The pueblos of New Mexico are the ideal places to discover the history of the Native Americans Tribes who inhabited these territories before the arrival of the Europeans. These small villages not only bear witness to the past, but also continue to be active and lively communities.
Visiting them in some cases is not easy, but by following our advice, you can plan the trip and understand how to include these stops in your itinerary.
Even if you’re not particularly attracted by the history and traditions of Native Americans, don’t rule out a priori a stop in the pueblos, which, in most cases, are great places to admire the enchanting views of the surrounding landscape.
Best Pueblos in New Mexico
Some recommendations: In most pueblos, you cannot take pictures, unless you are explicitly authorized to do so or you buy a special permit. We recommend that you inform yourself about the rules for taking pictures either by going to the visitor centers or by asking the local guides. Be mindful of the place you are visiting and respect the privacy of the people who still live there.
The pueblos have an autonomous form of government and, as you will see in most Indian reservations, you will almost always find a casino run by the locals which, especially in the pueblos that are less frequented by tourists, is the main source of income for the inhabitants of the pueblos.
In addition, we recommend that you always check the government websites of the pueblos for advisories for the closure of the pueblos or for any changes in the rules for visiting them.
Acoma Pueblo – Sky City
Acoma Pueblo is probably the most famous Pueblo in New Mexico. It is also called Sky City because of its privileged position on the Enchanted Mesa that overlooks the surrounding area. Before the 1950s, when a special road was built, it could only be reached by walking up a stone staircase.
Acoma Pueblo is also known for being the oldest town to be continuously inhabited in the United States (according to scholars this pueblo has been inhabited since the 12th century), today only about 50 people live on the Mesa, making it one of the least populated pueblos in New Mexico.
Visiting Acoma Pueblo and points of interest
The only way you can visit Acoma Pueblo is by going on a tour with a Native American guide. There is a cost for the tour and for the special permit to take pictures. For more information and to purchase your Acoma pass, please contact the Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum. The general tour lasts almost two hours but you also have the option to only visit the Mission. To find out on what days it is not possible to visit Acoma Pueblo, as well as information about festivities, special occasions, prices, and departure times of the tours (usually one tour every hour), please refer to the official website.
The Haak’u Museum offers a well-kept collection of terracotta objects produced by locals and both permanent and temporary exhibits that illustrate the history of Acoma Pueblo. The imposing San Esteban Del Rey is the main church in Acoma Pueblo; it was built between 1629 and 1641.
Where to stay nearby
These are the two main options for accommodations in the area:
- Stay at the Sky City Casino Hotel
- Or look for a hotel in nearby cities like Grants and Albuquerque.
Also, if you are traveling in an RV, you can stay at the Sky City RV Park, which recently opened and is located near the local casino.
Taos Pueblo
The multi-level Adobe houses on the slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain are incredible and will surely remain impressed in your minds for a long time… and also in your pictures. It is one of the few pueblos that allows you to take non-professional pictures for personal use without paying for a permit (the only limitation is that you can photograph neither the San Geronimo Chapel nor the members of the local tribe).
The landscape was also a source of inspiration for a large colony of artists who settled in this area and sparked the architectural style of the Pueblo Revival that spread throughout New Mexico. The fact that this is the only pueblo that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site confirms that this is a place of unique beauty.
Attractions in Taos Pueblo and in the surrounding area
Just like in the case of Acoma Pueblo, you have to pay an entrance fee to visit Taos Pueblo. All of the information about schedules, prices, and days when Taos Pueblo is off-limits to visitors, please refer to the official website.
Please respect the privacy of the locals by paying attention to the signs indicating areas that visitors cannot enter and by not climbing the stairs leading to the roofs of the houses.
It is also worth visiting Taos, a very well-preserved town nearby, which has managed to maintain the same atmosphere throughout the years while offering all the services a tourist needs, including restaurants, hotels, and shops selling local products. Among the museums in the town, I recommend visiting the Kit Carson Home and Museum, located in the home of this legendary character of the American Far West, and the Millicent Rogers Museum, which is entirely dedicated to Native American art and culture.
About 3 miles south of Taos, New Mexico State Road 68 splits the community of Ranchos de Taos, where you will find San Francisco de Asis (also reproduced in the works of the artist Georgia O’Keeffe). The striking architecture and the altarpiece of this beautiful church make it worth it to make a short detour from your itinerary.
Where to stay nearby
If you are looking for a place to stay overnight, the hotel selection in the area is very wide and most of the hotels adopt the characteristic architecture of the old pueblos and integrate perfectly with the surrounding environment. To get an overview of the available hotels, you can click on the link below.
