Acoma Pueblo’s Sky City is located on a 370 foot high table. This is the homeland of the Acoma people. There are 300 houses and structures on the mesa that are owned by Acoma women. They are passed on in their families. One-hour guided tours take visitors to this incredible place. You will see the old Town, the Mission and have the opportunity to buy pottery from Acoma. The beautiful new Cultural Center has a ceramic museum, cafeteria and gift shop.
Get to Acoma Sky City
From I-40, take Exit 102. Acoma Sky City is 45 minutes west of Albuquerque and one hour east of Gallup. Coming from Gallup, exit north of Sky City at McCarty’s and follow the somewhat small views to Acoma Sky City. It is a beautiful tour with rock formations and great scenery. When you are in the reserve, do not take photos until you get a permit.
The main things to do
Sign up for a tour of the old tabletop village, Sky City. A shuttle will take you up the hill and a guide will take you through the village, through the mission, and past many pottery vendors. The streets are uneven. Wear comfortable shoes, wear sunscreen, and a hat. Modest dress is required. Before or after the tour, be sure to visit the museum, video presentations, cafe, and gift shop. The new Cultural Center (2006) is an attraction in itself.
Days and hours
From November to March, it is open from 8 am to 5:00 pm, and from April to October it is open from 8 am to 6:30 pm. The last Sky City tour departs one hour before closing. Tours last just over an hour. In general, the town is closed to the tours of June 24 and 29, July 10 to 13 and 25, as well as the first and / or second weekend in October and the first Saturday in December.
Public events
- Governor’s Party at Old Acoma the first or second weekend of February
- Feast of Saint Mary at McCarty on the first Sunday in May
- Harvest Dance in Sky City and San Esteban Feast Day September 2
- Thanksgiving Weekend Arts and Crafts Fair
- Luminaria Tour from December 24 to 28
Cameras are not allowed at festivals.
Tours from Albuquerque
A tour company, Into the Sunset Western Pueblo Tours, offers day tours every Tuesday and Thursday to Acoma. Tours begin at the Indian Cultural Center.
Dining at Yaak’a Café
The Yaak’a Café is open every day from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm in mid-October until mid-April and from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm in mid-April until mid-October. It is an ideal stop for lunch during your visit. You will be pleasantly surprised by this Native American fusion menu.
Review and recommendations
Visiting Acoma Pueblo’s Sky City is a “must do” on your New Mexico trip. It’s a great day trip from Albuquerque or Gallup. The tour of the reserve field is beautiful and makes for an ideal transition from the hustle and bustle of city life and highways to the history and spiritual significance of Sky City.
- When you arrive at the Cultural Center, sign up for the next available tour. Be sure to allow time before or after your tour to visit the museum and watch a video about Sky City.
- The tours are led by knowledgeable people from the town. Expect to join a group from around the world as you listen to the Pueblo story. The guides have a good sense of time and will make sure you see the whole town and spend time inside the beautiful Mission of San Esteban del Rey.
- It’s a great place to enjoy looking at Acoma pottery and buying some. There are very fine pots and small tourist items for sale. Be sure to ask the seller if the pot is ceramic or traditional (coil method), the latter is more collectible and of course more expensive. It’s okay to negotiate respectfully. Buying direct from the artist is the way to go.
- After the tour, you will have the option to stay and shop for a while with a vendor guide, return on the ferry, walk back to the Cultural Center down the road, or if you are fairly fit and wear walking shoes, consider taking the steps ancient. from the top of the table to the road. These steps and handles carved into the rocks used to be the only way the Acomans could get up and down the Town.
