A Tapestry of Humanity

The United States is often referred to as a “salad bowl” of culture. No—not a melting pot. A melting pot suggests people of all cultures are expected to assimilate under a common “American” label. The salad bowl theory recognizes our nation’s diversity in tandem with our oneness. We’re together, but still individualistic, like the ingredients of a salad.

As a result, the U.S. is a veritable tapestry of customs, heritage, and history fabricated by generations of immigration and integration. Some places across the country, whether individual museums or entire towns, exist to honor and celebrate the many cultures that shape America. Nearly everywhere you go across the country has some sort of tie to a specific group or culture.

It’s no secret that developing cultural awareness is paramount in fostering meaningful connections with those around you, building respect and empathy for other people, and celebrating both your differences and similarities with others. So, why not start educating your students today?

From themed towns and cultural festivals to remarkable museums and historic landmarks, opportunities for cultural immersion abound all around the U.S. Use these unique destinations to lead your students through discussion-based tours, encourage thoughtful discourse, and educate your group on the importance of cultural preservation. So, prepare your students for a global journey—no passport required.

Midwest

Steeped heavily in Nordic and Eastern European culture, the Midwest is home to several unique attractions honoring those heritages. For a fully immersive experience, bring your group to Holland, Michigan, an entire town modeled after the Netherlands. Dutch hospitality welcomes groups as they experience the awe-inspiring bloom of millions of tulips each spring, explore authentic European architecture downtown, sample Dutch delicacies, visit the picture-perfect DeZwann Windmill, or even learn to authentically Klompen dance from performers at Nelis’ Dutch Village.

For a more comprehensive immersion experience, send your students to the Concordia Language Villages near Bemidji, Minnesota. Here, themed villages feature culturally authentic camping experiences. Food, music, and decorations at each camp reflect the country the camp is named for, allowing students to be immersed in the world of a native speaker and learn a new language without leaving the U.S. Situated around Turtle River Lake, the Concordia Language Villages offer French, German, Norwegian, Finnish, Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, or Russian language immersion experiences for students.

Also in Minnesota is the American Swedish Institute. Based in Minneapolis, the American Swedish Institute is a gathering place for people to explore the art, customs, and culture of Sweden. Art exhibits, youth programs, and musical performances offer a wide variety of activities for your young tourgoers to enjoy while also learning. In Chicago, Illinois, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art offers a glimpse into the experiences of the currently war-torn Eastern European country. Exhibitions, concerts, readings, lectures, and film showings serve to strengthen cultural understanding and amplify voices of Ukrainian and American artists alike.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana, explores the intersection of art, history, and culture by sharing the stories of the American West and the Indigenous Peoples of North America. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is home to two cultural museums. For a trip around the world in only a day, bring your group to the African American Museum of Iowa and the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. In Davenport, your group can tour the German American Heritage Center & Museum.

Northeast

If there’s any gathering ground for different cultures in the Northeast, it would be Washington, D.C. To name just a few, the National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and National Museum of American Jewish Military History all serve as poignant reminders of the peoples who have come together to make up the fabric of our nation what it is today.

Of course, New York City, New York, is also a contender for that ultimate “salad bowl” label in the Northeast. Neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy will transport your students around the globe with authentic eateries and shops, exciting museums, and unforgettable street fairs. The Hispanic Society Museum & Library focuses on the arts and cultures of Spain and Portugal and their colonies in Latin America, the Spanish East Indies, and Portuguese India. In the Upper East Side of Manhattan, send your group to The Jewish Museum for art and artifacts displayed based on the eras from which they came. And, of course, the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration tells the harrowing stories of the 8 million immigrants who traveled to the United States from 1855 to 1890.

For a trip back to simpler times, bring your group to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s Amish County. Tour Old Windmill Farm, an authentic Amish farm where visitors can engage in activities like milking cows, gathering eggs, tending the garden, enjoying a hayride, or interacting with farm animals. Or, head to the Mennonite Life museum for a deeper look into the history behind the traditions and values upheld by the community today.

