The American West is more than a geographic region; it is a living tapestry of stories—tales of ambition, conflict, resilience, and cultural fusion that have shaped the nation’s identity. For travelers drawn to Culture & History themes, a journey exploring the Westward Expansion and Indigenous cultures offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with this complex narrative. This route traverses landscapes where pioneers once trekked, cowboys herded cattle, and Indigenous communities have thrived for millennia, inviting visitors to move beyond surface-level sightseeing and into meaningful dialogue with the past. From the adobe plazas of Santa Fe to the monumental stone carvings of South Dakota, each destination reveals a different thread of America’s westward story, balancing the triumphs of expansion with the enduring legacy of its original inhabitants.
Understanding the Theme: Clash and Convergence in Westward Expansion
To fully appreciate this journey, it is essential to frame it around two intertwined narratives that define the American West: the story of expansion and the story of Indigenous survival.
The Pioneer and Cowboy Narrative embodies the myth of the “American Dream” in action. From the 1800s onward, settlers pushed westward in search of land, gold, and opportunity, driven by the ideology of “Manifest Destiny”—the belief that the United States was destined to span the continent. This era gave rise to iconic figures: cowboys driving cattle along the Chisholm Trail, prospectors rushing to the California Gold Rush, and homesteaders carving farms out of the wilderness. It is a story of courage, self-reliance, and transformation, reflected in symbols like the covered wagon, the ranch, and the frontier town.
The Indigenous Narrative, by contrast, is one of resilience in the face of upheaval. Long before European settlers arrived, Indigenous nations—including the Pueblo, Navajo, Apache, and Lakota—had built complex societies, with deep connections to the land, rich artistic traditions, and sophisticated systems of governance. The Westward Expansion brought displacement, warfare, and forced assimilation, as treaties were broken, lands were seized, and communities were relocated to reservations. Yet Indigenous cultures did not vanish. Today, they endure as vibrant, living traditions, preserved in languages, ceremonies, art, and the continued presence of tribal communities.
This journey does not shy away from the tension between these two narratives. Instead, it invites travelers to explore them side by side—to honor the pioneers’ ambition while acknowledging the cost of expansion, and to celebrate Indigenous resilience while understanding the trauma of displacement. In doing so, the trip becomes more than a tour of landmarks; it becomes a lesson in nuanced history.
Destination 1: Santa Fe, New Mexico – The Crossroads of Cultures
Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, is often called “the City Different”—and for good reason. Founded in 1610, it is the oldest continuously occupied capital city in the United States, and its streets tell a story of cultural fusion unlike any other. Here, Spanish colonial architecture blends with Pueblo adobe traditions, Indigenous art fills galleries alongside modern works, and the air carries the scent of piñon pine and chiles. For travelers exploring Westward Expansion and Indigenous heritage, Santa Fe is ground zero for understanding how different cultures have coexisted, clashed, and evolved in the American Southwest.
Core Experiences: Immersing in Fusion
The first thing visitors notice about Santa Fe is its architecture. Every building—from historic churches to boutique hotels—follows a strict “Santa Fe Style,” characterized by thick adobe walls, flat roofs with vigas (exposed wooden beams), and earthy tones of brown and terracotta. This style is not merely aesthetic; it is a direct inheritance from the Pueblo people, who have used adobe (sun-dried mud bricks) for centuries to build homes that withstand the Southwest’s extreme temperatures. Spanish colonists adopted this technique in the 17th century, creating a architectural language that symbolized the region’s cultural blend.
Art is another gateway to Santa Fe’s soul. The city is one of America’s top three art markets (alongside New York and Los Angeles), and its galleries and museums showcase works deeply rooted in the land and its cultures. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is a must-visit. O’Keeffe, one of America’s most celebrated artists, moved to New Mexico in the 1920s and spent decades painting its deserts, mountains, and wildflowers. Her works—like Red Hills and White Shell and Ram’s Head, White Hollyhock, Hills—do not just depict the landscape; they capture its spiritual essence, blending the stark beauty of the West with a sense of transcendence. For travelers, the museum offers a window into how the West’s geography has shaped artistic vision—a vision that, in O’Keeffe’s case, was deeply influenced by the region’s Indigenous and Spanish heritage.
