Month: September 2020

Growing up I remember all the images on TV of heroic American pioneers moving west in covered wagons and being attacked at times by Indians. Never did I give it much thought that the Indians wanted them off their land that they occupied for hundreds of years. We were truly getting one side of the story.

So are they American Indians or Native Americans? Both terms are fine but individuals may have a preference.

There are close to 600 recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages. There are over five million Native Americans living in the U.S. which is 2% of the total U.S. population. The largest area of Indian land is the Navajo Nation Reservation in the Southwest going across three states.

30% of the tribes have casino revenues but most continue to face economic hardships. Some tribes prefer not to have tourists, or require that you check in with their tribal office first. Call ahead to the tribal government office to understand if and where visitors are welcome. This way, you can avoid any unexpected common travel mishaps on your journey. When visiting any reservation, you are considered a guest and should respect the privacy of the people who live there and follow the local laws.

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is the most economically depressed in the U.S. with a relatively short life expectancy for their citizens. These people need your tourist dollars. It is a large area to cover so getting around is easier with a native guide. www.oglalalakotanation.info/home

Tatanka Rez Tourz takes you to the main sites around the reservation. The Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and the Ogala Lakota College are some of the spots. You will also hear the history of the Lakota, their battles with the U.S. government, broken treaties, starvation, and the eventual Wounded Knee Massacre where U.S. soldiers shot, killed, and mutilated over 300 unarmed men, women, and children. The father/daughter team will meet you in Allen, SD and costs $50 per person/hour. Three hours is recommended. Call for more information 605-455-1744

Sitting Bull (Tatanka-Iyotanka) was a Lakota chief in this area and was legendary. After the U.S. Government signed a peace treaty with the tribes in the area in 1868, they reneged on the deal when they found out there was gold in the area just six years later. They wanted the tribes to be relocated out of the area. Sitting Bull, with the assistance of Crazy Horse, went to war in 1876 to ensure they stayed on their native land. They defeated General Custer  and the U.S. Army where he had “his last stand”. You can see the Sitting Bull monument off of highway 1806 in Mobridge. www.mobridge.org

At the Mobridge Auditorium go see the 10 murals about the history of the Sioux. Sioux artist Oscar Howe created them in 1941. There is an audio mural tour to describe the murals you are looking at. www.oscarhowetour.wordpress.com

The Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

The Blackfeet Nation has made its ancestral home in Montana including Glacier National Park. Blackfeet Reservation can be visited combined with a tour of Glacier National Park. Sun Tours have guides that are residents of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation who share Tribal culture, history and lifestyle. Half day tours $ 60, full day $ 105 which includes a stop at the Museum of the Plains Indians. www.glaciersuntours.com or call 406-732-9220. To help you see everything on your trip to MT, you should additionally take the time to review our official Montana outdoor travel and adventure guide.

Another option there you have is visiting the Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village. Catch a ½ day tour from Blackfeet artist Darrell Norman who discusses history and customs. He will travel with you in your car. $150 1-4 people. You can stay there overnight in a tipi for $ 120 for two people. That includes a sleeping bag and blanket. A traditional Blackfeet dinner is also available for purchase. www.blackfeetculturecamp.com

Every August, Crow Agency becomes the Tepee Capital of the World when it hosts the largest American Indian encampment in the nation, and the largest gathering of the year for the Apsaalooke Nation. It is 60 miles south of Billings, Montana.

To see the many options for Native American sights in this state, go to visitmt.com/guidebook and download the Indian Country guide.

Seminole Indian Reservation, Florida

The Billie Swamp Safari on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation offers airboat rides. You can also spend the night in a traditional thatch-roof dwelling. At night they also have swamp buggy rides and Native storytelling. Eat at the Swamp Water Café which serves native Seminole delicacies such as catfish, frog legs and gator tail nuggets. While you are in the area, be sure to pay a visit the the Florida Space Coast & Kennedy Space Center.

