Members of marginalized communities often develop a sense of mistrust towards researchers, being “over-researched” only to witness a lack of benefits and broken promises. Scholars label this phenomenon “research fatigue.” Thus, it is fundamental for experts investigating tourism planning in such settings to enhance empathic understanding and transparency. We conducted an ethnographic study in Las Vegas’ Westside, an area facing the prolonged effects of racial segregation but with important stories to tell regarding Civil Rights heritage and cultural tourism. We tried to explore how tourism scholars can conduct qualitative studies in communities experiencing research fatigue. We focus on trust and rapport building while highlighting how including historical material in our research helped us understand our participants’ past while being mindful of cultural norms, values, and power dynamics. Finally, we describe how qualitative approaches can empower community members to take ownership of planning practices, becoming integral contributors to the overall study.