Native American Pueblos
The ancient traditions, customs,
religion and arts of the earliest settlers of New Mexico are
still observed today as well as practiced by their ancestors.
The talents of the tribal people are exhibited by their pottery,
jewelry, leather and silver crafts, food, clothing and more.
Attending certain events such as ceremonial dances and feast
days will bring you closer to an understanding of their proud
heritage. Many have vacation resorts, with fine dining, casinos
and spas.
Pueblos / Museums
/ Related Web sites
Also check out the Forts, State and National Monuments
page (a different page on this Web site) to find out where to
visit the ruins of ancient cultures that no longer exist. Most
are being restored or stabilized and include visitor centers,
museums, historical programs and self-guided walking tours. There
are rangers at all the monuments and many of the forts to answer
your questions.
INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL
CENTER
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center -
Historical information about the pueblos of New Mexico, including:
pueblo etiquette, calendar listings for ceremonial dances and
other events, directions to all the pueblos, gift shop, art gallery
and ceremonial events on-site all year long. A good place to
start your tour of exploring Native American life. 2401 12th
Street NW (1 block N of I-40), Albuquerque, NM (505) 843-7270
or 1-800-766-4405 outside of NM.
Native American
Ceremonial Dances
Click on a link below to view
the schedules for ceremonial dances throughout the pueblos in
New Mexico.
PUEBLOS OF NEW MEXICO
- Scroll
list or click on specific pueblo for tourism information
Acoma
/ Cochiti
/ Isleta / Jemez /
Jicarilla Apache / Laguna
/ Mescalero Apache / Nambé
/ Navajo Nation / Picuris
/ Pojoaque / Sandia
/ San Felipe / San
Ildefenso / San Juan / Santa
Ana / Santa Clara / Santo
Domingo / Taos / Tesuque
/ Zia / Zuni
- Acoma Pueblo - called "Sky City". Built on top of
a 357 foot mesa hundreds of years ago for defense against raiders.
The Acoma people are known for their delicately decorated black-on-white
pottery. Permission needed for cameras and tours. Museum, visitor
center, hotel, gift shops, casino. Located 12 miles East of Grants,
NM (888) 759-2489 or (505) 552-6604
Back to top
- Cochiti Pueblo - Home of the 1st "Storyteller" figurine,
Cochiti-made ceremonial drums, church dated 1628, Cochiti Lake,
camping, Cochiti 18-hole golf course. Note: photos, sketching
and recording prohibited. Located 45 miles north of Albuquerque
and west of I-25 in Cochiti, NM (505) 465-2244.
- Cochiti Lake - located on the Rio Grande, has a visitor center
with information about area history & culture. Lake has boating,
camping & picnic facilities. Observe pueblo regulations.
Central New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Santa Fe,
off Interstate 25 on NM 16. (505) 465-0307
Back to top
- Isleta Pueblo - One of the largest southwestern pueblos, St.
Augustine Catholic Church dated 1612, casino, 27-hole Isleta
Eagle Gold Course, fishing, picnicking, RV camping. Many feast
days open to the public. Located 15 miles south of Albuquerque
off I-25. (505) 869-3111
Back to top
- Jémez Pueblo -
The pueblo itself is closed to the public except during feast
days. However, Walatowa, the main village, is open to the public
and offers gift shop, photo displays, and nature walks. Nearby
Jemez Red Rocks Recreation Area, Jemez Springs, Jemez State Monument
and the Jemez River offer Indian foods, arts, crafts and fishing!
Notice: photography, sketching or recording prohibited at pueblo.
For feast day calendar and other information, contact the Walatowa
Visitor Center at (505) 834-7235 or click below. Located 30 miles
northwest of Bernalillo via NM44. Jemez, NM
Back to top
- Jicarilla Apache Nation Reservation - Near the Colorado border, the people
here were Nomadic wanderers until the Europeans came. This group
of people actually spread out from here to Kansas until the 1720s
when they settled into the Sangre de Cristos. Lots to do here:
casino, hunting , fishing, camping cross-country skiing. Museums,
beadwork, baskets, paintings. Mid September feast days: Go-Jii-Ya
and the Stone Lake Fiesta. In July - Little Beaver Roundup. Located
35 miles west of Chama on US 64 in Dulce, NM. (505) 759-3242
Back to top
- Laguna Pueblo - The
largest Keresan Pueblo founded in the 1400s. Has six villages!
Home of the St. Joseph of the Lake Mission Church. Feast of St.
