Trip Idea

Native American Heritage In and Around Washington DC

Multiple Parks

The Washington Monument in autumn.
Duration Multiple Days
Topic(s) Native American Heritage, River and Riparian, Water Trails, Watersheds, Marshes, Animals, Birds, Scenic Views, Wetlands, Military, War of 1812, Indigenous and Native Warrior, Monuments and Memorials, Social Movements, Civil Rights, Urban America, Colonial/European Contact Conflicts more »
Activities Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Birdwatching, Paddling
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Relaxed, Urban, Solitary/Remote, Educational, Inspirational, Virtual, Indoors, Outdoors, Road Trip, Group Friendly more »
Parks Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, Chesapeake Bay, National Mall and Memorial Parks
Visit the museums, monuments, and parks in and around Washington DC dedicated to American Indian history and heritage. Experience landscapes that evoke the Chesapeake Bay as it was prior to European colonization, paddling the rivers that sustained American Indian communities. In addition to the locations and tours below, be sure to check out Piscataway Park, a National Park Service site that protects Moyaone, a prominent Piscataway village in the early 17th century.
  • Multiple Parks

    Tour Indigenous D.C.

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    The National Museum of the American Indian building.

    Our nation's capital is full of American Indian heritage - if you know where to look. Use your mobile device to take a self-guided tour of Washington DC that highlights monuments, museums, historic sites, and artworks relevant to the indigenous community. Learn about the original inhabitants of the land on which DC now stands and visit the world-class Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

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  • Multiple Parks

    Go Birding at Patuxent River Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Birdwatching
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Patuxent River Park
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A medium sized, white bird with a long S-shaped neck and orange bill stands on a branch.

    A short drive from Washington DC and Baltimore, Patuxent River Park boasts more than 7,000 acres of parkland along the Patuxent River. It boasts some of the best birding in the state, along with trails, a boat launch, museums of rural life, and a replica American Indian village.

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  • Multiple Parks

    Audio Tour of a Patuxent Town
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A Native American recreated town has a longhouse structure and sculpture with human face

    Discover thousands of years of archeology at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. Over 65 archeological sites tell the story of American Indian technology, innovation, and craft within the Chesapeake Bay landscape. Take an audio Tour the museum, laboratory, and woodland village, walk the park trails, and paddle the Patuxent river.

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  • Multiple Parks

    Paddle the Patuxent River Water Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Paddling
    • Pets: Yes
    A person paddles an orange kayak on a river with trees in the background.

    The Patuxent River Water Trail offers visitors the opportunity to paddle the river, camp along its banks and visit its numerous parks, historic sites, sanctuaries and wildlife areas. The 110 mile-long river is unique in that it is the longest river that flows entirely within the state of Maryland.

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Last updated: October 10, 2024