Art & Culture
The Harwood Museum
Contemporary art museum with Agnes Martin collection and rotating local exhibitions.
The Millicent Rogers Museum
Extensive collection of jewelry, art, and objects from Standard Oil heiress and collector.
San Francisco de Asís Church
Built in the early 1800s. Muse for artists including Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams. Photographic studio by Sean Ratliff adorns Hotel Willa guest rooms.
Taos Pueblo
UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark. America's oldest continuously inhabited Native American community.
Earthship Biotecture
Off-the-grid homes designed by Taos local Michael Reynolds using recycled materials.
Neem Karoli Baba Ashram & Hanuman Temple
A Hindu ashram and pilgrimage site dedicated to the beloved guru of Ram Dass and countless others. The temple is open to visitors for prayer and quiet reflection — a genuinely unexpected and moving place to find tucked into the New Mexico mountains.
Local Galleries
MOMO
A contemporary gallery and showroom in Taos featuring bold, original works by emerging and established regional artists. The space feels more studio than gallery — a great place to find something genuinely one-of-a-kind.
galerie 111
Annie occasionally shows ceramics here.
Unique Tours
Whitefeather Tours
Led by Kevin Whitefeather of the Red Willow people, these small-group experiences offer a deeper, more personal connection to the region. Tours begin at the Pueblo and continue to a nearby buffalo herd—a powerful symbol in Pueblo life—followed by a light lunch and a traditional blessing ceremony. The pace is slow, the storytelling rich.
Wild Earth Llama Adventures
Pack llamas carry the gear so you can focus entirely on the scenery. Wild Earth runs day hikes and multi-day expeditions in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains — a genuinely unusual and memorable way to experience the backcountry.
Heritage Inspirations
Thoughtfully designed cultural tours of northern New Mexico with a focus on indigenous art, history, and living traditions. Small groups, knowledgeable guides, and itineraries that go well beyond the usual tourist circuit.
Rio Grande Balloons
Sunrise flights over the dramatic Rio Grande Gorge — one of the most spectacular views you'll ever have of northern New Mexico. Flights last about an hour and typically end with a champagne toast.
Hiking & Outdoor Activities
Taos
Slide Trail
Our friends Whitney and Drew do this trail on a nearly daily basis. It's pretty magical, but know that you have to hike up on the way back, so it's good to go early when the sun isn't so intense.
Los Rios River Runners — Rafting
New Mexico's oldest rafting company since 1972. Half-day Racecourse (Class 2–3) or full-day Taos Box (Class 3–4 through 800-foot gorge). Also: tubing!
Arroyo Seco / El Prado
West Rim Trail
Easy 3.8-mile rim walk offering panoramic views of the Rio Grande Gorge, Gorge Bridge, and Wheeler Peak. Excellent for spotting bighorn sheep. Go early to avoid the unrelenting sun — no shade, but incredible views.
Vista Verde Trail
Mellow trail that goes through the gorge. Best early in the morning. Frequent spot to see Bighorn Sheep.
Canyoncito ⭐
Our very favorite local hike. Just a 5-minute drive from Arroyo Seco. The hike is on private land that charges a day-use fee — put cash in the payment box. The fee keeps numbers down so you'll have lots of solitude. Lots of small river crossings, so wear good shoes and take a walking stick from the trail gate. Annie takes credit for the No Hunting signs — just ask her how it happened!
Taos Ski Valley
Williams Lake
Popular 4-mile round trip moderate hike through Engelmann spruce forest with 1,000-foot elevation gain to an alpine glacial lake at 11,000 feet, surrounded by Sangre de Cristo peaks. Trail passes through open avalanche runs and meadows. Stop by the Bavarian on your way back.
Italianos Canyon Trail
3.6-mile intermediate hike through mixed conifers, aspen groves, and open meadows in Rio Hondo Canyon. Climbs 2,800 feet from 8,700 to 11,387 feet, crossing Italianos Creek 16 times via rocks and logs. Waterfalls and stream views throughout.
Mountain Biking & Via Ferrata
Lift-served mountain biking with flow trails. Via Ferrata climbing at 11,500 feet with cabled routes, a 100-foot skybridge, and views of Wheeler Peak.
Farther Afield
Continental Divide Trail
Annie's favorite NM trail: mellow and gorgeous with hardly any elevation gain. This section of the CDT near Hopewell Lake is totally worth the drive! Elevation is about 10,000 feet, so the aspens might be starting to turn. About an hour from Taos.
Santa Barbara Canyon
Scenic canyon hike following Rio Santa Barbara with dramatic rock cliffs, meadows with summer wildflowers, and multiple fork options.
Wild Rivers Recreation Area
Rio Grande and Red River converge in an 800-foot-deep volcanic canyon within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. La Junta Point offers a wheelchair-accessible overlook. Trails descend to the river: La Junta (steep), Big Arsenic Springs (moderate), Chiflo (short), Little Arsenic.