Southeast

Unlike the aforementioned regions and their predominantly Eastern Europe heritage, the Southeast comprises a mixture of Spanish, French, African, and Caribbean cultural influences. A city that perfectly embodies this combination of cultures is New Orleans, Louisiana. Visitors to the city will find these cultures deeply ingrained within the food, architecture, traditions, and holidays. For a true Big Easy experience, bring your group to the historic French Quarter for authentic cuisine and colorful street performances. Visit the New Orleans African American Museum to learn about the oldest-surviving Black community in the country, the Tremé neighborhood.

To the east, Miami, Florida’s Little Havana brings Cuban culture to the streets of America. This vibrant neighborhood is bursting with restaurants, fruit stands, shops, galleries, street art, and is home to the famed Máximo Gómez Park.

“Little Havana is a treasure trove of experiences for young groups eager to dive into Miami’s Latin and Caribbean heritage,” explains Connie Kinnard, senior vice president of multicultural tourism and development for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “But perhaps the most delicious way to experience Cuban culture is through its cuisine. Offered by Miami Culinary Tours, their ‘Little Havana Food Tour’ is a fantastic option, taking visitors on a 2 1/2-hour journey through the neighborhood’s culinary delights—from flavorful and savory beef picadillo empanadas to refreshing mamey smoothies. For a shorter yet equally satisfying experience, the ‘Little Havana Culture & Bites Tour’ provides a condensed introduction to both the culture and cuisine of the Havana area.”

Other gems within the neighborhood your students will love, Kinnard says, include the iconic Domino Park, the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center, Versailles restaurant, Azucar Ice Cream Co., and Dos Croquetas restaurant.

“Groups visiting Miami and Miami Beach can expect to encounter a vibrant tapestry of cultural influences, including Latin American, Caribbean, and American traditions,” Kinnard adds. “These influences are crucial as they reflect the city’s rich history of immigration and diversity, shaping its unique identity and fostering a sense of inclusivity. From the colorful murals of Wynwood to the spicy aromas of Little Havana’s Cuban cuisine, each cultural facet adds depth and richness to Miami’s landscape, offering valuable opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and understanding. By immersing themselves in these diverse influences, groups can gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of global cultures and develop empathy and respect for different perspectives, enhancing their overall educational experience.”

Other top-tier educational destinations your group will love include the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama; the iconic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama; Historic Jamestown in Jamestown, Virginia; Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia; International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina; and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Ashley, South Carolina.

West

Begin a truly authentic Western tour with a little bit of Cowboy culture. Head to Tombstone, Arizona, for a gunslinging show at the famous O.K. Corral. Or, visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Tour Historic Old Town in Deadwood, South Dakota. Bandera, Texas, also known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” offers myriad gunfight reenactments, dude ranches, chuckwagon dinners, rodeos, and much more.

Experience Indigenous culture at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, where 11 major cultural groups are represented. The Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii, is another tribute to native culture. Pay homage to a legend at the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of Custer County, South Dakota.

In New Mexico, the town of Taos tells a story 1,000 years in the making. Home to the Red Willow people long before European settlers made contact, Taos’ Indigenous culture is still very much apparent today. Your students will be surrounded by it.

“The heartbeat of Taos is intertwined with both Indigenous roots and Hispano migration, shaping a unique identity,” says John Rodriguez, community relations manager for Visit Taos. “In Taos, you don’t just observe culture; you’re enveloped by it. Travelers are invited to respectfully visit the centuries-old adobe structures of the Taos Pueblo, learn pottery and many different art forms from master artisans of Taos, and connect with the beautifully preserved landscape year-round across the Taos Valley.”

More popular cultural attractions in Taos include the Harwood Museum of Art, Hacienda de Los Martinez Museum, Couse-Sharp Historic Site, Millicent Rogers Museum, and the Taos Earthships. According to Rodriguez, “authentic” isn’t just a marketing buzzword in Taos, it’s an undeniable way of life.

“For young minds hungry for more than just the typical sights and sounds, Taos offers an abundance of experiences that expand their horizons,” Rodriguez adds. “Our town isn’t polished and packaged—it’s raw and real. Here, students don’t just learn about history; they are able to live it. Taos culture is found pulsating through every adobe, every brushstroke of local art, and every flavor of our cuisine.”

By Madeline Fuerstenberg

Main Image: Little Havana, Miami, Florida; Credit: Adobe/Toimages