Joseph held on September 19. Note: photography, sketching and
taping are forbidden without a permit. Fishing, shops and polychrome
pottery. Located 46 miles west of Albuquerque off I-40. Laguna,
NM (505) 552-6654
Back to top
- Mescalero Apache Reservation -
Inn of the Mountain Gods resort and casino, Ski Apache, golf,
fishing, tennis, horseback riding, hunting, camping and guide
services. Nearby Alamogordo, White Sands, Cloudcroft and Ruidoso.
July boasts ceremonial dances, Apache Maidens' Puberty Rites,
Pow wow and rodeo. Note: NO cameras are allowed. The tribal capital,
Mescalero, has a museum and shopping. Located northeast of Alamogordo,
off US 70. Mescalero, NM (505) 671-4494
Back to top
- Nambé Pueblo - Famous for Nambé pottery and
silver, this pueblo is located at the foothills of the majestic
Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Nearby Nambé Falls Recreation
Area offers swimming, fishing, a double-drop waterfall and camping.
Many artist studios. July 4th celebrates with the Nambé
Falls ceremonial dances and arts and crafts fair. October celebrates
St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Santa Fe. Note: Photography,
sketching and recording by fee only. Located 22 miles northeast
of Santa Fe off NM 503 (505) 455-2036
Back to top
- Navajo Nation -
The largest reservation in the U.S., its members range up in
the 200,000s! It has 16 fishing lakes, camping, hiking, hunting
(with a permit). Monthly "Navajo Rug Auction" in Crownpoint,
NM, sells beautiful Navajo crafts, silversmith projects, woven
rugs and wall hangings. Nearby Shiprock holds the annual Navajo
Fair and a Yei-Be-Chai Healing Ceremony in October. Note: no
recording or photos are allowed at the ceremony. Navajo Museum,
Hubbell Trading Post National Monument. The Navajo Nation is
located in northwest New Mexico and includes cities such as:
Farmington, Crownpoint, Shiprock, Alamo, Cañoncito, Ramah
and Window Rock. For more information call (505) 871-6352
Back to top
- Picuris Pueblo - One
of the smallest Tiwa pueblos, you can take a self-guided tour
to some very interesting structures that were excavated recently.
The San Lorenzo de Picuris Catholic Church was remodeled in the
1700s! Permits available to take pictures. Trout fishing, Pueblo
Museum, gifts, weaving, pottery, beading all available by local
artists. Located 65 miles north of Santa Fe in Peñasco,
NM. (505) 587-2519
Back to top
- Pojoaque Pueblo - The information center at this pueblo has the
largest Indian arts and crafts shop in northern New Mexico! The
people here survived war and disease, evicted squatters and today
has a successful financial operation featuring a casino, hotel,
restaurants and shopping. Special feast day on December 12 honors
Our Lady of Guadalupe. Traditional Indian dances are presented
on weekends. The Poeh Center and Museum features Pueblo art and
other exhibits. Located 16 miles north of Santa Fe off US
84/285. (505) 455-2278
Back to top
- Sandia Pueblo -
Boasting a 24 hour casino and a huge Indian market center, Sandia
Pueblo is easy to get to from Albuquerque, NM. Founded in the
1300s, this pueblo had many sad historical days in their past.
The Sandia people still practice traditional ceremonies and dress,
but keep up with the modern times. Traditional Sandia crafts
include: Willow and yucca basket weaving, pottery - both red
utility and traditional, belt weaving, embroidery, silver, turquoise,
coral jewelry and Heishi bead work. Attractions are the Bien
Mur Indian Market Center, Sandia Casino, Sandia Lakes Recreation
Area, fishing, picnic tables and walking trails along the Rio
Grande bosque. Located north of Albuquerque, I-25 exit 235. in
Bernalillo, NM (505) 867-3317
Back to top
- San Felipe Pueblo - With one of the least altered churches
still standing today, San Felipe holds their ceremonial dance
and festivals in the highest tradition. Founded in the early
1700s, this community welcomes tourists to celebrate the Green
Corn Dance on May 1. An annual Arts & Crafts Show is held
every July and Casino Hollywood offers gambling and fun. Community
Center is open for more information. Please no photos, sketching
or recording devises. Located in San Felipe, NM (505) 867-3381
Back to top
- San Ildefonso Pueblo - One of the most popular pueblos, this
Tewa village is the hub of the Pueblo arts revival! Home of that
fine black on black pottery developed by Maria and Julian Martinez.
