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7 Best Things to Do in Taos NM with Kids

Home / Vacation Ideas / Vacations in the Southwest US / 7 Best Things to Do in Taos NM with Kids

Diana Rowe, Updated March 8, 2019

It takes time to explore 1000 years of history. The only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and a National Historic Landmark is Taos Pueblo. The multi-storied adobe dwellings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years.
It takes time to explore 1000 years of history. The only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and a National Historic Landmark is Taos Pueblo. The multi-storied adobe dwellings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years.
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Beat the heat at 9,500 feet elevation in the summer, or bundle up for world-class skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Cross the second highest bridge on the U.S. Highway system — if you dare. Experience cultural traditions with a tour of the Taos Pueblo. Discover all that and more in Taos, New Mexico.  No matter the season, we’ll get you started on your travel adventure with 7 best things to do in Taos with kids.

From mountain biking to hiking, discover plenty of things to do in Taos, NM with kids.
Head to Taos Ski Valley in the winter –and in the summer. Photo Credit: Taos Ski Valley.

Best Things to Do in Taos with Kids

1. Year Round Outdoor Adventures at Taos Ski Valley
2. Walk the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge — if you dare!
3. Visit the Taos Pueblo
4. Explore the Historic Taos Plaza
5. Experience the Tastes of Taos
6. Raft Down the Rio Grande
7. Where to Stay in Taos, NM

I recently road tripped in a packed-to-the-roof 2018 Subaru Forester with my multigenerational family of 5 (me, adult daughter and 3 grandkids, ages almost 4, 11, and 13). We left Denver for our ski vacation in Taos in the winter– a short 5-hour drive. We encountered little traffic delays or congestions compared to the jams often experienced driving toward popular Colorado ski resorts (but I still love them!) via I-70 headed west.

But there is something about New Mexico…the “Land of Enchantment.”

Hello New Mexico! Ok, raise your hand if your road trips always include stops on the side near state line road signs?
Hello New Mexico! Ok, raise your hand if your road trips always include stops on the side near state line road signs! Photo credit: Diana Rowe / Traveling Grandmom

With a backdrop of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos, New Mexico, invites families to experience its affordable four-season destination. Enjoy 300 + days of sunshine, fewer crowds, and more year-round fun and family-friendly attractions in Taos. Whether you’re road tripping with the family (like we did) or flying into the nearby Albuquerque airport, one visit to Taos will make you plan your next. After several visits to this cool New Mexico town, read my 7 best things to do in Taos, NM with kids.

1. Year Round Outdoor Adventures at Taos Ski Valley

World-class ski and snowboarding destination in New Mexico!

Get ready for 9,500 elevation and snowboarding at Taos Ski Valley, NM
Grandkids are snowboarders for life at Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico. Photo credit: Diana Rowe / Traveling Grandmom

Pack up the entire family to enjoy this New Mexico mountain town’s winter sports at 9,500 feet of elevation, nearly 1,300 skiable acres with 13 ski lifts, and a new and improved Children’s Center. Located just 18 miles from the town of Taos, Taos Ski Valley is a privately owned ski destination, with less crowds, and more fun in a family-centric winter playground.

For winter-loving families, Taos Ski Family couldn’t be more perfect with roughly half of the mountain comprised of green and blue runs for beginner and intermediate skiers.  My 11 and 13-year-old grandkids opted for lessons again, but really it was a refresher. The ski instructor had them on the lifts and whooshing down the slope like pros within just a couple of hours.

And my nearly 4 year-old-granddaughter experienced her first snowboarding lesson — and there are not many ski resorts that offer snowboarding for preschoolers. By mid-afternoon, she snowboarded down to me all by herself, even giving me a big wave and sporting a big smile.

Great for my grandkids, right, but what about adults? My adult daughter loved the slow pace and short lines, allowing her to ski to her heart’s content with little delays.

Not a Skier? No Problem!

I rarely ski anymore — I love it…but I’ve never been that great, and the falling hurts way more than it used to…  Instead, I wandered around the village, popping into its shops and restaurants. Be sure to stop at the new Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center — where you can explore the history of this mountain valley.

And that’s only the beginning of your winter adventure at Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. Snowmobiling and snowshoeing adventures also await you.

Summer in Taos Ski Valley

How can you resist views like this when hiking or biking in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico? Photo Credit: Taos Ski Valley
How can you resist views like this when hiking or biking in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico? Photo Credit: Taos Ski Valley

But wait – in the summer, this area is also enchanting.

Beat the heat in the valley and village with music performances and educational programs. And our favorite thing to do — discover hiking literally steps away.  Other outdoor activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, and fishing. Or just hanging out on the deck and enjoying the fresh — and cool – mountain air.

2. Walk the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge — if you dare!

At 650 feet above the Rio Grande, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in Taos. is the 5th highest bridge in the United States.
My granddaughter was fascinated with the massive Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in Taos. Photo: Diana Rowe / Traveling Grandmom

Every time I visit Taos I always make sure to take the short drive to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Just west of Taos about 10 minutes US Hwy 64, cross over the second highest bridge on the U.S. Highway system and fifth highest bridge in the U.S. Spanning 12,80 feet, the bridge reaches 650 feet above the Rio Grande. Its also the “star” of several films including Natural Born Killers, Wild Hogs, and Terminator Salvation.

And just saying…although I’ve driven across the bridge multiple times, I just can’t bring myself to walk across it.  Although my two older grandchildren and daughter faced the challenge and even peeked over the middle of the bridge to the Rio Grande below.  Scary.

From skiing to hiking, shopping to biking, experience Taos, NM with kids with these 7 best things to do.