Great Drives
Enchanted Circle
An 84-mile scenic loop north from Taos through mountain villages, forests, and high desert — winding through Arroyo Seco, Taos Ski Valley, Red River, Eagle Nest Lake, and Angel Fire before looping back. A perfect full day out; stop for green chile at the Mine Shaft Tavern in Red River.
High Road to Taos
The classic mountain route between Santa Fe and Taos winds through centuries-old Spanish Colonial villages. Don't miss El Santuario de Chimayo — a humble adobe pilgrimage church that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year — and the studios and galleries scattered through Truchas and Las Trampas.
Shopping
Taos — Clothing
Perdido en Taos
A well-loved local boutique blending men's and women's clothing with original artwork by regional artists. The mix of wearable finds and unique local pieces makes it a reliable stop on any loop around the plaza.
Boxy Tees
Women's clothing in casual, effortlessly cool silhouettes. A great spot to pick up something comfortable and stylish to wear around town for the rest of the trip.
The Arc, anewera
A thoughtfully curated clothing boutique in Taos with a distinct, considered aesthetic. Worth a stop for anyone who appreciates clothes with a point of view.
Taos — Outdoors
Mud 'n' Flood
Taos's favorite local outdoor gear shop for trail maps, last-minute camping supplies, and advice from people who actually use the gear. A smart stop before any hike.
Taos — Art
Harwood Museum Gift Shop
Free to enter, the Harwood's shop stocks a thoughtful selection of art books, locally made jewelry, prints by New Mexico artists, and other well-chosen gifts. Worth a browse even if you don't visit the galleries.
Taos — Specialty Shops
Chokola Bean to Bar
Follow your nose to this tiny, obsessively sourced chocolate shop in Taos' pedestrian-only plaza. Owner Debi Vincent handcrafts her single-origin bars on-site—try the Maya Mountain made with cacao from Belize and a whisper of pineapple and honey. The brownies and chocolate pudding? Also worth writing home about.
Maria Samora Jewelry
A Taos native with a minimalist eye, Maria Samora crafts sculptural, geometric-inspired jewelry alongside her husband. Stop by their sun-drenched showroom and you might catch her at the bench, soldering something quietly spectacular.
Chocolate & Cashmere
Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like—and somehow even better. This airy boutique along the main plaza pairs featherlight Mongolian cashmere (knit in Santa Fe) with handmade bonbons infused with flavors like lemon verbena, mezcal, and passionfruit.
Common Thread
A visual feast of hand-loomed textiles and clothing from across the globe, Common Thread is where you go when you want to feel something—literally and emotionally. Bolts of fabric sold by the yard make it dangerously easy to imagine yourself starting that capsule collection.
Tres Estrellas
Housed in an 18th-century adobe, this textile gallery leans deep into history: Navajo weavings, Saltillo serapes, Pueblo and Rio Grande blankets, all displayed with reverence and an eye for story.
Taxonomy Taos
A carefully curated shop with an eclectic mix of ceramics, objects, books, and design finds — the kind of place where you walk in for five minutes and leave an hour later with something you didn't know you needed.
Arroyo Seco
Logan Wannamaker Pottery
Logan Wannamaker has been shaping pots in the Taos mountains for two decades. His atmospheric wood- and soda-fired ceramics draw on the high desert landscape — earthy glazes, intentional forms, and a deep belief that less is more. His gallery sits right on the road up to Taos Ski Valley. Work is also shown in ACEQ and Sol Food, two places we love in Arroyo Seco.
Day Trips & Add-On Destinations
Nearby
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Historic 1868 spa with nine communal pools of naturally sulfur-free mineral waters (iron, arsenic, lithia, soda). Full-service spa, lodge, restaurant.
Santa Fe — Museums & Galleries
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Largest repository of O'Keeffe's work in the world. Downtown adobe with rotating exhibitions from her permanent collection, personal belongings, and self-guided audio tour.
Meow Wolf: House of Eternal Return
Immersive 20,000 sq ft art installation with 70+ rooms created by local and community artists. Victorian house exterior leads to interactive worlds with hidden portals, climbing structures, digital technology, and narrative elements. Hot tip: go during the week when the kids are in school.
New Mexico Museum of Art
The state's oldest art museum, housed in a gorgeous 1917 Pueblo Revival building on the downtown plaza. Rotating and permanent collections featuring New Mexico artists from the 20th century onward.
New Mexico History Museum
Traces New Mexico's complex history from Ancestral Pueblo peoples through the present day. Connected to the Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the US.
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
The national collection of contemporary Native American art, run by the Institute of American Indian Arts. Rotating exhibitions from artists working across all media — a consistently powerful and thought-provoking space.
