Taos Pueblo, NM Road Trips

Taos Pueblo was constructed some time between 1000 and 1450 BCE, according to the pueblo's website. Occupied by the Spanish as part of the region of Nuevo México, it was the site of the Pueblo Revolt which successfully expelled the Spanish from New Mexico for 12 years. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992, and tourism is the primary source of income for the roughly 150 full-time residents. Please respect all rules put in place by the residents, as this keeps everyone safe and respects the traditions and beliefs of the tribe.

Hlauuma (North House) - the largest building in the pueblo, with turquoise-blue doors leading to local artisan shops. Hlaukwima (South House) - the compound on the opposite side of the pueblo, but is considered more sacred than the North house, so access may be denied at times. Ruins of St. Jerome Catholic Church - the original church built by the Spanish, was destroyed by the Americans when the pueblo tried to revolt from the New Mexican territory's governor's anti-Native American policies. Now home to the pueblo's cemetery, but can be seen on a standard tour of the pueblo.

Wander the (non-restricted) areas of the pueblo. Take in the scenery of Taos Mountain in the background, or of the river that divides the pueblo in half.

There are fewer restaurants than there are galleries, but each one is still unique. All serve traditional meals, with more non-traditional drinks (soda, beer, etc.)

There are no sleeping accommodations anywhere in the pueblo, but there are hotels in Taos.

It is easy to enter the pueblo from the Highway to the Town of Taos, but traffic can make the short drive take upwards of an hour. It costs $25 to park in one of the lots and enter for adults, $22 for students and groups, and free for children 10 and under (updated Jun 2023). The pueblo is open from 8:00am to 4:30 pm Monday-Saturday, and from 8:30am to 4:30 pm Sundays. The pueblo can have unexpected closures due to religious activities or deaths, so be prepared for that.

The entirety of the pueblo (save those areas off-limits to tourists) is accessible by walking. Residents have cars they may be driving around in the pueblo, but if you take standard precautions you won't be in any harm.