Things to do / Travel Guide
Owing to its rich cultural heritage blending Hispanic, European, and Native American cultures, the region has a wealth of historical sites which paint a picture of the history and diversity of the area.
Taos Pueblo
This ancient pueblo outside of Taos has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years by the Tiwa Pueblo tribe. The tiny Rio Pueblo river runs alongside the pueblo which today is home to about 2,000 residents. Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Pueblo's most common feature is the multi-storied living quarters, a sort of three story rust-colored adobe pyramid that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This striking and one-of-a-kind historic and architectural site also gives you a great understanding of where the roots of today's popular “Santa Fe” architecture lie.
Pueblo of Jemez
Tucked deep into the red mesas northwest of Albuquerque, Jemez is the last remaining village of the Tiwa-speaking pueblos of New Mexico. The village is home to over 3,400 residents who hold fast to their cultural heritage and are well-renowned for their artisans and locally produced crafts. While most of the pueblo is closed to the public, the Walatowa visitor center is open seven days a week and offers an informative overview of the community and its traditions. There are several fascinating cultural events during the year which are open to the public, including ritual dances and arts and crafts shows.
Santa Fe Plaza
Known by locals simply as “The Plaza,” this historic downtown area of Santa Fe is anchored by a central, tree-lined park in its center. A number of Spanish colonial buildings that have been preserved in their original condition surround the Santa Fe Plaza. The plaza houses the original Spanish governmental buildings and cathedrals built in Santa Fe and is something of a living museum of the history of the area. Full of tourist shops, hotels, and restaurants, the plaza is the main spot in Santa Fe for festivals and cultural events and one of the United States most remarkably well-preserved historical districts.
San Francisco de Asis Mission Church
In the Ranchos de Taos Plaza, southwest of Taos, lays one of the regions most gorgeous and photographed historic churches. Founded in 1772, the old Spanish adobe mission features two twin bell towers and a majestic arched portal entrance that overlooks a luxurious indoor courtyard. The church is still active and holds services every week. A step inside this jewel of colonial Spanish architecture is a must to appreciate the beauty of the region's architectural and cultural history.
Fort Union National Monument
Located less than 100 miles east of Santa Fe (off of I-25), Fort Union National Monument is home to what was the largest fort in the American Southwest. Fort Union was originally established in 1851 to help protect the Santa Fe Trail. Over the course of the next 40 years, three different forts were built on this site in close proximity to one another. Today, visitors are able to walk around the second fort and view the ruins of the third fort that served as “a military garrison, territorial arsenal, and military supply depot for the southwest.” The park is open year-round, seven days a week.
Bandelier National Monument
Frijoles Canyon is the central attraction for visitors. The canyon was inhabited by the Native American Pueblo people for about 400 years, from the 1100s to the 1500s. Rock paintings, ceremonial structures (known as “kivas”), and the ruins of pueblo houses can all be found at Bandelier National Monument. There is also a reconstructed kiva and a cave dwelling to explore at the aptly-named Ceremonial Cave. Park hours vary depending on season, but the park is open daily all year-round and is located less than 40 miles northwest of Santa Fe.
Historical Sites in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado
Historical-Sites
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