Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum
Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum, Pueblo of Acoma: Hours, Address, Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum
Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • History Museums
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum, rich in cultural architecture, serves as the reception center and museum for visitors to the Pueblo of Acoma, as well as a research and community use facility for tribal members. The primary 40,000 square foot Cultural Center is a two story structure with a basement and central courtyard/plaza area. The Cultural Center was designed to represent and recreate the ancestral architectural styles of the Acoma people – which include natural stacked stone and natural mud plastered adobe – while showcasing Acoma Pueblo architecture both past and present. This world class facility is dedicated to the preservation of Acoma history, traditional pottery and other art forms, the repatriation of objects of cultural patrimony and the development of both educational and interpretive programs.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
934 reviews
Excellent
709
Very good
140
Average
45
Poor
23
Terrible
17
Janet S
Mountain Brook, AL158 contributions
Couples
We had hoped to visit this summer but most Indian pueblos and associated businesses are temporarily closed so check back before you visit. We have visited this several times. Each time finding more improvements. The tour of the pueblo starts at the cultural center that houses a nice museum and cafe. Behind this is a covered shaded area for local tribe members to sell their beautiful crafts. Acoma is well known for their distinctive paooteru with fine-lined geometric designs. They also do beautiful silver jewelry. The prices at the pueblo are much lower than elsewhere and you are buying directly with the artists. The tour to the mesa top to see the pueblo starts there by bus , then an hour long walking tour led by a tribal member. An unforgettable experience.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PaleoTex
San Antonio, TX20 contributions
It is an enchanting place to visit. The buildings are old and incredibly well preserved. The residents we talked with were friendly and wanted to tell the story of Acoma. Have always admired the Native American pottery and Acoma is some of the beat. The view from the mesa is awe-inspiring.
It is certainly worth the visit.
It is certainly worth the visit.
Written June 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Questovia
Wells, ME988 contributions
Absolultey loved this center and the tour up toe the Acoma Pueblo. The video gave a good introduction as to what we should expect seeing the Pueblo and then our fantastic guide reinforced all that we saw. He was a native and so proud of his heritage and had a great way of describing and detailing the history. It was the highlight of my New Mexico trip. It was also nice to walk down the trail instead of taking the tour bus. It's rather steep and challenging in spots, but helps to give one an even better understanding of the challenges faced by the original natives.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for sharing your experience while visiting with us here at Acoma Pueblo and the Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum. We are delighted that this visit was the highlight of your New Mexico trip.
Yes, we share so much enriched Native American history and we encourage people to come experience what we have to offer as it is an educational and spiritual visit.
Written February 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joe_33
Chicago140 contributions
I arrived at the advertised opening time. It was cold with bright sun. The shop wasn't open at the advertised time, and the first tour of the pueblo was slow to start. I asked a local man when it was likely to start. He turned out to be some kind of security guard and he was plainly hostile to me - saying that the tour would happen and that should wait for a while. I asked when that was likely to be - but my repeat question only served to inflame him into further hostility. I asked if there was anything to do before the tour took place. More hostility from the "guard" who told me that everything was off limits, and that I could only use the car park, the shop (still not open) and go on the tour. I asked about a walk into an area near by - the guard was just about controlling his hostility towards me and told me that I was proposing to visit an ancestoral area that was completely off limits. At this I gave up and left. The guard continued to give me hostile looks. So I never toured the pueblo. It looked like a great setting.
Written September 25, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ValyaR49
Stoney Creek, Canada219 contributions
The pueblo is closed so a tour is the only opportunity to experience this wonderful culture, Geri is a wonderful tour guide and very passionate about her culture
Written May 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ValyaRoberts49, I am glad you got to take the tour and hear of our history from Geri. I appreciate your review, come back and visit us again maybe during one of our feast days.
Written May 15, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BearHugger
Hillsboro, OR36 contributions
Couples
At $23 per person, this is the most outrageously overpriced activity of our trip. To make it worse, the staff and tour guides were unfriendly, unhelpful, and seemed to have a serious chip on their shoulders. There is nothing you can do there except the guided tour, although the area would seem to be great for hiking - you are not allowed. Museum is most interesting for the building itself.
If we had been free to walk through the village and hike around the area it would have been nice, but with all of the restrictions and rudeness of these people I would definitely avoid it.
If we had been free to walk through the village and hike around the area it would have been nice, but with all of the restrictions and rudeness of these people I would definitely avoid it.
Written March 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BearHugger, Thank you for your feedback and if you would please contact me and provide me with specific details as to why you did not have a good experience I would greatly appreciate it. We try our hardest to be welcoming and accommodating with all our visitors. Contact info: friends@skycity.com.
Written April 12, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karen J
Chula Vista51 contributions
Couples
This is the second time we have been there. The beauty of the whole experience was ruined with the purchase I made. Last year I bought a beautiful handmade water canteen from one of the families on the vista and wanted to get something else this year. I ended up buying what I thought was a handmade basket in the gift store. When I got home and removed the price tag I noticed it said it was handmade in Pakistan!! I have never been so disappointed. I would take the tour again just never will buy anything there again. You are better off stopping at one of the roadside trading posts if you want to purchase anything. Just be sure to read where it was made.
