A Little Background

Taos is about an hour and a half drive north from Santa Fe, an ideal spot to stop on a New Mexico road trip. Though people have lived in the area for a thousand years, the most famous of them was Kit Carson. His home is still here, which is open to the public. There is also a museum nearby in Cimmaron along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.

It is a town with a rich history in art. For years, artists working in a myriad of mediums have made Taos their home. For centuries, the native people honed their skills making beautiful works of pottery and fabric, but Taos took off in the early 1900’s when a group of artists formed the Taos Society of Artists. They were drawn there by the stunning landscape, a place that would give unlimited inspiration for their hearts and minds. Since then, it has been one of the premier art destinations in the Southwest. Today, it is full of shops and galleries showing off the work of local artists.

Taos is a high-altitude town, sitting right at 7,000 feet. However, it is surrounded by mountains making it an ideal place for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Taos Ski Mountain has some incredible slopes, and it sits at 10,000 feet. Near there is Mount Wheeler, the highest point in New Mexico sitting at 13,161 feet. You don’t always think of mountains when you think of New Mexico, but this town and the surrounding areas are up there. Pro tip – make sure you get acclimated to the elevation, drink plenty of water, and wear protection from the sun.

So what should you do? Where should you stay? What are some good places to grab a bite to eat? We went during the summer months, so skiing was definitely off the table. However, there are plenty of other things you must do in Taos when you visit.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

The Rio Grande River flows right by Taos and on this section of the river stands the Rio Grande Gorge. This gorge runs for about 50 miles from the Colorado border to the north all the way past Taos on the south. About 10 miles outside of the city limits, you can find the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. This massive bridge spans 1,280 feet across the Rio Grande Gorge. The gorge in this area is massive, with a 600 foot drop from the bridge, making this the seventh highest bridge in the United States.

There are parking areas on both sides of the bridge where you can get out and walk across the bridge or along the nearby trails overlooking the gorge. We recommend driving across the bridge from Taos and parking on the far side with the bathrooms. There is much more parking available there and vendors are set up selling homemade crafts and goods. The walk across the bridge is not for the faint of heart, but it is completely safe and gives you some spectacular views. And the best part? It is totally free – unless of course you spend money at the vendors, which you know Meg will always do. This is definitely a must do in Taos.

Taos Plaza

In the heart of Taos is the Taos Plaza. If you were to close your eyes and picture a high desert town plaza, this is what would appear in your mind. It is simply beautiful. There is a great green space in the middle of the plaza with statues commemorating the history of the town and plenty of seating and spots to relax. All around the plaza are great stores where you can get anything you may need. There are the touristy spots where you can get the t-shirts and magnets along with higher end galleries and boutiques for something a little more special. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon. There is a nice little coffee shop on the corner, and a couple of restaurants – the Gorge and La Luna were two of the many places in Taos that are highly recommended.

The shopping is not limited to the plaza. As you walk out farther from the city square, you will find plenty of specialty shops along the alleyways and avenues. We enjoyed exploring and stumbling upon so many wonderful shops. This is a really special place to just get lost, enjoy the scenery and shop.

The Historic Taos Inn

When we were looking for places to stay in Taos we really struggled. We struggled because there were so many cool places that we wanted to try out. Ultimately we landed on the Historic Taos Inn and we were not disappointed. We chose this place because it is within walking distance from the plaza, great food, and other shopping. It also was decently priced for the room we got, which is always a bonus.

Even though it is a historic hotel, the rooms are incredibly large. The bathrooms are tight and dated, but it fits the feel for the room. A lot of the rooms have a sweet adobe fireplace in the corner that makes you feel very welcome in New Mexico. Most of the rooms that are not in the main building are situated around peaceful courtyards, so you have a relaxing spot for your morning coffee.

There is no pool at the hotel, but they have a great restaurant and large bar on property. But again, you want to stay here because you are so close to the action of downtown. It is a great place to get some rest to head back out.

Places To Eat In Taos

We had three meals in Taos, all of them were great. The night we got in we ate dinner at Taos Mesa Brewing. This was one of the funniest experiences we have had at a restaurant. They have wood fired pizza here, and it was really good. However, the wait staff was just out there. We had four different people take our drink order, three different people take our food order, and the food or drink never came until we asked for it. It was just a strange experience. Not dogging anyone, just a funny memory we took from the place. The pizza though was straight fire and the atmosphere was very chill.