The pueblo is full of talented artisans who open their home studios
to the public. January 23 is the Animal Dance feast day. Attractions
include the Maria Poveka Martinez Museum, the San Ildefonso Pueblo
Museum, visitor center, gift shop, fishing and picnic areas.
You may buy a permit for non-commercial photography, sketching
and recording except during feast days. Located 23 miles north
of Santa Fe, NM (505) 455-3549
Back to top
- San Juan Pueblo - Known for it's numerous ceremonies throughout
the year, the San Juan Pueblo is home of the well-known art center,
the Oke Owinge Arts and Crafts Co-Operative. Here you can watch
artists demonstrate and create their jewelry, redware pottery,
weaving and other forms of art. History also prevails as this
pueblo was the first Spanish capital city in New Mexico! Come
shop, fish in three year-round trout lakes, gamble at the casino
and take photos and videos (for a fee). Stay in their hotel or
RV park. Located 5 miles north of Española, NM (505)
852-4400
Back to top
- Santa Ana Pueblo -
Mixing the old with the new, the Santa Ana Pueblo is unique in
it's association with the general public. The original, or "old
pueblo", is not open to the public except on it's special
feast
days. But the "new" Santa Ana village offers tourist
a playland of fun including: a 27-hole golf course, native food
markets, arts & craftss, native plants, trees & native
New Mexican plants for sale, restaurants, the new new resort
"Hyatt Regency Tamaya" resort and hotel and the Santa
Ana Star Casino. At the "old pueblo" photos, drawings
and recordings are not allowed. Check the feast
days calendars to find out the dates you can visit the "old
pueblo". The rest is open year round to the public. Located
near Albuquerque, NM (505) 887-3301
Back to top
- Santa Clara Pueblo - Camping, hiking and fishing are just
some of the activities you can do here with a permit. The Santa
Clara Canyon, with its crisp and clear mountain lakes, cool,
green forests and gorgeous New Mexico sky keeps people running
to its side during the heat of hot New Mexico summers. Artists
and artisans living in the pueblo are open for you to enjoy and
buy their famous redware pottery, carved blackware and much more.
Also see the Puye Cliff Dwellings and the "Top House"
in the village ruins of the Santa Clara ancestral home positioned
on a mesa top. Some guided tours of the pueblo are available.
June and August have special feast days. Located just south of
Española, NM (505) 753-7326
Back to top
- Santo Domingo - If you like pottery, silver and heishi jewelry,
then you will want to visit the many roadside stands the Santo
Domingo artists sell from. During Labor Day weekend join in the
festivities and shop at the huge Santo Domingo Arts and Crafts
Market. The August 4 feast day honors the patron saint of this
pueblo, St. Dominic. Visit the cultural center and small museum
to learn more about this traditional Keresan pueblo. Located
between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Santo Domingo, NM (505)
465-2214
Back to top
- Taos Pueblo - Probably one of the most photographed and painted
pueblos of New Mexico, the Taos Pueblo, with its multi-tiered
homes, is open to the public mostly year round. The living area
is private and closed to the public, but tourists can browse
around the plaza and visit shops and eat native food. The Taos
artists are famous for their beautiful and functional leather
work. The San Geronimo feast day is the largest event. There
is a fee for entering the pueblo and taking or sketching pictures.
Alcohol is prohibited. NO pictures or recordings are allowed
during feast days. "Pueblo
Etiquette" is very important to know. Located in Taos,
NM (505) 758-1028
Back to top
- Tesuque Pueblo - Located near the fascinating sandstone formation
- Camel Rock - the Tesuque Pueblo is one of New Mexico's smallest
and least populated pueblos. However, its people are strong traditionalists,
celebrating their annual feast days and preserving their culture.
The Tesuque people make and sell some of the prettiest traditional
clothing, silverwork, pottery, paintings and sculptures. Tourists
can gamble at nearby Camel Rock Casino, shop in the Indian Arts
and Crafts Shop or camp in the year round RV park. There are
a few days a year when the pueblo is closed to the public. Please
call for information. Located in the foothills of the Sangre
de Cristo Mountain, just north of Santa Fe, NM (505) 983-2667
Back to top
- Zia Pueblo - You probably have seen a "zia symbol"
in your travels or studies of the desert Southwest. Well this
pueblo is the birthplace of that ancient sun symbol, also seen
on the state flag of New Mexico. Surrounded by the beautiful
Nacimiento Mountains and the Jemez and Pajarito plateaus, the
tourist can come to hike & explore, fish for trout, bass
and catfish in Zia Lake, visit the Zia Cultural Center and buy
pottery with geometric designs. The artists from the Zia Pueblo
are known for these designs on their pottery as well as the use
of plant and animal shapes on white backgrounds. You can also
find paintings, sculptures, weavings and much more. Fishing and
exploring is by permit only. The feast day honoring Our Lady
of the Assumption is August 15. No picture taking, sketching
or recording permitted. Located 18 miles northwest of Bernalillo,
NM (505) 867-3304
Back to top
- Zuni Pueblo - There is a lot to do and see at the Zuni Pueblo.
