Landing at Taos Regional Airport in Taos keeps everything close, with nearby cities and attractions within easy reach across the high desert of northern New Mexico. Taos sits at 7,000 feet beneath Taos Mountain, a town of adobe walls, blue-painted doors, and more than a century of painters drawn to the light. The feel is artsy and unhurried, a blend of Pueblo, Spanish, and Anglo cultures where galleries, chile roasters, and ski bums all share the same plaza.

Standout experiences around Taos: - Visit Taos Pueblo, a multistory adobe village inhabited for about 1,000 years and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Stand on the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, 650 feet above the river - Ski the steep runs of Taos Ski Valley or hike Wheeler Peak, the state's highest summit - Browse galleries and shops around Taos Plaza and along Ledoux Street - Tour the Earthship community, off-grid homes built from tires and bottles - Soak in the mineral pools at Ojo Caliente hot springs - See the Millicent Rogers Museum's collection of Native jewelry and pottery - Order a plate of enchiladas smothered Christmas style, with both red and green chile

Taos also anchors the Enchanted Circle, an 84-mile loop through Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, and the mountain town of Red River. Santa Fe is about 90 minutes south, best reached by the High Road through Chimayo and its famous adobe chapel, and Georgia O'Keeffe country around Abiquiu is a similar distance west. Fall brings golden aspens on the mountain and the smell of roasting chile on every corner, and winter turns Taos into a powder town with a bohemian heart.