Just like we just happened to arrive in Alaska hours before the summer solstice, we also happened to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center on the day of the grand reopening of their Hall of Cultures. Although it was already special learning about the different dwellings around the property for each region of Alaska on their included tour and seeing demos of native dances on the stage, it was made even more special with the addition of the murals from different cultural regions and a gift for all guests that day in honor of that grand reopening day as a reflection of their culture. Quyana. read more

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If you are interested in the native people of this area, you can't miss this. Most of the artifacts are modern creations from native artists, but each piece tells a story of the past and present. If you take the walk behind the main building, you can see how the different tribes lived. If you have an open mind and open heart, you will be touched. We were. read more

**July 2024: Sunday Afternoon Visit** I learned of the Alaska Native Heritage Center from an Anchorage local and decided to make it a priority on my trip. I had a car rental and decided to drive there before needing to return it. So, glad that I did because I felt like it was such an educational and beautiful place to learn about the Alaska natives. General Adult Admission was $29 and Seniors were $25. I believe they have discounted pricing for guests who are military and college students. I arrived around 3pm (about 2 hours before closing) and came just in the knick of time for a tour! The facility is gorgeous. It's a large space with high ceilings, but what I didn't realize was that we were going to get a tour of six different dwellings from different tribes in Alaska. Our tour guide was of indigenous decent and I want to say that our tour guide was perhaps a high school student. She did a great job and gave great information about how different tribes adapted to the climate and helped us understand the tools that were commonly used during that timeframe. It was really eye opening and I was really amazed by how resourceful they were. My mom and I left about halfway through the tour to see the "games demonstration" in the main hall. At 3:30pm there was a traditional song/dance performance by four performers and the show culminated with seven performing a beautiful piece. There was also another area of the building where they showcased some artwork as well as some artists who proudly displayed their work. There were paintings, jewelry, and prints. I'm really glad that I made it out here and hope that if you're reading this review that you'll plan a visit too! read more

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It was super disappointing coming here. We were really looking forward to it. I can't believe tickets were $30, because it wasn't worth it. We had high hopes for the presentations, but they were led by teenagers. It felt like we were listening to a high school history report more than a presentation. Everyone was polite and friendly, it just wasn't worth the cost. read more

I love Alaska heritage . The staff here is so welcoming . It's a beautiful facility . They offer so many fun things to do. You MUST stop by and see this place , or watch for an event and go. You will not be disappointed. This place is such a blessing to the community . read more

We visited the Native Heritage Center because it was included in an all day Anchorage tour, and I was so glad we did! When we arrived, just the view out the large picture window in the atrium to the lake outside was enough to get us excited. The Native Heritage Dancers gave a wonderful, traditional performance for us. We browsed the exhibits inside for a bit, but the real treasures were outside. First of all, just the walk around the cute little lake outside is beautiful. Then you can stop in at a plethora of different indigenous houses/dwellings to see how the tribes of Alaska actually lived throughout history. There are knowledgeable guides in each of these houses and they will answer any and all questions you may have about the tools/ construction/objects found there. It was a very interesting and scenic stop that I highly recommend if you are ever in Anchorage! read more

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My husband, daughter, and I enjoyed a fun and educational visit to the center! We weren't sure what to expect, but left feeling inspired and refreshed. We loved exploring the outdoor exhibits, admiring the art and achievements of Alaskan Natives, watching the dance performance, and sipping (one of the best we've ever had) lattes outside. 10/10 would recommend to anyone interested in learning about culture in an interactive way. Throughout our visit, staff were very friendly and easy to talk to. We were impressed with the ongoing presentations, and I wished I had written down some of the facts I had learned. What perhaps we will remember most is how the dancers invited my toddler up to dance with them. She was so intrigued by their performance, and she was also dancing along. How lucky we were to have an already great experience end on with a sweet touch! Oh, if you choose to see the crafts and work of some artists in doors, keep in mind there is a lot of fur and anima products on close display which will probably surprise some people who aren't familiar with indigenous cultures (as was the case for my family). Fun fact: the gift shop has free coloring books and colored pencils for kids read more

Alaska Native Heritage Center - Museums Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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Great site to learn more about native peoples in the Alaska region. There's a path to walk around a lake, a theatre, and a stage for the spoken word. read more

One of the highlights of our visit to Anchorage! The center has wonderful presentations on topics of general interest, presented by young people who are interning at the center. We especially enjoyed the demonstrations of games and of dancing. The lake with different styles of homes is a lovely stroll, filled with opportunities to actually experience in a brief way what it would be like to live a traditional lifestyle in different areas of Alaska. The guides and docents were polite, helpful, and knowledgable. The little cafe offers some nice menu options. There were artists on site showing their skill and selling their wares. We were super glad to have visited the Heritage Center, and recommend it highly for all. read more

