Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Review

The multilevel semicircular design at this museum was inspired by Pueblo Bonito, the prehistoric ruin in Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico. The elegant design emphasizes the relationship between the two sites, with the museum entryway facing east, providing sacred exposure. Start by watching the museum's video about the region's Pueblo culture. Then move to the upper-level alcove, where changing exhibits feature aspects of the arts and crafts of each of the state's 19 pueblos. Lower-level exhibits trace the history of the Pueblo people. Youngsters can touch Native American pottery, jewelry, weaving, tools, and dried corn at the Hands-On Corner, draw petroglyph designs, and design pots. Paintings, sculptures, jewelry, leather crafts, rugs, souvenir items, drums, beaded necklaces, painted bowls, and fetishes are for sale. Ceremonial dances are performed on weekends at 11 and 2, and there are arts-and-crafts demonstrations each weekend. The Pueblo Harvest Café, which is open two to three hours later than the museum, is a great spot to try such Native American fare as blue-corn pancakes and Indian tacos, or Native Fusion items like grilled lamb "lollipops" crusted in red-chile piñons, and elk tenderloin with blackberry-sage compote. Note that technically the museum lies a bit north of Old Town, in the Los Duranes neighborhood—it's a 25-minute walk or five-minute drive.