Taos Plaza — Attraction in Taos

The Historic Taos Plaza Is The Town Square of The Town of Taos, N.M. Until The 1950s, The Taos Plaza Was The Business Anchor And The Local Government Headquarters for Taos County, With The Old Taos County Courthouse Taking Up A Good Chunk of Real Estate on the North Side of The Plaza. Before the Days of Wal-Mart and Walgreen's, Residents of The Many Villages Around Taos County and Residents of The Town of Taos, Would Do Their Shopping for Clothes, Household items, Groceries, Go See A Movie At Theater, Eat a Meal at one of several Restaurants or Attend A Community Event, Including The Annual Spanish Fiestas Held The Third Weekend of July Every Year (although it was cancelled last year because of The Coronavirus/Covid). The Fiestas are Still Held in the Plaza As Are Other Community Events. But A New Courthouse Was Built About A Mile South of the Plaza About 1970 And a NewM. Shopping Center Also Was Built, Plus A Stand Alone Wal-Mart and Walgreen's, both about 3 Miles from the Plaza. Still, The Taos Plaza Remains the Traditional Town Square And The Cultural And Community Preserve That Is A Community Commons Area, Like A Park, With Benches to Sit, A Larg Gazebo with Bandstand for Special Events, A Memorial for Local Military Veterans And Heroes From Taos County That Includes A Large Cross And A Large Bronze Plaque With The Names of All The Taos County Military Veterans of World War II. Also, A Bronze Statue, Made in Artistic Style, of The Area's Most Endearing Cultural And Historic Hero, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Is Prominently Displayed in the Plaza. Padre Martinez, Who Lived From 1793-1867, Most of That Time In Taos, From Where He Was The Spiritual And Cultural Leader of New Mexico And One of The Most Important Political And Community Leaders of N.M. From the Mid-1820s Until His Death in 1867. Taos is Also Famous Worldwide For Being An Art Colony And Many of the Businesses Surrounding the Plaza Include Art Galleries And Shops That Cater to the Tourists. Overall, The Historic Taos Plaza Is A Beautiful, Serene And Interesting Place to Relax, Go For A Stroll, Check Out Some Art Galleries, Have Lunch or A Beverage At One of The Restaurants, People Watch or Simply To Soak Up The Ambiance, The Distinctly Taos Adobe Style Architecture And The Historic, Multi-Cultural, Artist Colony Vibe Of The Plaza, Set As It Is Surrounded by The Beautiful Sangre De Cristo Mountains, That Provide The Perfect Backdrop To the Already Pretty Scenery that Abounds...

Don Fernando de Taos

Not much has changed since my last visit to Taos back in 2011, but I was glad to able to make my way back there earlier this year. This epicentre of culture, history, skiing and other alpine activities is a must on your next New Mexico journey. A little smaller than Old Town ABQ or the Santa Fe Plaza, this plaza, located in the Historic Downtown Taos area has much to offer. First off, it's a historic site which dates back to the 1600s, it's brimming with activity as its full of shops and galleries, and it has restaurants, bars and lodgings.

Upon my arrival, I had to drive around a little to find parking. There are meters but the one I parked in front of was 'out of order' so I got lucky. I walked around the perimeter of the plaza and poked my head into souvenir shops, galleries, a few services, clothing and apparel stores and I browsed the menus of a few restaurants. I was there in February of 2020 and the plaza was packed with skiers as well as tourists and locals. Taos is known worldwide as a haven for alpine sports as it has its world-renown ski area, Taos Ski Valley.

The Plaza is decorated in the Spanish-Adobe style that is popular in New Mexico and the region and it is a pleasure to see for yourself. Locals are friendly and the skiers are more than happy to share their stories of barreling down Kachina Peak. There is a Historic Hotel located right on the plaza called Hotel La Fonda De Taos, where you can get rooms or Suites. There are other lodgings close by as well. From May until October there is a Farmers Market, and in the Plaza, in the summer there is live music and concerts nightly.

Taos and its surrounding area is a great place to visit, and there are so many things to do. If you do visit the area, staying downtown near the Plaza area would put you centrally to most things to do. Check out the Historic Taos Plaza if you're ever in the area or looking for a new destination for your next...

Taos Plaza is the center of the Taos Historic District where locals gather for live music and farmers markets and visitors stroll through shops and galleries, historic buildings and restaurants. A majority of the most important historic sites in Taos are easily reached on a short walking. Nearby Kit Carson Road, Bent Street, and Ledoux Street lead to even more historic homes, neighborhoods, and shopping areas. As browse through the shops keep an eye out for Taos-made products. For example, Native American moccasins made in Taos are famous throughout the world. Here everyone can appreciate hand-made clothing and leatherwork. The jewelry created in Taos satisfies every taste and pocketbook. It is possible find beautiful tin and wood items, pottery, ceramics, and much more. Just about anywhere you walk in the heart of Taos you will find yourself immersed in the history of this place and of...