North Carolina Open-Air Museum Ranked One of the Country’s Best

There are many different kinds of museums in North Carolina and throughout the country, and one of them is open-air museums. Sometimes open-air museums don't get the attention of traditional museums, because they're so different from the usual museum experience. Plus, there just aren't as many open-air museums throughout the country are there are traditional museums. But, these special spots of exploration and learning won't go unnoticed any longer, because the folks at USA Today are highlighting the best open-air museums in the country.

So, what is an open-air museum? "Open-air museums, comprising a series of buildings preserved as objects and ecomuseums, involving the interpretation of all aspects of an outdoor environment," Britannica states. The New World Encyclopedia notes that the very first open air museums were built in Scandinavia "towards the end of the nineteenth century, and the concept soon spread throughout Europe, North America, and all over the world, along with the development of transportation and tourism. Open air museums are variously known as skansen, museums of buildings, living farm museums, living history museum and folk museums."

So, the best way to think of these are as living history museums with something extra to offer visitors. It goes without saying that these museums can be perfect for the warmer months, since you're experiencing them outside.

The experts at USA Today have released their roster of the best open-air museums in America, as part of their 10 Best series. This series has experts picking spots for which to vote, and then readers vote for their favorites. They state that these museums "offer visitors the opportunity to see how people lived, worked, moved about, and played in different times, and feature historic buildings, artifacts, and activities that help recreate the past."

So, which North Carolina open-air museum made the cut? Coming in at No. 3 is Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee, North Carolina, 28719. USA Today raves about this place, stating, "With a focus on accuracy and respect, the Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee, North Carolina, offers an authentic representation of Cherokee life in the 18th century."

USA Today adds that, "Showcasing traditional Cherokee dwellings and tools, visitors can experience a living history tour guided by Cherokee cultural interpreters who demonstrate traditional crafts while sharing stories and insights into Cherokee history and traditions.