Jemez Historic Site — Attraction in Jemez Springs

I'm giving this place 3 stars because of the way we were treated. This historic site was really neat and I really enjoy ruins. I loved especially how we were able to get up close and personal with the ruins. I've never been somewhere that allows guests to venture out and go into the exhibits.

However, the staff is a different story. We prepaid for our tickets per the instructions on the website. Upon our arrival the receptionist was not friendly or enthusiastic about having customers. The machine didn't work correctly to scan our mobile receipts. When asking if they had a restroom, she thought for a moment and then told us we could use the port-a-potty outside. We didn't. She then told us there was a video we could watch and then finally that there was a paper map/brochure guide that could be PURCHASED for a donation. We paid $7/each to visit. Why not make the tickets $8/each and include the paper guide if it's that big of a deal that you have to charge more for them? The alternate option was to use a QR code and use our phones as the guide. We went with...

Jemez Historic Site is located approximately one mile north of Jemez Springs, NM. The Giusewa Pueblo was established on this site in about AD 1450 and is the ancestral home of the Jemez Pueblo Native Americans who now live primarily in Jemez Pueblo, a community 13 miles south of the ruins. The first records of this area were made by Spanish conquistadors and Franciscan friars in about 1581. They attempted to convert the Native Americans by ordering the construction of a very large church, made of adobe, limestone, volcanic rocks, and native trees. Using dendrochronology methods, the church construction was dated in 1621-1623. The church and related buildings were abandoned in 1680 during the Pueblo “Revolt”, when the Spanish occupiers were driven out of this region.

Today, the ruins are partially stabilized to prevent further erosion. A walking trail and interpretive signs explain the history and construction methods. The kiva (underground ceremonial/spiritual chamber) is open to the public; photography is prohibited...

There is so much to Jemez Mountains, it has the most beautiful landscaping and scenery. The red rocks are gorgeous. The food on the road side stands, is so yummy! You can explorer and hike. The Jemez Historic site blew me away, it was like a huge maze. Inside the office the map they hand out to you, is painted on the floor where they show you videos of it's history. There is one glass cabinet that you are not allowed to picture. The pottery in it is truly amazing. I have so many pictures of each opening wish I could share all of them. You can go inside them but they do warn not to climb the walls. We did go up the stars in the church, it is allowed and there also is a maze of itself. The pic where my son is climbing up on the latter, you can not take pics inside that hole but they do let you climb down in it. I believe it's...