Needlepoint, inlay jewelry, silver and turquoise jewelry, bead
work, necklaces, belts, kachinas and fetishes are all part of
the gorgeous artwork you will find here at the most populated
of New Mexico's pueblos. Come during the special feast days in
December to enjoy the Kachina dances, Shalako. Other feast days
and dances are held in June, August and during the McKinley County
Fair. Visit the mission, Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its beautiful
murals painted on the walls. See the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and
Heritage Center, the Zuni Museum Project and the Pueblo of Zuni
Arts and Crafts. Hunting and fishing permits are available too!
Located 34 miles south of Gallup, NM (505) 782-4481
Back to top
MUSEUMS THAT INCLUDE
NATIVE AMERICAN LIFE
- Salmon Ruins, Museum, and Research Library - Exhibits, artifacts and records found
by the excavation of the Salmon Ruins. Available for your
visit to Salmon Ruins are an 11th century Chacoan great house
and an original 19th century homestead; replicas of a sweatlodge,
hogans, tipis, and a pithouse for you to investigate; a museum
exhibiting artifacts from the decade-long excavations of Salmon
Ruins; a research library specializing in the archaeology and
history of the American Southwest; and a unique gift shop offering
a variety of books, Navajo weavings, quality silver jewelry,
pottery, craft and kids items, and archaeological reference materials.
Bloomfield, NM (505) 632-2013
- Museum
of Indian Arts & Culture
- Displays, demonstrations, and workshops. Santa Fe, NM (505)
827-6344
- Maxwell Museum of Anthropology - Albuquerque, NM (505) 277-5963
- Los Alamos Historical Museum - Research
archives open to the public by appointment. Guided tours by appointment.
Prehistoric Indian ruins plus a relocated & restored Hispanic
homesteaders cabin! Located at 1921 Juniper Street in Los
Alamos, NM (505) 662-4493
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center - Historical information about the pueblos
of New Mexico, including: pueblo etiquette, calendar listings
for ceremonial dances and other events, directions to all the
pueblos, gift shop, art gallery and ceremonial events on-site
all year long. A good place to start your tour of exploring Native
American life. 2401 12th Street NW (1 block N of I-40), Albuquerque,
NM (505) 843-7270 or 1-800-766-4405 outside of NM.
- Navajo Code Talker Museum - Learn the story of the Navajos whose
code talking for the U.S. Military in WWII could not be broken
by the Axis powers.
103 Historic Route 66, Gallup, NM (505) 722-2228
- The Institute of American Indian Arts
Museum - a great
collection of contemporary Indian art. More than 6,000 items
or works by Native Americans. 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe,
NM (505) 983-1777, (505) 983-8900
- School of American Research Indian Arts Research
Center - 10,000 pieces
of Indian baskets, jewelry, and pottery. 660 Garcia, Santa
Fe, NM (505) 954-7205
- Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian - Wheelwright Museum focuses on Southwest
Indian Arts and also displays exhibits on contemporary and historic
Native American art. 704 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM (505) 982-4636
or (800) 607-4636
- Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology - displays of contemporary Indian art.
Ghost Ranch Conference Center; US 84 Abiquiu, NM (505) 685-4333
x118
visit other sites about this museum: Site
1
- Farmington Museum - Four
Corners history, San Juan Basin geology exhibits and children's
museum and hands-on science center! Farmington, NM (505) 599-1174
- Linam Ranch Museum -
Indian Artifacts. Located west of the Lea County Airport on U.S.
180. Hobbs, NM (505) 393-4784
- Thelma A.Webber Southwest Heritage Room -
Prehistoric Indian artifacts. Located in Hobbs, NM (505) 392-6561.
- Lincoln County Heritage Trust
Historical Museum - exhibits
on Apaches and more. Lincoln, NM (505) 653-4025
- Red Rock Museum -
Native American crafts, paintings and works on paper and prehistoric
Indian artifacts. Gallup, NM (505) 863-1337
Back to top
RELATED WEB SITES
Back to top
|