Every November, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum hosts the American Indian Arts Celebration in the Everglades to celebrate the Seminole tribe. There is storytelling, performances, alligator wrestling, and vendors selling traditional arts. You should also visit the museum and the cypress swamp boardwalk. Additionally, the nature trail goes through a cypress dome and ends at a living village. www.ahtahthiki.com

Walker River Paiute Reservation, Nevada

Stop at the Walker River Paiute Reservation in Schurz for hunting or fishing. It was established back in 1874. It is 100 miles south of Reno. For your permit call 775-773-2306. In September head there for the Pinenut Festival which is a great display of native activities. While you are in Schurz, head for some authentic Indian crafts at the Four Seasons Smoke Shop.

At the Churchill County Museum in Fallon you will see the history of the Numu and Newe tribes. www.ccmuseum.org

This is also the meeting spot for a free tour of Hidden Cave nearby. You will learn the history of the Paiute-Shoshone tribes. The tour is held the first and fourth Saturday of each month at 9:30.

Paiute Tribe Reservation, Nevada

On Pyramid Lake in Nixon you can fish or camp overnight on the Paiute Tribe Reservation. It is 35 miles NE of Reno. Tribal permit required. Call 775-476-1155

Right over the border in California see the Gatekeepers Museum in Tahoe City. You will learn the history of the Wa She Shu tribe.

Want to see some action? Head to the Las Vegas Strip where you can see the Indian National Finals Rodeo at the South Point Casino. It is usually held in the fall every year. You will see the best from Indian Country during this five day event. Bull riding, bareback bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling and more. For more details and dates www.infr.org

Skull Valley Indian Reservation, Utah

Skull Valley Indian Reservation in Utah is home of the Goshute, or Desert People. The reservation is located right between the Great Salt Flats and Salt Lake City. With jawdropping views of Utah’s Salt Flats, Skull Valley is one of the most overlooked North American sightseeing destinations.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay, be sure to check out Simpson Springs Campground, where you can lodge for only $5 per night! Here, you can partake in even more desert activities like four-wheel driving trails, rock hounding, and hiking.

Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, North & South Dakota

Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North and South Dakota is the fifth largest in the United States, and spans offer two million acres. The reservation is rich with Native American history and natural beauty. Chief Sitting Bull himself, who is known for defeating General Custer, is buried here at Fort Yates. At Fort Yates, you can additionally find the Standing Rock Monument, a natural formation that serves as the reservation’s namesake. There are dozens of additional attractions to visit in Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. For example, be sure to hike the Legacy Trail in order to follow Lewis & Clark’s legendary expedition.

Havasupai Indian Reservation, Arizona

Havasupai is one of the most highly visited Native American Indian Reservations in the United States. Right next to Grand Canyon National Park, Havasupai is unbelievably beautiful. The Indian Reservation is famous for its red rock walls and clear blue waters, which are most prominent at the famous Havasupai Falls. However, the Havasupai land is incredibly sacred to it’s people. Therefore, you will need a reservations with the tribe to hike and camp at the reservation. If you plan on visiting, you can expect to spend around $150 for camping in the area. To prepare for that kind of trip, you should additionally take the time to read our guide on family camping vacations in the United States.

Metlakatla Indian Community, Alaska

Metlakatla Indian Community is located within Alaska’s Annette Islands. It remains as the only Indian Reserve in the State of Alaska. To get to the Metlakatla Community, you will need to take a ferry or short flight from Ketchikan, Alaska. For lodging options, be sure to make a reservation at the Metlakatla Inn or Haven Hotel, as these are the only options for overnight accommodations. For dining, there are only a handful of options to choose from that include, the Metlakatla Mini-Mart, Munchies, Al’s Hungry Raven, Leask’s Market, and the Shadow Mountain Coffee Stand. If you are planning on visiting Metlakatla for longer than 24 hours, you will need to apply for a special visitors permit on their website.

Wind River Indian Reservation, Wyoming

Encompassing more than 2 million acres, Wyoming’s Wind River is the seventh largest Native American reservation in the United States. Many tourists visit Wind River to witness the Absaroka Mountains, Boysen State Park, and Grand Teton National Park. On your visit, you should additionally visit the Eastern Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center, Museum of the American West, and St. Stephens Indian Mission & Heritage Center. If you prefer the outdoors, there are ample opportunities for pack trips, ice climbing, camping, and dog sledding. To see more while you are in WY, be sure to read our complete Wyoming value travel vacation guide to help you best prepare.

