Taos, New Mexico Travel
Taos is an area where centuries of history and art intersect, yet it’s less than 90 minutes from Santa Fe and other major cities and attractions. There are many ways to sample the history of this region, or simply appreciate the beautiful scenery that surrounds us during one of the fun ideas we have for New Mexico day trips before returning to Hotel La Fonda de Taos for the night.
One of the simplest ways to begin exploring is by following the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, an 84-mile loop of highways that circle Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s tallest mountain. After starting north on State Road 522, the loop will take you through Red River Valley, Carson National Forest, the town of Angel Fire, and past sites like the D.H. Lawrence Ranch and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Chapel. You can also take a look at the Enchanted Circle Driving Tour to get a map of the circle and details about the other recreational opportunities that can be had on your drive!
Another Taos day trip that will take you to the great outdoors is a tour of the Great Sand Dunes National Park, which is also located to our north, inside Colorado. It’s a two-hour drive from Taos, but there are plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs along the way—including tours of the Red River Fish Hatchery and Fort Garland. After passing through the beautiful San Luis Valley, you can easily spend the rest of the day hiking the wetlands and forest areas around the park before finishing with a slide down the dunes and a dip in Medano Creek!
The Taos region’s many pueblos also make excellent day-trip destinations that can teach a great deal about the Native Americans who once lived there – or still do, as is the case at Taos Pueblo, just 2 miles from the Hotel La Fonda. This living community, which is open to visitors, features the country’s largest still-standing pueblo structure and other important sites. Please be courteous and respectful while touring here before taking another drive southeast to Bandelier National Monument, occupied by the Anasazi for over 500 years. Several other pueblos in the area can fill out the rest of this educational day.
Finally, the High Road from Taos to Santa Fe passes a number of classic sightseeing options like the San Francisco de Asis Church, Fort Burgwin, and little towns like Cordova. Santa Fe itself is home to a wide variety of cathedrals and art galleries that can each be worth a trip in themselves.
These are just a few highlights we especially recommend our visitors consider while staying at the Hotel La Fonda de Taos.