You can't visit New Mexico without being immersed in its rich history. The Land of Enchantment is home to 23 pueblos, tribes, and nations. The state also boasts a thriving arts scene and countless museums and historic sites. Here are 16 cultural adventures in New Mexico!
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is a living Native American community with multi-storied adobe buildings that have been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years! Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark, get a fuller experience by taking a guided tour with a local. There are also several cultural events held here throughout the year, so check the website before you go.
See MoreTaos Half Day Cultural Tour | A Magical Taste of Taos and its Cultural Diversity
Go on a guided tour of Taos Pueblo, take a trip to Taos Gorge, make a stop at Hacienda de los Martinez, and visit the San Francisco Asis Church.
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BookPecos National Historical Park
Pecos brings the past to the present with its visitor center and museum, Ancestral Sites Trail, ranger-led programs, a visit to the Trading Post, and/or live performances and demonstrations. The area has been a convergence of cultures for years, from its earliest inhabitants, hunter-gatherers, to Ancestral Pueblo people, and even Route 66 travelers.
See MoreSan Miguel Chapel
Known as the oldest Catholic Church in the continental United States, San Miguel Chapel was originally built around 1610 and still has some of its original walls still standing! The Spanish Colonial Mission church is an icon of downtown Santa Fe. ⛪
See MoreSantuario de Chimayo
This small, well-preserved adobe shrine is a National Landmark and has been a place of worship since before 1813. It is considered an important Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States—generations of people have traveled here to ask for healing and offer prayers. In fact, more than 300,000 people make the journey here every year. Today, it is a tradition for thousands of pilgrims to walk from Santa Fe to El Santuario during Holy Week.
See MoreBandelier National Monument
This national monument protects more than 33,000 acres of canyons and mesas in New Mexico. Here you can see where the Ancestral Pueblo people lived from about 1100 to 1550 CE, as well as their unique homes carved in volcanic rock cliffs. On a visit, you can view the ancient dwellings, masonry walls, and petroglyphs. Wooden ladders even allow visitors to climb into a few of the rock dwellings. Several trails lead to stunning viewpoints, more dwellings, and wilderness areas.
See MoreAcoma Pueblo Reserve
Made up of four communities, the Sky City, Acomita, Anzac, and McCartys, the Acoma Pueblo speaks to indigeneity in the present. It is the home of legendary Acoma pottery and is known as the oldest continually inhabited city in North America. Note that you cannot wander freely through Acoma Pueblo; you must participate in a guided tour led by a tribal member.
See MoreSky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum
Known as the gateway for visitors coming to the Acoma Pueblo, this site houses an informative visitor center and museum. The Haak'u Museum showcases the Acoman way of life that has been sustained for thousands of years in this region.
See MoreYaaḱa Café
Located in the Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum, this is the place to try traditional Acoma cuisine such as Red Chilé Beef Posole and the Pueblo Taco, cooked by local chefs. The Y'aak’a Café is named after "corn" in Keres, the language of Acoma, due to its importance in the farming culture of the mesa. 🌽 Make sure to call ahead of your visit as the café has irregular hours.
See MoreZuni Visitor Center
Before you enter Zuni Pueblo, you can get more information or join a tour at the visitor center. Learn the proper etiquette for visiting Zuni Pueblo, find out more about the Zuni Pueblo ArtWalk that occurs throughout the year, and/or purchase photo/video permits. You can also sign up for tours of the historic Middle Village, considered the oldest part of Zuni Pueblo.
Note: Most of Zuni Pueblo's events are open to the public. Photos and videos are permitted with a photo/video permit. But when religious dances and activities are taking place in the Middle Village, photos/videos are forbidden.
See MoreKimo Theatre
Travelers on Route 66 should make a stop at this architectural landmark! This historic theater in downtown Albuquerque was designed in a very short-lived style called Pueblo Deco that combined Native American and Southwestern design with Art Deco styles. The theater opened in 1927 and still puts on live performances, shows movies, features art, and more!
See MoreGhost Ranch (Georgia O’Keeffe's House)
A visit to Ghost Ranch is a visit back in time. The beautiful rocky terrain dates to 130 million years ago, with fossils that highlight the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs! Long after that, the area changed hands before becoming the longtime home of iconic painter Georgia O'Keeffe. 🎨 Today, the 21,000-acre ranch is an education and retreat center. Each month, the ranch hosts many art and photography workshops, and outdoor activities, as well as hosts private events. You can also book a room or a campsite at Ghost Ranch!
See MoreTurquoise Museum
Founded by a family renowned in New Mexico's turquoise jewelry scene, the museum showcases an extensive and stunning collection of raw turquoise, as well as jewelry. Make sure to schedule a tour and appointment ahead of time online!
See MoreAlbuquerque Museum
Located in Old Town Albuquerque, this museum showcases a variety of Southwestern culture, art, and history in its rotating exhibitions. There's also a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden to explore.
See MoreChaco Culture National Historical Park
This remote archeological and historic site was once home and the center of Puebloan life between 850 and 1250 CE. Now, you can visit the magnificent stone buildings (Great Houses) that stand among the breathtaking landscapes of Chaco Canyon. Learn about the astronomical markers and orientation of the site, and follow roads that once connected this bustling center to the larger San Juan Basin. Hire a local guide for a guided tour with more insight and knowledge, moving through these ancient sites. There are also hiking and biking trails, campfire talks, and night sky programs. Chaco Culture is an International Dark Sky Park.
Note: Remember to be respectful on your visit as this is a sacred place for many Indigenous peoples.
See MoreGila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Step back in time at this national monument, where for thousands of years the area was used by nomads as temporary shelters. By the late 1200s, however, the Mogollon culture (or South Ancestral Pueblo) had made the dwellings their permanent home before they moved on around 1300, leaving behind pottery and other artifacts.
Want to make the hike to the cliff dwellings? There is a moderately strenuous 1-mile unpaved loop trail—it's about a 180-foot climb with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. At the top, you can explore the ancient Mogollon rooms! The hike, plus time to explore, takes about one to one and a half hours.
See MoreInternational UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop
🛸 If you have an interest in UFOs, then a visit to this museum in Roswell is a must! The museum is focused on the famous 1947 Roswell Incident, when a rancher discovered unusual debris in his field, leading to a conspiracy theory that remains in question today. This museum aims to be the premier center for information regarding UFOs, aliens, and sightings.
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