Taos Artisan Walking Tour: Explore Eclectic Artistry
4.8
40 Ratings
Taos
Immerse yourself in Taos' eclectic artistic community on a walking tour. Explore the historical context, mix with the local art scene, and discover the vibrant center of this uniquely quirky and highly talented community.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Heritage Inspirations - Embark on a guided exploration through the historic district of Taos, including the renowned Taos Plaza.
- The Couse-Sharp Historic Site - Gain insights into the lives of the Taos Artist Society’s pioneers.
- Blumenschein Home & Museum - Encounter craftsman Rich Nichlos in the art studio of Ernest Blumenschein.
- Taos Plaza - Uncover the WPA-sponsored murals created by members of the Taos Artist Society.
- Tres Estrellas Design - Engage with proprietors Chris and Carla at the Tres Estrellas Gallery for a comprehensive session about the indigenous textiles from northern New Mexico and Mexico. Immerse yourself in the heritage of Rio Grande Blankets and the churro sheep, bred for their superior wool for weaving. Witness a weaving demonstration by Carla, who is eager to exhibit her handwoven shawls and blankets crafted with hand-dyed yarns that pay homage to the traditional textiles of the Taos area.
What's Included
- Guided Experience
- Sipping Chocolate Elixir
What's Not Included
- None
- Gratuity for Guide
- Sunscreen & Hat for Sun Protection
Additional Information
Dive into the diverse artist circle of Taos! Start at Kit Carson Road, meander along twisting paths, learn about the historical backdrop while interacting with the local arts society. Taos has been known as an artist colony since the late 19th century, celebrated for its diverse and skilled citizens. Visit this mountainside town in the high desert to not just witness the magical light and vibrant scenery, but also to meet this lively community and their extraordinary art. Appreciate a combination of the past and present while delving into the rich art history of downtown. Experience the radiant heart of this distinctively offbeat and exceptionally gifted community.
As a conclusion to this immersion, we will indulge in a Chocolate Elixir at Chokola. Learn about the art of making chocolate by the owners, Deb and Javier, who devote themselves to every stage of the process in making their delightful sipping chocolate, truffles, mousses and tarts! It’s an ideal end to your foray into the world of Taos Artisans!
- Dress in comfortable walking shoes.
Location
El Monte Sagrado
Kit Carson Road
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(40 Ratings)
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Sightseer18877875315
Jul 24, 2023
The highlight of our time in Taos! - This tour made us fall in love with Taos! We did the artisan walking tour. Our tour guide, Leslie, had lived in Taos for 25 years and had a wealth of art knowledge. She knew the artists in town and was able to introduce us to a lot of great people and places. Our favorite part of the tour was visiting one of the artists in his studio and hearing his passion for art and Taos. We learned so much about art, history, and the city from her. She also gave us great food/drink/shopping recommendations for the rest of our visit. Leslie made our visit to Taos so special and walking around the city with her was like learning from a fun friend! We can’t wait to do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amy
Jun 11, 2023
Immersive and Unforgettable! - My daughter booked this tour because she knows how much I love chocolate and it sounded interesting. It was a truly phenomenal experience! We had an immersive introduction to the art scene and the history of textiles and weaving in Taos.
Our fabulous guide Lizzy shared her passion, knowledge, and personal connections to the artists and artisans we met along the tour. The pace was relaxed and the people she introduced us to along the way were fascinating. We might have wandered into some of these places on our own but we never would have seen Taos the way we did without Lizzy.
She recommended Medley for dinner and we had a memorable and fabulous foodie experience. At the chocolate shop we had drinking chocolate for the first time! A must do experience!
Well worth
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aprilmi
May 9, 2023
Fabulous, fun experience! - Fabulous art-focused tour with our incredible guide Leslie! Leslie gauged our interests and toured us accordingly. We were exposed to all kinds of art from painting to jewelry to weaving and beyond. Along the way she sprinkled in history, architecture, offered suggestions for additional points of interest and dining recommendations. She gave generously of her time yet kept us on track for all the places she wanted us to visit. A lovely human being with whom to have spent an afternoon. And all of it topped off with a chocolate tasting! A memorable adventure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jameelc2020
Apr 17, 2023
Nice tour to start our trip. - This walking tour was led by Lesley who was a wealth of information from Taos history to the current art scene in town. Each gallery we went to, the curator was kind enough to give us special attention. We really enjoyed her her warm and fun presence. She went above and beyond in giving us tips on what to do for the rest of our trip as well. The chocolate is a must!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julia
Oct 7, 2022
Great Art scene tour in Taos! - Very interesting tour. Guide was great and the galleryies we toured were excellent. Esp. loved the sipping chocolate at the end of the tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancykn2119ia
Sep 12, 2022
Must have experience! - Shane was an excellent guide and the guide makes the tour! He delivered the perfect blend of history, art and Taos tips. He was engaging and personable. Our favorite stops were the weaving gallery and studio and Max’s gallery. The owners of both were charming and engaging. They didn’t deliver a presentation, but offered a conversation. The chocolate shop was fabulous and when the name of the sipping chocolate is New Mexico Spicy—they mean it. It was a surprise, but I loved it. Shane offered dining tips for Taos as well, and we really appreciated his thoughtfulness, time and effort throughout the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Klg711
Sep 11, 2022
Fabulous Tout - Shane is an amazing guide with a wealth of information on the history of Taos, as well as its evolving art scene. The textile gallery was fascinating and the chocolate tasting was to die for.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jon_p
Oct 22, 2022
Great Mix of History and Art Appreciation - Wonderful mixture of art and local history. Awoke a newfound appreciation for Southwestern art, and the pivotal place Taos holds in development of contemporary art. Well worth the money and time! One minor disappointment: one of the three museum/studio visits listed required substitution due to illness at the museum. Explanations of the artwork (in many media!) were superb. We looked forward to this particular stop- only to find out about the substitution at the time for the last stop. Unavoidable, but a bit disappointing. Suggest covering any variances from the published itinerary at the start. Wound not hesitate to recommend this tour, the operator Heritage Inspirations, or our guide Lewis!
Review provided by Viator
Jackie_s
Apr 3, 2023
Not worth the price. - Lewis was personal and knowledgeable but the tour was WAY over priced!
We could have done it one our own.
Review provided by Viator
H9242xpjulieb
Sep 25, 2023
A waste of time and money. - I’ve booked a lot of tours and this is the only one I would say was very disappointing. Just walked us in and out of galleries for the most part. One gallery was skipped because the owner was not available so it was closed. The tour guide or the employees at the galleries didn’t add much content to the gallery tour. In the end it was just a waste of time and money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