Cherokee, North Carolina

Of course, you can always experience an abundance of Native attractions in Cherokee, North Carolina. Located just an hour west of Asheville, NC, Cherokee is conveniently located for visitors all over the East Coast. While you are here, be sure to stop by Oconaluftee Indian Village. Here, modern-day Cherokee will demonstrate how to create arrowheads, carve masks, and build a dugout canoe. Simultaneously, you should stop by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, where you an learn about important traditions, battle reenactments, and entertainment. Certainly, the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina is an excellent step for your value travel journey.

There are hundreds of pow-wows that you can attend and discover. A pow-wow is an American Indian ceremony or social gathering. There are traditional ones, there are cultural, and there are competitive ones. Those are more intense and involve drum groups and dancers. The songs and dancing are forms of prayers and are a marvel to watch.

Remember every November is Native American Heritage Month. This also raises awareness about our nation’s first inhabitants!

Vacationers across the globe are constantly looking to experience Native American travel food when visiting the United States or Canada. Native American cuisine is more than food. It represents an edible history of Native American culture, society, and heritage. With over 500 federally recognized Native tribes in the United States, there are dozens of inspiring destinations on your Native American cuisine vacation. If you are interested in the best cultural dishes to help you explore North America’s oldest cultures, there are several destinations on your Native cuisine itinerary to Indian Country.

Indian Country (that’s the name for all of the reservations) is home to the first peoples of this country. There you’ll find a wide range of cultures, activities and magnificent scenery. Indian reservations are not in good economic shape. To make things worse COVID has attacked them more than any other group. There are no poorer, sicker, and at-risk Americans. You can help! Go visit, book a tour, eat at their restaurants, buy jewelry and pottery, play at their casinos, or get a permit for fishing or camping on a Reservation. Tourism dollars are a great way to support them.

This five part series only scratches the surface on where you can visit to see the American Indian experience. I do not even cover Alaska, Hawaii and Canada at all. Since the Indians were the original inhabitants of our country, they have many sights, memorials, and monuments in every state.

Cultural Native American Foods In Washington D.C.

The National Museum of the American Indian has a collection that covers cultures from all of the Americas, displaying more than 800,000 items. A good orientation inside is the 13 minute film, Who We Are, to give you a good visual background for the visit. The Mitsitam Cafe is a great spot for lunch while there and enjoy authentic Native American foods. www.nmai.si.edu

You will learn some important Indian history just by going to see the state statues in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center. Seven in particular are related to Native Americans. Standing Bear for Nebraska, Sarah Winnemucca for Nevada, Po’pay for New Mexico, Sakakawea for North Dakota, Will Rogers and Sequoyah for Oklahoma and Chief Washakie for Wyoming.

Tulalip & Quinault Cuisine In Washington State

Hibulb Cultural Center where you can to experience the history of the Tulalip people. Have dinner at the Tulalip Casino’s restaurant, The Blackfish. You will find a seafood menu specializing in regional ingredients and the Tulalip tradition.

Another great spot is the Quinault Indian Nation, see the Quinault Beach Casino and enjoy the views dining at Emily’s Oceanfront Restaurant.

Native American Fresh-Farmed Goods

When you travel to experience Native American food, you will find plenty of fresh grown produce. If you are a fan of the farm-to-table trend, this is some of the best food in the US….

The White Mountain Apaches in White River, AZ sell a variety of onions. You can get layered onions, fresh garlic and other organic produce at their local farmers market. You can shop on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month.

The Oneida Farmers Market in Green Bay, WI opens for the season on June 20. www.oneida-nsn.gov

Choctaw Indians in Mississippi operate the Choctaw Farmers’ Market. You can find it located on Highway 16 West in the Pearl River Community starting in June. www.facebook.com/choctawfreshproduce

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has its Native Farmers Market in Michigan. www.facebook.com/pg/nativefarmersmarket

Seneca Nation Gakwiyoh Farms has organically quality food products including fruits and vegetables as well as many other products. You can find herbs, meat, all natural syrup and corn products. www.facebook.com/GakwiyohFarms

Post-Colonial Native American Cuisine Travel In New Mexico

New Mexico is a cultural hub for Native American food travel. Here, you can find dozens of incredible cultural dishes and restaurants prepared using authentic recipes. In New Mexico, one of the most well known restaurants to experience is Pueblo Harvest Café. Opened in Albuquerque in 1976, the Pueblo Harvest Café is a favorite for Native American food travelers all across the globe. The world famous restaurant is located right in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Within this cultural center, you can learn about the 19 New Mexican Pueblo tribes that run the restaurant, and many other establishments in the area. Be sure to try signature dishes like Ohkay Owingeh ovenbread pudding, Hazruquive stew, and frybread.

Pima & Maricopa Inspired Native American Fine Dining In Arizona

When visiting Arizona, there are dozens of incredible fine dining establishments for Native American food travel. A must visit on your trip, the world famous restaurant Kai uses ingredients from the Gila River Indian Community. This is a great way to experience cultural dishes of Native American tribes local to Arizona. While many dishes are very pricey, the famous restaurant has been awarded both the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond recognitions. Great place for a special occasion. Of course, indoor dining restrictions are constantly changing with the current pandemic. Be sure to read about our COVID-19 travel advisory information for tourists in order to learn more.

To experience more on your Native cuisine travel in Arizona, be sure to check out other staple restaurants like the Fry Bread House, Hopi Cultural Center, and Hogan Family Restaurant. These popular eateries additionally allow you to sample cuisine featured by Navajo, Hopi, American Indian, and White Mountain Apache tribes. While you are in Arizona, be sure to experience some positive spiritual vortexes in Sedona Arizona.

Authentic Cultural Cuisine In Tampa, Florida

Certainly, you can even enjoy some authentic Native American travel dishes in Tampa, Florida. One of the dishes most well-renowned in this area is known as Three Sisters. Simply, it is just a mixture of corn, beans, and squash, which are some of the primary agricultural crops in Native American heritage. There are plenty of incredible restaurants where you can order this dish, however, one of the most popular is Ulele. Here, you can enjoy the vibrant fusion of local ingredients from the Florida waters, which was home to many Native Americans. Of course, one of the most prominent being Princess Ulele. While you are in Florida, be sure to check out our guide on the top things to do Florida Space Coast to see more on your vacation.

Native American Osage Food Travel In Colorado

Visiting famous Colorado cities like Denver, there are dozens of Osage inspired restaurants and dishes for your Native American food travel. Owned by Ben Jacobs of the Osage Nation, famous restaurants like Tocabe are known for their meat pies, corn chowder, and fry bread. In addition to cultural Osage dishes, Tocabe additionally serves food inspired by other tribes like Cherokee and Red Lake Nation. Before you travel to the Rocky Mountain State, be sure to read our complete guide on how to diagnose and prevent high altitude sickness in Colorado. After that, look over the best active outdoor adventures Colorado you need to try to plan a trip that you will truly remember.

Colorado additionally offers the opportunity to learn about the Pueblo Indians. The Pueblo Indians lived at Mesa Verde from 600 to 1300 and left behind some of the best preserved sites in the country. Take a ranger-guided tour of their ancient cliff dwellings to get the most out of this amazing setting. There are a number of tours to choose from. Some of them involve climbing, hiking, and walking. Make your selection based on physical ability. Call 877-444-6777 for options. For other tour options go to www.visitmesaverde.com.

Grab a meal with a view at the lodge’s Metate Room restaurant. It is only open for dinner so try to be seated before sunset for the view. Make reservations at 970-529-4422. Maybe sleep overnight at the Far View Lodge inside the national park with spectacular vistas. It is located 15 miles inside the park and is the only choice inside.

20 miles south of Cortez, you can spend time discovering the history of the Utes tribe in Towaoc. You can find a half day tour for $29 or a full day for $ 48. For more information call 970-565-9653

The American West was changed forever in November 1864 with the Sand Creek Massacre in Eads. The ranger-led program will describe to you what happened there when 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians were killed after a peace treaty was agreed upon months earlier. www.nps.gov/sand

Sioux Cuisine Experiences Is Minnesota

Minnesota, and Minneapolis in particular, is a major hub for Native American food travelers. After all, the word Minnesota is derived from the Native American term for ‘sky-tinted’ or ‘sky-blue’ waters. On your visit, be sure to stop by The Sioux Chef restaurant. This famous restaurant specializes in the cuisines of the indigenous Dakota and Minnesota territories. At the same time, you should consider popular establishments like Gatherings Café & Pow Wow Grounds on your Native American food travel visit to Minneapolis.

There are several Native American food travel destinations to visit on your upcoming vacation. With more vacationers eager to learn about the history, culture, and traditions of North America’s oldest culture this cuisine is becoming more popular in the United States. Several restaurants and cultural centers highlight the diversity of Native American cuisine across the country. If you are looking to learn more about Native American food and culture, consider visiting states like Washington, Arizona, Minnesota, and Colorado. There are even several popular establishments to experience on your New Mexico roadtrip travel itinerary. Read on to learn about the top destinations to experience Native American food travel in the United States.

“The only thing that matters is to feel the fado. The fado is not meant to be sung; it simply happens. You feel it, you don’t understand it and you don’t explain it.”– Legendary Fado Singer Amália Rodrigues

Fado In Lisbon

If you are looking for a great value-packed European experience, Lisbon in Portugal is the place to head to. It is less expensive there than most of the more popular destinations like London, Paris, Rome, Venice, and Amsterdam.

When you go to Lisbon, plan on spending your evenings eating traditional Portuguese food and listening to the music of fado.

What Is Fado?

Fado is unique to Portugal. You won’t hear it anywhere else. When you listen to fado, you will feel the emotion. You don’t really need to know the lyrics or understand Portuguese. It evokes the emotion of saudade, which is a yearning or longing for something lost. Fado is meant to be felt, not understood.

It is the Portuguese blues. Similar to Kentucky Bluegrass music, fado is a local style of music. Traveling to Lisbon, it will be an experience between the singer and the audience. The music has African and Arabic influences that you will notice throughout. The themes originally were the working class life and political views.

Fado simply means fate or destiny. Performing fado, there is no spotlight, no large stage, and no microphone. Instead, expensive audio equipment is substituted for a singer, and potentailly a guitarist or two.

Famous Fado Singers

The Queen of Fado, Amália Rodrigues, 1920-1999, defined the genre. Rodrigues became famous for taking the stage in a black dress, a shawl, and a traditional Portuguese pear shaped guitar. When she died Portugal observed many days of mourning.

You may be familiar with the music. Fado singer Mariza sang a duet with Sting at the 2004 summer Olympics. We know have international stars like Mariza, Camane’ and Ana Moura. Go listen to Ana’s Desfado to start your journey into this world.

Fado In Alfama

Alfama is the birthplace of fado and the heart of Lisbon. It is also the oldest part of the city. You will find the Museum of Fado there and the hilly streets and alleyways are a great place to wander and get lost during the day. If walking is a problem for you, try taking the tram 28 which travels slowly through the heart of Alfama. The length of the tram ride is approximately one hour one way from beginning to end.

Before your evenings out listening to fado, head to the Museo do Fado during the day in Alfama to learn about its history and listen to a sampling of the greatest artists. It is open 11-5 Tuesday thru Sunday.

Be prepared to not head out to dinner before 8.30, with most locals not heading out until around 10pm to start their meal! So you’ll want to plan accordingly so you can make the most of the atmosphere and choose restaurants that are popular with locals.

Barrio Alto Fado

The cobblestone streets of Bairro Alto are good for an evening of drinking, dancing, sidewalk café’s and listening to fado.