Must-See Sites
- Santa Fe Plaza: At the heart of the city lies the Santa Fe Plaza, a historic square surrounded by adobe buildings, shops, and restaurants. Founded in 1610, the plaza was once a gathering place for Pueblo people, Spanish colonists, and later American traders. Today, it remains a hub of activity: locals sell handwoven blankets and jewelry at street stalls, musicians play traditional folk music, and visitors relax on benches beneath shade trees. The plaza is also home to the Palace of the Governors, built in 1610 as the seat of Spanish colonial government—the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States. Its facade, with its long, covered porch, is a classic example of Spanish-Pueblo fusion.
- San Miguel Mission: A short walk from the plaza is San Miguel Mission, often called the oldest church in the United States. Construction began in 1610 by Spanish Franciscans, but the church was destroyed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680—a pivotal event in Indigenous history, when Pueblo communities united to drive Spanish colonists out of New Mexico. It was rebuilt in the 18th century, and its simple interior—with wooden beams, hand-painted altars, and a small museum of colonial artifacts—reflects both Spanish religious traditions and Indigenous craftsmanship.
- Pueblo Villages (Day Trips): To truly understand Santa Fe’s Indigenous roots, venture beyond the city to nearby Pueblo villages. These communities—including Taos Pueblo and San Ildefonso Pueblo—have been continuously inhabited for centuries, and many still follow traditional ways of life.Taos Pueblo, a 90-minute drive north of Santa Fe, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most well-preserved Pueblo villages. Its multi-story adobe buildings, some dating back over 1,000 years, are built without nails or mortar, using the same techniques as their ancestors. Visitors can walk through the village’s narrow lanes, visit the San Geronimo Chapel (rebuilt after a 1998 fire), and browse shops selling traditional Pueblo pottery—known for its black-on-black designs and intricate patterns. It is crucial to respect the village’s rules: ask permission before taking photos, avoid touching sacred sites, and keep noise to a minimum. Hiring a local Indigenous guide is highly recommended; they can share stories of the village’s history, ceremonies, and struggles—stories that are not found in guidebooks.San Ildefonso Pueblo, closer to Santa Fe, is famous for its pottery. In the early 20th century, Pueblo artist Maria Martinez revolutionized Pueblo pottery by perfecting the black-on-black technique, which involves firing pottery in a reducing atmosphere to create a matte black surface with a glossy black design. Today, her descendants continue this tradition, and visitors can watch artists at work in the village’s studios.
Practical Tips for Santa Fe
- Respect Cultural Protocols: When visiting Pueblo villages, follow all posted rules. Many villages close during traditional ceremonies, so check ahead for schedules. Never take photos of people without permission, and avoid entering private homes or sacred areas.
- Explore Indigenous Art Beyond the Villages: The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe offers a comprehensive overview of Southwest Indigenous art, from ancient basketry to contemporary paintings. It is a great place to learn about the history and significance of Indigenous art before visiting the villages.
- Try Local Cuisine: Santa Fe’s food is a fusion of Spanish, Indigenous, and Mexican flavors. Don’t miss dishes like green chile stew (made with New Mexico’s famous Hatch chiles), posole (a traditional Pueblo corn soup), and sopaipillas (fried bread served with honey). Many restaurants source ingredients from local Indigenous and Hispanic farmers, supporting the region’s cultural economy.
Destination 2: San Antonio, Texas – Where Independence and Heritage Collide
San Antonio, Texas, is a city of contrasts. Its tree-lined River Walk, with its cafes and shops, feels like a European-style promenade—yet just a few blocks away stands the Alamo, a crumbling mission that symbolizes Texas’ fight for independence. For travelers exploring Westward Expansion, San Antonio is a key stop: it is where the story of Texas’ separation from Mexico intersects with the history of Spanish colonization and Indigenous displacement. Here, every landmark tells a story of conflict—between colonizers and Indigenous peoples, between Mexico and Texas, and between the past and present.
