This Small New Mexico Town Has The Best Downtown

Taos is a town in New Mexico, located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains. The town’s culture is a product of the influences of early Spanish settlers, Native Americans, and American immigrants over the years. This unique blend has culminated in a historic, vibrant, and welcoming downtown area enjoyed by its 6,492 locals and visitors alike. Let’s take a stroll through New Mexico’s best downtown.

Historic Plaza

The Taos Plaza is the center of the downtown and was constructed in 1796. Its original purpose was to provide homes for families. Their houses were built in large quadrangles to present a fortress-shaped structure to prevent unwarranted entry into the village, along with sentries who stood guard at each corner of the village day and night. The plaza has experienced numerous fires over the years, which have spread due to the plaza's interconnectedness, resulting in the loss of many buildings. What stands of the plaza today dates back to the 1930s when the plaza was rebuilt and restored. Despite the damage caused by past fires, the plaza remains a cornerstone of the community, offering locals a variety of amenities, including shops, art galleries, live music, and farmers' markets.

Downtown Accommodation

The Hotel La Fonda de Taos has been an integral part of the plaza’s history since 1820, when it operated as St. Vrain Mercantile Store, a goods store, saloon, and hotel. Ownership changed over the years; however, in 1937, it was renovated and became what it is today. It is the only hotel in the Taos Plaza. Everything that the plaza has to offer: restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums, and theatres are all mere steps from the door of the Hotel La Fonda de Taos. Despite being a historical inn, it blends Southwestern tradition with modern amenities. The accommodation options range from rooms to suites and a penthouse, each with its own unique design and aesthetic.

Authentic Food

The Gorge Bar and Grill is a popular restaurant in downtown Taos, offering a blend of casual dining and high-quality service, along with New Mexico-grown food that authentically represents the state. Each dish is specifically designed to be paired with the craft beers, world-class wines, and premium tequilas featured on the menu. For a taste of authentic Mexican food, La Cueva Café, located in downtown Taos, just one block south of the plaza, proudly prepares all its food fresh daily while using only natural ingredients. Popular dishes include chicken mole enchiladas and fajitas.

Galleries and Museums

Taos boasts a vibrant arts scene, with many galleries and studios located in the downtown area. The Taos Artist Collective was founded in 2005 and has since become a staple of the local arts community. The gallery represents artists from Taos and around the world, focusing on individuals known for their distinct perspectives, technical ability, and capacity to push the boundaries of various media, including painting, sculpture, and jewelry making. The Taos Historic Museums comprises two sites, one of which, the E.L. Blumenschein Home and Museum, is located downtown. The museum has preserved the house to represent its appearance when the artist and his family lived there. The home showcases much of his and his family’s art and personal possessions, as well as works by other famous Taos artists, and European and Spanish Colonial antiques.

Festivals and Events

Downtown Taos is the site of numerous community festivals and events held throughout the year, which encompass a broad range of cultural activities, including visual and performing arts, culinary, musical, and literary events. In the summer, the Taos Plaza is booming with Taos Plaza Live. The festival takes place between June and August, featuring live music every Thursday night between 6 pm and 8 pm in the Taos Plaza Gazebo. The festival is free and open to the public, allowing them to come and watch local bands from New Mexico perform live. The Downtown Halloween Community Event takes place in Taos’ historic downtown district. It is a free, family-friendly festival for children of all ages, where merchants from local businesses on downtown streets, the John Dunn Shops (a regional shopping mall), local organizations, and church groups will host games and events, and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. Other events at the festival include face painting and a costume contest.

Many towns in New Mexico have significant downtown areas; however, none are as historically rich or as culturally vibrant as Taos. From its iconic, fortress-like plaza at the heart of downtown to the galleries and museums that celebrate the region, as well as the restaurants and cafes serving high-quality food, downtown Taos has something to appeal to everyone. Explore it for yourself and see what else you’ll discover that makes it New Mexico’s best downtown.