Visiting Taos Pueblo in New Mexico - What Visitors to the Pueblo Need to Know

Taos Pueblo, located just outside the historic area of Taos, New Mexico is the largest surviving multi-storied Pueblo structure in the United States. Taos Pueblo has been designated a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Pueblo is on the United Nations World Heritage List.
The Taos Pueblo is approximately a one and a half hour drive north from central Santa Fe. Ask for directions to Highway 285. One you are on it, follow Highway 285 for approximately 23 miles. Then turn onto Highway 68 and follow for 45 miles to the north. Highway 68 becomes Paseo del Pueblo Sur in Taos. Follow through the center of town. 1 mile from center of town, turn Right onto Veteran’s Highway and follow to end to Taos Pueblo. Map
Taos Pueblo is the northernmost Indian Pueblo. The existing Pueblo was probably built around 1350, although the tribe claims that they have been settled in the valley from "time immemorial." The Pueblo has stood through assaults by the Spanish and the anglo settlers.
It was at Taos Pueblo that the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was planned. A runner coordinated efforts between the Pueblos who then revolted against the Spanish as a united effort. Spanish settlers fled to Santa Fe and Isleta Pueblo, one of the few Pueblos that did not participate in the rebellion. The Puebloans then attacked the Governor’s Palace in Santa Fe driving the Spanish out of the city. By the end of the century, however, the Spanish had reconquered the Pueblos.
The Pueblo is generally open to visitors daily from 8am to 4:30pm, except when tribal rituals require closing the Pueblo. Late winter to early Spring the Pueblo closes for about ten weeks. Please call ahead if you'll be visiting during this time. 505.758.1028
Adult admission: $10 per person
Students (13 and older, includes college with ID) $5 per person
Group Rates (3 or more Adults): $8 per person
Children under 13: Free
Camera Fees: Still camera fee: $5, Movie or video camera fee: $5. You can take a self guided walking tour with a map (all sites are configured around the main plaza) or go with a guide. Ask at the Visitor's Building. Oh yes, there are public restrooms behind the Visitor's Building.

]The 30 minute guided walking tours operate on a gratuity basis. No reservations are required for the tour and I highly encourage the tours as they are very informative.
Of course you will marvel at the multi-story Pueblo buildings. I loved the beautiful San Geronimo Chapel (no photography allowed). I was advised, "go inside all the little doors and look around," which means to check out all the little shops around the plaza. They are clearly marked. Each shop is also a part of the Pueblo building and is owned, as a home, by a family. The insides are fascinating. Some are very modern but most are true pueblo homes.
The Pueblo outlines the typical rules such as no photography of people without permission, the importance of staying within the tourist boundaries, respectful behavior around the church and during ceremonial dances, etc. I have boiled Pueblo rules down to this... Picture your home, your church and your street. How would you expect visitors from another land to act? You certainly would be upset if you found them picnicing on your lawn and taking photos of your children, right? And, you wouldn't want them walking into your home and asking to use the bathroom!
The shops are fun. Members of Taos Pueblo are known for the simple micaceous clay pottery. It is brown and has flecks of mica in it. It is also fired the traditional way and so you will see characteristic black smudges on the pottery. You can buy jewelry and other gift items in the shops. I purchased a wonderful smelling sage and cedar smudge stick to take home to remind me of my visit. It smells wonderful!
I had the pleasure of visiting Taos Pueblo in August. I enjoyed the drive up from Santa Fe, along the Rio Grande Gorge, through Taos and to the Pueblo.

A Puebloan, Joe Martinez, met me and took me through the beautiful church and into his home, where he showed me the restoration plans for the Pueblo. I realized that the multi-storied ancient Pueblo buildings were made from clay and straw. The adobe walls needed to be re-done after the monsoon storms. It was Joe and the advocacy work that he and others did, that drew funding for a massive, and very important, restoration project.

Here is what I experienced:

• Eye-opening Beauty - I especially enjoyed the San Geronimo Chapel. As I walked out the door, I experienced the beauty of the Sangre de Christo mountains framed through the courtyard arch of the church.
• Breakfast at the Pueblo - I got up fairly early to drive to the Taos Pueblo and skipped breakfast. Fortunately for me, women were set up in the middle of the plaza with horno-baked goods. I chose a peach pastry which really hit the spot.
• Shopping and Snooping - You never know what you will find inside the shops of the Pueblo. Most were simple family dwellings rented out to shop-keepers. But one, that I recall, was a large and modern shop, well-lighted and quite a surprise!
• Ask and Learn - As I wandered into Aspen House, my quest for the Pueblo mica pottery ended. I saw a table laden with little bear figures made from the local clay, fired in the traditional manner, and best of all, affordable. I asked about the bear figures and found out that they were made by the owner of the home that had rented space out to the shop. Jason Mondragon had been making the mica clay bears for some time, but they were a new find for my collection.
  
  Another great find was the owner of the shop, Ryan Suazo, who was an excellent resource for information on pottery. He explained to me the process for making the pottery and walked me through a display he had in his store. He had a mini-museum of Pueblo pottery. It was a great place to learn about the different styles of pottery. Since I am a budding Native American pottery collector, I feel fortunate to have run into the folks at Aspen House.

The drive to Taos Pueblo is beautiful. Take a lunch. There are picnic tables where you can stop on the way. I tried to schedule a visit for less than a day but I recommend that you schedule at least a full day's visit.