The barren landscape of this town is often used as an art space, with individual pieces like a Prada store and painted plywood cutouts of a movie shot in Marfa.

Marfa, Texas

There may even be a supernatural kind of visual artistry at work in the town, as the phenomenon known as the Marfa Lights has baffled locals and visitors for several years.

History buffs will love Taos Pueblo, a Native American world heritage site, as the influence of the Pueblo tribe is evident in shops, galleries, and eateries.

Taos, New Mexico

Still inhabited by the Pueblo people after over 1,000 years, the traditional adobe architecture is an authentic look into how the First Americans thrived in the desert lands.

The area surrounding Taos is home to Earthships. These off-grid homes are as close to self-sufficient as possible and are made from recycled material by the residents.

Although not an actual "town," a group of free thinkers and artists turned this piece of desert into a mass of art installations made of recycled junk.

Slab City, California

While the police come if needed, the residents of this bizarre makeshift society largely govern themselves with a general code of mutual respect and minding one's own business.

If you plan to visit, you'll have a lovely time if you announce your intentions, don't show up after dark, never leave a cigarette butt on the ground, and respect the art.

Las Vegas is a neon star in the desert and the ultimate example of how the middle of nowhere can become one of the most popular destinations in the world.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Whether you're seeing live entertainment, visiting unique museums, hiking amazing spots, racing luxury cars, or boutique shopping, you can do it all in Las Vegas.

Just two hours from Las Vegas, this abandoned town is a great day trip to see plenty of after-collapse additions that have made it an art destination.

Rhyolite, Nevada

The Goldwell Open Air Museum's rendition of Da Vinci's "Last Supper" has ghostly figures in similar positions as the original painting with a creepy desert backdrop.

Tom Kelly collected tens of thousands of bottles and used them to build an entire cabin that has become a popular work of art for people to admire.