Alaska Native Heritage Center - The earring I bought. Much lighter than i expected, comfortable the wear all day. - Museums Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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I'm so glad that we visited here at the end of August. The weather was beautiful, so we enjoyed learning more about native Alaskan culture via the various outdoor buildings in the back. We also enjoyed listening to a person telling about his background in the amphitheater, and talking to the native craftspeople and viewing and purchasing their amazing creations. read more

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This place is amazing. Very educational. I visited during their soft open. The cafe was not open, the gift shop was not fully stocked and all the exhibits were not finished yet. Visiting the museum in the winter is free, but they gladly accept donations. It will cost you if you visit the museum in the Summer. So, of course I was here in the winter. Additionally, they offer complimentary shuttle service from local hotels and attractions. See their website for the schedule A very neat and well organized museum. They have a large free parking lot. Inside the building you will find the gift shop, a theater with scheduled films that play in it, a small assembly area with a stage that they hold performances on, and an exhibit room with exhibits that include the different traditional territories, clothing, art food, the gold rush, and migration. There was also an elder Native woman in there selling some items that she had made. There is also an exhibit case behind the assembly area with some traditional clothing items of the natives. There is also a small snack area inside, with some tables and vending machines. Near the gift shop is where you will find the cafe. It was closed when I was there. Outside is where the magic happens. They have mock villages of the Native Territories out there. They are all interactive and you are able to go in them and they are furnished with artifacts from the respective era. They are all built around a nice lake and it is self guided. It took me about a half an hour to go through. You will also see a patio area with heaters and an outside window for the cafe that you can order from from when it is open. One final thing that I would like to note that is out here is wood theater seating where they host speakers, instructions, classes and other group activities. This is a nice museum that I was fortunate enough to see for free. It gives you the background of the state and tells how the natives were taken advantage of and their land pulled from under them. The venue can be rented for your next special event or team building exercise. It is definitely a must see while you are in Anchorage. It is as interactive and entertaining as it is educational. read more

This was such a beautiful and educational place. I loved the outdoor section which showed housing for various native villages throughout Alaska, traditional clothing, tools, kayaks, fish racks, etc. I loved the museum and the dance troupe that was performing while we were there. I was happy to see native Alaskans selling their artwork as vendors, and I definitely supported them. the gift shop was also quite nice. Definitely recommend visiting this Center. read more

We got here about 11:45am .... the next tour started at 12:15pm. So, we had about 30 minutes to wait and watch the activity / performance that was on the main stage. Several of young (I think they were mostly teens and a couple of adults) Native American Indians demonstrated several challenges that they would be performing in an upcoming competition. These challenges required a lot of athletic ability - a combo of balance, strength and flexibility. It was like pilates, Cirque du Soleil, martial arts and yoga rolled into 1. The walking tour around the property started about 12:15pm. Each section showcased the different tribes of Alaska and how they lived in the 'early days'. While this was interesting, I felt it was much too long and not well narrated by the guide. Now... in the guide's defense.... I think she was thrown into the position unexpectedly at the last moment. The group that gathered for the tour was much too big, and the main guide decided that the group should be split into 2. So, the group I was in went with the younger 18 year old who had just graduated high school. So, I'm thinking she was still in training because she didn't have much to say about each tribe which made the tour really drag along making it seem like 2 hours. It was only 1 hour. The property itself is beautifully laid out. There are a couple of picnic areas, so we decided to enjoy our lunch next to the lake. Thankfully, there were no mosquitoes and while it looked like it might rain, it did not. Outside, there are a few folks selling handcrafted art and jewelry. Really pretty! read more

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My husband and I had never been to Alaska before, and this was our first trip. We arrived at the Alaska native of Heritage Center later in the evening (our bad timing,) because we should've arrived there sooner. I knew I couldn't go to Alaska and not learn about the history of the indigenous people. The Heritage Center had beautiful artifacts, exhibits, cultural, and historical information that helped give me a better understanding of the different groups of indigenous people who were the original inhabitants. We went on two separate days to the center. The second day they were holding a holiday Christmas bazaar. I bought quite a few unique items that were made by local artists so that was a great plus. When I go back to Alaska, I will definitely visit the Heritage center again. read more

This is a must see and do when anywhere near Anchorage. It was beautiful to better see, hear, and experience how Alaska Natives lived throughout history. The Heritage Center was absolutely stunning. I cannot recommend it enough. read more

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I really recommend doing the guided tour of the villages. The guide was very knowledgeable and I learned so much. He answered questions explaining the challenges for Indigenous peoples from the history of the boarding schools to assimilation into society now. read more

Amazing demonstrations and historical presentations. The entire family enjoyed attending and teens bought some souvenir items from the artisans. read more

