Taos, New Mexico

Downtown is for loop.

We believe that the plaza district is for everyone. It is a safe, walkable, and bike-able place with a strong, diverse economy and thriving businesses.

ABOUT US

OUR INITIATIVES

what We do home
A Diverse, Creative Economy

We’re building a local economy that reflects the values and needs of our community.

Activate the Plaza District

A truly inclusive Plaza District is more than a gathering place, it's a symbol of who we are. When everyone sees themselves reflected in the space, civic pride grows, engagement deepens, and economies grow.

Protect What Makes Taos, Taos

Destination stewardship that balances tourism with community well-being for the long term.

Our Approach

We’re working toward a community-driven future for downtown Taos. Our vision focuses on supporting local businesses, improving public spaces, and creating opportunities for people who live, work, and create here.

OUR APPROACH

DESTINATION STEWARDSHIP

Close-up of red chili peppers hanging to dry.
Black and white geometric logo with the letters 'X' and 'TM' in the bottom right corner.
Shopfront with attached signs reading 'op.cit. books' and 'Bead Creations', with outdoor flower arrangements including pink and white flowers in pots and planters, against a peach-colored building with white trim and multiple windows.

Taos Destination Stewardship

Destination Stewardship Plans are a new approach to tourism that looks at the bigger picture. They help create a strategic roadmap that supports the long-term health of destinations and the well-being of the people who live there.

LEARN MORE

THE MAINSTREET JOURNAL

From the Journal

Featured
Reflecting on 50 Years of Working in the Tourism Economy: What It Gives, What It Takes, What Stewarding a Balance Looks Like
Reflecting on 50 Years of Working in the Tourism Economy: What It Gives, What It Takes, What Stewarding a Balance Looks Like

I was lucky enough to be born and raised in the magnificence of Northern New Mexico. The mountains, rivers and canyons of this beautiful state became my playground and sanctuary. I learned to hike, fish, climb, raft, ski, hunt and harvest firewood.

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Announcing Inaugural Taos SEED Participants
Announcing Inaugural Taos SEED Participants

The Taos Destination Stewardship Network is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the pilot Taos SEED Program. 

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Taos Destination Stewardship in Action
Taos Destination Stewardship in Action

Taos has been a destination for hundreds to thousands of years. People have long come here to trade, to paint, to learn, to be humbled by the light and landscapes.

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Facing the Paradox: Tourism in Taos
Facing the Paradox: Tourism in Taos

A few weeks ago, I sat down with Emery Veilleux on the Voices of Taos podcast to talk about Destination Stewardship in Taos,  and about what tourism really means for our community. 

Read more →

UPCOMING EVENTS

Downtown Events

Events
Legacy Cafe
Every Monday • Meet Me at McCarthy’s
Legacy Cafe

Meet Me at McCarthy's is a free, inclusive weekly event — open to everyone, at any pace. Walk, jog, run or just hang out. There is a 1, 2, or 3 mile loop through the plaza district. Join your neighbors and friends as we gather at the heart of Taos to treat our own hearts to fun, free, area-wide, all-ages fitness program.

Over 1,000 people showed up last season. Season 2 starts May 11th, and we can’t wait to get started again and see you all out there!

Legacy Cafe
Downtown Taos
First Fridays
Downtown Taos

Taos First Friday is a monthly event happening across the Historic District.  

On the first Friday of each month, galleries, shops, and local businesses stay open late, inviting you to walk and wander through the district’s neighborhoods. Along the way, you’ll find exhibition openings, artist demos, food, music, and conversation.

Locals and visitors alike are welcome to explore, linger, and connect with the Taos community. 

Come be a part of it!

Downtown Taos
Fiesta de Taos

A centuries old fiesta celebrating the gathering of generations to enjoy delicious cuisine, traditional music, and fellowship, while honoring the cultural uniqueness of Taos.

The Downtown Historic District is the heart of Taos. From there, the veins of the community spread out and hit Ranchos de Taos, El Prado, Arroyo Seco, Talpa and beyond. There’s always something happening in this town, and here we’re focusing in on the heart of the area…downtown Taos. If you have an event going on, please contact us and we will add it to our calendar.

LEARN MORE
Exterior of a bookstore named 'SOMOS' with signs indicating it sells used and rare books, conducts readings and workshops, and features local authors. The building has a beige stucco facade with teal accents, and there are plants and a sidewalk in front.
Colorfully painted utility box with mountains, clouds, and desert scene mural, situated outdoors with mountains in background and parking lot nearby.
A utility box with colorful pop art style cactus and snail illustrations, featuring yellow, purple, and light blue backgrounds, outdoors on dirt ground with greenery and trees in the background.
A man wearing glasses, a white cap, and a long sleeve shirt speaking into a microphone outdoors, making a hand gesture with his right hand.
Exterior view of the Taos Community Auditorium building with trees and a sculpture in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.
Street sign indicating Ledoux Street and nearby locations such as museums, Taos Plaza, and the Taos Historic District, during daytime with buildings and greenery in the background.
Street intersection with a booth displaying items and a table with a sign reading 'Main Street'. Two people and a dog are present, with one person sitting on a chair and the other standing and drinking from a bottle.
A pedestrian street with adobe-style buildings, hanging flower baskets, lamp posts, and various signs for shops and art galleries under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

MAINSTREET PROJECTS

Our Projects

Over the years, Taos MainStreet has led and supported a wide range of projects that strengthen our local economy, celebrate our unique culture, and enhance the heart of downtown. From streetscape improvements and public art installations to façade revitalizations, community events, and small business support, each project reflects our ongoing commitment to making Taos a more vibrant, connected, and welcoming place.

EXPLORE OUR PROJECTS

Help keep downtown Taos Thriving.

DONATE TODAY

As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Alamogordo MainStreet is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by the National Main Street Center.

New Mexico MainStreet serves as a resource and support network for designated MainStreet communities, providing them with technical assistance, resources, and information in their revitalization efforts to create healthy, sustainable downtowns. From the basics of the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to advanced downtown development strategies, New Mexico MainStreet offers educational and specialized services to designated communities.