Fall in Taos is magical!
What’s not to love about perfect weather (warm sunny days/cool nights), vibrant autumn colors, and plenty of things to do! From outdoor recreation and relaxation to art, music, and cultural festivals Taos is the place to be to take in the beauty of the season! It’s a fantastic fall getaway for friends, couples, or families…
What’s the best way to get there?
Depending on where you’re traveling from you can drive or fly (into the Albuquerque International Airport or Santa Fe Airport), rent a car, and drive to Taos. Or, my personal favorite- fly directly into town on JSX/Taos Air from Dallas, Austin, Burbank, or San Diego!
Here are some of our favorite fall things to do in Taos along with exciting upcoming events!
Stay at El Monte Sagrado
A favorite Taos spot for good reason! El Monte Sagrado, situated in the mountains of Northern New Mexico, offers a serene setting surrounded by waterfalls, ponds, and towering cottonwood trees. You’ll want to have time to explore and sit in the beautiful courtyards during the day or by the cozy fireplaces at night.
We love that it’s tucked away yet close to town and feels very private. The rooms are uniquely furnished and comfortable, world themed casitas are also available. Don’t miss their luxurious spa treatments and pool and yoga classes on the weekends!
Enjoy a delicious meal at Farmhouse Cafe
Farmhouse is all time Taos favorite for breakfast or lunch with plenty of health conscious, gluten free options! The colorful, veggie/protein packed Zia Breakfast is my favorite and they also have the best gluten free pancakes we’ve ever had (both pictured below)! And, can’t go wrong with a grass fed burger or generous salads at this farm to table spot that features many local farms and ranches. They also have a fantastic selection of house made gluten free desserts and pastries. If you’re a carrot cake lover (like me!), it’s a must try!
Not only does Farmhouse have amazing food it also has fantastic views of Taos Mountain! It’s located in the Overland Compound and is a favorite spot for photos. There are also plenty of shops and galleries to visit…
Hiking/Rafting/Biking/Flyfishing
The weather is till warm enough for these activites and the scenery is unbeatable! Check the weather before you go and pack layers. Enjoy an active day in the crisp air and sunshine! We’ve had great experiences with rafting, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding with New Mexico River Adventures. There are many hiking trails to access in Taos and Taos Ski Valley for all levels.
Visit Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is a living Native American community. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years! After a long closure (due to covid), Taos Pueblo has reopened to visitors! Currently, it’s open Thursday- Monday 9am-4pm, but always check the website before you go for more info/details.
Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must if you’re in the area. I recommend taking a guided tour to learn about the culture, language, history, and more. It is truly an unforgettable experience! If you can’t make it, also check out the Taos Pueblo Collective, located at the Taos Visitors Center. A selection of artists and vendors from the community display and sell their goods at this location.
Savor Authentic New Mexican Cuisine at Orlando’s Cafe
One of my favorite sports to experience Northern New Mexican cuisine! The blue corn enchiladas are a must, smothered with green or red chile (or both “christmas” style)! I almost always order the shrimp enchiladas when I visit! For an appetizer to share I recommend the beer battered fries smothered with Red Chile and topped with cheese…trust me, they are SO good! They also offer plenty of variations of tacos, nachos, burritos, and more. But if you’ve never tried true NM Chile I suggest you try it here!
Attend the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally
This year’s balloon rally is October 27th-29th. Experience the Taos sky filled with dozens of brightly colored hot air balloons lifting into the clear, cold dawn of a Taos Mountain sunrise! We love visiting during this time and attending the Balloomenshine Hot Air Balloon Glow evening event (kids can even dress up and trick or treat from balloon to balloon!) and the morning Mass Ascension.
Have lunch at The Bavarian in Taos Ski Valley
Love people watching and having lunch at this charming, authentic European alpine lodge at the base of Lift 4. Enjoy casual German lunch fare and German beers on tap while soaking up the sun on the Bavarian deck! This a fave meeting spot post hike for us. Chair lift rides and bike rentals are also available in this area.
If you want to make a weekend of it, stay at The Blake! We love staying at this luxe lodge any time of year and always enjoy the cozy accommodations and spa/pool/and hot tubs.
Trade Fair Days at the Martinez Hacienda
A truly unique event taking you back in time to the rugged frontier life and times of the early 1800s. You can visit the Martinez Hacienda anytime during regular hours but at the trade fair you see it all come to life with live demonstrations sharing continuing Northern NM traditions such as a blacksmith, wool spinning, weaving, wood carving, and more. Walk the grounds of this beautiful history filled adobe hacienda containing 21 rooms surrounding two courtyards. (Fun fact: My family is part of this hacienda’s ancestory!)
The Hacienda de los Martinez is one of the few northern New Mexico style, late Spanish Colonial period, “Great Houses” remaining in the American Southwest. Built in 1804 by Severino Martin (later changed to Martinez), this fortress-like building with massive adobe walls became an important trade center for the northern boundary of the Spanish Empire.
Visit the San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos
One of the most photographed churches in New Mexico that is also a National Historic Landmark! San Francisco de Asis Church is an active 18th-century parish that, thanks to Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe, became a modern art icon—and a quintessential Taos landmark. Around the church you’ll find galleries and another favorite spot for authentic NM cuisine, the Ranchos Plaza Grill. (The carne adovada is my favorite thing on the menu, but really you can’t go wrong with any of their northern NM speciality dishes!) And, while you’re there be sure to view the famous Mystery Painting.
Enchanted Circle Scenic Drive
Take the scenic route! The Enchanted Circle is a picturesque 83-mile loop through mountains, valleys, mesa and national forestland—all unique to Northern New Mexico—plus multiple enchanting community destinations full of fun activities and annual events.
The Enchanted Circle is centered around Wheeler Peak at 13,159 feet, the highest point in the state. You’ll drive through the beautiful towns of Questa, Red River, Angel Fire, and Eagles Nest. Culture and outdoor recreation are abundant so hit the road and get ready to discover what makes this region so captivating. Downloadable map and guide here.
Soak in the Fall Vibes at Ojo Caliente
If I were going to spend a fall weekend in Taos this would be my ideal first stop, to relax and unwind!
Ojo Caliente is located about 40 minutes outside Taos. Fall at Ojo is breathtaking! I recommend booking one of the gorgeous Posi suites (with cozy fireplaces and private cliffside hot springs pools and hammocks) and staying the night so you can enjoy two days of the various mineral pools (and mineral mud for your body), hiking trails, and soothing surroundings. Day passes are also available as are private pools and spa treatments. We also love The Artesian Restaurant on site, with delicious seasonal menus sourced from Ojo Farms.
Heritage Inspirations Taos Tours
If you want someone else to take care of all the details book a Heritage Inspirations Taos Tour! There are several full and half day tours to choose from, that explore different facets of Taos. Or try go all in and try one of their latest offerings, the 4 day Glamping Wellness Retreat in early November. You’ll discover something new and Angelisa and her team will make sure you’re taken care of and have an amazing time!
Hope this Fall Guide is helpful in planning your trip to Taos!
Always feel free to reach out with any questions, happy to help. Be sure to check out my Taos Travel Guide for a more comprehensive listing of the best places to eat, play, and stay in Taos and Taos Ski Valley! Taos.org and the Taos News (local weekly newspaper)are also great resources for a calendar of events in the Taos area…
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! xx
