Taos New Mexico Attractions

Blumenschein Home and Museum
In 1898, artists Ernest L. Blumenschein and Bert G. Phillips were on a sketching trip from Denver to northern Mexico when a wheel on their carriage broke, stranding them in Taos. This delay left ample time for the men to become enraptured with the scenery and culture of the Taos Valley. Phillips remained in Taos permanently, and Blumenschein returned every summer until he bought a year-round home in 1919. This residence, a 1797 structure, depicts the lifestyle of Taos artists in the early 20th century while displaying Blumenschein family art and possessions, antiques, and works by other eminent Taos artists. The home and museum is located at 222 Ledoux St. Call the home and museum at (505) 758-0505 for information about its hours and admission fees.

Governor Bent House Museum
Charles Bent was a trader, trapper, and mountain man. He established Fort Bent, Colorado as a trading center for Indians and mountain men, and owned wagon trains on the Santa Fe Trail. When New Mexico became American territory in 1834, Bent was appointed its first governor. In 1847, he was killed in his adobe home by those protesting American government of the territory. His wife and children escaped to the house next door by digging a hole in the wall - their escape route is displayed in the residence today, along with 19th-century artifacts and the works of noted Taos artists. Call the museum, located at 117 Bent St., at (505) 758-2376 for information about its hours and admission fees.

Harwood Museum of Art
The Harwood Museum of Art, operated by the University of New Mexico, is the second-oldest art museum in the state. Highlights of the museum include works by early members of the Taos Society of Artists (including Ernest Blumenschein and Bert Phillips), an impressive collection of retablos (paintings on wood), and the largest public collection of sculptures by eminent 20th-century artist Patrocino Barela. It also features numerous changing exhibitions, which often display the works of renowned Taos artists. The art museum is located at 238 Ledoux St. Call the museum at (505) 758-9826 for information about its hours and admission fees.

Kit Carson Cemetery
Located within Kit Carson Park, below the cool shade of trees, is a cemetery of the same name. A walk along the burial ground's winding paths reveals the graves of notable historical figures such as Kit Carson and Gov. Charles Bent. A monument at the north end of the cemetery, just outside the gate, details the establishment of the cemetery in 1847 and lists some of the people buried within it. Plaques throughout the cemetery provide more in-depth knowledge about select historical figures. There is no admission charge to enter the park and cemetery, located on Paseo del Pueblo Norte.

Kit Carson Home & Museum
Christopher "Kit" Carson, 1809-1868, was one of the most colorful figures of the American West. His exciting frontier life included stints as a translator, trapper, mapping scout, Indian agent, and military officer. In 1843, Carson bought an adobe home in Taos as a wedding present for his new wife, Maria Josefa Jaramillo. Portions of this home are contained in the Kit Carson Home & Museum, along with exhibits and artifacts that explore Carson's life and the era in which he lived. The home and museum is located on Kit Carson Road, less than a block from Taos Plaza. Call the museum at (505) 758-0505 for information about its hours and admission fees.

La Hacienda de los Martinez
La Hacienda de los Martinez is one of the American Southwest's last northern New Mexico-style, Spanish Colonial period Great Houses. This imposing structure, comprised of 21 rooms and two courtyards, served as a trading center, ranch, farm, and home to the Martinez family. Tours of the adobe building depict frontier life in the early 1800s. The Hacienda is located on Ranchitos Road, just a couple miles southwest of Taos Plaza. Call the Hacienda at (505) 758-0505 for information about its hours and admission fees.

The Millicent Rogers Museum
Millicent Rogers was the granddaughter of Henry Huttleson Rogers, one of the founders of Standard Oil Co. She was also an art patron, socialite, and fashion icon with a passion for American Indian jewelry and textiles. She amassed what was to become one of the most important collections of Southwestern art and design. The Millicent Rogers Museum is comprised of Rogers' original compilation and other donations and purchases - collections of pottery, photography, textiles, retablos, kachinas, baskets, and paintings are all on display. The museum is located on Millicent Rogers Road. Call the museum at (505) 758-2462 for information about its hours and admission fees.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
A trip to Taos is not complete without snapping a few pictures at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Situated 650 feet inthe air, it is one of America's highest suspension bridges. Its views inspire tourists, artists, and filmmakers - Mickey and Mallory's wedding scene in Oliver Stone's movie, "Natural Born Killers," was filmed there. The bridge is located on U.S. 64, about 10 miles from Taos.

San Francisco de Asis Church
The San Francisco de Asis Church is one of the most painted, photographed, and visited churches in America. Its glorious image was captured by the likes of acclaimed artist Georgia O'Keeffe and celebrated photographer Ansel Adams. The 1815 structure, constructed of adobe and wood, also houses French-Canadian artist Henri Ault's mysterious "The Shadow of the Cross." In natural light, the painting depicts a barefoot Jesus at the shore of Galilee; in darkness, the artwork becomes luminescent and clearly shows a shadow of a cross behind Christ's left shoulder - an image unplanned by the artist that remains unexplained to this day. The church is located in Ranchos de Taos.

Taos Art Museum
Russian-born artist Nicolai Fechin moved to Taos in 1927, when he was already internationally acclaimed for his paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture, and woodwork. This master artist spent five years turning his expansive adobe home in Taos into architectural art - hand-crafting furniture, doors, and windows into creative pieces. Today, this unique piece of Russian artistry houses the Tao Art Museum. The museum showcases special exhibitions, works of famed Taos artists, chamber music events, and the residence itself. The museum is located at 227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Call the museum at (505) 758-2690 for information about its hours and admission fees.

Taos Institute of Arts
Immerse yourself in Southwestern culture and arts at the Taos Institute of Arts, one of the premier art workshops in America. The institute offers intensive, one-week workshops in artistic disciplines such as painting, weaving, ceramics, jewelry-making, writing, and photography. Interested persons should enroll early, since classes are limited in number and all openings fill quickly. The institute is located at 108 Civic Plaza Drive. Call the institute at (505) 758-2793 for information about class enrollment and fees.

Taos Pueblo
The Taos Pueblo is one of the most famous and scenic of New Mexico's 19 pueblos. A visit to the ancient living Indian village allows guests to observe life as it was lived more than 1,000 years ago. The multistoried adobe structures are the homes of residents that continue to live without running water or electricity. Guests should not miss the opportunity to visit the San Geronimo Chapel, observe public ceremonies, sample freshly baked bread, or purchase pottery, jewelry, and other crafts. The pueblo is open during most days of the year, but visitors should call ahead in case it is closed for tribal rituals. Call the pueblo at (505) 758-1028 for information about its hours and admission fees.

Taos Ski Valley
Ernie Blake dreamed of building his own ski resort - a vision realized when he discovered the snow basin of the Taos Ski Valley. Today, this world-class ski destination - known for its light, dry powder - draws both novice skiers and those looking for high-alpine adventure. Over half of the ski area's 72 trails provide endless challenges for the expert, while 24 percent are for beginners and 25 percent are for intermediates. However, those less sturdy on their skis need not despair - the Ernie Blake Ski School is one of the top ski instructional schools in the country. To reach Taos Ski Valley from Taos, take U.S. 64 to Highway 150.