Where to Stay in Taos (Best Areas & Places)

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Taos

Taos is a pretty small town. Most things are organized around the central Taos Plaza or the downtown area, where many of the tourist attractions are located.

Other surrounding neighborhoods and areas include Taos Ski Valley, Rancho de Taos, and Arroyo Seco. These sit on the outskirts of Downtown Taos, but are still great places to stay.

Downtown Taos Historic District

👉 Best Area For Tourist Attractions | ✨ Best Downtown Taos Historic District Hotels: The Historic Taos Inn • Casa Benavides Inn • Inn on La Loma Plaza

The Downtown Taos Historic District was established in 1796 by the king of Spain and today, the area is home to a collection of low-rise adobe shops, restaurants, and cafes regularly frequented by New Mexico tourists. This neighborhood also includes the Taos Plaza, a centralized courtyard lined with boutiques.

The Historic District is the ideal place for travelers who like to be near all the action. Most activities in downtown Taos are within walking distance, meaning you can easily (and safely) hit up the bar and brewery scene.

You’ll also find some of the town’s best hotels here. The Inn on La Loma Plaza and Casa Benavides Inn are two charming options. Both are a short walk to Taos Plaza, which saves budgeters the hassle of renting a car or needing to pay for public transportation.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Taos Historic District Neighborhood:

• Close to the town’s main attractions
• Affordable accommodation options are available
• Plenty of restaurants to choose from

Cons of Staying in Downtown Taos Historic District Neighborhood:

• There can be traffic during peak season and on the weekends
• The town can be noisy at night
• Restaurant wait times may be longer in this area

Taos Ski Valley

👉 Best Area For Winter Sports | ✨ Best Taos Ski Valley Hotels: The Blake at Taos Ski Valley • Alpine Village Suites • Cottam’s Lodge

Taos Ski Valley is one of the best places to ski or snowboard in the American Southwest. This is the ideal place to stay if winter sports are your main prerogative. The Ski Valley is a small village constructed around the best ski slopes in Taos.

Some hotels are only a quick walk to the lifts, meaning you can sleep in and still be one of the first people to hit the mountain. The Blake at Taos Ski Valley is one hotel with this convenience. Plus, it has a ski rental shop, bars and restaurants, and hot tubs for apres ski fun.

The Ski Valley is also fun during the non-winter months when it’s less crowded and the snowy mountains have given way to tall grass and wildflowers, while the creeks gush in all of their snow-melt fury.

Stay in this neighborhood if you want to be a part of a small but inclusive community while in Taos and if you’re keen on hiking in the summer or shredding in the winter. 

Pros of Staying in Taos Ski Valley Neighborhood:

• Right next to a famous Taos ski resort 
• Less crowded than the main downtown area
• Has fewer shops and more outdoor recreation activities

Cons of Staying in Taos Ski Valley Neighborhood:

• Accommodation can be very expensive
• Food can get pricey
• There are fewer tourist attractions nearby
• Little public transportation is available

Rancho de Taos

👉 Best Area For Affordable Accommodation |✨ Best Rancho de Taos Hotels: Taos Motor Lodge • Hampton Inn Taos • Adobe and Pines Inn Bed and Breakfast

Traveling on a budget? Stay in Rancho de Taos. This quaint neighborhood’s main attraction is the San Francisco de Asís Church. It’s also close to some of the best hikes in northern New Mexico.

Rancho de Taos is just four miles southwest of Downtown Taos, so it’s a good place to be if you’re trying to avoid weekend crowds. Enjoy the quieter atmosphere and more affordable prices. 

Accommodations like the Adobe and Pines Inn Bed and Breakfast give visitors with a slightly higher budget a taste of what it’s like to stay in a historic adobe hacienda. The service here is excellent, and the breakfasts are delicious. However, for affordable, but still well-rated options, you can book a room at the Hampton Inn Taos or Taos Motor Lodge.

Pros of Staying in Rancho de Taos Neighborhood:

• Quieter atmosphere
• More affordable accommodation options
• Southwestern and old Spanish-style architecture

Cons of Staying in Rancho de Taos Neighborhood:

• Further removed from the main attractions
• Less entertainment & fewer restaurants in the area

Arroyo Seco

👉 Best Area For Peace and Quiet | ✨ Best Arroyo Seco Hotels: Arroyo Seco Adobe • Arroyo Seco’s Getaway • Taos Goji Farm & Eco-Lodge Retreat

The Arroyo Seco neighborhood lies just north of Taos Pueblo. This 200-year-old community is a part of Taos’ colonial history, though it’s a quiet, lesser-known neighborhood.

