When we visit Santa Fe, I'd love to make a half day trip to one of the Indian Pueblos. Which one would you say is the best choice ...and why.

Thanks.

CT

Taos Pueblo, with its multistory buildings, is what most people picture when they think of a pueblo. It takes about 90 minutes to drive there on the low road, and a couple of hours on the high road, so really it will take more than a half day - but it's well worth the visit.

When will you be in Santa Fe? Taos Pueblo closes to visitors in the late winter.

Lee Ann

I agree with ElendilPickle, you would be sorry if you were that close to Taos and didn't go. You have to take a tour, and you will not necessarily be warmly welcomed, but that isn't the point. You will learn a lot if you listen and keep your eyes open. I don't suppose my neighbors and I would be too happy if several thousand people a week strolled down our block and took pictures. But it is worth it the slight frost.

HOWEVER. You ought to visit some other pueblos as well. Assuming you are going to Los Alamos at some point, turn off the road to San Ildefonso, home of famous black pottery, and as quiet as Taos is busy. Santa Clara, near Embudo, looks a bit like Levittown in the high desert. They are all completely different and intriguing.

We were fascinated at Acoma (way up on a mesa west of Gallup) by a guide who still hated the Apache and Navaho for things they had done 400 years ago, like Serbs and Croats. This is a very old, very complex culture, and it is worth every minute you can give it, from Bandelier to the Indian Market at the Governor's Palace in Santa Fe.

Thanks for your suggestions.

We'll be there for a long weekend in Sept., but it sounds like Taos Pueblo is a must. I wish we were staying longer. I'd love to really explore the Indian culture.

CT

Actually, for others who are considering a pueblo visit - Acoma is east of Gallup. It's about 35-40 minutes west of Albuquerque.

ct_traveler, check www.taospueblo.com for information on visiting.

Lee Ann

Taos Pueblo or Acoma, if you are driving back to Albuquerque for your flight home.

Taos will take a full day to get there from Santa Fe, visit the pueblo and then drive back to Santa Fe. That's a lot of time to take away from Santa Fe but I understand your need to see a pueblo.

Don't overlook Acoma if it fits in your drive plans.

Thanks for the Acoma location corrections. I haven't been there for about five years, and I am a little shaky on the geography.

My daughter and I really enjoyed our visit to Taos Pueblo. We did not take a tour, although there was one available a little later if we had wanted it. We enjoyed talking to the store owners and crafts people. There is a small fee to take photographs, in addition to the entrance fee.