Taos MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Taos, Missouri.
1. Taos Pueblo
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for centuries, making it the city's main attraction. Visitors can explore this historic settlement to experience authentic Native American culture and architecture.
2. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
SPECTACULAR CANYON VISTAS
The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge spans the magnificent Rio Grande river, presenting scenic canyon vistas that take your breath away. Features include local crafts, a pedestrian walkway for panoramic views, and trails for further exploration. Visitors can experience the stunning natural wonder while enjoying hiking, birding, or simply taking in the majestic views.
3. Taos Plaza
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HUB
Taos Plaza offers a quaint plaza with a European vibe, home to diverse shops and local artisan artwork. Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere and dining while exploring nearby galleries and cafes. The plaza serves as the cultural and commercial heart of the historic downtown area.
4. Taos Earthships
SUSTAINABLE LIVING ARCHITECTURE
Earthships in Taos are innovative passive solar houses made of both natural and upcycled materials such as earth-packed tires. These unique structures can be completely off-grid or partially off-grid, showcasing sustainable living practices. The Earthship Visitor Center allows tourists to explore this alternative architecture and learn about eco-friendly living solutions.
5. Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
PRISTINE NATURAL WILDERNESS
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument preserves a vast area of stunning natural landscape surrounding the Rio Grande Gorge. The monument features diverse ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and recreational opportunities including hiking, rafting, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can experience the raw beauty of northern New Mexico while exploring this protected wilderness area.
6. Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
CAPTIVATING MOUNTAIN DRIVE
The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway offers a scenic drive through captivating landscapes, historic churches, and charming towns. Visitors enjoy the changing foliage, diverse rock formations, and opportunities for photography throughout the journey. This circular route takes travelers through the beautiful mountain scenery surrounding Taos.
7. Taos Art Museum
HISTORIC ART COLLECTION
The Taos Art Museum is housed in the home and studio that renowned Russian artist Nicolai Fechin built for his family between 1927 and 1933. The house and studio are masterpieces themselves, blending Fechin's unique architectural vision with traditional elements. The museum showcases significant works from the Taos art colony and celebrates the region's rich artistic heritage.
8. San Francisco de Asis Church
ICONIC ADOBE MISSION
San Francisco de Asis Church features a historic mission with a serene courtyard, iconic adobe architecture, and interior rich in religious art and Native American symbolism. Nearby galleries and dining enhance the visitor experience at this cultural landmark. This church represents one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial mission architecture in the Southwest.
9. Millicent Rogers Museum
SOUTHWEST ART TREASURE
The Millicent Rogers Museum showcases Southwest art and crafts with an extensive collection of pottery, textiles, and Native American jewelry in 14 galleries. The museum highlights regional history and culture through its diverse exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can gain deep insights into the artistic traditions that have shaped the cultural landscape of northern New Mexico.
10. Kit Carson Museum
AMERICAN WEST HISTORY
The Kit Carson Museum displays the famous frontiersman's life with period artifacts, a short film, and informative brochures. Set in a preserved historic home, the museum focuses on the American West and Carson's significant role in its development. Visitors can step back in time to experience life during the frontier era through this well-preserved historic site.
11. Harwood Museum of Art
REGIONAL ART HERITAGE
The Harwood Museum of Art contains an impressive and wide-ranging collection of art from northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Located on historic Ledoux Street, it features works from Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo-American settlers and artists across different periods. The museum's collection includes notable santos carvings and nearly 20,000 historical photographic images dating to the 1800s.
12. Taos Ski Valley
PREMIER MOUNTAIN RECREATION
Taos Ski Valley offers world-class skiing and snowboarding during winter months with challenging terrain for all skill levels. In summer, the area transforms into a hiking and mountain biking paradise with stunning alpine scenery. Visitors can enjoy the pristine mountain environment year-round at this popular recreational destination.
13. Ojo Caliente Hot Springs
HEALING MINERAL WATERS
Ojo Caliente Hot Springs provides visitors with access to ancient mineral waters believed to have healing properties. The springs feature multiple pools with different mineral compositions, each targeting specific therapeutic benefits. This historic spa destination combines natural beauty with wellness traditions that date back centuries.
14. Hot-Air Ballooning
AERIAL RIO GRANDE ADVENTURE
Hot-air ballooning in Taos offers one of the most unique and beautiful ways to experience the landscape surrounding the town. Taking off from the edge of the Rio Grande Gorge, pilots fly visitors down into the bottom of the great gorge to dip the basket in the river, look for wildlife, and explore ancient petroglyphs from the air. After exploring the gorge, tours rise over the volcanic plains of the west mesa for panoramic views stretching into Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.
15. Couse-Sharp Historic Site
TAOS SOCIETY ARTISTS
The Couse-Sharp Historic Site preserves the homes and studios of founding members of the influential Taos Society of Artists. Visitors can tour the historic buildings where these pioneering artists lived and created works that established Taos as a significant art colony. The site offers insight into the artistic movement that brought international recognition to this small New Mexico town in the early 20th century.