Alaska Native Heritage Center
8800 Heritage Center Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99504
Located in northeast Anchorage, the Alaska Native Heritage Center celebrates the rich history and culture of Alaska's first people. More than just a museum, the cultural center takes visitors on a journey through Alaskan Native history by way of art, dance performances, films, authentic Indigenous dwellings, and more. Its programming opens up interaction that honors Native people and their traditions first-hand.
The basics
Explore the Alaska Native Heritage Center on your own or take a guided tour to delve deeper into Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. You’ll see exhibits, tour life-size traditional dwellings, and even enjoy a traditional Native tea. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase authentic Native arts and crafts in the gift shop. Sightseeing tours of Anchorage often visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and may include hotel pick-up and visits to other top attractions like Lake Hood and Earthquake Park.
Things to know before you go
The center is a must-see for visitors interested in Native culture and Alaska history.
Dress in layers since the center offers both indoor and outdoor exhibits; comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
The museum and paved path around Lake Tiulana are wheelchair accessible.
How to get there
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is 7 miles (11 kilometers) east of downtown Anchorage on the Glenn Highway, and most easily reached by car or as part of a city sightseeing tour. You can also reach the center by taking the #25 bus from the downtown transit center.
When to get there
During the summer months, the center is open daily from morning to very early evening, except for some holidays. In the winter, it's open Monday to Friday and closures are not uncommon. If you want to see music and dance performances or artist demonstrations, check the museum event schedule before visiting.
Other Native Alaskan cultural sites
The Anchorage Museum features rare Native Alaskan artifacts and a large collection of Native art; a free shuttle runs between the museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Just south of downtown, the Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo houses the largest private collection of Alaskan Native artifacts, including traditional clothing, woven baskets, and ivory carvings. To see a real Native settlement, head 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Anchorage and visit the Eklutna Historical Park, the oldest inhabited Athabaskan Indian settlement.
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