There are also several museums across the state that, while not operated by the pueblos, offer a lot of great pueblo-related artworks and information. Here are some of the best ones:
Spread across North Central New Mexico, from north to south:
Located just outside the town of Taos and the only pueblo which is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Taos is one of the most popular pueblos for tourists due to its strikingly well-preserved multi-story village which looks much the same as it has for hundreds of years. In fact, Taos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States (some say ''the'' oldest, a title which is also claimed by Hopi Pueblo in Arizona and Acoma Pueblo). The San Geronimo Feast Day is held on September 30.
The smallest of the pueblos population-wise, Picuris is in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains between Taos and Espanola, near the small community of Penasco. Picuris potters create an interesting pottery that, unlike other pueblo art, doesn't have much ornamentation. It is made using micaceous clay gathered locally, giving the pottery a faint glitter due to the mica flakes. The St. Lawrence Feast Day is held on August 10.
Ohkay Owingeh (formerly known as '''San Juan Pueblo''', which is still a name you will see even on some recent maps) is the headquarters of the Eight Northern Pueblos. Ohkay Owingeh is also the home of the Oke Owinge Arts & Crafts Cooperative, an art center where you can see artists at work. The St. John the Baptist Feast Day is held on June 23-24.
Just south of Espanola along the Rio Grande, Santa Clara operates the '''Puye Cliff Dwellings''', the ruins of an ancient pueblo that was built into and atop the high cliffs above the Rio Grande Valley. Be sure to call ahead though, as Puye is often closed due to fire danger or deterioration of the ruins. Santa Clara artisans are well known for their unique black and red pottery with deep engravings. The St. Clare Feast Day is held on August 12.
Situated on the Rio Grande near "Black Mesa" (a large volcanic outcropping just north of the village), San Ildefonso is most famous for being the home of Maria Martinez, known for her black-on-black pottery style which has become popular for many pueblo potters. The San Ildefonso Feast Day is held on January 23.
At Pojoaque you won't find many historic structures due to the pueblo's often troubled history, having been abandoned and reestablished a few times since the arrival of Europeans. Pojoaque is more of a stop-over between Santa Fe and Espanola these days, with a casino, resort, and truck stop. However, Pojoaque is the home of the '''Poeh Museum''' [http://www.poehmuseum.com/], which is dedicated to pueblo art and culture in the area. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day is held on December 10.
Nambe is a small village with some artistic heritage, and is known for a distinctive style of pottery called "Nambe Polychrome". Nearby is the '''Nambe Falls''' [http://www.nambefalls.com/], a park operated by the pueblo which contains a beautiful waterfall. The San Francisco de Assisi Feast Day is held on October 4.
Tesuque is a small pueblo most well known for being the home of Camel Rock, an unusual rock formation along the road between Santa Fe and Espanola which, from certain angles, does indeed look like a camel. The San Diego Feast Day is held on November 12.
South of Santa Fe, Cochiti is the home of '''Cochiti Lake''', a reservoir along the Rio Grande built for flood control and used for recreation. Cochiti also operates the '''Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument''' [http://www.nm.blm.gov/recreation/albuquerque/kasha_katuwe.htm] jointly with BLM. This under appreciated monument offers some lovely geologic formations and an excellent hiking trail (hiking boots recommended) that takes the visitor on a 1.5-mile hike to an overlook that includes a short but spectacular section of slot canyon. Fee $5/vehicle.
Cochiti artists are known for jewelery, pottery, and drums. Many Cochiti artists are also well-known for their storyteller figures, small clay figures which portray children listening to an elder tell stories. The St. Bonaventure Feast Day is held on July 14.
One of the largest pueblos, Santo Domingo has been able to maintain a very historic settlement that looks much like it did after the Spanish settled in the valley. Santo Domingo artists are well-known for their fine jewelery and turquoise work. The Domingo St. Dominic Feast Day is held on August 4.
San Felipe is a small historic village which has largely been able to resist outside influence. Beadwork is popular among artists here. The St. Phillip Feast Day is held on May 1.
On the outskirts of the Albuquerque metro area, Santa Ana Pueblo (also known as Tamaya) has been heavily affected by the encroaching cities of Central New Mexico but still manage to continue many of their traditions. Santa Ana artisans are skilled in pottery, belts, and headbands. The St. Anne Feast Day is held on July 26.
Zia is nearly invisible to the traveler on the road, and doesn't offer much for the tourist. But one element of the Zia Pueblo can be seen across New Mexico: the Zia Sun Symbol, which is on the New Mexico state flag. Zia artists are skilled in pottery. The Our Lady of Assumption Feast Day is held on August 15.
On the western side of the Jemez Mountains, this pueblo is closed to outsiders except for feast days. However, the '''Walatowa Visitor Center''' on state road 4 offers exhibits and information about pueblo culture as well as traditional art for sale. The San Diego Feast Day is held on November 12.