We had breakfast the next morning at Michael’s Kitchen. This place was perfection. Everything you want in a breakfast place in a fun town. Plenty of greasy food and healthy options, so they have something for everyone. They are known for their bakery. The cinnamon rolls, donuts, and other pastries are all fantastic (and dangerous). A great place for an early breakfast or brunch. We were there on a weekend morning and walked right in and got a seat at 9 am. When we left, the line was out the door and it was probably an hour or more wait, so plan appropriately.

We had another great meal at the Farmhouse Cafe and Bakery. This place is outside of the city center, but is worth the drive. It is in between downtown and the gorge, so it is a great place to eat when you head that way. This is a farm to table restaurant that makes everything from scratch daily. It is sourced by over 20 local farmers and you can taste the freshness with every bite. The best part about the restaurant may be the bakery, make sure you try something sweet before you leave. There is a great outdoor seating area with beautiful plants and flowers. If you want to sit out there though, you will have to wait a little longer.

And where to get amazing Ice Cream you may ask? That would be the Taos Cow. We love finding a local and homemade Ice Cream spot and this one did not disappoint. One of the best ones we have found! Can’t go wrong with any flavor and the scenery is cool too.

Taos Pueblo

People have been living in the Taos Pueblo for close to 1,000 years. It is considered the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. Today, around 150 people still live in and around the Pueblo. This is a self-governed community that has their own elementary school. The main way the members of the community make money is through tourism. This is definitely the biggest tourist destination in the town. There is a fee to enter the Pueblo ($25 for adults, $22 for students, $22 for seniors) and once inside you can purchase handcrafted arts and crafts at the various home shops. Most of the people that live there are super engaging and love to talk to people visiting, just don’t go knocking on doors that are closed.

The Enchanted Circle

If you like to drive, there are few drives more scenic in New Mexico than the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. It circles some of the most beautiful areas in the state – deep into Taos Canyon and circling Wheeler Peak. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to drive the circle. However, if you are planning making multiple stops, you may want to give yourself a little more time. Museums, scenic overlooks, and the first Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the U.S. are on the loop. For a detailed driving plan, check out Taos’ website. This is a must do in Taos.

Have you visited Taos, New Mexico and what were your favorite places to check out? Share with us in the comments!

If you are looking for more fun US towns to visit check out these other posts: Tucumcari, New Mexico San Antonio, Texas or New Orleans, LA

Pin it for later!

The post Must Do In Taos, New Mexico first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

The San Antonio Missions

The city of San Antonio was founded over 300 years ago and the Spanish missions followed shortly after. These missions are spread out along the Camino Real de Tejas. This road went from Mexico City to Louisiana originally. There are four missions run by the National Park Service located along the Camino Real in and around San Antonio (The Alamo is run by the state of Texas). These sites are still active churches where worship services occur on Sundays and other religious holidays. Today, the missions are all connected by the Mission Trail.

The Mission Trail is an incredible road that runs from Mission Espada in the south all the way to the Alamo in downtown San Antonio. We recommend driving because there are plenty of places to stop along the San Antonio River, but if you fly in there is a bus service that stops at all of the missions.

The best way to visit the missions is to start in the south and move north towards downtown. The missions get larger as you go this route, so it just gets better and better. Mission Espada is the farthest south. This is the first mission built in all of Texas, all the way back in 1690. These are beautiful grounds here and a wonderful little chapel. The next one up is Mission San Juan. This one was probably our least favorite, but still beautiful.

Mission San Jose is next and this one is definitely a can’t miss. Before you get there though, make sure you stop between San Juan and San Jose along the river, so pretty! Mission San Jose is the main mission. This is where you will find the visitor center for the National Parks, get your stamps, do the Junior Ranger activities, and learn most of the history. It is crazy how big the grounds are here, and the architecture is amazing. Mission Concepcion is the final mission before the Alamo. It is simply stunning. Definitely take some time to go down the Mission Trail.

Japanese Tea Garden

We love a good Japanese Tea Garden, who doesn’t? We fell in love with Japanese Tea Gardens during our time in San Francisco a couple of years ago. When we heard that San Antonio had one we knew we had to check it out!

These gardens are run by the city and have been open to the public since 1901. The park used to be a rock quarry but was transformed into a beautiful garden. There are some incredible bridges, winding walkways through beautiful gardens, a pretty impressive waterfall feature, ponds, and an immense pavilion at the entrance overlooking the whole park.

The tea garden does have a restaurant but it wasn’t the most authentic place to grab some tea. Meg is a true tea drinker so she was a little disappointed in the selection there. But, it is a good place to grab a bite to eat and a drink.

An interesting part of the garden is the main entrance actually says Chinese Tea Garden. The reason for that is because during World War II they changed the name and never changed that sign. It stands as a pretty somber reminder of that time in history.

