Alaska is a bucket list destination for so many people. When you plan your trip to Alaska, make sure you take time to explore the Indigenous cultures.
You can’t learn about Alaska’s Native American tribes solely from a textbook. When you visit a heritage site or destination with a Native guide, you get to see a completely different side to indigenous cultures.
Alaska is home to dozens of indigenous tribes, from the Tlingit people along the Pacific Northwest coast to the Inupiat of the North Slope Borough. Each culture is brimming with beautiful languages, unique art forms, and hundreds of years of carefully preserved historical traditions.
Instead of trying to learn about such complex histories through an outdated travel guide, hire a Native guide instead.
The 5 destinations below are great starting points for learning about what makes this region such a rich source of culture and history. These are just five, there are so many more experiences and destinations you can explore in Alaska.
How To Visit Alaska
Visiting Alaska to experience Indigenous culture can be done in several ways. In 2024 Kelli and I visited Alaska on a cruise. The itinerary was 9-nights and visited several ports in Alaska to give us lots of choices in a short period of time. The cruise line had several guided tours you could book, which we did a few. We also booked a guided tour on our own in Ketichian with a Native tour company.
There are options to book a land based guided tour. Some cruise lines will also combine a cruise with a land tour. Princess, for example, has 7 night cruises paired with 7 night land tours. This will give you the widest amount of places you can explore in a short time. However, these tours can be more expensive than planning purely on your own.
You may prefer to visit and explore Alaska on your own. You can build your own iteneary and customize your time to your preferences. These can be the most personalized way to visit. Depending on your choices this could be the least expensive. Planning your own trip can add some stress to the trip, so keep that in mind. Cruises, for us, give us a more stress free vacation.
Saxman Totem Park
My first suggestion is the Saxman Totem Park, a heritage museum featuring indigenous art. This park boasts a large collection of Tlingit totem poles, some original and some restored by Tlingit artists.
Totem poles are complex creations that record family history and honor cultural heritage. They appear in several indigenous cultures, including the Tlingit, Haida, and Nuxalk. When you visit, you’ll see their vibrant colors and geometric designs up close, with some of the best-known being the Sun And Raven, Raven Pole, and Blackfish Pole.
The park also features monuments and house posts, such as The Grizzly Bear Post and the Beaver Posts. You can learn about each pole’s history and even meet Native carvers working in the carving shed. All in all, this is one artistically-rich destination you can’t miss.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is a Tlingit word for ‘creek’, a small Alaskan city nestled on the misty Revillagigedo Island. It isn’t far from Saxman Totem Park.
Watch a summary of our tour with Ketchikan Native Tours:
Ketchikan is home to multiple tribes, including the Tlingit, Haida, and Tshimsian Nations. With the help of a Native guide, you’ll be able to learn about the island’s indigenous history in areas such as food, art, and medicine.
Potlatch Park is a frequent draw for visitors by featuring hand carved tribal houses. Another beautiful destination is Where The Eagle Walks, a historic walk through downtown Ketchikan showcasing Tlingit traditions. If you want to learn more about indigenous art, visit the Totem Heritage Center to see their collection of 19th century totem poles.
Overall, Ketchikan is the place to visit when you want to reconnect with nature and history in equal measure. The majesty of this spectacular island will leave you a changed person once you step back on your boat and return home.
Glacier Bay
Glacier Bay in southeastern Alaska is a protected heritage site and cultural landmark, held in high regard by the indigenous Huna Łingít people. Many tribesmembers will make cultural trips to preserve their oral traditions, reconnect with the land, and educate the next generation.
Glacier Bay is home to the Xúnaa Shuká Hít, an ancestral clan house where tribesmembers hold ceremonies, events, and meetings. Here you can learn about the Huna Łingít people’s history, meet craftspeople, or attend cultural workshops. Their workshops, in particular, teach everything from weaving to how to live a more healthy life.
If you’re in the mood for a hike as well as history, you can visit the sea otter hunting canoe near the Visitor Information Station or look for Tlingit trail markers on the trails by the Glacier Bay Lodge.
Anchorage
Visiting the largest city in Alaska is best done with a Native guide who knows the city like the back of their hand. Anchorage is home to the Dena'ina Athabascan people as well as the Eklutna and Knik tribes.
This city is a prime location to learn about indigenous people in Alaska through each tribe’s linguistic diversity and artistic expression. The nearby Alaska Native Heritage Center is run by indigenous people and features a medley of handmade crafts, stunning live dances, and village sites.
The Anchorage Museum also features public art installations and live performances from Alaska Native American tribes. They have temporary exhibitions as well as permanent installations, the latter of which includes the Art Of The North and the Smithsonian First Peoples of Alaska.
This city and its surrounding forests are captivating from beginning to end. You’ll learn about the lifestyles of different tribes and become acquainted with the meticulously tended nature of the site’s nearby acres.
Hoonah
This small city is nestled in Chichagof Island, which you can reach by either boat or plane. Hoonah is predominantly Tlingit, home to a tribal office and widely considered a vital source of cultural heritage for several Tlingit tribes.
Here you can do everything from enjoy scenic hikes to experiencing indigenous performances, especially at the Heritage Center Native Theater. Here you can watch skilled Huna Tlingit performers showcase their culture and history through song and dance.
You’ll see breathtaking works of art up close and personal, such as Tlingit totem poles at the local school or Hoonah Indian Association office. You can also go on a boat tour and travel throughout the Icy Strait in hand-carved canoes.
This beautiful island is particularly well-known for whale-watching, providing almost all visitors a glimpse of orcas or humpbacks. Overall, Hoonah is the place to go when you’re eager to feel the cold wind on your face and experience a well-rounded perspective of the Tlingit tribe in Alaska.
Book a Tour to Explore Alaska
Here are a few recommended tours. PowWows.com earns commission from Viator.
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Last Updated on April 3, 2025 by Paul G
