Taos is located 2 1/2 hours north of Albuquerque on a high mesa desert at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

It is a land of endless possibilities and has been an inspiration to the likes of Ansel Adams, D.H. Lawrence, Georgia O'Keeffe and thousands of artists, painters, sculptors, writers, dancers, musicians, composers, photographers, actors, and filmmakers who have been drawn to the synergy of history, cultures, and scenery of Taos. In 1969, Taos served as the backdrop for the movie, Easy Rider.

Rich in texture, it has been a respite and a home to many colorful characters who helped shape Taos. Most notable was Kit Carson.

Art is everywhere in Taos. It is displayed in inns, restaurants, adobe homes and churches in one form or another. There are over 1,000 artists and musicians, and over 80 unique galleries in Taos.

Many of these galleries are located in the historic Taos Plaza with its charming side streets lined with shops and restaurants housed in old Adobe buildings. Shopping in the Plaza is a delight.

Taos has over 50 restaurants ranging from simple to superb fine dining. Classically trained chefs create sophisticated dishes and many rely on locally grown organic

produce. Each has their own special formula for red or green chile, ranging from spicy to mild.

There are seven museums in Taos County. A variety of festivals and celebrations are held throughout the year along with an array of performing arts held at the Taos Center for the Arts.

Spring, summer, and fall activities include hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, river rafting, kayaking, hang gliding, rock climbing and star gazing.

Taos is home to two championship golf courses, excellent fly fishing is found in the Rio Grande and Red Rivers and you can take a llama trek into the Rio Grande Gorge to savor a gourmet lunch. Air, helicopter and scenic jeep tours are also available.

"Whatever the season, our mountains will cast their spell on you."

In Winter, the Taos ski Valley offers legendary skiing on challenging groomed slopes.

You may also choose snowmobiling, cross country, snow shoeing, sledding, snow boarding inner tubing and ice skating.

For a unique perspective, the Taos Pueblo offers a present-day look at a way

of life that time has forgotten. For nearly 1,000 years this Pueblo has been home to the Tiwa-speaking Native Americans. It is a United Nations World Heritage Site, the largest straw and adobe multistory pueblo structure in the United States.

Resident Native Americans still live without electricity or running water and bake bread in outside adobe ovens. Tours can be arranged hosted by Native American guides.

Another spectacular attraction is the Rio Grand Gorge Bridge which spans 500 feet across the gorge, 800 feet above the river and is the second highest suspension bridge in the United States.

The Taos Convention Center, along with the many local lodging and conference facilities, welcome the corporate traveler and the opportunity to provide all the ingredients for successful meetings and events.

"Some of you will go there and never want to leave."

With a 5,800 ft. runway, Taos is accessible by private plane and corporate jets.

While the menu of opportunities to entice, entertain and dazzle the senses seems endless in Taos, you may just want to go...sit...and gaze.