The gardens get very crowded during the day, so try and go early or late (which helps beat the heat too). The park is open 7 am to 5 pm 365 days a year. Admission is free. This is not the best tea garden we have been to but is definitely worth a visit.

Remember The Alamo

If you are going to San Antonio you have to visit the Alamo. This is the symbol not only of the city but the state of Texas. This is one of the most important historical landmarks in the United States and it is special to be on the grounds there.

The Alamo is owned by the State of Texas and is run by the Alamo Trust. They do a fantastic job of telling the story of the brave men and women of the Alamo leading up to the battle but also the history before it.

As weird as it sounds, our least favorite part of our visit at the Alamo was actually going inside the Alamo. You can’t take pictures in there which is understandable, and it is pretty dark and plain in there. The rest of the grounds are the highlight in our opinion. They have a great gift shop there as well.

The Alamo opens every day at 9 and closes at 5:30 or 7 pm depending on the time of year you visit. There is no admission charge to enter the Alamo, though there are some guided tours that come highly recommended that have a charge.

Explore The Riverwalk

The crown jewel of the whole city is the San Antonio Riverwalk. Overall the Riverwalk is 15 miles long with 5 miles going through downtown. This is one of the most beautiful places you will find in any city in the U.S. There are incredible walkways on both sides of the river, world-famous bridges, incredible restaurants, fantastic shopping, and stunning gardens. It is a perfect place to go for a peaceful stroll in the morning and get out in crowds for some exciting nightlife.

The Riverwalk is free to walk down but for a relatively small fee you can book a trip on one of the many boats that go up and down the river. Go Rio Cruises offers different types of cruises depending on the time of year you visit. If you can go around Christmas, try and go at night so you can get the Christmas light cruise. We were able to do that and had so much fun. The lights go on the day after Thanksgiving and stay up a couple of days after the New Year.

Historic Market Square

Market Square is an incredibly colorful open air market where you can find just about anything you need. It is a place that is simply full of life. There is great live music, street performers, food vendors, and so much more. You have to get over to this historic shopping area when you are in San Antonio.

We had so much fun shopping and finding some pretty cool stuff from San Antonio. You can get lost for hours shopping in this area. However, the best thing about the open air market might be the churros! The churros we bought here were easily the best ones we have ever eaten – and we have had Disneyland churros. Crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle. Just fantastic!

Tower of the Americas

The Tower of the Americas soars 750-feet above the San Antonio skyline. It is a great place to get some epic views of the city. The tower was built for the World’s Fair in 1968 and celebrated San Antonio turning 250 years old. In addition to the observation deck at the top the site offers an immersive 4D theater and a gift shop. There is a cafe at the foot of the tower with reasonably priced food and Chart House Restaurant at the top. You typically will need to make a reservation for this place and expect to pay over $100 for a date night.

The cost for a ticket is $14.50 for adults, $11.50 for kids 3-12, and under 3 there is no charge. There are military and senior discounts as well. The ticket covers the observation deck, the 4D Theater, and Flags Over Texas. They do charge for parking, so expect another $8-15 depending on the day. The tower is open 4-10 pm Monday – Thursday, 12-11 pm Friday and Saturday, and 12-10 pm Sunday.

San Antonio: The Saga

This was a super unexpected highlight of our time in San Antonio. We absolutely loved this! San Antonio: The Saga is a laser light show that plays on the historic San Fernando Cathedral. This is the oldest operating sanctuary in North America, and it is located right in the middle of San Antonio. This show tells the story of San Antonio and it really is amazing, you can’t miss this.

San Antonio: The Saga is a 24-minute, 7,000 square foot projection show that plays every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This show is completely free to the public. There are usually three showings every night, but the hours change depending on the night you go so make sure you check their website in advance. This show is scheduled to go on until 2024, so get there soon!

Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery

We ate a ton of really great food in San Antonio but our favorite experience was at Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery. This place is kind of touristy but in a really good way. It is located in Historic Market Square and there is always a line to get in. This place has a tasty bakery, an awesome food menu, and a pretty large bar area.

Everything we had was really great. All of us enjoyed our meals. Megan was especially a fan of the Tres Leches cake. Highly recommended.

So, that is it! Our must-dos for a weekend in San Antonio. We know that there are some great theme parks and San Antonio has a great zoo, but we just didn’t have time for those this time around. Just another reason to head back there again soon! Have you ever been to San Antonio? What are some places we should check out next time? Let us know in the comments and have fun Going The Adventure Way!

