7 Best Things to Do in Taos NM with Kids

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.

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.”

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!

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.

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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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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?

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?