TaosOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Ancient Pueblo to Spanish Settlement

The history of Taos begins with the Taos Pueblo, a community inhabited for nearly a millennium. The multi-storied adobe homes of Taos Pueblo were constructed between 1000 and 1450 AD, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. The Pueblo was a trade center for various Indigenous groups before the arrival of Europeans.

Spanish conquistadors, led by Captain Hernando Alvarado, arrived in the Taos Valley on August 29, 1540, as part of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado's expedition. They encountered the Taos Pueblo and the Tiwa Indians. By 1615, Taos was established as a Spanish village, initially named Don Fernando de Taos, with an appointed Alcalde. Coexistence between the Spanish and native peoples deteriorated, leading to conflicts like the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, which temporarily expelled the Spanish from New Mexico.

A Frontier Outpost and Artistic Center

After the Spanish Reconquest in 1692, Taos Pueblo continued its resistance until 1696. The town of Don Fernando de Taos was formally established as a permanent fortified settlement in 1795 by Nuevo México Governor Fernando Chacón, serving as a trading outpost for the Taos Pueblo and surrounding Hispano communities. The town grew in the late 1700s with the construction of a fortified square, which is now Taos Plaza. During the Mexican-American War, the region was occupied by the United States, leading to the Taos Revolt in 1847. New Mexico became a U.S. territory in 1850 and a state in 1912.

Around the turn of the 20th century, artists began to arrive in Taos, drawn by the light, landscapes, and the Native American and Spanish cultures. This artistic movement led to the founding of the Taos Society of Artists in 1915 by six European-trained American painters, including Bert Geer Phillips and Ernest L. Blumenschein. This society established Taos as an art colony, a legacy that continues today.

• —Taos Pueblo — A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this multi-storied adobe village has been continuously inhabited for roughly a millennium. Visitors can observe the architecture and learn about the living culture of the Taos Puebloans.
• —Taos Plaza — The historic center of the town, this fortified square dates back to the late 1700s and is surrounded by shops, galleries, and restaurants. It is a central point for understanding the town's Spanish colonial heritage.
• —Kit Carson Home and Museum — This was the residence of the American frontiersman Kit Carson from 1843 until his death in 1868. The museum preserves his home and showcases artifacts from his life and the era.
• —Harwood Museum of Art — Part of the University of New Mexico, this museum focuses on art of the Taos Society of Artists and other artists of New Mexico. It houses a collection of works by the early 20th-century Taos art colony members.
• —Couse-Sharp Historic Site — This site preserves the homes and studios of E. Irving Couse and Joseph Henry Sharp, two founding members of the Taos Society of Artists. Visitors can take docent-led tours to see their preserved studios, gardens, and art collections.
• —Mabel Dodge Luhan House — This house was the home of arts patron Mabel Dodge Luhan, who hosted artists and writers, including Georgia O'Keeffe and D.H. Lawrence, in the early 20th century.
• —Our Lady of Guadalupe Church — Built as a Franciscan mission in 1801-1802, this adobe church became a parish church under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1833. It was the first Our Lady of Guadalupe church in what is now the United States.

Taos has a high-desert climate with four seasons. The best time for warm-weather activities is from mid-June to late August, with July often being the hottest month, averaging 83°F (28°C) highs. During July and August, afternoon monsoon thunderstorms are common but brief. Fall, from September to October, offers clear weather and autumn foliage, with daytime highs around 75°F (24°C) in September.

Winter, from December to March, is for skiing at Taos Ski Valley, with reliable snow. Spring (April and May) is the least predictable, with variable weather including late snowstorms and wind. Taos Pueblo typically closes for ceremonial observances for about eight weeks in the spring.

Taos Regional Airport (TSM) offers direct flights, with complimentary ground transfers available to Taos Ski Valley. Santa Fe Airport (SAF) is about 100 miles away, and Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is 159 miles away, both offering domestic flights. Shuttle services like Taos Rides LLC and the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) 'Blue Bus' provide transportation from these airports to Taos.

Within Taos, the NCRTD 'Blue Bus' offers fare-free routes around town. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft exist, but availability can be limited. Walking is an option for exploring the historic downtown area.

For parking, the Town of Taos uses a pay-to-park system with kiosks in historic district parking lots, operating Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Free parking is available at locations like Town Hall, Taos Public Library, and Kit Carson Park during regular business hours on non-special event days.