The Taos Box offers superb river running on the Rio Grande during the spring and summer. Several out

Taos [1] is a town in New Mexico in the United States , about a two hours' drive from Santa Fe . It is noted for its art colony, skiing, and Taos Pueblo, bellagio hotel history a photogenic American Indian community that is open to visitors under controlled conditions. These attractions have made it a popular travel destination in recent years.
The town of Taos itself is one of several places with "Taos" in their name, all part of the region and contributors to its attractiveness but differing in just what the attractions are. Ranchos de Taos is a small village south of Taos proper that is notable for a spectacularly scenic and much-photographed bellagio hotel history church. Taos Pueblo is just north of town, an ancient American Indian community (and UNESCO World Heritage Site ) in a particularly beautiful setting. Taos Ski Valley , also known as Twining, is about 20 miles (30 km) north of town in the Sangre bellagio hotel history de Cristo Mountains . Finally, the Taos Box is a section of the nearby Rio Grande known for its superb whitewater. Before setting out for an attraction, know exactly which Taos you're visiting; attractions outside Taos proper but in Ranchos de Taos, Taos Pueblo or Taos Ski Valley are covered below with those for the town, while more distant attractions bellagio hotel history are under Get out .
As of fall 2005, no commercial airlines serve Taos. However, it has had intermittent bellagio hotel history service by commuter lines flying from Albuquerque in the past. The Albuquerque Sunport, three hours' driving time distant, is the nearest airport with extensive commercial air service.
Taos' position on the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains restricts road access somewhat, bellagio hotel history 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, bellagio hotel history 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 bellagio hotel history route follows US Highway 285 through Pojoaque to Española , then New Mexico state road 68 along the banks of the Rio Grande bellagio hotel history 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 bellagio hotel history New Mexico 503 to Chimayo, then New Mexico 76 (becomes 75) to Peñasco and New Mexico 518 to outlying Ranchos de Taos and finally Taos itself. 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.
There is limited Greyhound service to Santa Fe and to points in southern Colorado. The Town of Taos operates the Chili Line local bus system including ski season service to Taos Ski Valley. Faust Transportation (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. bellagio hotel history Twin Hearts Express Shuttle Co. (575-751-1201) also provides shuttle services to and from the Taos area. The North Central Regional Transit District [2] "Blue Buses" bellagio hotel history provides free bus service Monday through Friday with routes that connect bellagio hotel history the counties and communities of Taos, Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Rio Arriba.
Taos is easy to drive around in, seeing as there is really only one main road stretching from the beginning of town to the end. the downtown area is great for walking, with many restaurants, shops, and galleries to visit.
Taos Trolley Tours runs bus tours that reach most of the main attractions. The trolley-style bus won't move any more quickly through traffic than your car will, but using it will at least save you some aggravation behind the wheel, and reduce the congestion slightly for the other drivers. Call +1 575 751-0366 for details; usually closed during the winter.
Taos does have one form of public transportation, and that's the Chile Line shuttle service, +1 575 751-4459, [3] . There's a fixed-route service with designated stops along the main street of town (Paseo del Pueblo) and a shuttle service from many of the hotels in Taos to the Taos Ski Valley.
The main plaza in Taos is a great place for people-watching. Pull up a bench and watch the world go by. The Taos Chamber of Commerce presents Taos Plaza Live every Thursday evening. Details bellagio hotel history at www.taosplazalive.com.
Fechin Institute , on Paseo del Pueblo just north of the plaza, bellagio hotel history +1 575 758-2690. Tu-Su, 10AM-5PM. Located in the former home of Russian born artist Nicolai Fechin, the Taos Art Museum has works from famous bellagio hotel history Taos artists. $8
Governor bellagio hotel history Bent Home , on Bent Street a couple of blocks north of the plaza. 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.
Blumenschein Home Museum , on Ledoux Street a few blocks southwest of the plaza, 1 575 758-0505. bellagio hotel history Daily, 9AM-5PM. The former home of Ernest L. Blumenschein, bellagio hotel history 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. $5
Harwood Museum of Art , on Ledoux Street a few blocks southwest of the plaza, +1 575 758-9826. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. A vast collection from Taos artists dating from the 18th to the 20th century. $7
Henningsen Fine Art ( Henningsen Gallery and Sculpture Garden ), 235 Morada Lane, Taos, NM 87571 ( 3 blocks west of Plaza, Next to Mabel Dodge Luhan House, a short walk from the center of town and Kit Carson park ), ☎ 575-758-1434 , [4] . 10am-5pm daily, except holidays . This gallery and aquatic sculpture park sits nestled next to the famous Mabel Dodge Luhan House. Henningsen Fine Art is a contemporary gallery featuring photography, glass sculpture, and hand carved stone sculpture. They showcase local artists. Tours given daily. bellagio hotel history free . edit
Taos Pueblo [5] is a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its history, culture, and beauty. The pueblo is open to visitors daily (fee) from 8 a.m. until 4:30, although it closes occasionally for religious ceremonies, including an extended closure in early spring, usually around Easter. There is an additional fee for photography, etc. You can drive to the pueblo if you don't mind the frustration of navigating through downtown Taos traffic, but Taos Trolley Tours visits it on one of their regular tours and may be a less aggravating way of getting there. bellagio hotel history Note that there's now a casino at the pueblo, if you go for that sort of thing; this one is notable for being entirely non-smoking.
The Kit Carson Park Cemetery , a couple of blocks north of the Plaza on Paseo del Pueblo, is 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.
Hacienda de los Martinez , on Ranchitos Road a few miles southwest of the plaza, +1 575 758-0505. Daily, 9AM-5PM. One of the few existing Spanish Colonial haciendas , or "Great House", you take a tour of this wonderful old place and get to see what life was like here in the early 19th century. $5
Millicent Rogers Museum , on Millicent Rogers Road 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 the museum continues her legacy. Lots of jewelry, and other Southwestern art like Native American pottery and a room for traditional Hispanic art. $10
The Church of San Francisco de Asis , in Ranchos de Taos, is 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 bellagio hotel history that you won't have to spend more than 15 minutes bellagio hotel history 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.
Ski. Taos Ski Valley [6] is a major downhill bellagio hotel history 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 bellagio hotel history 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', 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 bellagio hotel history walk into a life-threatening, and sometimes -ending, experience.
The Taos Box offers superb river running on the Rio Grande during the spring and summer. Several outfitters and guide companies operate out of Taos,