One of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the US and both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and US National Historic Landmark, the Taos Pueblo (taospueblo.com; adult/child under 10 $25/free) is centered on twin five-story adobe complexes, set on either side of the Río Pueblo de Taos, against the stunning backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The quintessential example of ancient Pueblo architecture, they’re thought to have been completed by around 1450 AD. Modern visitors are thus confronted by the same staggering spectacle as New Mexico’s earliest Spanish colonists, though a small and very picturesque Catholic mission church now stands nearby.
Full-time tribal members living in the Pueblo, which number around 150, continue to speak their Tiwa language, make wonderful art and use their seven ceremonial kivas (underground ceremonial chambers). There's no running water or electricity, which helps maintain the traditional way of life. The walking tour (by donation) is highly recommended. Led by residents and tribal members, these guided walking tours of the Pueblo explain the highlights of its unique history and culture.
You'll also have the chance to buy fine jewelry, pottery and other arts and crafts, and sample flatbread baked in traditional beehive-shaped adobe ovens. Look out for homes with signs that invite visitors in to shop for local pottery and art – many of these shops are residences of the artisans themselves.
In the second week of July, Taos Pueblo hosts its annual powwow with dances and workshops open to the public. On 30 September, the Pueblo opens early in the morning for San Geronimo Feast Day, a festival filled with vibrant cultural traditions and Indigenous art from across the Southwest. Note that the Pueblo closes for 10 weeks February through mid-April, and at other times for ceremonies and events; call ahead or check the website for dates.