3. Visit the Taos Pueblo

Discover thousands of years of the Taos Indians and their cultural heritage by visiting the Taos Pueblo located just 3 miles northeast of downtown.

For you history buffs, archaeologists say that the ancestors of the Taos Indians lived in this valley even before Columbus discovered America and before Europe emerged from the Dark Ages. Designated a World Heritage Site AND a National Historic Landmark,  these ancient multi-story adobe buildings were most likely constructed between 1000 and 1450 A.D. The Taos Pueblo are considered the oldest continuously inhabited community in the USA.

ADMISSION: Adults: $16 per person. Students: $14 per person. Children 10 and under: Free
Groups (8 or more Adults): $14 per person

4. Explore the Historic Taos Plaza

Just start walking and explore the historic Taos Plaza in New Mexico -- and you might just discover an old-fashioned soda shoppe. at Taos Trading Co.
Just start walking and explore the historic Taos Plaza in New Mexico — and you might just discover an old-fashioned soda shoppe at Taos Trading Co. Photo credit: Diana Rowe / Traveling Grandmom

Women have been shopping the Historic Taos Plaza for hundreds of years.  Well maybe not exactly, but the Historic Taos Plaza is the Heart of Taos. Ffor the past several hundred years, settlers have migrated here and been forced out, until finally resettled permanently in 1710.

Once a Spanish fortified walled plaza with houses and businesses, today it now offers park benches, shady trees, a gazebo — all surrounded by adobe buildings.  Now its historic downtown stretches to several blocks with amazing local art galleries, museums, churches, shops, and restaurants. Pick up some Native American art, handcrafted boots, and unique souvenirs — and be sure to stop in at the Taos Trading Co. and take a seat at their old-fashioned soda shoppe.

There are often local festivals here as well, and during our December visit, we enjoyed the Bent Street Holiday Block Party — and even got to chat with Santa!

5. Experience the Tastes of Taos

Amazing local Mexican cuisine in Taos, pictured clockwise: 1) wood-fired pizza – 192 at the Blake; 2)  Doc Marten’s Restaurant, Chile Relleno Platter; 3) Orlando’s New Mexico Shrimp Chile Relleno Platter, and 4) Margaritas at the Adobe Bar, Historic Taos Inn. Photo Credits: Diana Rowe / Traveling Grandmom

So many excellent restaurants in Taos — I couldn’t even begin to name them all.

But our two favorites from this visit were Doc Marten’s Restaurant (Taos Plaza) and the colorful Orlando’s New Mexican Cafe (edge of town), both serving Mexican cuisine.  And one must have an addicting margarita at the Adobe Bar inside the Historic Taos Inn (next to Doc’s!).

And we also LOVED the wood-fired pizza from 192 at the Blake (hotel restaurant located at Taos Ski Valley). Because all families have to order pizza at least once on their vacation, right?

6. Raft Down the Rio Grande

From family floats to thrilling white-water rafting, you'll find your next family-friendly adventure in Taos, NM. Photo credit: Visit Taos
From family floats to thrilling white-water rafting, you’ll find your next family-friendly adventure in Taos, NM. Photo credit: Visit Taos

Although I’ve traveled to Taos all seasons, unfortunately, I’ve not yet rafted down the Rio Grande — but I’ve got it on my list for our next family adventure. Whether you’re a hardcore white-water rapids thrill seeker, or simply wanting a family float, you’ll find it all here in the Rio Grande and Rio Chama — and its amazing views.  From half-day to multi-day adventures, evening cruises to running world-class rapids, get ready for a New Mexico water adventure.

7. Where to Stay in Taos, NM?

Got multigenerational family? Book a deluxe room with plenty of elbow room at The Blake, a boutique hotel in Taos Ski Valley, NM. Photo credit: The Blake
Got multigenerational family? Book a deluxe room with plenty of elbow room at The Blake, a boutique hotel in Taos Ski Valley, NM. Photo credit: The Blake

To be close to the family-friendly attractions in Taos Ski Valley, book a room at The Blake, a brand-spanking new family-friendly boutique hotel in the heart of the village.  You’ll feel warm and all-fuzzy here in a family friendly deluxe room with two queen beds, a queen-sized sofa — which overlooked the pool.  (Yeah, grandkids loved that!)

But there’s more to love here as The Blake provides easy ski-in/ski-out access to the mountains — and just as easy access to the outdoor activities in the summer.

Have you ever visited Taos with kids?  There is so much to see and do — what did we miss?

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Filed Under: Vacation Ideas, Vacations in the Southwest US Tagged With: New Mexico

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy Roberts says

    May 9, 2018 at 4:35 pm

    Taos sounds great, lots to do for all the family, all year round!

    Reply
  2. Dianne Sivulka says

    May 8, 2018 at 1:40 am

    I keep hearing about people visiting Taos. I love this post with all the ideas listed for things to do. Looks like we’ll have to plan a trip!

    Reply
  3. a speck in time says

    May 7, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    My kids love to ski down Kachina Peak, so much fun! Love the cozy, small-town feel of the ski resort. Still need to raft down the Rio Grande though.

    Reply
  4. Colleen Lanin says

    May 7, 2018 at 1:30 pm

    Taos looks lovely!

    Reply
  5. Dawn says

    May 6, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    I always forget that you can ski in the southern USA. We are hoping to do a southern USA road trip in the next few years and we will definitely have to include Taos on our itinerary. I love that it is a great 4 season destination.

    Reply
  6. Amber says

    July 30, 2022 at 1:34 am

    If you are downtown don’t forget to visit twirl, a play space and toy shop. They have classes, activities and steam workshops.

    Also the Taos children’s library is nice for an hour of reading time and Sunset park, just nearby is a unique little plot of land to have a picnic lunch.

    Reply

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