Meander through the willow, cottonwood, and aspen-lined streets as you window shop for a shining piece of turquoise jewelry around Ski Valley Road. Or make your way to the refreshing El Rito del Arroyo Seco on a hot summer day. Admire views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from various spots in town.

This area doesn’t have any hotels, so it’s best to book a well-rated rental like the Arroyo Seco’s Getaway, which will give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live as a local.

However, if you don’t mind a drive, you could stay at Taos Goji Farm & Eco-Lodge Retreat, which is on the outskirts of Arroyo Seco. This unique accommodation choice gives visitors the option of staying on a farm in adorable bungalows, or well-kept, homey cottages. It’s perfect for visitors who want a laid-back or nature-focused stay without having to rough it.

Arroyo Seco is a prime location if you plan on hitting the hiking trails just outside of town. Come here for easy access to Wheeler Peak Wilderness trails, including Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico.

Pros of Staying in Arroyo Seco Neighborhood:

• Close to hiking trails
• More affordable than other Taos neighborhoods
• Quiet atmosphere
• Most shops and restaurants are within walking distance

Cons of Staying in Arroyo Seco Neighborhood:

• Farther from the downtown Taos attractions
• Fewer entertainment options
• Will need a car to get around the greater Taos area

7 Tips for Staying in Taos

Get Outside

Taos is surrounded by breathtaking nature. From hiking trails to hot springs to horseback riding adventures and river rafting, there are so many things to do in Taos outside of just exploring the downtown area.

There are even llama adventures available in Taos. You read that right, I said llamas. Explore the backcountry of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains via an Andean camelid. The great outdoors can be accessed from any neighborhood in Taos, making it easy to breathe in the fresh air and start exercising.

Visit the Hot Springs

Soaking in a natural thermal pool is rivaled by a few other activities in Taos. Many travelers don’t know that a variety of hot springs exist just outside of Taos, leaving them uncrowded and preserved.

Manby Hot Springs and Black Rock Hot Springs are the two natural springs just outside of Taos. Both springs average 97 degrees, require a short hike and are completely submerged in nature. Visiting the hot springs in Taos will easily be one of your favorite activities in town.

Take Day Trips from Taos

If you only have one or two days in Taos then I suggest staying in town to experience all the great sites and attractions. If you have more time, however, take a day trip or two to explore the surrounding area – there are tons of great places to visit in New Mexico, after all.

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is less than 20 minutes outside of town and offers some of the best geologic features in the area. The Bandelier National Monument is one of the most fascinating places in the state, especially if you want a glimpse of the past.

The High Road to Santa Fe is another popular day trip option and is one of the coolest things to do in Santa Fe. This scenic route takes travelers past jaw-dropping landscapes to the famously artsy town of Santa Fe.

👉 Staying Overnight in Santa Fe? See our guide to staying in Santa Fe.

Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour

Explore the history of Taos at your own pace. A self-guided walking tour is the best way to discover Taos on a more intimate level.

Top walking tour sites include Taos Plaza, Hotel La Fonda de Taos, the old county courthouse, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Blumenschein House, Harwood Museum, and so much more.

Visit During the Off-Season

Taos is magical at any time of the year but you may have a better experience if you visit during the off-season in winter. It will be colder at this time but there will be far fewer crowds, a fair trade-off in my opinion.

Taos Pueblo is one of the most important sites to see while in town, so check the calendar before you arrive to make sure the ancient dwelling site is open.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Taos

What are the best neighborhoods in Taos for visitors?

The Taos Downtown Historic District is the best neighborhood for visitors. This area is the epicenter of all things tourist-related, filled with restaurants, shops, bars, and attractions.

Where do you stay to ski in Taos?

You should stay in Taos Ski Valley when you visit Taos for winter sports. You will find rustic cabins as well as grand chalets at Taos Ski Valley, both within walking distance of the ski slopes.

What is the best month to visit Taos?

The peak season in Taos is in the summer when the weather is the most agreeable. Other times of the year have their own perks as well. Winter is the coldest but least crowded. Spring brings beautiful flower blooms around town, and the fall brings the famous Albuquerque Balloon Festival, which is a worthy trip from Taos.

Where should I stay in Taos with the kids?

The Taos Historic District is the best place to stay with kids in Taos. There are many kid-friendly activities around this part of town as opposed to other quieter neighborhoods.

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I hope this guide gave you a pretty good idea about where to stay in Taos, New Mexico. Traveling beyond Taos? Up next, take a look at our guide to where to stay in Albuquerque!