5 Native American Experience Vacation Ideas For Cultural Travel In The US

There are dozens of incredible Native American experience vacation ideas to get the most out of your cultural travel. Whether you are listening to Native stories, taking in the energy at a powwow, exchanging with Native peoples, or taking a ride through the mountain or desert, there is so much to learn about the culture of American Indians through travel experiences. As you likely know, travel experiences provide a much more visceral understanding of culture, history, and heritage, compared to traditional sightseeing.

If you are looking to learn more about the culture of Native men, women, and children, the United States is home to hundreds of incredibly rich cultural attractions to visit. By getting prepared beforehand, you can avoid common travel mishaps during your vacation. To help you plan your itinerary, we have outlined some of the best Native American experience vacation ideas for cultural travel.

Fairs & Festivals

If you are in search of creative Native American experience vacation ideas, consider attending a fair or festivals. There are numerous annual celebrations that you can attend all throughout the country. One of the most popular, the Navajo Nation Fair, is held every year at Window Rock, Arizona. Throughout this week long event, you will experience a parade, traditional singing, dancing, and a science fair. Of course, one of the most famous events is the Miss Navajo Nation pageant, which uniquely features sheep butchering as one of its core competitions.

Music & Live Shows

Live shows, dance, DJs, and music are another excellent way to experience Native American cultural travel. There are dozens of famous American Indian musicians located all across the country. Some of the most famous are Sihasin, Pamua, Arigon Starr, Raye Zaragoza, Prolific the Rapper, and A Tribe Called Red. If you get the opportunity, you should certainly attend one of A Tribe Called Red’s live performances. This unique trio of DJs is famous for their blend of hip hop, electronic dance music, and powwow singing. Recently, the Native group has even played major music festivals like New Orleans Jazz Fest, Coachella, and Bonnaroo. If you want to experience some more exciting, yet educational destinations in the United States, there are plenty of additional options to consider. Be sure to check out our Black history entertainment travel guide to learn more.

Indian Markets

Native Indian Markets are an excellent way to learn about the culture, traditions, and beliefs of American Indians through travel. These famous markets provide an excellent opportunity to experience Native American heritage through music, fashion, film, and literature. While there are hundreds of markets throughout the United States, none are as popular as the annual Santa Fe Indian Market. Here, you can additionally browse through a vast selection of authentic American Indian jewelry, crafts, and artwork. From pottery, carvings, turquoise jewelry, and baskets, there is something for everybody at an authentic Indian Market.

Tribal Museums

Tribal museums are an excellent way to learn about the culture and history of the indigenous people of the Americas. Throughout the United States, there are many popular, educational museums to visit. None are likely as popular as the National Museum of The American Indian, in Washington D.C and New York City. Of course, you should also pay a visit to the Cherokee Heritage Center in Oklahoma , Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Florida, Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Oklahoma, and the Six Nations Indian Museum in upstate NY. If you are still looking to learn more, you may even want to visit:

• Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, Oklahoma
• Southern Plains Indian Museum, Oklahoma
• Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, Connecticut
• Chicksaw Cultural Center, Oklahoma
• Museum of the Plains Indian, Montana

Often, you can enter many of these museums entirely for free. This way, you can learn more about Native American history, culture, and heritage, while simultaneously keeping up with your value travel ambitions.

Powwows

Of course, traditional powwows are one of the most popular ways to experience Native American travel. With over 550 federally recognized Indian Nations in the United States, there are dozens and dozens of powwows that visitors can attend. One of the most popular, and by far the largest powwow held every year is the Gathering of Nations in New Mexico.  Every year, the multi-day event highlights traditional song, dance, and drumming competitions. In fact, the annual gathering routinely turns out over three-thousand performers. To learn more about upcoming dates and locations, you can visit powwows.com. If you like to experience authentic music whenever you travel, take the time to read our recent guide on the best local live Kentucky Bluegrass music entertainment venues for your Lexington trip.

National Parks

Of course, there are plenty of incredibly Native American vacation experiences that can be had at National Parks. There are plenty of world-famous Native American parks and heritage sites to explore this year. One of the most famous is Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado. Here, visitors can experience roughly five-thousand archaeological sites, of which six-hundred are incredible cliff dwellings. Other renowned parks include the Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village located in Browning Montana. If you are visiting here, be sure to read our Montana outdoor travel adventure guide to get the most out of your trip.

There are several incredible Native American experience vacation ideas for cultural travel. With centuries of history, culture, and heritage, Native American reservations are an excellent place to experience slow travel vacations. First, consider attending a fair or festival. Live shows, dance, DJs, and music are another excellent way to experience Native American cultural travel. Native Indian Markets are an excellent way to learn about the culture, traditions, and beliefs. At the same time, you should visit some tribal museums, such as the National Museum of The American Indian, in Washington D.C. Of course, traditional powwows are one of the most popular ways to experience Native American travel. Follow the points discussed above to learn about the best Native American experience vacation ideas for cultural travel.