For a town in the middle of nowhere, Taos has a lot going for it. From the numerous art galleries and shops around Taos Plaza to the magnificent ancient dwellings of Taos Pueblo, the place has a depth that takes time to appreciate.
Taos Pueblo is about four kilometres north of town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. The Red Willow culture has been calling the pueblo home since around 1000 CE, and many members of the tribe still live in the traditional multi-storied adobe buildings year round. There's an entry fee and a photography fee on top of that, but all proceeds go directly to the pueblo community.
The art scene is substantial. Taos became an artist colony in 1898, when two painters whose wagon broke down decided to stay, and it has attracted serious artists ever since. The Harwood Museum and the Blumenschein House are the best starting points for understanding the Taos art tradition. The Mabel Dodge Luhan House — where D.H. Lawrence and Georgia O'Keeffe stayed — is still operating as a bed and breakfast.
The outdoors is as compelling as the culture. The Rio Grande Gorge drops nearly 200 metres into the high desert west of town, and Taos Ski Valley is one of the most challenging ski mountains in the American Southwest. A visitor centre on the south road into town has maps and information about the full range of activities in what locals call the Circle of Enchantment.