Taos Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Taos, New Mexico - NM, USA)

Nestled at the foot of the soaring Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos has long been considered a suburb of neighboring Santa Fe. The town of Taos has worked hard to shake this label and has cultivated its own distinctive identity, with a myriad of tasteful and enthralling attractions that pull in thousands of tourists to Taos each year.

Despite the development that has gone on in Santa Fe, Taos has maintained its traditional roots and much of the town remains unpaved, rutted and fronted by old adobe buildings. Taos actually consists of three town centers, Taos Square, Taos Pueblo and Ranchos de Taos - while up in the mountains, Taos Ski Valley is a community all to its own.

Ranchos de Taos

The iconic adobe San Francisco de Asis Church is the highlight of Ranchos de Taos, located just a few miles south of Taos Plaza. It is a charming town that has seen some sensitive renovation over recent years to increase its tourist appeal. The plaza that fronts the church and forms the center of the Ranchos de Taos now has a variety of establishments, including restaurants, cafés, gift shops, specialty stores and art galleries. However, it is the church that most visitors come to see and the huge 1815 Spanish mission has a rich history of protecting the town's inhabitants from raiding bands of Apaches, Utes and Comanches. One mysterious aspect of this historic Taos church is the puzzling Shadow of the Cross painting that appears each evening.

Taos Plaza

Taos Plaza is the vibrant heart of the town and in many ways it reflects the town's multifaceted character. Highlights of the Taos Plaza are the covered gazebo and D.H. Lawrence's erotic paintings housed in the Hotel la Fonda de Taos.

Surrounding the square are dozens of stores selling Taos souvenirs, gifts and other items, and there are a few cafés where you can sip a refreshing drink while people-watching across the plaza. In the maze of street and alleys branching out from Taos Plaza, you will discover quaint stores selling all kinds of goods, as well as some great restaurants and atmospheric bars.

Taos Pueblo

Designated as a World Heritage Site, Taos Pueblo has been home to the fascinating Tiwa Native Americans for almost 1,000 years and the town has the most pueblo buildings in the United States. The two most famous and oldest landmarks in Taos Pueblo are the Hlauuma (north house) and Hlaukwima (south house), which straddle a small stream.

Because of tribal customs, Taos Pueblo is preserved almost identically as it has been for hundreds of years and there is no electricity or running water in the Hlauuma and the Hlaukwima. Even the Rio Pueblo de Taos river, which flows through the town, is sacred, with the Tiwas using water directly from the river for both drinking and farming. Some great buys in the town include leather goods - especially moccasins, pottery and silver jewelry. When visiting Taos Pueblo, it is advised that you read up on the various taboos of the Tiwas to ensure you do not inadvertently offend anyone during your visit.

Taos Ski Valley

Each winter the purpose-built ski resort of Taos Ski Valley comes alive and creates a magical world. The Taos Ski Valley features the best of old European Alpine architecture, which synchronizes perfectly with the charming local cultures and traditions of the local Hispanic and Pueblo Indian communities. A haven for skiing experts yet catering to all levels of ability, Taos Ski Valley is one of the best-equipped and well-situated ski resorts in New Mexico. Keep in mind that Taos Ski Valley is a skiers-only mountain. Snowboarders will need to head elsewhere to get in some rides.