Set between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande Gorge, Taos blends high desert beauty with adobe villages and a vibrant art scene. From hot-air balloon rides and golden-hour hikes to cultural museums and festivals, here’s how to spend a weekend in Taos.
Day 1: Balloon Rides, Markets and Festive Fun
Morning
Kick off your weekend with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Rio Grande Gorge. Float above canyon walls and basalt cliffs as the Sangre de Cristo Mountains glow in the morning light. Listen to stories of regional history and geology, and keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. Toast your landing with champagne or sparkling cider. Book ahead and dress in layers—it starts chilly, but warms up fast.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at Gutiz Café, where French and Latin flavors meet in a sunlit adobe. Grab a table on the patio, surrounded by bright walls, and order the Scrambled Egg Tower or the French toast dish featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Or, swing by Manzanita Market just off the Plaza for organic breakfast dishes made with regional ingredients. Sip a Blue Majik smoothie or a chai latte while browsing soaps, books, and crafts from local makers. Dig into the blueberry blue-corn pancakes or a chorizo scramble.
Stroll the Taos Farmers Market (Saturdays mid-May through late October at the Taos County Courthouse lot, 105 Albright St.). Wander booths filled with tamales, fresh produce, local honey, and handmade jewelry. Chat with artists weaving woolen scarves, snap a picture under the shade trees, and enjoy live music by local performers.
Afternoon
Depending on when you visit, explore the Taos Fall Arts Festival (late September–early October). Local galleries showcase work from emerging and established artists at venues like UNM Bataan Hall. Wander Ledoux Street for additional art happenings, and check the festival schedule for weaving demos, pop-ups, and special exhibits.
Grab lunch at La Cueva Café to indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine in a Pueblo-style eatery. Order the blue-corn enchiladas smothered in red or green chile, and dine on a sunny patio overlooking the mountains. Another dining option is The Farmhouse Café, just south of town, for garden-to-table dishes in a rustic barn setting. Try the bison burger served on a green chile bun, or a vegan dish like curried squash pie.
Set off on an art stroll, starting at the Harwood Museum of Art for an inside look at Taos’ creative legacy. Admire 18th-century classics, mid-century modern paintings, and Indigenous-led installations. Walk over to World Cup Coffee for an afternoon espresso, then explore another weaving or fiber arts studio (swap in Taos Fiber Arts or a High Road weaving stop) to marvel at traditional tapestries and demonstrations.
Evening
Treat yourself to dinner inside a historic adobe home at Lambert’s of Taos. Savor contemporary American dishes made from scratch using ingredients from local farms. Start with the house bread and whipped butter, then enjoy mains like lamb chops or seasonal pastas (sometimes with squid-ink linguine).
For a more homey vibe, dine at The Love Apple—a chapel-turned-restaurant known for small plates, seasonal ingredients, and rustic charm. Order flavorful New Mexican dishes like pan-seared duck breast with a green chile tamale or beef tacos with cabbage-orange slaw. Book your table in advance and keep in mind it’s cash-only.
Cap off your evening with an outdoor concert at Taos Mesa Brewing’s Mothership. Sip a Mesa IPA or Solstice Pale Ale while local bands take the stage, with sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as your backdrop. After the show, make a detour to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge overlook for an unreal vantage point of the night sky—bring layers, a headlamp, and hot cocoa.
Day 2: Sweet Treats, History and Trails
Morning
Start your day at the light and airy Bread Club Taos for drip coffee, artisan pastries, and breakfast classics. Grab a cinnamon roll or croissant for a quick bite or settle in with something heartier, like biscuits and gravy or a breakfast burrito.
Craving Southwestern diner vibes? Slide into a booth at Michael’s Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery—a no-frills, decades-old staple just steps from the Plaza. Order huevos rancheros with Christmas chile or split one of their famous giant cinnamon rolls. It’s a popular weekend spot, so arrive early to avoid a wait.
Visit Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. Join a guided tour to learn how the Tiwa people have lived here for over a thousand years. Walk past adobe homes, visit the community church, and meet local artists selling handmade pottery and jewelry.
Afternoon
Take a scenic, art-filled drive along the High Road to Taos. Wind through villages like Talpa, Truchas, and Chimayó, stopping at standout studios along the way. Watch looms in motion at Trujillo’s Weaving Studio, explore Hand Artes Gallery in Truchas, and don’t miss the curated collection at High Road Artisans Gallery in Córdova. Download the map before you go and bring your wallet for favorite finds.
Prefer to stay close? Head to the Millicent Rogers Museum instead. Step into a maze of adobe galleries teeming with Pueblo pottery, Navajo weavings, bold silverwork, and santos. Look for black-on-black pottery by Maria Martinez and historic colcha embroidery. Check out the gift shop and arrive early in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
Enjoy lunch at Orlando’s New Mexican Café for smoky carne adovada under a canopy of string lights and murals. Try blue-corn enchiladas with red and green chile and soak in the friendly, casual vibes. If you’d rather chow down on pub fare, dine at Taos Ale House. Choose from rotating taps showcasing local brews and order the Green Chile Burger or other hearty bites.
Evening
Lace up your boots for a golden-hour hike on the Devisadero Loop Trail. Hike counterclockwise for a steady climb through piñon pines and golden aspens. Reach the ridgeline just in time for sunset to soak up breathtaking views of the Rio Grande Valley. The trail is fairly steep, so bring plenty of water and a camera for postcard-worthy shots.
Head back into town for dinner at Medley, where you’ll find New American dishes with a New Mexican twist in a relaxed setting. Order the shrimp and grits or pan-seared sole, and pair it with a seasonal cocktail like the jalapeño margarita or maple-infused Old Fashioned. For a more scenic finale, settle in at ACEQ Restaurant in Arroyo Seco for a candlelit farm-to-table meal. Take in canyon views from the patio and enjoy rotating dishes like butternut squash gnocchi.
Before you call it a night, drive by San Francisco de Asís Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos. Walk around the adobe buttresses made famous by artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams, and take in one last view of a timeless Taos treasure.
Where to Stay
Casa Benavides Inn
Check in to a relaxed, walkable retreat just two blocks from Taos Plaza. This adobe-style property spans six historic buildings with 36 unique rooms. Stay in a guest room adorned with traditional New Mexican furnishings and enjoy modern amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi. Wake up to a generous breakfast, unwind in the hot tub, and catch up with fellow travelers over afternoon tea in the courtyard.
Palacio de Marquesa
For a quieter, more luxurious escape, book a stay at Palacio de Marquesa. Rest in one of eight upscale suites, each honoring an iconic female artist with distinctive décor, fireplaces, and marble-tiled bathrooms. Lounge in the private garden, fuel up with a made-to-order breakfast, and take advantage of nearby indoor-pool access through a partner property.
Dreamcatcher B&B
Prefer cozy and casual? Settle into a Southwest-style room at Dreamcatcher B&B, where every casita is decked out with local artisan touches and opens onto the gardens or patio. Relax in the cottonwood-lined courtyard, savor a full breakfast, and warm up by the firepit at night. Complimentary bicycles are available for exploring town.