Looking for some other fun guides to cities in the U.S.? Check out our guide to Richmond, Baltimore, or New Orleans.

Pin it for Later!

The post What To Do In A Weekend In San Antonio first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

1. Visit Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry is a National Historic site run by the National Park Service and is the place where the Star Spangled Banner was originally penned. It sits right inside Baltimore on the inner harbor and is even a stop along the water taxi route. We are always taken aback by the amazing facilities and sites run by the NPS, they are always stellar and Fort McHenry is no different. It has an awesome Visitors Center with a great museum type area full of loads of info on our National Anthem. PS – Don’t miss the short movie! It does a great job of telling the story of the Battle of Baltimore. The ending is definitely epic, a great surprise.

After soaking in all of the historical knowledge you can tour the entire Fort – (its big!) They also provide several excellent War of 1812 re-enactments to view while on site. If you are traveling with the kids don’t forget to do the Junior Ranger Program! Just ask the Park Ranger at the Visitor Center desk and they will get you going.

As a side note, the park does have a $15 per person fee to visit the fort – kids 15 and under are free! We opted to purchase a National Parks Annual Pass, which you can purchase at any national park location. The pass is $80 for the year and includes admission for up to 4 adults. We decided this would quickly pay for itself and would be well worth it! In total, we probably spent 2 hours here exploring and learning, but you could definitely spend even more time at this park site.

2. Explore the Inner Harbor

The Inner Harbor is an area along the waterfront full of walking paths, restaurants, shops and activities for the whole family. Its beautifully preserved with lots of old ships, submarines and bridges to walk along. The National Aquarium is also located here along the water! You could spend all day here for sure. We enjoyed exploring and walking around the water and looking at all of the old ships, grabbed a bite to eat and spent a moment at the 9/11 memorial. Its really a nice and safe area for the family to check out!

3. Catch a Baltimore Orioles Game

The O’s game was our first priority for visiting Baltimore (we are huge baseball fans!) Camden Yards is an awesome stadium with great views all around. It offers a ton of dining options, a kids play area, great affordable seating and plenty of baseball history to soak in. If you have a kid and its their first time going, don’t forget to pick up a first Camden Yards Game certificate from guest services on Eutaw Street (they load you up with lots of fun goodies too).

Getting in and out of the park is actually really easy. We stayed at the Days Inn by Wyndham and had a super quick and easy walk to the stadium. We would highly recommend staying here if you are coming in for a game – and bonus its within walking distance to the Inner Harbor too!

4. Spend a Morning in Fells Point, Baltimore

Wow, Fells Point is the neighborhood of my dreams. Cobblestone roads anyone? Seriously, spend some time here! Fells Point is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore and has over 160 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Broadway Market (opened in 1786) is here which houses plenty of places to eat. Fells Point is right on the water and home to numerous piers. Make sure you take a minute to stroll to the end of Broadway Pier and take in the view. Fells Point was one of the main stomping grounds of Edgar Allan Poe and was the last place anyone saw him before his mysterious death. It is also the place where Frederick Douglass worked as a shipbuilder. Tons of history here.

We went on a Saturday morning around 9 and easily found parking on the street. By the time we left it had gotten pretty crowded, so try and go early. There are several breakfast options around, we ended up at a place called Twist. It was French inspired decor (so I was hooked) with a Mediterranean inspired menu (hence the name Twist). We really enjoyed our breakfast at this cute and yummy place! A bonus for Saturday morning is the Farmers Market that pops up here on Broadway. We could have walked and walked all morning looking at the beautiful homes, roads and details here. The lantern lights, unique doors, mini gardens..it was all so charming. Take some time to learn the history of this historic location, there is a ton to learn and take in!

5. Tour the Hampton Mansion

On our way out of Baltimore we spent the rest of our morning touring the grounds of the Hampton National Historic Site. It’s a beautiful historic estate, with a Gregorian styled Mansion, gardens and more. This is a free park to visit! You can tour the grounds on your own time but need a tour guide for the mansion itself so make sure to check those times before heading there! It was blazing hot when we were there and not a lot of shade so bring plenty of water and sunscreen if you are going in the late summer! Overall, it was a nice visit and the gardens were definitely a highlight for us.

This is really just scratching the surface at what Baltimore has to offer! After spending the weekend here we can understand why it’s called Charm City. Baltimore, you charmed our socks off. Always go the adventure way!

What are some of your favorite spots in Baltimore? Are there any cities on your bucket list you are waiting to visit? Share with us!

Want to check out more fun things to do in a city near you? Check out our day trip guide to Greensboro!

The post 5 Fun Things To Do In Baltimore! first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.