Written June 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Optimistic_Otto
Columbia, IL549 contributions
Family
we visited "Sky City" based on brochures and guide books. The cost was $20.00 per adult. I asked the woman at the ticket counter if the tour was child friendly, and she said YES. My daughter accompanied my wife and me on this tour, with her 3 year old and her 1 year old.( No charge for children under 5).
The bus was not working so we were transported to the top in relay shifts,using a 9 passenger van. Our Guide, Dakota, was behind schedule because he could not start until everyone was on the mesa. He began with the regulations. Don't photograph this, Don't photograph that, turn off cell phones ( He claimed there was a $50.00 fine for a cell phone ringing ? ) Don't go anywhere without the guide, don't straggle, etc. etc.
5 minutes into the tour we entered the church. Less than a minute later Dakota told my wife and daughter that the children were too noisy. ( to be fair the 3 year old was making a little noise ) Dakota told them they had to wait outside. Outside was 100 degrees and windy with no shade or even any place to sit. After standing outside the church for a quarter hour waiting for the tour group to come out, my family had decided to walk back down to the visitors center. ( about a twenty minute walk )
The remainder of the tour was some ladders ( Don't climb them ), 3 cisterns, 7 or 8 souvenir vendors, some history we had already read at the visitors center, and some nice views from the corners of the mesa. Pickup trucks and private porta-potties (as in don't use them ) were abundant. Many of the buildings were being worked on. The ground was rough rocky to sandy so it was NOT stroller friendly as indicated by the ticket seller.
Bottom line - it cost me $60.00 for my tour and 5 minutes of tour for my wife and daughter. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH IT! My advice, if you are curious about this pueblo, visit the visitors center, watch the video, tour the museum, buy a few postcards, and then leave.
Go to Bandelier or Chaco Canyon or one of the other National Park sites instead.
The bus was not working so we were transported to the top in relay shifts,using a 9 passenger van. Our Guide, Dakota, was behind schedule because he could not start until everyone was on the mesa. He began with the regulations. Don't photograph this, Don't photograph that, turn off cell phones ( He claimed there was a $50.00 fine for a cell phone ringing ? ) Don't go anywhere without the guide, don't straggle, etc. etc.
5 minutes into the tour we entered the church. Less than a minute later Dakota told my wife and daughter that the children were too noisy. ( to be fair the 3 year old was making a little noise ) Dakota told them they had to wait outside. Outside was 100 degrees and windy with no shade or even any place to sit. After standing outside the church for a quarter hour waiting for the tour group to come out, my family had decided to walk back down to the visitors center. ( about a twenty minute walk )
The remainder of the tour was some ladders ( Don't climb them ), 3 cisterns, 7 or 8 souvenir vendors, some history we had already read at the visitors center, and some nice views from the corners of the mesa. Pickup trucks and private porta-potties (as in don't use them ) were abundant. Many of the buildings were being worked on. The ground was rough rocky to sandy so it was NOT stroller friendly as indicated by the ticket seller.
Bottom line - it cost me $60.00 for my tour and 5 minutes of tour for my wife and daughter. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH IT! My advice, if you are curious about this pueblo, visit the visitors center, watch the video, tour the museum, buy a few postcards, and then leave.
Go to Bandelier or Chaco Canyon or one of the other National Park sites instead.
Written June 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fred S
Saint Charles, MO3 contributions
Couples
We have traveled extensively throughout the country, and our visit to the Acoma Pueblo was one of our worse deals for the money. The charge was $17.00 per person. For this, we got a five minute ride up the mesa, and a tour of the pueblo. Perhaps the Frommer guide book made it sound like too big a deal. Ony about 40 people live there, and the area is now covered with cars and portapotties. Our guide, Dakota, was very good, but the same history could be seen at the Cultural Center in town, and there are other pueblos in the area you can visit for free. Most of the Acoma people now live in the new town 14 miles away.
Written May 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Colani5
1 contribution
This place is just totally dissapointing first of we paid 23$ per adult which is way overpriced the tour pretty much started off pretty good but after 20 minutes it turned into a sales tour!! There where about 25 artists trying to sell their artwork on every corner! It was so annoying! I felt like I was more of a marketing tour than historic tour! It was definitely not worth the money so don't waste your money and time!
Written May 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
irene0114
Green Bay, WI10 contributions
Hours of operation and ticket prices
wildwoodsm
Rio Rancho, NM181 contributions
The cost of the trip to the top of Sky City is a worthwhile investment, and usually includes a photo pass. There are artist vendors at the top with their hand made pottery and jewelry, and their prices tend to be lower than those of the vendors down below.
I am hoping to tour their Church and Sky City with my family (only us 4) for my 70th birthday. Am I allowed (with buying a camera permit) to take a photo with my family members with the Church or other wondrous sites outside as my background for my phot memories?
