The American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT) – the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States and its territories – spotlights its annual Top 10 Indigenous Experiences of 2026, featuring destinations that connect travelers with cultural heritage, outdoor adventure, and place-based storytelling.

1. INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER
   2025 BEST CULTURAL HERITAGE EXPERIENCE
   Albuquerque, New Mexico | Southwest Region
   
   The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the gateway to the living cultures of New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos. Visitors experience traditional dance, Pueblo-led exhibitions, Indigenous cuisine, and artist demonstrations. Every visit directly supports Pueblo communities and cultural preservation. It is an essential stop for authentic cultural connection in the Southwest.



2. WAHPEPAH’S KITCHEN
   2025 BEST INDIGENOUS CULINARY EXPERIENCE
   Oakland, California | Central California Region
   
   Wahpepah’s Kitchen showcases modern Indigenous cuisine rooted in food sovereignty. Led by Chef Crystal Wahpepah (Kickapoo), the restaurant highlights Native-sourced ingredients and traditional foodways. Each dish tells a story of culture, sustainability, and resilience. Dining here is both a culinary and cultural experience.



3. AGUA CALIENTE CULTURAL PLAZA
   2025 INDIGENOUS DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
   Palm Springs, California | Southern California Region
   
   The Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza is a dynamic destination celebrating Cahuilla history and wellness traditions. The campus features a cultural museum, gathering spaces, and The Spa at Séc-he built around sacred hot mineral springs. Visitors explore living history through exhibits, outdoor spaces, and cultural programming. The plaza plays a key role in regional tourism and economic vitality.



4. KODIAK BROWN BEAR CENTER & LODGE
   Karluk Lake, Alaska | Alaska Region
   Located in a remote wilderness setting, the Kodiak
   
   Brown Bear Center & Lodge offers Indigenous-led wildlife experiences. Guests observe Kodiak brown bears while learning from Alutiiq cultural knowledge and conservation practices. The experience includes outdoor recreation, cultural storytelling, and connection to the land. It is a rare blend of science, tradition, and stewardship.



5. NÁAY I’WAANS GUIDED TOUR –
   ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KASAAN
   Kasaan, Alaska | Southeast Alaska Region
   
   This guided tour leads visitors through a forest of carved totem poles to the Chief Son-i-Hat Whale House. It is the only remaining traditional Haida longhouse in the United States. Guests learn directly from the Haida community about their history, culture, and place. The experience honors living tradition through storytelling and landscape.



6. SEALASKA HERITAGE INSTITUTE
   Juneau, Alaska | Alaska Region
   
   Sealaska Heritage Institute preserves and shares Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. Visitors explore museum exhibits, a traditional cedar clan house, and the Totem Pole Trail. Cultural programs and Native art deepen understanding of Southeast Alaska’s Indigenous peoples. The institute serves as a center for education, art, and cultural continuity.



7. ʻIOLANI PALACE
   Honolulu, Hawaiʻi | Hawaiʻi Region
   
   ʻIolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States and a symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty. Once home to King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani, it reflects a time when Hawaiʻi was an internationally recognized kingdom. The palace grounds are sacred and continue to hold deep cultural significance. Today, it stands as a place of learning, remembrance, and resilience.



8. MHA NATION EARTHLODGE VILLAGE
   New Town, North Dakota | Rocky Mountain Region
   
   The Earthlodge Village offers immersive experiences rooted in the lifeways of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people. Visitors can stay in reconstructed earth lodges or tipis and enjoy traditional foods and performances. Outdoor activities and cultural interpretation bring Plains history to life. The village honors ancestral knowledge and community connection.



9. TULALIP HIBULB CULTURAL CENTER
   Tulalip, Washington | Northwest Region
   
   Immerse yourself in the living history of the Snohomish people through interactive exhibits and a stunning collection of traditional canoes and carvings. As the first tribal facility certified by the state of Washington, this award-winning center offers a premier, community-led journey into the enduring heritage and spiritual resilience of the Tulalip Tribes.



10. KOOYOOE PA’A GUIDES
    Pyramid Lake, Nevada | Great Basin Region
    
    Experience the world-class waters of Pyramid Lake through the eyes of the first Numu woman fly fishing guide, where every cast is paired with deep ancestral knowledge of the land. More than just a fishing trip, this Indigenous-owned service offers a transformative journey into the history and ecological restoration of Kooyooe Pa’a, the sacred "Standing Water" of the Paiute people.