Shopping the heart of the Historic District
By Ellen Miller-Goins
In Taos, shopping isn’t something you rush through — it’s something you settle into. It unfolds slowly, one doorway at a time, blending art, culture and community into an experience that feels as layered as the landscape itself.
Just north of Red Willow Park, magpie shelves are filled with work by dozens of local artists — pottery, jewelry, folk art and functional pieces.
Nearby, Moxie Fair Trade & Handmade brings a global perspective, with colorful textiles, clothing and gifts. Then step into Aurora Folk Arts, where antiques, rare books, vintage finds and globally sourced goods fill every corner.
From here, head south toward the heart of town. As you approach the historic district, turn toward Bent Street, where the pace slows. At the corner, Pat Woodall Fine Art anchors the transition — a long-standing gallery showcasing contemporary realism and Southwest landscapes.
Then the path opens into Bent Street. Pop into Taos Cookery, a beloved kitchen shop housed in an old adobe, where locally made goods, cookware and whimsical finds sit alongside grab-and-go bites — perfect for a mid-shop snack.
Art lovers can linger at Robert L. Parsons Fine Art, where early Taos masters and historic works create a gallery experience that feels closer to a museum than a storefront. Made Solid offers handcrafted leather goods — each piece stitched and finished by hand — blending function, craftsmanship and timeless design. And at Jones Walker of Taos, the atmosphere is as memorable as the art itself. Explore clothing boutiques like Artemisia and Boxie Tees or floral design at Ultraviolet Floristry, each storefront adding its own personality to the walk.
John Dunn Shops
A courtyard experience
Tucked between Bent Street and the plaza, the John Dunn Shops offer a different kind of shopping — a shaded, pedestrian courtyard where the experience is as important as the stores themselves. Here, you’ll find everything from handcrafted jewelry and textiles to books, clothing and gifts. Inside the courtyard, shops like op.cit. Books offer a cozy, curated literary escape, while Seconds Eco Store highlights recycled and sustainably made goods with a creative twist.
At Las Comadres Gallery, a cooperative of local women artists, you’ll find everything from paintings to pottery — each piece carrying a distinctly Northern New Mexican voice. Shops like Mooncat Fiber, Bead Creations and Coyote Moon celebrate craftsmanship — whether through yarn, gemstones or vibrant folk art. Clarke & Co. Menswear stands out for its refined, contemporary men’s clothing, while Moda extends that same sensibility to women’s fashion.
Need a break? Grab a coffee or smoothie, sit by the fountain and watch the steady flow of people.
Taos Plaza
The heartbeat
Emerging from the courtyard, you arrive at Taos Plaza, the historic center where everything converges. Start at Chokolá Bean to Bar, tucked just off the plaza, where single-source chocolate, pastries and a decadent mousse bar offer the perfect reset.
From there, browse the plaza’s mix of longtime favorites and newer additions. Indigo Market offers a fresh, modern take on lifestyle retail, blending clothing, home goods and gifts with a distinctly curated feel. Nearby, shops like Made in New Mexico and Six Hand Hat Company celebrate regional craftsmanship, from locally made foods to custom, hand-shaped hats. Wander into shops like Touchstone Gallery and Two Graces, where minerals, books and art create unexpected moments of discovery.
The plaza is meant to be experienced more than once — each lap offering something new.
From the plaza, cross the street and step into Atcitty’s, where jewelry, art and gifts reflect the cultures and traditions of the Southwest. Then continue onto Kit Carson Road, where the atmosphere shifts — still central, but a little quieter, a little more contemplative.
Step inside Cabot Plaza to browse. Be sure to visit the famed Ed Sandoval Gallery, then head back down Kit Carson Road where a highlight is El Rincon Trading Post, one of Taos’ oldest shops. For generations, it has offered Native American jewelry, vintage pieces and handcrafted works. Wilder Nightingale brings a contemporary edge, with carefully selected clothing, accessories and design-forward pieces that feel both current and rooted in place. Parsons Gallery of the West offers a look at historic and contemporary Western art, while Alhambra – Soul Inspired Living invites visitors into a thoughtfully curated space of furniture, textiles and globally inspired pieces.
The walk naturally loops back toward Paseo del Pueblo, connecting the district into one experience. In the end, shopping in Taos isn’t about checking items off a list. It’s about wandering and stepping into spaces where artists, makers and shop owners are often the same people. About discovering some- thing unexpected.
Because here, every purchase carries a story. And every story is part of Taos.