Core Experiences: Unpacking the Alamo’s Legacy
The Alamo is San Antonio’s most famous landmark, and for many Americans, it is a symbol of courage and freedom. In 1836, a small group of Texas rebels—including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie—defended the Alamo against a much larger Mexican army led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The rebels were defeated, but their sacrifice inspired other Texans to join the fight for independence, leading to Texas’ victory at the Battle of San Jacinto later that year. Today, the Alamo is a national shrine, and visitors flock to it to learn about the “Texas Revolution” and honor the rebels.
But to understand the Alamo’s full history, travelers must look beyond the “heroic defender” narrative. The Alamo was not originally a fortress—it was a Spanish mission, founded in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero. Like other Spanish missions in Texas, its purpose was to convert Indigenous people (primarily the Coahuiltecan, a group of nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes) to Christianity and “civilize” them according to Spanish standards. Indigenous people were forced to abandon their traditional ways of life, learn Spanish, and work on the mission’s farms and workshops. Many died from European diseases to which they had no immunity, and those who resisted were punished.
This dual history—the Alamo as a mission of assimilation and as a fortress of rebellion—makes it a complex site. For Indigenous Texans, the Alamo represents the loss of land and culture; for Mexican Americans, it symbolizes the fragmentation of Mexico; for Anglo Texans, it is a symbol of independence. When visiting, take time to read the exhibits that address this complexity—many of the Alamo’s newer displays include Indigenous and Mexican perspectives, offering a more balanced view of history.
Must-See Sites
- The Alamo: Spend at least half a day exploring the Alamo. Start with the main building, a former church with a iconic bell tower (rebuilt in the 20th century). Inside, exhibits include weapons used in the 1836 battle, personal items of the rebels, and interactive displays about the mission’s history. Don’t miss the Long Barrack, the oldest building at the Alamo, which served as a barracks for Spanish soldiers and later as a hospital during the 1836 siege. The Alamo’s grounds, with their oak trees and memorials, are also worth exploring—look for the markers that indicate where Indigenous people lived and worked during the mission era.
- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: The Alamo is just one of five Spanish missions in San Antonio. The other four—Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada—are part of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These missions, built between 1718 and 1731, offer a more complete picture of Spanish colonial life and Indigenous assimilation.Mission San José is the largest and most well-preserved of the five. Known as the “Queen of the Missions,” it features a stunning church with a rose window (carved by Indigenous artisans), a large courtyard, and ruins of workshops, dormitories, and a granary. The mission’s exhibits explain how Indigenous people lived and worked here—growing crops like corn and beans, raising livestock, and crafting tools and textiles. It is a powerful reminder of the role missions played in shaping the Southwest’s demographic and cultural landscape.Mission Concepción, the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States, is another highlight. Its interior walls are covered with original frescoes, painted by Indigenous artists in the 18th century, depicting religious scenes with Indigenous influences (look for the use of local plants and animals in the designs).
- The River Walk: After exploring the missions, relax on the River Walk (officially called Paseo del Río). This network of tree-shaded paths runs along the San Antonio River, lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. What many visitors don’t realize is that the River Walk has Indigenous roots: the Coahuiltecan people used the river for drinking water, fishing, and transportation long before Europeans arrived. In the 1920s, the city transformed the river into a tourist attraction, but today, signs along the path highlight its Indigenous history. Take a river cruise to learn more—many guides share stories of the Coahuiltecan and their relationship with the river.
Practical Tips for San Antonio
- Take a Guided Tour: To fully understand the missions’ Indigenous and colonial history, book a guided tour with the National Park Service. Rangers are knowledgeable about the missions’ role in assimilation and can answer questions about Indigenous communities in Texas today.
