Santa María del Tule [1]: Townsfolk have literally built their town around their gigantic beloved El Tule tree, a cousin of the giant redwood trees of California.
Teotitlán del Valle [2]: Fine wool carpets and hangings, known locally as tapetes, are the prized product of dozens of local family workshop-stores.
Mitla [3]: Explore the monumental plazas and columned buildings, handsomely adorned by a treasury of painstakingly placed greca (Grecian-like) stone fretwork.
San Bartolo Coyotepec [4]: A small city of roadside home-workshops and an unmissable museum display the famously pearly-black pottery pioneered by celebrated potter Doña Rosa a generation ago.
Zaachila [5]: Its monumental archaeological zone and riotously colorful tianguis make Zaachila a Thursday destination of choice in Oaxaca.
Monte Albán [6]: Any day is a good day to visit this, Mesoamerica’s earliest true metropolis, which to some still seems to rule from its majestic mountain-top throne.
San José El Mogote [7]: Its regal reconstructed pyramids and plazas and the unforgettably red diablo enchilado displayed in its community museum, plus the neighboring Etla market [8], make San José El Mogote a worthwhile Wednesday out-of-town excursion.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/east-textile-route/santa-maria-del-tule
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/east-textile-route/teotitlan-del-valle
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/the-oaxaca-valley/east-the-textile-route/mitla-archaeological-zone
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/south-crafts-route/san-bartolo-coyotepec
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/south-crafts-route/zaachila
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/the-oaxaca-valley/west-the-archaeological-route/monte-alban
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/west-archaeological-route/san-jose-el-mogote
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/west-archaeological-route/etla