Indigenous Peoples Day: Places to Learn, Listen, and Honor Indigenous Cultures

Travel is a great way to see new places, but it can also be an opportunity to learn more about the people, history, and cultures connected to them.

This Indigenous Peoples Day, consider making your next trip about more than where you’re going. Take some time to learn about the Indigenous communities whose homelands you’re visiting, support Indigenous-owned businesses, and visit cultural sites that help tell their stories.

Here are a few places to add to your travel list if you want to learn more about Indigenous history and culture while exploring the U.S.

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

Located just outside Taos, New Mexico, Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark that has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years.

The Pueblo is home to the Taos people, a federally recognized tribe, and offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the community’s history, traditions, architecture, and way of life.

If you visit, take time to learn about the Pueblo’s visitor guidelines and respect areas that are closed to the public. Remember that Taos Pueblo is a living community, not simply a historic site.

Travel tip: Pair a visit to Taos Pueblo with time exploring the surrounding Taos area, from the Rio Grande Gorge to the local art scene.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

You’ve probably heard of Mesa Verde for its incredible cliff dwellings, but there’s much more to learn here than the architecture.

Mesa Verde National Park protects some of the best-preserved archaeological sites in North America, including cliff dwellings built by Ancestral Pueblo people. Indigenous peoples have lived in the region for thousands of years, and the park is part of a much larger cultural landscape that extends across the Southwest.

As you explore, take time to learn about the people who built and lived in these communities rather than viewing the sites simply as ancient ruins.

Travel tip: Check the park’s current tour and trail information before visiting, as access to some sites is limited and can require advance reservations.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico

Tucked into the mountains of southwestern New Mexico, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in these remarkable cliffside homes more than 700 years ago.

The dwellings were built by the Tularosa Mogollon, who lived in the area during the late 1200s and early 1300s. The caves and surrounding landscape provide an opportunity to learn about the communities who called this region home and the ways they adapted to their environment.

A visit here is also a reminder that these landscapes have histories that stretch far beyond the moment you arrive.

Travel tip: The monument is relatively remote, so plan ahead for the drive and check current conditions before you go. The short trail to the cliff dwellings includes uneven terrain and stairs, but the views and experience make the journey worth the effort.

This Indigenous Peoples Day, consider adding a cultural site, museum, historical landmark, or Indigenous-owned business to your next itinerary. Take the time to learn about the community connected to the place you’re visiting and approach your travels with curiosity and respect.

Because the more we learn about the places we visit, the more meaningful our travels can become.