- Visit the Briscoe Western Art Museum: Located near the River Walk, this museum features exhibits on Western art, including works by Indigenous artists and depictions of Indigenous life in Texas. It is a great complement to the missions, offering a artistic perspective on the region’s history.
- Explore the East Side: San Antonio’s East Side is home to a large African American community and has a rich history of civil rights activism. While not directly related to Westward Expansion or Indigenous heritage, it offers a broader view of San Antonio’s diverse past. Don’t miss the Texas African American History Memorial, located near the Capitol.
Destination 3: South Dakota – Monuments, Badlands, and Indigenous Resistance
South Dakota is the American West in its most iconic form: vast prairies stretching to the horizon, towering stone monuments, and landscapes that feel both timeless and deeply tied to history. For travelers exploring Westward Expansion and Indigenous heritage, South Dakota is a powerful destination—because here, the two narratives of expansion and resistance stand side by side, in the form of two monumental sculptures: Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Add in the otherworldly beauty of Badlands National Park, and you have a destination that combines natural wonder with profound historical significance.
Core Experiences: Contrasting Monuments
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Perched on a granite cliff in the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore is one of America’s most famous landmarks. Carved between 1927 and 1941 by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, it features the faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington (symbolizing the nation’s founding), Thomas Jefferson (symbolizing expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase), Theodore Roosevelt (symbolizing development and conservation), and Abraham Lincoln (symbolizing unity and emancipation). For many Americans, Mount Rushmore is a symbol of national pride—a celebration of the leaders who helped shape the United States into a continental power.But for the Lakota Sioux people, Mount Rushmore is a symbol of injustice. The Black Hills (known to the Lakota as Paha Sapa) are a sacred site—they believe the hills are the center of the world and the home of their creator. In 1868, the U.S. government signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie, guaranteeing the Black Hills to the Lakota “for as long as the grass grows and the rivers flow.” But just six years later, gold was discovered in the hills, and the government violated the treaty, seizing the land and forcing the Lakota onto reservations. Today, the Lakota still claim the Black Hills as their rightful territory, and Mount Rushmore—carved into their sacred land without their consent—is a painful reminder of this betrayal.When visiting Mount Rushmore, take time to read the exhibits in the visitor center that address this history. The National Park Service has made efforts to include Lakota perspectives, and rangers often give talks about the treaty and the Lakota’s ongoing struggle for land rights. It is a chance to reflect on how national symbols can mean very different things to different people.
- Crazy Horse Memorial: Just 17 miles from Mount Rushmore stands the Crazy Horse Memorial—a monument with a very different mission. Begun in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (who worked on Mount Rushmore), the memorial honors Crazy Horse, a Lakota leader who fought to defend his people’s land and culture during the Westward Expansion. The sculpture depicts Crazy Horse riding a horse, pointing to the Black Hills, with the words “My lands are where my dead lie buried” inscribed below. When completed (it is still a work in progress), it will be the largest sculpture in the world—taller than the Statue of Liberty and wider than Mount Rushmore.What makes the Crazy Horse Memorial unique is that it is led by the Lakota people. Ziolkowski worked closely with Lakota elders to ensure the memorial accurately reflects their culture and history, and today, the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation (run by Ziolkowski’s family and Lakota representatives) works to preserve Lakota heritage through education programs, cultural events, and a museum.The Indian Museum of North America, located at the memorial, is a must-visit. It features exhibits on Indigenous cultures from across North America, including traditional clothing, tools, and art, as well as exhibits on the Lakota’s history and their struggle for sovereignty. The museum also hosts regular events, such as powwows and storytelling sessions, where visitors can interact with Indigenous people and learn about their traditions.
Must-See Sites
- Badlands National Park: Located about an hour’s drive from the Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park is a landscape of dramatic rock formations, deep canyons, and vast prairies. Its name comes from the Lakota word mako sica, meaning “bad lands”—a reference to the region’s harsh conditions (extreme temperatures, little water, and sharp rocks) that made it difficult to traverse. But for the Lakota
