Find out about interactive tours, workshops, and events where you can learn directly from Native American communities.

The cultural diversity and heritage of Native American communities have shaped the United States in profound ways. While many Americans and international visitors may only have a cursory understanding of these rich cultures, modern-day tours, workshops, and events offer an engaging way to connect with Native American traditions, stories, and ways of life. Through these experiences, participants gain insight into Indigenous history, spirituality, art, and community values, all shared by the people who have safeguarded these traditions for generations.

In recent years, Native American-led tours and workshops have grown in popularity, allowing tribes to share their cultural practices while supporting community livelihoods and fostering greater cultural understanding. This essay explores some of the best interactive cultural experiences across the United States where visitors can learn directly from Native American communities.

1. Navajo Nation Cultural Tours: Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly

The Navajo Nation, located in the Four Corners region of the Southwest, is one of the largest Native American reservations in the United States. It is home to stunning landscapes, such as Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly, that have long held spiritual significance for the Navajo people. Visiting these iconic sites offers an opportunity to learn about Navajo history, culture, and spirituality through guided tours led by Navajo guides.

Key Experiences:

• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park: Monument Valley’s towering sandstone buttes and mesas have appeared in countless films and photographs, but few people understand their cultural significance to the Navajo people. Navajo-led tours provide this deeper perspective, explaining the spiritual and historical meanings of landmarks like the Mittens, Totem Pole, and Thunderbird Mesa. These tours often include stops at traditional hogans (Navajo dwellings), where guides share stories and insights into Navajo traditions, including weaving, sand painting, and ceremonial practices.
• Canyon de Chelly National Monument: Canyon de Chelly, located within the Navajo Nation, has been continuously inhabited for nearly 5,000 years and is sacred to the Navajo. Navajo guides lead tours into the canyon, offering visitors the chance to see ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and rock art. These guides share the history of the Ancestral Puebloans who once lived in the canyon, as well as the enduring connection between the Navajo people and this land. Some tours also include visits to Spider Rock, a towering spire central to Navajo spiritual beliefs.

2. The Taos Pueblo Cultural Experience: A Living Heritage

Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in New Mexico, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. The multi-story adobe structures have been home to the Taos people for over 1,000 years. Visiting Taos Pueblo offers a rare opportunity to experience a living Native American community that continues to practice its traditional way of life.

Key Experiences:

• Guided Tours of Taos Pueblo: Visitors to Taos Pueblo can take guided tours led by residents who share the history, culture, and spiritual significance of their community. These tours provide a comprehensive overview of how the Taos people have preserved their traditions and resisted outside influences for centuries. The Pueblo remains largely self-sufficient, with residents engaged in farming, crafts, and religious practices passed down through generations.
• Cultural Workshops and Events: Taos Pueblo offers various workshops and events throughout the year, including traditional pottery-making, drum-making, and cooking classes. These hands-on experiences allow participants to engage directly with Pueblo artisans and learn skills that have been passed down over generations. Seasonal events, such as the annual feast days and traditional dances, provide a glimpse into the community’s religious and social practices.

3. Cherokee Cultural Tours: Understanding the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

In the Appalachian region, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians offers cultural tours and workshops that delve into the tribe’s history, art, and spiritual beliefs. The Cherokee people have a complex history, including the tragic Trail of Tears, but their resilience and commitment to preserving their culture remain strong.

Key Experiences:

• Oconaluftee Indian Village: Located in Cherokee, North Carolina, Oconaluftee Indian Village is a living history museum that recreates a Cherokee village from the 18th century. Guided tours introduce visitors to Cherokee life, from governance and spiritual practices to crafts like basket weaving and pottery. Visitors can watch artisans at work, hear Cherokee legends, and see demonstrations of traditional dances. The experience is designed to be interactive, with opportunities to ask questions and participate in hands-on activities.
• Cherokee Heritage Trails: The Cherokee Heritage Trails are a network of routes that take visitors to significant cultural and historical sites across the Appalachian Mountains. Stops along the trails include ancient burial mounds, village sites, and sacred natural landmarks. Tours are often led by Cherokee cultural guides who provide insight into the stories, legends, and traditions that are central to Cherokee identity. These tours highlight how the landscape itself is intertwined with Cherokee spirituality and history.
• Workshops and Storytelling Events: The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians also hosts workshops where visitors can learn traditional crafts such as beadwork, finger weaving, and pottery. Storytelling events, where elders share Cherokee myths and oral history, are another highlight, offering an immersive way to understand the values and teachings of the Cherokee people.

4. Zuni Pueblo Arts and Cultural Experiences: In-Depth Artistic Tradition

The Zuni Pueblo in western New Mexico is known for its distinctive arts, particularly its intricate inlay jewelry, fetish carvings, and pottery. The Zuni people have a long tradition of craftsmanship that remains an integral part of their culture today. Visiting the Zuni Pueblo offers a chance to learn about this artistic heritage while engaging directly with the community.

