Taos, NM

Taos, which is situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, has a thriving arts community and a deep cultural history, earning it the moniker "Soul of the Southwest." The town has several options to participate in outdoor summertime activities like rock climbing, hot air ballooning, and even llama trekking. Skiers are welcomed in large numbers during the winter at Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire Resort, Red River Ski & Summer Area, and Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort. Visitors can go to one of the several nearby hot springs to relieve their hurting muscles.

When it comes to providing a variety of attractions and activities inside a city, Taos is unmatched. At the renowned Taos Pueblo, a multi-story adobe complex, you can explore over a thousand years of tradition and see how Native Americans lived several centuries ago before soaking up the atmosphere of this long-established artist colony by visiting some of the numerous galleries, studios, and museums that primarily feature local artists.

The city provides a wide range of opportunities for just about any kind of adventurous activity. In addition to skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and other winter sports, you can also go rafting, hiking, camping, ballooning, fishing, and rock climbing in the summer.

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico