Start your travel by visiting Window Rock – the capital of the Navajo Nation, and home of the Navajo Zoo & Botanical Park, Window Rock Navajo Tribal & Veterans Memorial Park, and the Navajo tribal government.
Start your morning with a hot cup of coffee and a pastry from several coffee establishments in the area: Starbucks, inside the Bashas’ market; two outdoor coffee trucks, TséBii Sisters Coffee and Latte Abini Coffee; and LaChach Coffee, inside the Ah’Shi Beauty store.
Next, head over to the Navajo Zoo & Botanical Park. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This zoo is the only owned and operated Native American zoo in North America. Admission is free, but monetary donations are accepted and used toward the feed and care of the animals. This zoo features insects, reptiles, birds, large and small mammals, and plant life indigenous to the Navajo Nation. Every animal has a sign with its cultural significance and Diné language name.
Next door to the zoo is the Navajo Nation Museum & Library, which also happens to house the Office of Miss Navajo. This all-in-one building is architecturally shaped to represent a Diné hogan. The museum displays Diné-created artwork and mixed media pieces. In the area of the Office of Miss Navajo, displayed on the wall are portraits of past reigning Miss Navajos from 1952 to the present.
Drop by the Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise. This one-stop shop has beautiful rug weavings, trinkets, our famous silver and turquoise jewelry, various Western wear, Pendleton products and even a bead and leather shop for the crafters.
There is the flea market at the Chi’hootso Indian Market. Most vendors set up every Saturday with their jewelry, crafts and other items. Open most of the week, in the plaza you will find a couple of small shops with jewelry, clothing, a hair salon and food vendors offering both authentic Diné and American dishes.
Tag @discover_navajo or use hashtag #discovernavajo
*Disclaimer: The Navajo Nation currently has a MASK MANDATE for all public areas.
Visit DiscoverNavajo.com or call 928-810-8501 for more information.