Northwest New Mexico is home to ancient sites and thriving Pueblo communities that continue to shape the local identity. At Chaco Culture National Historical Park, visitors can explore complex stone architecture built in alignment with celestial events. Along rural highways, trading posts and roadside stands feature pottery, textiles, and jewelry made by Native artists.
Acoma Pueblo: Sky City and Timeless Traditions
Visit Acoma Pueblo (Sky City), one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America, perched on a 367-foot sandstone mesa where families have lived for more than 1,000 years. Guided tours can take you up the mesa to see traditional adobe homes and the San Esteban del Rey Mission, built in 1629. While you’re there, learn about traditional Acoma pottery, oral history, and enjoy one of the seasonal dances.
Zuni Pueblo: Art and Living Culture
Zuni Pueblo is renowned for its distinctive artistry, exemplified by carved stone figures and large-scale murals. At the Zuni Visitor & Arts Center, guests can view pieces by local artists and learn about techniques that have been passed down through many generations. Guided cultural tours offer context for historical landmarks, including the Old Zuni Mission Church. Learn more about community-run customs at the Zuni Pueblo ArtWalk.
Gallup: Gateway to Native Art and Route 66
Gallup remains a key hub for Indigenous art production, with local artisans responsible for a large amount of the Pueblo jewelry and pottery found worldwide! The town is home to community institutions like the Gallup Cultural Center and the Rex Museum, and hosts the annual Inter- Tribal Ceremonial. Downtown, murals and artist-run galleries highlight the ongoing role of Native makers in shaping local identity. Red Rock Park, located just outside town, offers hiking trails, campsites, and panoramic views of the surrounding mesas, which are frequently used for seasonal events and balloon launches.
Farmington and Aztec: Ancient Ruins & River Adventure
The Navajo Nation spans a vast stretch of high desert, where visitors can encounter Diné culture through seasonal events, historic sites, and roadside markets offering handmade rugs, jewelry, and ceramics. Navajo Lake State Park (anchored by the Navajo Dam) draws anglers, boaters, and campers with its vast reservoir and miles of shoreline. The dam’s flow management supports year-round fishing conditions and access to outdoor recreation. Nearby restaurants and outfitters offer convenient access to the region’s unique wilderness.
Grants & Milan: Mining History Meets Outdoor Access
Grants offers a look into New Mexico’s mining past at the local museum, where exhibits document the rise and impact of the uranium industry. The town also serves as a practical base for exploring the nearby landscapes shaped by volcanic activity. At El Malpais National Monument, hike across ancient lava flows, collapsed tubes, and sandstone bluffs. Just west, El Morro National Monument features centuries-old petroglyphs and Indigenous carvings.
