The Soul of the Southwest – Taos
Taos is an idyllic town nestled deep within New Mexico’s north. Visitors frequently refer to Taos as the “Soul of the Southwest”, as its art, history, and spirituality make an unforgettable impression on visitors from across the globe. Here we explore why Taos – The Soul of the Southwest should be visited!
Taos is an iconic tourist destination renowned for its breathtaking 360-degree views, turquoise skies, and legendary Taos Light. The sun-drenched landscape brims with earth-tone adobe houses that radiate spiritual strength while its sunset colors paint the land in shades of pink, red, and purple – an idyllic scene to experience under its warm embrace.
Historical Significance
Ancient History
Taos Taos is an international tourist destination rich in history. From Pueblo Indians and conquistadors, as well as Mexican settlers and Anglo ranchers, its 400-year-old history has inspired artists from all around the globe to create art that bears witness to this time in history.
Colonial History
Spanish colonizers brought significant change to Taos during the 16th Century. Taos became a center for Spanish culture and commerce, with historic landmarks like San Francisco de Asis Mission Church serving as reminders of colonial days; such sites provide insight into all of the influences that have helped mold this town over time.
Investigate Taos Plaza
Taos Plaza is home to numerous specialty shops and galleries. After more than 300 years in existence, this plaza still maintains its original shape with strategically placed windows and doors as defensive measures that can be blocked when necessary.
Few locations in the United States have the honor of flying the American Flag both day and night; one such location is this plaza. Legend holds that patriots defending an American Flag during the Civil War bestowed this privilege upon this plaza.
Festivals and Events
I found great pleasure in spending several days exploring this oasis high in the desert, taking pleasure from its autumnal delights. While my stay coincided with the Taos Fall Arts Festival featuring works by prominent Taos painters, the Taos Fall Arts & Crafts Fair as well as its Annual Taos Trade Fair both took place simultaneously and honored traditions dating back to Taos’ days of trading. Furthermore, Taos hosts various other festivals devoted to film, art, music, etc.
Natural Beauty
Taos offers natural beauty at every turn. Rio Grande Gorge and its dramatic scenery and picturesque cliffs should not be missed, while those seeking adventure will love Wheeler Peak as New Mexico’s highest point for challenging hikes with breathtaking views.
Taos offers an idyllic retreat to help rejuvenate both mind and body.
Take a trip to the Museums
The Kit Carson House & Museum is one of the town’s most beloved tourist spots, where guests can explore an adobe house gifted to Josefa Jaramallo by Kit Carson as an Indian Scout as a wedding present.
The museum serves as a window into Carson and his life in the Wild West and features artifacts as well as information. At Historic Kit Carson Cemetery, he and his family rest. Other historical figures are also interred there.
Hacienda de los Martinez, constructed in 1804, stands as an excellent example of the “Great Houses” common during the late Spanish Colonial period in the American Southwest. An important trade hub and one of few surviving fortifications built in northern New Mexico style, it still plays an essential role today.
Outdoor Activities
Taos is an idyllic destination for outdoor enthusiasts, from skiing at Taos Ski Valley in winter, hiking and mountain biking during summer and even rafting during autumn – Taos is the ideal place for getting close to nature, no matter the season!
Hike through Ski Valley
Taos Ski Valley Hike Open year-round, Taos Ski Valley offers outdoor enthusiasts of all levels an all-year-round playground that is only 30 minutes away by car. Mountain bikers share the same terrain as skiers during winter.
From Williams Lake up to Wheeler Peak – New Mexico’s highest peak – there are trails suitable for hikers of any level or ability.
Taos Cow is a village nearby offering homemade ice cream with Southwest flavors like pinon caramel and Mexican chocolate.
Tour Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo should be at the top of everyone’s must-see list when visiting New Mexico. Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it remains one of only a handful of Native American communities operating after over 1,000 years of continuous occupation, boasting centuries-old adobe buildings that still stand.
Adobe homes are traditionally constructed by mixing soil, straw, and water in a mortar mix, then handed down from generation to generation by their owners.
Though modern buildings only use doorways as entryways, ladders still lead up to roof entrances; these structures remind us of when they were needed to protect cities from invasion.
Fly on a Hot Air Balloon
Take a hot-air balloon ride above Taos to explore New Mexico’s northern region. The views are unparalleled across America.
A sunrise hot air balloon ride provides an unforgettable view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Rio Grande Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The deep purple color of the clouds contrasts beautifully with the pinks and oranges in the sky.
Pueblo Balloon Company setup included 15 passengers, two pilots and chaser crews.
As members of the party gathered around, a small, helium-filled “piball” was released into the sky to measure wind conditions.
Arrows & Major Tom balloons offered passengers an exciting ride through Taos’ stunning scenery while providing them with the chance to witness balloon inflation for themselves.
Watching the rams (male bighorn sheep) race across the plains was truly unforgettable.
Only the sound of the burning burners could be heard; I found the view truly breathtaking and was particularly drawn to its shadow cast against the basaltic walls in Rio Grande Gorge.
Visit Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
After the ride, we traveled to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the fifth-highest bridge in the United States and a well-known landmark in the state. We toasted our achievement at a picnic table overlooking this gorgeous treasure with “sunrises,” a cocktail made of orange juice and champagne, sometimes known as mimosas.
Travel Tips
Visitors to Taos have many lodging options when visiting, ranging from charming B&Bs and cozy Inns to luxurious resorts and hotels. Many accommodations feature artwork by local artists on their walls – it should come as no surprise then that many innkeepers themselves are artists themselves!
Taos offers many inviting restaurants, cafes and drinking holes with plenty of outdoor seating options. There is something to satisfy all palates in Taos with Italian, contemporary American food and international fare with an American Southwest flare – each dish may include chili peppers for an unforgettable culinary experience!
Visitors can either explore the Pueblo on their own or with a guide, and guided tours offer an ideal way to gain more insight into Indian culture and history.
Conclusion
Taos offers much more than a simple getaway; it is an experience in itself. Discover its rich cultural roots, stunning natural landscapes and spiritual offerings for yourself and discover why Taos truly is “The Soul of the Southwest.”
FAQ
Q1: What city is known as the sole of the Southwest?
Fall under the spell of Taos, the soul of the southwest. Explore New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains to experience the stunning art, beautiful scenery, and vibrant spirit of Taos, a high desert town.
Q2: Is California considered Southwest?
Map of the Southwest Region | The United States Climate Resilience Toolkit
California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico all fall under the Southwest Region.
Q3: Who lived in the Southwest?
Southwest Indian: History, Tribes, Culture, and Facts | Britannica
The western Pueblo tribes were the Hopi (Uto-Aztecan; see also Hopi language), Hano (Tanoan), Zuni (Penutian), and Acoma and Laguna (Keresan).
Q4: What is the meaning of the soul of the southwest tao?
Taoism holds that one’s soul or energy is inextricably linked to the vital energy that sustains the soul.
Q5: Where was the Old Southwest?
Historians normally include West Florida in the Old Southwest, while the Florida peninsula, often known as East Florida, is frequently ignored.