Zuni Pueblo
Located in close proximity to the border with Arizona, its population of over 10,000 inhabitants makes it the most populous pueblo out of the 19 pueblos in New Mexico. Around the pueblo, there are remarkable landscapes, especially the beautiful mesa with red and white stripes.
Things to do in Zuni Pueblo
At the visitor center, in addition to requesting general information about the area, you can book one of the 4 tours below:
- Middle Village Walking Tour: A basic tour of the Pueblo with a local guide.
- Archaeology Tour: Hawikuh (duration about two and a half hours): On this tour, you will explore the Hawikuh plateau, where the ancestors of the current inhabitants of Zuni built their first home. It was here that Europeans first set foot in this territory.
- Archaeology Tour: Village of the Great Kivas (duration at least 3 hours): This tour will give you the opportunity to explore the archaeological ruins of the Great Kivas along the Chaco Canyon.
- Traditional Zuni Meal: As you can guess from the name, you can enjoy a full meal with traditional Native American dishes.
In the event of religious/cultural events, tours will be suspended. For some tours, advance booking is required. For prices, schedules, and reservations please consult the official website.
As for taking pictures, you will need to buy a special permit, but this will not automatically give you the right to photograph every corner of Zuni Pueblo. Look out for any signs and, if in doubt, ask your guide before taking the picture.
Unfortunately, the Old Zuni Mission has been closed to tourists until further notice due to the deterioration of the structure. For those who want to know more about the history of the place, I suggest that you visit the Pueblo A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center which houses a large collection of archaeological finds.
Search for a hotel near Zuni Pueblo
Cochiti Pueblo
Cochiti Pueblo is one of the northernmost pueblos in New Mexico. If you are planning to visit the unique Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, it might be a good idea to add a visit to this pueblo since it is so close by.
The main attraction of Cochiti Pueblo, in addition to the historic Mission San Buenaventura, is Cochiti Lake. The lake, formed thanks to the construction of a dam along the Rio Grande, is a very popular place that draws locals as well.
The pueblo is famous for the Cochiti drums that are built by the Cochiti tribe. These drums have even been put on the official logo and are a distinguishing symbol of the pueblo.
It is forbidden to use your mobile phone in this pueblo and in the surrounding area and visitors are also not allowed to take pictures or film videos. The reason given by the Cochiti for these prohibitions is that if an experience is really beautiful and authentic, there is no need to try to reproduce it artificially. Instead, you must treasure it in your heart and mind. It may sound like rhetoric, but perhaps when you think about it, it is difficult to blame them.
For information about closures and rules for visiting the pueblo, please refer to the official website.
Where to stay
If you want to visit this pueblo, it may be a good idea to use Santa Fe as a base. Santa Fe is about 40 minutes away from Cochiti.
Search for a hotel in Santa Fe
Jemez Pueblo
Jemez Pueblo is perhaps one of the most fascinating pueblos, but, unfortunately, at the same time more difficult to visit. It is also the last outpost where the ancient Tewa language is still spoken.
It is surrounded by beautiful red mesa and it is convenient to reach if you are planning to hike the Jémez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway or visit the Jemez National Recreation Area.
Points of interest
As we have mentioned, it is challenging to visit it, because, even if it is officially open to the public during the holidays (although some guides indicate specific days), for some time now the government of Jemez Pueblo has decided not to make publicly known the calendar of the holidays (as you can see on the official website). This was due to the lack of hotels which combined with large crowds of tourists, created unpleasant situations for the locals.
On the other hand, the Walatowa Visitor Center is open to visitors all year. You can then visit the Museum of History and Culture, which houses permanent exhibitions on local history and culture, or request information on tours to visit the Jemez Red Rocks. You can see the operating hours on the official website. Another significant point of interest is the Open Air Market, which takes place every year, usually on the second weekend in October (I invite you to check it out) and, in addition to attracting numerous exhibitors of Native American art, it is also an opportunity to attend dance and traditional music performances.
Where to stay
Unfortunately, there are not many hotels near the Jemez Pueblo so I advise you to study your itinerary well and maybe choose Albuquerque as a starting point, which is about an hour’s drive away. If you are looking for a place to stay overnight as close as possible to Jemez Pueblo, Bernalillo, a town about a 30-minute drive away from Jemez Pueblo, has a good selection of hotels.
Nambe
Out of all of the most representative pueblos in New Mexico, Nambe is among the most scenic. What makes Nambe stand out from the others is the presence of the Nambe Falls Recreation Area, where there are waterfalls that make this area of New Mexico particularly picturesque.
Nambe Falls Recreation Area
Once you arrive at the parking area, you can set off on one of two trails that will allow you to see the waterfalls up close. On the first trail, you will be able to observe the panorama from above, while on the second trail, after walking along the river, you will arrive at the lake and admire the final section of the waterfalls.
