Taos: Art, History and Living Culture

Taos combines historic sites, art and vibrant public culture in a unique way. Around Taos Plaza, you will encounter shops, galleries, live music and farmers' markets. At the same time, museums, historic homes and guided tours tell of the area's diverse cultural influences. Those looking for a holiday rental in Taos can therefore tailor their stay to their own interests: with art visits, history, regional cuisine or shared discoveries for the whole family.

Art and History around Taos Plaza

Historic Taos Plaza dates back to the 1796 land grant of Don Fernando de Taos to 63 families. Today, it is the center of the Taos Historic District. Visitors can stroll through shops and galleries there; live music and farmers' markets are also part of its ongoing public use. Taos's events calendar includes music, art, theater, poetry and literature, crafts, workshops, outdoor activities and other events throughout the day and year.

Several museums offer deeper insights into the city's history and art. The Harwood Museum of Art presents art by the Taos Society of Artists and the Taos Moderns in twelve galleries, along with works and traditions from Pueblo and Hispanic contexts. The Taos Art Museum is housed in Nicolai Fechin's historic, hand-crafted home and studio and also includes the Coffee Gallery and gardens. At the Kit Carson House and Museum, you can see a four-room house where Kit and Josefa Carson raised their children. It is located one block from Taos Plaza.

Historic Homes and Special Insights

The Couse-Sharp Historic Site preserves the homes, studios and gardens of E.I. Couse and J.H. Sharp on a property of more than two acres. Tours are available by appointment and typically last 1.5 to 2 hours. This makes a visit especially interesting if you want to learn not only about individual works of art but also about the artists' living and working environments.

The Blumenschein Home & Museum also combines family history with art. Parts of the house were built in 1797; Ernest Blumenschein lived there with his family for more than 40 years. On display are art by the Blumenschein family, works by other Taos artists, European and Spanish Colonial antiques, and the family's personal belongings. The Architectural Walking Map invites you to explore Taos on foot at your own pace. In addition, Taos Walking Tours offer narrated tours covering the history and culture of Taos, its art scene and historical figures.

Taos Pueblo and Regional Traditions

Taos Pueblo, which has been continuously inhabited, is located near Taos. The original site, known as Cornfield Taos, is a ruin and a sacred place. Taos Pueblo lies three miles northeast of Taos Plaza and is designated both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. Visitors to Taos can also explore a ceremonial racetrack there. Historically, Taos Pueblo held a trade fair every autumn after the agricultural harvest.

Another notable site is La Hacienda de los Martinez. Built in 1804, the fortress-like “Great House” in the style of northern New Mexico from the late Spanish colonial period became an important trading center on the northern frontier of the Spanish Empire. Regular demonstrations of traditional regional arts and crafts bring the history to life. Those who enjoy combining culture with food will find cooking classes and demonstrations in Taos featuring Northern New Mexican cuisine and other cuisines. These offerings conclude with tastings of the dishes prepared by the participants.

Choose Accommodation to Match Your Travel Plans

When searching for a holiday rental in Taos, it is worth first organizing the experiences you want. Taos Plaza, museums, historic homes, Taos Pueblo and culinary offerings each offer different focuses. Families can alternate between days of galleries and history, public cultural offerings, craft demonstrations or a shared cooking event. Then choose your accommodation based on your travel plans and the period when you would like to visit the selected offerings.

If you would like to consider other places for your trip planning in addition to Taos, you can extend your search to the following destinations: Questa, Costilla, El Prado, Valdez, Red River, Ranchos De Taos, Taos Ski Valley and Arroyo Hondo.

To the main travel overview: Taos.