Thank You for sharing your information and experience. MiMI from Texas
Chris L
Albuquerque, NM1,531 contributions
You can stand in front of the church for a photo, but you can't take any pictures inside the church or of the cemetery. You also must ask permission to take a photo of any vendor or person of Acoma.
Ron S
Mexico14 contributions
How much is entrance fee
wildwoodsm
Rio Rancho, NM181 contributions
Family cost (two adults, two children) $66 plus tax.
Adult is $25 plus tax.
Seniors, active military, college students are $22 plus tax
Children (elementary and high school) $17 plus tax.
Those are the fees for going on the complete Sky City tour to the top of the mesa, and I believe include camera fees.
If you only do the museum area camera fees are $15.
Paulette B
Ruidoso, NM106 contributions
About how long would you reserve to get a good tour? Two hours?
CHRISe28
Orrington, ME44 contributions
2hrs is probably good. Maybe 2.5 Once you get on the bus, get to the top, take the tour, and if possible walk down the ancient path back to the cultural center. It's a very memorable tour.
Justinian21
Seattle645 contributions
Is it possible or advisable to purchase tour tickets in advance before arrival at Acoma Pueblo, or does one buy tickets on the spot?
Good morning Justinian21,
Thank you for inquiring about purchasing tour tickets to visit Acoma Pueblo. Advanced group purchases are made for 15 or more people. Therefore, we encourage you to come out to Acoma and arrive to our Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum. Check in with our admissions cashier and you may purchase our admissions package. Our admissions package includes the pueblo guided tour, Haak’u Museum admissions, and a camera permit. We look forward to your visit with us.
Thank you.
Hilary B
2 contributions
Should the tour guide be tipped?
I cannot decide if it would be disrespectful to tip, or to not tip! Any advice would be appreciated on what the respectful custom would be.
Good morning! Our Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum Tour Guides take the time to assure they are providing quality pueblo guided tours of Acoma Pueblo history, dating back to 1150 AD. We typically encourage our guests that purchase the admissions package, to personally tip the tour guide at the end of the guided tour. It is an option, but our tour guides really appreciate it knowing that they have provided a quality guided tour.
Billie D
Pittsburg, KS
I have back problems and I have neuropathy burning in my feet how do you get up there and how much walking is there? I am 60 years old and have a lot of pain standing and walking for too long so I need to know if I am able to do this or not before I get up there
grriverajr
Murrieta, CA43 contributions
Billy, it is a wonder site to visit, and there is a small buss that will take you to the top where the tour takes place. However, once at the top, there is walking on broken ground and hard-packed "streets" among the village. Remember, not much up there (by deliberate design) has changed since the days of the Conquistadores. Oh, you will see a few well hidden TV antennas and solar panels surely. It is not THAT rustic! However, the pathways are uneven enough that even a healthy 25 year old can twist an ankle if not watching their step. Think: New York sidewalk under construction with uneven pavement and such.
YusuS
Tokyo, Japan10 contributions
I found there is no public transportation to get there, and it's also hard to find any tour from ABQ. Please let me know if you have any idea (for solo tourist). Thanks.
Napa43
Oregon Coast, OR39 contributions
It is not hard to find from ABQ. Take I-25 towards Gallup (Depending on where you are in ABQ. but definitely take the I 40 W, the speed limit is 75 most of the way. Hope this helps. Enjoy your time
sebastianebarb
Boston, MA
My family and I are visiting in July. We would love to pick up some hand crafted pottery. We were wondering what the price range was so we can budget accordingly.
SkyCity_C_C
Acoma Sky City
Hello Sebastian. It is good to know that you are coming to visit. Depending on if the pot is made traditionally or is a green ware (poured from slip) the price will vary. Because of the amount of work that goes into making a traditional pot along with processing the traditional paints, they are typically priced any where from $50 for smaller pieces to $1000+ for larger pieces. The artist will prices them based on what they feel their work is worth. Green ware (non-traditional, poured from slip) pottery will be priced much lower, anywhere from $25 - $500+ depending on the size of the piece and the complexity of the design.
Most artists that sell here and on tour only take cash but some may accept card. We do have an ATM located on our premises. Also since you are planning to visit in July, we have an annual closure the 10-13 that month. I would also recommend checking our calendar at our website when planning your visit to stay updated on our closures.
I hope this information helps and we look forward to welcoming you to Acoma, Sky City!
Jennifer N
Dodge City, KS159 contributions
When is Sky City open for tours March 10-13, 2017? Neither the summer or winter schedules cover this date.
Donald R
Walla Walla, WA47 contributions
To really know what is going on there, you need to call. They have festival days when the pueblo is closed to non-pueblo members. A general schedule may not reflect that. Also if a funeral is happening that day, they may close the pueblo without notice so call the day you go in the AM or the day before.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum
- Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Restaurants near Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum:
- (5.92 mi) Yaa'ka Cafe
- (8.26 mi) Acoma Sky City Casino Hotel
- (7.89 mi) Bibo Bar and Grille
- (8.30 mi) Huwak'a Restaurant
- (9.78 mi) Great American Diner