Mouraria Fado

As you travel through Lisbon, it is essential to experience fado in Mouraria. Mouraria is well known for its narrow streets and vibrant neighborhood. Unlike Alfama, fado in Mouraria is spontaneously played on the streets or on small stage shows.

There is even a fado school located in Mouraria for travelers looking to learn more about the genre.

When you visit this neighborhood, be sure to visit the Rua de Capelao. At the entrance, you can see a monument commemorating the birthplace or Mouraria fado. The statue is Portuguese Guitar, sculpted in marble, and placed near the home of Maria Severa, one of the first women to sing fado in Lisbon.

Fado In Coimbra

Just North of Lisbon, there is an abundance of cultural and musical attractions to see in Coimbra. Coimbra is roughly a two hour drive, or hour and a half public transportation ride from Lisbon.

While the style of fado heard in Lisbon is the most popular, Coimbra fado is commonly considered a more classical style. Since this style of fado was frequently adopted by students at the University of Coimbra, the musical genre is often referred to as Student fado.

Unlike Lisbon-style music, the Combrian genre is more about finding hope within the everyday hardships we live through. Lisbon’s music, on the other hand, tends to suggest surrender in these difficult times. If you are planning a visit to Coimbra, consider famous fado clubs like Fado Hilario, Quebra o Galho, and A Capella.

Where To Experience Fado

There are nearly 50 fado houses throughout the cobblestone streets of Lisbon. Whichever neighborhood you visit, there will be several incredibly talented fadista singers performing every night. How to decide where to go? Do you want professional or local up-and-comers? Do you want an intimate setting with only a focus on the music? Or would you rather a nice dinner that includes fado? Try them all!

Here are some other fantastic options for all your evenings:

• O Faia Restaurant has an extensive menu for dinner and an evening of fado. If you are concerned about your dietary restrictions, be sure to use a food allergy translation card. (Bairro Alto)
• Maria de Mouraria is the rebuilt house of one of the original fado singers, Maria Severa. She died in 1846 at 26 years old but her spirit lives on. It is the only fado house in the neighborhood. (Mouraria)
• O Forcado Restaurant has a full array of entertainment including dancers in traditional costumes. (Bairro Alto)
• Parreirinha de Alfama is a little club that is owned by a fado legend. Extensive menu and cozy interior. One of the original fado venues. (Alfama)
• Boteco Da Fa’ is a family owned restaurant with an authentic fado experience. (Alfama)*
• Tasca Bela is an intimate spot for tapas and drinks. Live fado 4x/week. (Alfama)*
• Sr. Vinho is a well known establishment with a sizeable menu in this residential neighborhood. (Lapa)
• Tasca Do Chico An intimate setting for a drink and fado entertainment. (Bairro Alto)*
• Clube do Fado offers some of the best live performances of fado in Portugal. Dinner can be pricey but you can arrive after 10:30 for the music. (Alfama)
• Sr. Fado de Alfama is popular for travelers and locals searching for home-cooked meals, fine wine, and an authentic experience. This location is owned by well-known fado musicians Ana Maria and Duarte Santos.
• Soak in the atmosphere at A Baiuca, a tiny tavern and restaurant which attracts local, amateur fado singers well past midnight. (Alfama)
• Bela Vinhos e Petiscos is a tavern known for its shared Portuguese dishes. fado performances Thursday-Sunday.(Alfama)
• Duetos da Se’ was a former chapel and is intimate with a limited number of tables. Great place for fado.
• Mesa de Frades was also an 18th century chapel and a great spot for fado outside the tourist district(Lisbon)*

*more of a locals crowd

Types Of Fado Club

There are two types of fado clubs: professional adegas and amateur tascas. The former is usually a dinner/show experience showcasing some of Portugal’s most famous performers. You never know who is going to show up at an open-mic tasca and that often makes it more exciting. From aspiring up-and-comers to established fadistas, these are far more authentic and less touristy than adegas. Tascas are basically mom and pop restaurants that serve home-cooked meals. If home-cooked meals are one of your favorite parts of traveling too, be sure too read our Ultimate Southern food travel guide; which breaks down the best food in North Carolina.

