. This has become quite a popular tourist attraction and a small casino has been opened on the pueblo property.

Like Santa Fe, Taos has a large community of artists. Many of the more established artists display their work in galleries located around Taos Plaza. However, many of the places in the plaza are more “touristy.” More authentic galleries are located in the downtown area.

The Church of San Francisco de Asis, in Ranchos de Taos (a historic town just south of the city center), is one of the most photographed places in the entire Southwest. Built in the Spanish Mission style, it draws a crowd of artists and photographers daily. Tours of the interior are sometimes available, but San Francisco is still a working church with regular services.

The Rio Grande offers scenery and adventure. Several outfitters offer rafting trips through a section of whitewater known as the Taos Box. The above attractions are examples of the diversity of sports, culture and sightseeing attractions that this small city has to offer.