The town of Taos is situated around the north center of the Land of Enchantment, the state of New Mexico. Taos is often referred to as the “Soul of the Southwest,” and it’s a peaceful, sunny place with a magnificent view of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in the background. It’s a given that you explore the town’s natural sceneries like the gorges, peaks, and deserts, but there’s a lot more on offer for you downtown.
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Taos Art Museum
The Taos Art Museum displays the town’s rich artistic heritage. It features over 300 artworks ranging from sketches, drawings, paintings, and woodcarvings, among others. The museum is located just a bit north of the town’s center. A quick and fun fact about the place, it’s actually the previous home of famed Russian-American artist Nicolai Fechin. The museum’s collection features some of Fechin’s artworks, along with the works of other local Taos artists. The place first opened its gates to the public in 1994, and it has been collecting pieces in its mission to preserve and promote the town’s history through art.
Aside from its stunning art collection, the building itself is also a thing of beauty. It is furnished with exquisite materials with impressive attention to detail. You’ll also find beautiful-carved and constructed woodwork around the outside.
Earthships
This next item on our list is undoubtedly going to be one of the most interesting finds in the town of Taos. This place is founded on the concept of being an eco-friendly community. In the pursuit of being eco and environmentally-friendly, the houses here are built using recycled materials and are powered through renewable and sustainable means. As a result, each one of the houses is individually unique, and the designs are very far front of the conventional houses you’ll find practically anywhere else.
Apart from just viewing the houses and taking a tour around the community, you can also choose to stay in one of these houses for a more in-depth experience of what it’s like to live in an eco house. It’s definitely going to be one of those experiences that you just cannot get elsewhere.
Taos Plaza
Walking through the corridors and streets of the Taos Plaza will certainly take you back in time. The buildings here are designed and constructed in the Spanish Colonial style, and it has been that way ever since. It’s one of the most well-preserved areas in the entire town and even in the whole state of New Mexico. This place is perfect for those leisurely walks where you really get a feel of the town and immerse yourself in the daily activities of the locals. The Taos Plaza also holds plenty of cultural events all throughout the year.
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is a small settlement that is believed to go as far back as the 1500s. This makes it one of the oldest communities not only in the town but in the entire United States. This place is located just around a 15-minute drive from downtown. Believe it or not, some people still reside in this community. Despite its rather basic house design and the traditions that date back over five centuries past, around 150 individuals continue to call this place home. You can take part in a guided tour of the place, which will show you around the community, the old buildings, the amenities, and other interesting spots. The tour also includes a walkthrough of the community’s history, culture, language, and way of life, which will really provide you with insight into Pueblo Indian life.
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