You get a much better value at a tasca. Don’t miss visiting Tasca Do Chico, in the Bairro Alto, where it gets a bit crowded and creates a most intimate venue for fado. Povo is another tasca that showcases unknown fado singers. Things start happening around dinner, but break into overdrive around 11 p.m.

Fado Etiquitte

Remember to remain completely silent during all songs. If you’re at an adega, stop eating. Spectators will “hiss” to quiet you down if you are talking. If you’re at a tasca, don’t order a drink or enter the club until a singer has finished. Taking a couple of pictures is alright but avoid using flash and videos are frowned upon. Pay attention and soak in the moment. The singer is pouring their heart out to you.

The Best Time To Experience Fado

Before booking your trip, you should consider the best time of the year to experience Fado music. Fortunately, Fado music is offered in Lisbon and Coimbra all year round. However, remember that like many other European cities, Lisbon is subject to mass tourism. Therefore, it is often recommended to visit Lisbon (any any other European cities) during the off-season.

Ideally, you should try to visit in between March through May, or between September and October. In summer months like June, July, and August, Portuguese cities will be extremely crowded. Prior to booking your trip, consider the benefits of experiencing fado during the off-season.

Cost Of A Fado Club

Before visiting a fado club in Lisbon or Coimbra, you should understand the cost of a full experience. This way, you can plan ahead, and stay on track of your value travel experience. Generally, there is no cover charge to enter a Fado club. However, many restaurants do have a minimum spend, or an expensive pre-fixed menu that is inclusive of the show. Ultimately, the cost of the experience will depend on the venue you select. More casual tascas generally offer a more affordable menu, whereas fancier adegas will generally cost more for the full experience.

Additional Sites To See In Portugal

As you plan your fado travel to Lisbon, you need to familiarize yourself with the additional sites to see in Portugal. Fado is best enjoyed in the evening or night. Therefore, you will have an open itinerary for  sighteeing  for most of the morning and afternoon. Fortunately, there are dozens of historical and cultural attractions to visit on your trip to Lisbon.

Pay a visit to Belem Tower, the landmark of a former medieval defense site. Lisbon is additionally home to a number of incredible religious sites like the Jeronimos Monastery and the Sanctuary of Christ the King. To see the most on your visit to Portugal you should additionally visit some of these other tourist attractions:

• Castelo de S. Jorge
• Parça de Comercio
• Ocenario de Lisboa
• Padrao dos Descobrimentos

Fado Full Experience

If you want a full immersion into fado, plan on going to the Santa Casa Alfama Music Festival. Venues throughout the Alfama neighborhood are transformed into concert halls to showcase new and established Portuguese fado artists. Overall 40 performances in 12 locations. In 2020 it takes place in October. Dates not announced yet for 2021. Check out the website for more details at www.santacasaalfama.com

Hidden Entertainment Gems In Lisbon, Portugal

Of course, there are plenty of hidden entertainment gems to experience in Lisbon, Portgual. If you are looking for authentic food, try Baculhau a Bras at many local restaurants throughout the city. After dinner, head over to Pavilhao Chines and Pensao Amor for drinks. In fact, you may even want to stop by Campo Pequeno, which is an authentic Portuguese bull ring. Other undiscovered authentic experiences include visiting Ler Devagar, Central Tejo, or taking a day trip to Setubal. If you are visiting on a family vacation, you may even enojoy a ferry ride to Cristo Rei, or visiting Pavilhao do Conhecimento Ciencia Viva. If you are a fan of entertainment travel in general, there is plenty to see outside of Portugal as well. Be sure to check out our Black History entertainment travel to learn more.

The Portugese fado experience is a must-add for your travel bucket list. Fado music provides an authentic cultural experience that cannot easily be found elsewhere. Before booking your accommodations, be sure to find out about the best neighborhoods and venues to listen to fado music. If you are concerned about your dietary restrictions, be sure to plan your trip around food allergies. Once you have planned your trip, get ready to experience Portugal’s authentic music scene.