About Us
Discover Authentic Southwest Treasures and Traveler Essentials Worth Stopping For
At Indian Village Gift Shop, we believe a great roadside stop should feel memorable, useful, and genuinely connected to the place around it. That is what we have worked to offer since 1993. We’re more than a convenience store and gift shop. We are a traditional trading post experience where travelers can explore authentic Native American handcrafted art, stock up on Route 66 traveler essentials, and take in a landmark stop that feels nothing like a generic chain. From fuel and snacks to handcrafted jewelry and artisan-made keepsakes, we give visitors a real Southwest experience with heart, history, and personality.
A Landmark Stop With Real History Behind It
We are proud to be a family-owned business with deep roots in the travel experience along the Mother Road. Since 1993, we have welcomed road trippers, families, collectors, and curious travelers looking for a stop that offers more than the usual shelves of mass-produced souvenirs. Our shared ownership under Glenn Slaughter connects Indian Village Gift Shop with Top of the World Gift Shop, giving both locations the same commitment to quality, authenticity, and warm hospitality.
That shared heritage matters because it creates consistency. When customers stop with us, they know they are stepping into a place that values the real Southwest. We do not try to imitate a trading post atmosphere. We live it. Our shelves reflect careful selection, regional craftsmanship, and a respect for the artists and traditions that make this part of the country so distinct.
We’re also proud to be associated with a true Route 66 Historic Landmark experience. For many travelers, reaching the Continental Divide is a bucket-list moment, and we love being part of that memory.
Experience the Highest Point on I-40
One of the biggest things that sets us apart is our location at the highest point on I-40. That alone makes our stop memorable for travelers who want to mark a meaningful point in their journey. There is something special about pulling over at a place that is not just convenient, but part of the story of the road itself.
We have become known as an I-40 Exit 47 trading post where people can stretch their legs, refuel, browse, and experience a destination that feels rooted in place. Travelers often arrive looking for gas, snacks, and a quick break, then end up discovering handcrafted pieces, regional foods, and one of the most recognizable roadside experiences in the area.
For visitors who want more than a forgettable stop, we offer something richer. We offer a place where the road, the culture, and the shopping experience come together naturally.
Visit Our Historic Navajo Hogan
A major highlight of our property is the Historic Navajo Hogan, one of the largest on Route 66. It is more than a photo opportunity. It gives visitors a chance to connect with the visual character and architectural spirit of the region in a way that feels immediate and memorable.
For travelers checking off major Route 66 landmarks, the Hogan adds something special to the stop. It gives our location a sense of identity that goes beyond a standard gift shop. Families, road trippers, and collectors all appreciate that they can do more than buy something and leave. They can explore a setting that reflects the heritage and atmosphere of the Southwest.
That is a big part of what makes us different. We are not trying to look like everyone else on the highway. We are here to offer a place that feels unmistakably tied to the land, the artists, and the travel traditions that brought people here in the first place.
Authentic Art and Crafts, Not Generic Souvenirs
We know a lot of travelers are tired of generic big-box stops where everything looks the same. That is why we focus so heavily on authenticity. Our goal is to provide a traditional Southwest trading post atmosphere filled with pieces that actually reflect regional artistry and skill.
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We carry authentic Native American handcrafted art and hand-selected Indigenous jewelry chosen with care. Glenn Slaughter and our team act as curators, not just merchandisers. We work to bring in pieces that reflect quality, craftsmanship, and genuine cultural value rather than mass-market imitation.
Our collection includes:
- locally-sourced Zuni and Navajo crafts
- genuine turquoise jewelry
- sterling silver Southwest jewelry
- hand-carved Kachina dolls
- ironwood animal sculptures
- Onyx and Soapstone figures
- Blair Cedar jewelry boxes
- Taos and Minnetonka moccasins
- exotic wood handle knives
Each category gives travelers a chance to bring home something with more meaning than a standard souvenir rack item. We want people to leave with a piece that feels special, lasting, and truly connected to the Southwest.
Jewelry and Handmade Pieces Worth Taking Home
Some of our most popular items are our jewelry and artisan-made gifts. Customers looking for hand-selected Indigenous jewelry often appreciate that we do not treat these pieces like commodity products. We understand that jewelry can be personal, collectible, and deeply tied to craftsmanship.
Our selection of genuine turquoise jewelry and sterling silver Southwest jewelry reflects that mindset. We also carry pieces and decorative items that appeal to collectors and travelers who want something distinctive for the home. From hand-carved Kachina dolls to ironwood animal sculptures and Onyx and Soapstone figures, we offer items that feel curated rather than piled onto shelves.
This matters because people want confidence in what they are buying. They want to know their purchase has character and quality. We work hard to give them that confidence while also supporting local Native artisans whose work deserves to be seen by the traveling public.
Route 66 Souvenirs, Travel Staples, and Everyday Convenience
Not every stop is about collecting art. Sometimes travelers simply need practical help. We make that easy too. As a convenience store and gift shop, we stock the things road travelers often need most while still keeping the experience enjoyable.
Visitors stop in for:
- Phillips 66 gas and diesel
- oil, transmission fluid, and starting fluid
- snacks and drinks
- Route 66 traveler essentials
- coffee mugs, t-shirts, shot glasses, plaques, belts, and hats
- McKinley County souvenirs
- quick grab-and-go items for the road
We also carry regional favorites that make a great gift or a flavorful reminder of the trip, including hatch green chile salsa and prickly pear jellies and honey. Those kinds of items help round out the stop and give travelers something local to enjoy or share.
We like being the kind of place where someone can fuel up, grab a snack, find a thoughtful gift, and discover something authentic all in one visit.
Supporting Local Artists Through a High-Traffic Trading Post
One of the things we care about most is serving as a bridge between local artists and the wider traveling public. By giving local silversmiths, carvers, and makers a visible place to sell their work, we help keep traditional artistry connected to real customers from across the country and beyond.
That role matters. Travelers are often looking for something real, and local artists deserve a venue that respects their work. We are proud to help make that connection. It is one of the reasons our shop feels different from mass-market roadside retail. The pieces here come with a human story behind them.
We believe this helps preserve something valuable. It keeps handmade work visible, gives customers access to more meaningful purchases, and supports a tradition of craftsmanship that deserves to be appreciated in person.
Why Travelers Choose Us Over Generic Highway Stops
There are plenty of places to stop on a long drive, but not many offer the combination of history, authenticity, convenience, and personality that we do. Travelers choose us because they want a place that feels rooted in the region and useful at the same time.
They choose us for:
- a Route 66 Historic Landmark experience
- an I-40 Exit 47 trading post with character
- access to the highest point on I-40
- one of the largest Historic Navajo Hogan sites on Route 66
- authentic Native American handcrafted art
- hand-selected Indigenous jewelry and regional crafts
- Phillips 66 gas and diesel
- a convenience store and gift shop that still feels personal
We think that balance is what makes a stop memorable. It is not just about what you buy. It is about where you bought it, who helped you, and whether the place felt real.
Proud to Welcome Travelers and Locals Alike
We are proud to serve travelers crossing the region as well as locals looking for gifts, regional goods, fuel, and artisan-made pieces. We are rooted in McKinley County and welcome visitors from nearby communities and from all over the country who are making their way along Route 66. Through our shared ownership and standards, we also extend that same care and authentic Southwest focus across our connected business presence.
Whether someone is on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip or making a familiar stop along a regular route, we want them to feel like they found something special here. We want the experience to feel warm, genuine, and worth repeating.
Frequently Asked Questions
We focus on authentic Southwest quality, handcrafted art, curated jewelry, and a traditional trading post atmosphere instead of generic mass-produced items.
Yes. We carry authentic Native American handcrafted art, hand-selected Indigenous jewelry, and locally-sourced Zuni and Navajo crafts.
We offer Phillips 66 gas and diesel, snacks, travel essentials, fluids for the road, and convenience items, along with our gift selection.
Yes. We are known as a Route 66 Historic Landmark stop and are located at the highest point on I-40, making us a memorable destination for travelers.
Yes. Our Historic Navajo Hogan is one of the largest on Route 66 and is one of the most memorable parts of visiting our property.
We offer McKinley County souvenirs, mugs, shirts, hats, plaques, moccasins, jewelry boxes, regional foods, and many artisan-made gifts.
Stop In for the Real Southwest, Not the Generic Version
At Indian Village Gift Shop, we believe the best travel stops offer more than convenience. They offer a sense of place. That is why we have spent decades creating a stop where travelers can fuel up, explore a landmark, shop authentic art, and take home something that actually reflects the Southwest. From our Historic Navajo Hogan and curated artisan goods to our travel essentials and welcoming service, we’re here to make your journey more memorable. So stop by today and experience a roadside destination that still feels personal, historic, and genuinely worth the visit.