HeyTaos · Things to Do

Tours and Attractions in Taos

Plan guided experiences, the Enchanted Circle and High Road scenic routes, Taos Pueblo, the Rio Grande Gorge, distinctive local attractions, and worthwhile day trips from Taos.

Guided Experiences

Tours + Local Guides

Tour Operators and Guided Experiences

Taos + Taos CountyGuided Experience

Use the dedicated operator guide for individual providers, contact details, and activity choices.

Visitor Snapshot

Best ForLocal interpretation, access, and route knowledge
FormatWalking, cultural, wilderness, history, and multi-sport
River TripsUse the dedicated rafting guide for operators and trip types
Browse Tour OperatorsOpen Rafting Guide

Signature Scenic Routes

The Enchanted Circle and High Road are experiences in their own right. Both are best planned with time for stops rather than treated as point-to-point drives.

Scenic Byway

The Enchanted Circle

Taos · Questa · Red River · Eagle Nest · Angel FireMountain Loop

The Enchanted Circle loops around Wheeler Peak, New Mexico's highest point at 13,161 feet. A clockwise route leaves Taos on NM 522, continues through Questa on NM 38, passes Red River and Eagle Nest, then returns toward Taos on US 64 through Angel Fire.

Red RiverMountain-town stop for seasonal recreation, scenery, hiking, and fishing.
Eagle Nest Lake State ParkA recreation stop on the loop. See the family-planning details.
ElizabethtownHistoric mining settlement founded in 1866; little of the original town remains.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel FireMemorial founded by Victor and Jeanne Westphall after the death of their son, Marine 1st Lt. David Westphall, in Vietnam in 1968. The site is managed by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services.

Route Snapshot

DistanceAbout 85 miles
Best ForMountain scenery, towns, recreation, and memorial stops
CommitmentAllow substantial extra time for stops
Open Enchanted Circle GuideCompare Scenic Drives

Scenic Byway

The High Road to Taos

Santa Fe to Ranchos de TaosCultural + Scenic Route

The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway connects Santa Fe and Ranchos de Taos through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and historic northern New Mexico communities. The route is best treated as part of the experience rather than simply as a way to reach Taos.

Ranchos de TaosThe Taos end of the route. Open the San Francisco de Asís Church profile.
Las TrampasHome to San José de Gracia Church, built roughly between 1760 and 1776.
TruchasHistoric mountain village with working art studios and galleries and a connection to The Milagro Beanfield War.
ChimayóSouthern anchor of the route and home to El Santuario de Chimayó. See the day-trip card below for planning context.

Route Snapshot

Distance105 miles
Drive TimeA little over 2 hours without stops
Best ForHistoric villages, churches, galleries, and mountain scenery
Open Scenic Drives GuideSan Francisco de Asís

Major Attractions

These are destination-level stops that can anchor part of a day on their own. Check operating conditions before making a dedicated trip to places with variable access or event schedules.

Living Community + Cultural Site

Taos Pueblo

Taos PuebloVisitor Experience

Taos Pueblo is a living Native American community that welcomes visitors under community rules designed to protect residents, cultural traditions, religious sites, and private areas.

Respect access rules. Follow restricted-area signs, do not enter homes that are not clearly marked as businesses, ask before photographing tribal members, do not photograph inside San Geronimo Chapel, and do not enter the river or cemetery area.

Visitor Snapshot

HoursCurrently listed as daily, 9 AM to 4 PM; check for closures
AdmissionAdult $25; senior, student, and military $22; children 10 and under free
Guided ToursAvailable daily; schedules can vary by season

Contact Details

Address120 Veterans Highway, Taos, NM 87571
Phone575-758-1028
Websitetaospueblo.com
Open Taos Pueblo GuideOpen Map

Landmark + National Monument

Rio Grande Gorge

West + North of TaosScenic + Recreation

The Rio Grande Gorge is part of the Río Grande del Norte National Monument, where the river cuts through the Taos Plateau. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is the best-known roadside landmark above the canyon.

Visitor Snapshot

Best ForGorge views, canyon scenery, photography, and recreation
Current AccessPedestrian access across the bridge is closed; the adjacent Rio Grande Gorge Rest Area remains open
ManagementBridge: NMDOT · Surrounding national monument: Bureau of Land Management
Open Rio Grande Gorge GuideOpen Map

Architecture + Sustainability

Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center

Tres PiedrasSelf-Guided Attraction

The Earthship Visitor Center provides access to a functioning Earthship and introduces passive-solar design, natural and upcycled building materials, water systems, renewable energy, and food-production concepts.

Use the Visitor Center entrance. Earthship Biotecture directs visitors not to drive through the private Greater World residential community and to respect no-trespassing signs.

Visitor Snapshot

HoursSelf-guided visits daily, 9 AM to 4 PM; arrive at least 15 minutes before closing
Admission$9 per adult; free for Taos locals, Earthship alumni, and children 12 and under
Guided TourOfficial site currently lists one guided tour daily at 4 PM

Contact Details

Address2 Earthship Way, Tres Piedras, NM 87577
Phone575-613-4409
Websiteearthship.com/visit
Visit Official WebsiteOpen Map

Live Music + Brewery

Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership

Hondo Mesa · El PradoVenue + Restaurant

The Mothership is an event-oriented destination on Hondo Mesa in El Prado.

Visitor Snapshot

Best ForLive music and ticketed events
PlanningCheck current shows and ticket requirements before visiting
Food + DrinkOn-site brewery and restaurant

Contact Details

Address20 ABC Mesa Road, El Prado, NM 87529
Phone575-758-1900
Websitetaosmesabrewing.com
Check Mothership DetailsOpen Map

Day Trips Worth the Drive

These destinations make more sense as deliberate day trips than as quick add-ons to a Taos itinerary.

Cultural + Religious Destination

Chimayó

High RoadDay Trip

Chimayó is a major cultural and religious destination. El Santuario de Chimayó is a National Historic Landmark and one of the country's major Catholic pilgrimage destinations; the National Park Service reports more than 300,000 pilgrims annually.

Visitor Snapshot

Best ForHistoric church, pilgrimage history, and regional culture
AnchorEl Santuario de Chimayó
DiningRancho de Chimayó is a separate restaurant stop

Rancho de Chimayó

Phone505-351-4444
Websiteranchodechimayo.com
RouteCombine with High Road stops rather than treating it as a quick detour
El Santuario DetailsHigh Road Overview

Regional Day Trip

Santa Fe

South of TaosFull-Day Destination

Santa Fe works best as a deliberate full-day destination from Taos rather than as a quick add-on or pass-through stop.

Route Snapshot

DistanceAbout 73 miles via the Low Road
Direct RouteNM 68 to Española, then US 84/285 to Santa Fe
Scenic RouteHigh Road via Chimayó, Truchas, and Las Trampas
Compare the High RoadOpen Map