Nedra Matteucci Galleries
One of Santa Fe's most respected galleries for American and Western art, featuring historic Taos Society paintings alongside 20th-century masters. The sculpture garden alone is worth the visit.
Hecho Gallery
Contemporary gallery spotlighting works made or inspired by New Mexico, with a sharp eye for emerging talent and regional voices.
L'Ecole Des Beaux Arts
Art school and gallery in a beautiful downtown space, offering exhibitions alongside workshops and art education programs.
Santa Fe — Sights
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Completed in 1886 in Romanesque Revival style, it rises dramatically above the old plaza with intricate stone carvings and a beautiful interior. Free to enter.
San Miguel Chapel
One of the oldest churches in the United States, built in the early 1600s by Tlaxcalan people who accompanied Spanish settlers. A quietly moving place — small, ancient, and still in use.
Oldest House Museum
Claimed to be the oldest European-built structure in the United States, this tiny adobe next to San Miguel Chapel dates to the early 1600s. A fascinating footnote in American history.
Santa Fe Farmers Market
One of the best farmers markets in the Southwest, held at the Railyard on Saturday mornings. Local produce, chile, honey, handmade goods, and excellent breakfast burritos. Go early.
Santa Fe — Shopping
Double Take
New Mexico's largest consignment destination — 25,000 square feet of clothing, jewelry, art, furniture, and home goods, all in a single sprawling space. Recently named the best store in the United States by the New York Times. A genuinely extraordinary place to hunt for something special.
Palace of the Governors — Portal Market
Each day, Native American artists from more than 20 Pueblos and Tribes sell jewelry, pottery, and crafts under the portal of the oldest public building in the US. One of the most direct ways to buy from Indigenous artists.
Shiprock Santa Fe
One of Santa Fe's preeminent galleries for rare and historic Native American jewelry, textiles, and art. Particularly strong on Navajo and Pueblo weavings and early silverwork.
SOTE | Spirit of the Earth
High-end boutique featuring Indigenous-inspired fashion, art, and home objects from Native designers. Beautiful curation with real depth and intention behind every piece.
Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse
Beloved independent bookstore with a strong regional section covering Southwest history, art, and fiction. Come for the books, stay for the coffee.
High Noon General Store
Curated Western and workwear with a timeless edit. A good stop for anyone looking to take a little bit of the Southwest home.
ZiZi Ceramics
Handmade ceramics studio and shop — earthy glazes, organic forms, and work that feels genuinely made by hand.
La Boheme
Eclectic women's clothing and accessories boutique with a boho-Southwest aesthetic. Good browsing near the plaza.
Sage Botanical SABO
A beloved botanical apothecary with house-made herbal skincare, tinctures, and plant-based wellness goods rooted in New Mexico traditions.
Los Poblanos Farm Shop Norte & Bar Norte
The Santa Fe outpost of one of New Mexico's most beloved farms. Beautiful lavender botanicals, locally made goods, organic pantry items — and a lovely bar next door if you need a reason to linger.
Santa Fe — Spa
Ten Thousand Waves
A Japanese mountain spa in the hills above Santa Fe with private and communal hot tubs, massages, and traditional treatments. One of the most distinctive spa experiences in the Southwest. The on-site restaurant, Izanami, is also excellent.
Antonito, CO
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
64-mile heritage steam railroad crossing state lines 11 times. Lunch at Osier, traverses 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass and Toltec Gorge. We recommend leaving from Antonito. Extremely fun — paying for upgraded seats is totally worth it!
Los Alamos Area
Bandelier National Monument
33,000 acres with Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and kivas. Main Loop Trail (1.2 mi) through Frijoles Canyon; Falls Trail (3 mi). Open dawn to dusk.
Bradbury Science Museum
40+ interactive exhibits on Manhattan Project history and Los Alamos Lab research. Free admission.
Valles Caldera National Preserve
89,000-acre volcanic caldera formed 1.2 million years ago. Mountain meadows, streams, second-largest elk herd in New Mexico. Annie has a friend who is a ranger there.
Abiquiu Area
Georgia O'Keeffe Home & Studio
Guided tours (75 min–2 hours) of O'Keeffe's 1949–1984 residence. Spanish Colonial adobe with iconic patio door, studio, and garden. March–November by reservation.
Ghost Ranch
21,000-acre education and retreat center on Georgia O'Keeffe landscape. Horseback rides, landscape tours, trail access (Box Canyon, Chimney Rock, Kitchen Mesa).
Monastery of Christ in the Desert
Benedictine monastery in Chama River Canyon (13-mile dirt road). Guesthouse with 2-night minimum, silent meals, monastic services. Rates by donation $70–155.
Bode's General Store
Full-service mercantile with famous green chile cheeseburgers, outdoor gear, and fishing tackle.