Key Experiences:

• Zuni ArtWalk: The Zuni Pueblo ArtWalk is a self-guided tour that takes visitors to the studios and galleries of local artists. Along the way, participants can meet Zuni artisans, watch them at work, and learn about the symbolism and techniques used in their art. The ArtWalk is a unique experience that emphasizes the connection between the artist, their craft, and their cultural identity.
• Cultural Workshops and Demonstrations: Zuni artisans also offer workshops where visitors can try their hand at traditional crafts, such as stone inlay jewelry-making, pottery, and fetish carving. These workshops are often held in small groups, allowing for personalized instruction and meaningful interaction with the artists. Participants gain a deeper appreciation for the skill and spiritual significance behind Zuni art, while also learning about the rituals and stories that influence these creations.
• Cultural Presentations: The Zuni Cultural Arts Program hosts presentations on topics ranging from Zuni history and language to the role of art in spiritual practices. These events provide a broader understanding of how Zuni culture has been preserved over time, despite external pressures and challenges.

5. The Blackfeet Nation’s Cultural Tours: Immersing in Blackfeet Heritage

The Blackfeet Nation, located in northern Montana, offers cultural tours and experiences that focus on the history, spirituality, and traditions of the Blackfeet people. The tribe has a deep connection to the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, where they have lived for centuries.

Key Experiences:

• Blackfeet Cultural History Tours: Blackfeet guides lead tours that explore key historical and spiritual sites across the reservation, including buffalo jumps, ancient campsites, and vision quest locations. These tours provide insights into the Blackfeet’s relationship with the land and their traditional practices, such as hunting, horse culture, and spiritual ceremonies. Visitors can also learn about the significance of the buffalo to the Blackfeet people and the efforts to restore bison populations to the region.
• Tipi Camps and Storytelling: The Blackfeet Nation offers unique tipi camp experiences where visitors can stay in traditional tipis while learning about Blackfeet culture. Evenings are often spent around the fire, listening to elders share stories, myths, and teachings that have been passed down through generations. These stories offer a window into Blackfeet beliefs, values, and the moral lessons embedded in their oral tradition.
• Traditional Craft Workshops: Visitors can also participate in workshops that teach Blackfeet crafts, such as beading, quillwork, and hide tanning. These workshops are led by skilled artisans who explain the cultural significance of each craft and how it has been maintained through time. Participants leave with both a deeper understanding of Blackfeet traditions and a personal connection to the skills they’ve learned.

6. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: A Hub of Pueblo Culture in Albuquerque

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, represents the 19 Pueblo tribes of New Mexico. The IPCC serves as a central location where visitors can learn about Pueblo culture year-round through tours, workshops, and events.

Key Experiences:

• Interactive Exhibits and Tours: The IPCC features exhibits that cover Pueblo history, culture, and art, providing an in-depth look at the diversity and resilience of Pueblo communities. Guided tours of the museum offer additional context and insights from Pueblo cultural educators.
• Art and Craft Workshops: The IPCC regularly hosts workshops on traditional Pueblo crafts, such as pottery, weaving, and jewelry-making. These workshops are led by Pueblo artists who teach participants the techniques and cultural significance behind each craft. Whether learning to shape clay or create intricate beadwork, visitors engage with the skills that have defined Pueblo artistry for centuries.
• Cultural Events and Dance Performances: The IPCC hosts traditional dance performances, such as the Deer Dance and Eagle Dance, which are open to the public. These performances are accompanied by explanations of their cultural meanings and significance. Seasonal events, such as feast days and harvest celebrations, are also held at the center, offering opportunities to experience Pueblo traditions in a communal setting.

7. Alaska Native Cultural Tours: Exploring Indigenous Traditions in the Far North

Alaska is home to a diverse range of Indigenous cultures, including the Inupiat, Yupik, Tlingit, and Athabaskan peoples. These communities offer cultural tours and workshops that showcase their unique ways of life, from subsistence practices to art and spirituality.

Key Experiences:

• Alaska Native Heritage Center: Located in Anchorage, the Alaska Native Heritage Center is a major cultural hub where visitors can learn about Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. The center offers guided tours, art demonstrations, and workshops on traditional crafts like carving, basketry, and textile arts. Visitors can also watch performances of traditional dances and songs, gaining an understanding of the cultural significance behind each.
• Village Tours and Immersive Experiences: Several Indigenous communities in Alaska offer village tours where visitors can experience daily life in remote settings. These tours often include opportunities to learn about subsistence practices like fishing, hunting, and gathering, as well as traditional skills like tool-making and shelter-building. Immersive experiences, such as staying in a community for a few days, provide a deeper connection to Alaska Native culture and the challenges faced by these communities in preserving their traditions.

Conclusion: A Journey into Living Native American Culture

Interactive tours, workshops, and events provide a meaningful way to engage with Native American culture in the modern day. Whether it’s learning to craft traditional pottery in a Pueblo, hearing Blackfeet stories around a campfire, or exploring the spiritual landscapes of the Navajo Nation, these experiences offer more than just a glimpse into Indigenous traditions—they create lasting connections and understanding. By participating in these cultural exchanges, visitors not only gain knowledge but also contribute to the preservation and appreciation of Native American heritage. In doing so, they honor the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of the communities that have kept these traditions alive.