The area is also a campsite with a section for RVs and it is even possible to go fishing. You will find all the information about operating hours and admission prices on the official website.
Where to stay
The pueblo is very close to Santa Fe, so we recommend you to choose from one of the many hotels you can find in the city.
The “Minor” Pueblos of New Mexico
Isleta Pueblo
Aside from the pretty church of Mission San AgustÃn, which is one of the oldest missions in all of New Mexico, Isleta doesn’t have much else to offer to tourists. This pueblo, located close to Albuquerque, is best known for the Isleta Resort & Casino, one of the largest casinos in the state.
Laguna Pueblo
Laguna Pueblo is both one of the “youngest” pueblos in New Mexico and at the same time also the most affluent one. This is because of the rich uranium mines found in the surrounding area. The main church is the white San José Mission Church. In case you are traveling along the Route 66 of New Mexico, you will cross Pueblo Lagoon and can therefore be a good opportunity to make a stop here. If you’re going west on I-40 and you don’t want to take a detour, there’s a rest stop between exit 108 and 140 where you can see the Mission in the distance.
Ohkay Owingeh
This Pueblo, whose name may be difficult to pronounce, is of considerable historical importance. Española, the first capital of New Mexico, was founded near here in 1598 and the Mission was the first building built in adobe in this part of the state. Today, however, San Juan Bautista, which was completely renovated in neo-Gothic style in 1912, unfortunately preserves almost nothing of the original Mission church, except it was built in the same location.
Picuris Pueblo
Picuris Pueblo is one of the smallest pueblos in New Mexico, and it is so small that only a few houses in adobe remain as evidence of its past. The main attraction is San Lorenzo de PicurÃs, a Mission church that has been completely restored by hand over the years by the inhabitants of the pueblo, who wanted to personally take care of this symbol of their history and culture.
Pojoaque Pueblo
This Pueblo has been abandoned three times in its history due to scarcity of water sources and land for agriculture. Today the Poeh Cultural Center strives to preserve cultural heritage by hosting exhibitions and events related to Native American cultures. Pojoaque doesn’t offer much more to tourists besides the Cities of Gold Casino.
Sandia Pueblo
Sandia Pueblo is another small pueblo, this time of just over 500 inhabitants, that is located along the Rio Grande to the north of Albuquerque. It may be visiting Bien Mur Indian Market, one of the largest Native American art markets. The nearby buffalo preserve, which extends for over 100 hectares, is known at the state level.
San Felipe Pueblo
The inhabitants of this pueblo are known for their enthusiastic effort to preserve their cultural heritage as much as possible. Their passion for their culture is highlighted on the most important feast day, May 1st, Feast of San Felipe, when the inhabitants gather to dance and celebrate the corn festival (Green Corn Dance). However, there are not many shops and hotels here.
San Ildefonso Pueblo
This pueblo is mainly known for once being the home of Maria Martinez, the most famous pottery craftswoman, whose work enjoys a distinguished reputation among lovers of Native American art. There are many craftsmen who today sell their work in the pueblo and the San Ildefonso Pueblo Museum contains many similar objects.
Santa Ana Pueblo
If you are looking to visit a place where you can learn about the history of Native Americans, I would say that this Pueblo is not for you. Apart from a few sporadic references of its past, this area has to offer modern attractions such as the Santa Ana Star Casino, two golf courses, and numerous hotels and spas including the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, which is a good choice if you are looking for a place to relax during your trip.
Santa Clara Pueblo
The Santa Clara Pueblo has the fortune to be built near the historic cliff dwellings of Puye, the ruins of houses built inside cliffs. If you are familiar with the Bandelier National Monument, you will immediately understand what we are talking about. The inhabitants of Santa Clara offer guided tours of the area, allowing you not only to see the natural beauty of the area, but also to listen to the history directly from the descendants of the people who built these unusual buildings.
Santo Domingo Pueblo
The main attraction is the Mission of Santo Domingo. What is unique about this church is that its facade is painted with colorful ornamental motifs. Because of the pueblo’s location close to the turquoise mines, over the centuries, its inhabitants have become very skilled at creating jewelry that you can admire or buy here in Santo Domingo Pueblo.
Tesuque Pueblo
The most visited attraction near Tesuque Pueblo is Camel Rock, a rock that, as you can guess from its name, is shaped like a camel. Many locals go to the Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market (which usually takes place every weekend between February and December, but please check official websites) and the Camel Rock Casino.
Pueblo of Zia
This pueblo owes its fame mainly for being the birthplace of the symbol of the state of New Mexico. Besides a small visitor center, this agricultural community does not offer much else to tourists passing through these parts.