Sandia is a small settlement on the Rio Grande on the outskirts of Albuquerque. The pueblo operates a nearby casino and the '''Bien Mur Indian Market Center''', ''+1 505'' 821-5400 [http://www.bienmur.com/], which offers a wide variety of pueblo art for sale. The St. Anthony Feast Day is held on June 13.
The village of Isleta is centered around the St. Augustine Church, a historic adobe white-plastered church. Isleta artisans are well known for their pottery, embroidery, and jewelry. Excellent bread baking is also something Isleta is known for. The St. Augustine Feast Day is held on September 4.
East of Grants, Laguna is a rather large (but scattered) pueblo that is a little off the beaten path. Laguna pottery often features red, yellow and orange geometric designs. The St. Joseph Feast Day is held on September 19.
East of Grants, Acoma is a striking and very historic village, located atop a tall mesa. Much like Taos, Acoma village has changed little over hundreds of years and could be the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States (a title which is also claimed by Hopi Pueblo in Arizona and Taos Pueblo). Tours are conducted of the historic village from a visitor center which also contains a museum on pueblo culture. Acoma potters are well-known for their distinctive thin-walled pottery The St. Stephen Feast Day is held on September 2.
Zuni is a large and historic pueblo, set around a centuries-old mission church. From the pueblo's museum, you can take a tour of the settlement which has retained its historic character. Zuni artists are well known for their love of turqoise, and the jewlery and beads they produce is widely renowned. Zuni Fetishes, small carved stylized figures (usually animals) are common works among many Zuni artists. Zuni is also known for their Kachina dances.
There are also numerous dances at each of the pueblos throughout the year. Most pueblos will have dances for January 6th (All King's Day), Easter Sunday, and Christmas (some on Christmas Eve, others on Christmas Day). For a complete list of dances, see [http://www.newmexico.org/native_america/enjoy/feast_days.php].
In addition to pueblo dances, New Mexico also plays host to the '''Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow''' [http://www.gatheringofnations.com], held every April in Albuquerque, and the '''Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial''' [http://gallup-ceremonial.org/], held every August in Gallup. Both these events draw Native American dancers and artists from across the country, but you're sure to see people from the pueblos as well.
In Northern New Mexico there are five casinos. Taos Pueblo operates the '''Taos Mountain Casino''' [http://www.taosmountaincasino.com/] just outside the pueblo entrance. Just north of Espanola is the '''Ohkay Casino''' [http://www.ohkay.com/] near the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo while Santa Clara Pueblo operates the '''Big Rock Pueblo''' [http://www.bigrockcasino.com/] right in the middle of Espanola. Between Espanola and Santa Fe is the '''Cities of Gold Casino''' [http://www.citiesofgold.com/] operated by Pojoaque Pueblo. Just down the road, closer to Santa Fe, is Tesuque Pueblo's '''Camel Rock Casino''' [http://www.camelrockcasino.com/].
In the Albuquerque area are several casinos to take advantage of the large population of the region. Between Santa Fe and Albuquerque is '''Casino Hollywood''' [http://www.sanfelipecasino.com/], operated by San Felipe Pueblo. The Santa Ana Pueblo runs the '''Santa Ana Star Casino''' [http://www.santaanastar.com/] just outside of Bernalillo. On the northern outskirts of Albuquerque is the '''Sandia Casino''' [http://www.sandiacasino.com/], while the '''Isleta Casino''' [http://www.isletaeagle.com/] draws people to the south of Albuquerque. East of Albuquerque along I-40 is Laguna Pueblo's '''Route 66 Casino''' [http://www.rt66casino.com/] and '''Dancing Eagle Casino''' [http://www.dancingeaglecasino.com/] and Acoma Pueblo's '''Sky City Casino''' [http://www.skycity.com/].
In Santa Fe, Indian artists gather on the ''Portal'' (porch) at the Palace of the Governors museum on the Plaza, selling tourist trinkets like jewlery and small pottery. If it's on the Portal, it's guarenteed to be authentic Native American art, but sidewalk vendors elsewhere in town could be passing off non-Indian junk as authentic, so be careful.
If you want to be certain that what you're buying is authentic Native American art, sometimes the best thing to do is just go straight to the pueblos themselves. Virtually every pueblo contains at least several shops, located either along the main road near the entrance to the pueblo, or within the pueblo villages themselves in homes-turned-shops (be extra careful to make sure you're entering a shop and not someone's private residence, and don't venture into rooms behind the shop if it looks private - it probably is).
You can also attend annual festival markets. The '''Santa Fe Indian Market''' [http://swaia.org/], held annually every August on the Santa Fe Plaza, is the largest such event, with hundreds of vendors selling an extremely wide range of Native American art.