An Insider’s Guide to Native New Mexico
Pueblo Indians and their ancestors have lived for five centuries in the high-desert region that is now the state of New Mexico in the Southwest of the United States.
And while many of the 19 pueblo settlements in the state are now dotted with posh resorts and contemporary homes, a few still hold onto historic adobe homes in breathtaking landscapes.
In and around the Rio Grande River Valley, which is located in the northern part of New Mexico and includes the well-known cities of Taos, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque, are many of the pueblos, or communal settlements. You may see native history, take in the breathtaking environment, and purchase Native American jewelry and pottery directly from the artists in a number of pueblos that welcome tourists. To get you started on your adventure, here are three of the most well-known pueblos together with a first-rate museum.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Co-run by the 19 pueblos of New Mexico, this museum features exhibits on the history, culture, and art of each tribe; it also houses a fine selection of handcrafted crafts and is a great place to get information about visiting the pueblos. Live, traditional native dances are held there on weekends.
Taos Pueblo
After spending a few tranquil hours in this 1,000-year-old pueblo, located just outside of Taos, you could start to see why some Taos Indians prefer to live in historic adobe structures devoid of running water or electricity, exactly like their predecessors did. The five-story apartment-like buildings are designed to blend in with the surrounding mountains with their layered and piled appearance.
Drinking water is obtained from a creek that passes by the whitewashed adobe San Geronimo Chapel and flows through the center square. Many former ground-floor residences are now stores where jewelry and pottery manufactured by Taos craftsmen are sold. The pueblo admission fee includes twenty-minute guided tours that give a good insight of Taos history and culture.
Explore the ancient adobe buildings of the Taos Pueblo.
Acoma Pueblo (Sky City)
Situated atop a sandstone mesa towering 112 meters above the desert, Acoma Pueblo’s “Sky City” adobe hamlet is situated around 104 kilometers west of Albuquerque near Interstate 40. The pueblo, which has been continuously inhabited since the middle of the 12th century, is only accessible on guided excursions that leave from the adjoining contemporary cultural center and museum complex.
You can stroll through Sky City and see multistory buildings and adobe dwellings whose fundamental design hasn’t altered much throughout the ages. The San Estevan del Rey Mission, an adobe Catholic church constructed in 1642, is the primary tour destination. Craftspeople in the area erect tables to sell their handcrafted Acoma-style ceramics, embellished with geometric patterns.
The Acoma Pueblo is perched high above the desert.
Santa Clara Pueblo (Puye Cliff Dwellings)
Pueblo Etiquette
While most pueblos accept tourists, others do not, so be sure to do your homework beforehand. A few tribes charge a small fee of $5–$15 to photograph structures and surrounding landscapes. You shouldn’t photograph Native Americans themselves unless granted permission.
Where to Sleep in Northern New Mexico
Many Pueblos have modern hotels and casinos on their grounds. Most visitors to northern New Mexico choose to stay in one of three cities: Taos, Santa Fe, or Albuquerque. All three provide a variety of lodging options, from luxurious resorts to budget hotels.