Definitely worth a visit when visiting Anchorage. A lovely facility with indoor and outdoor exhibits, and cultural presentations in both. Very gracious and helpful staff. We were disappointed in the snack bar because we hadn't packed a lunch and didn't understand the very limited offerings. A little more research on our part would have helped. But overall a very nice way to end our visit to Alaska. read more

Excellent place to experience all the indigenous cultures of Alaska in one place. One caveat, however. Uber does NOT have the museum in their data base. Either use Lyft or the actual street address read more

The Alaska Heritage Museum, located in Anchorage shows the traditions and practices of all of Alaska's indigenous peoples emphasizing the differences and similarities of the tribes and regions. I would say the museum is intended for students, but it also serves as a heritage center for Alaska Natives as it hosts classes, cultural programming, and research. It is as well a place residents and tourists of the land should visit. The museum consists of a main building that houses exhibits on Alaska's Native cultures, historical events, and natural history, showcasing artifacts and educational displays. One thing I particularly enjoyed was there were many exhibits of housing types of different regions located outside that one can enter into. The mission of the Alaska Heritage Museum is to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Alaska's indigenous peoples, and I believe it succeeds this by providing valuable insight into the history and practices of these communities. The museum's layout is simple to navigate with a self-guided tour. Although, there are touring options with a guide that would be insightful. I gave the museum a 5/5 because I believe they do a good job displaying different traditional practices of Alaskan tribes very well. As well, the museum is very kid-friendly, which can be difficult to do as a cultural museum. read more

I enjoyed my visit here, and can recommend it, and offer a little advice. For me and my partner (a Native American, if that matters) the best part of our visit was not the relatively small but thoughtful museum collection, but the education we received about the diverse life ways and cultural traditions of the various tribes and communities. They are very different, often shaped by climate and available resources. The programming is provided by younger Native Alaskan volunteers who are clearly very excited about sharing their culture with visitors. We attended an introductory lecture, a demonstration of native games, a museum tour, as well as a tour of the various houses used by the different tribes. Another thing that impressed me was the opportunity the center provides not only for these kids to learn about their own culture, but to share it with the world. We also enjoyed talking with native artisans and browsing their creations, from beadwork to weaving to scrimshaw. My partner, a native speaker from the Southwest was even able to identify some linguistic similarities from his own people, 2300 miles to the South! In short, if you simply go and walk around for a few minutes, you might be disappointed by your visit. Instead, take advantage of the excellent human resource these volunteers and artisans provide. You will learn a lot and have some fun. The Center is located on the edge of town, just a short and pleasant drive northeast from central Anchorage- close enough to Uber. Sorry my pictures are so bland - I didn't feel comfortable taking photographs of the staff, who are the main attraction. Highly recommended for visitors to the area, including family groups. Happy travels! Seatbelts! read more

Alaska Native Heritage Center - Museums Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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This was an interesting place. I feel the tickets are pricey for what is available but overall, we enjoyed doing this at least one time. The outdoor portion (homes and totem poles and the love native dancing is what makes this enjoyable to go to. The museum portion is on the sparse side but still interesting. I'm not sure what the funds go to but hopefully scholarships for native Alaskans. read more

Worth the $29 per adult price! They have a schedule of performances/activities, guided outdoor tour of the 5 different cultures, indoor museum and a few stands with local artists. The tour and watching the dances was my favorite. I felt like I got to experience the culture more than just casually observe it. Got a little emotional at times even, highly recommend! read more

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This is a gorgeous center with amazing potential. As we walked in there was a presentation happening, with three dancers and man singing with drum accompaniment. The entire show was so educational and the acoustics of the building were incredible. However, the museum was very dark, and I almost felt as though we weren't supposed to be walking through the displays due to how unorganized/unwelcoming it seemed. Which was a shame because it had a lot of really wonderful art pieces, clothing and exhibits to see. The biggest disappointment though was the fact that the gift shop was closed. It appears to have been closed for some time. I was hoping to purchase native art as I don't trust sellers in downtown, and I would prefer my money go straight to the source. I am hoping that on a return visit next year they will be operating. If there are performances scheduled when you are planning to arrive, then this is a cannot miss spot. If there are no presentations, then enjoy the beautiful scenery and drink it all in. Highly recommended for the culture, the environment and the wealth of history this land has to offer. read more

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We stopped here between hotels for a few hours and really enjoyed this place. Good cultural experience.

What a great museum/center. It was so nice to see the see the active Native groups celebrate and sharing their culture. My favorite exhibition was by far the village tours- walking into the simulation houses from different groups allowed me to really step into what the traditional ways of living involved. We learned so much about the each group highlighted in the tour and the importance respect and relationship with the land. read more

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It's really informative place for Alaska . They have really good collection in Native people, animals, and art. read more

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Wow this place is really cool! The young native teens dancing and singing was an interesting start. The local native artist selling their wares on the sidewalk gave the place a Santa Fe, NM feel. However the number one item that was the Best is the outdoor trail around a lake that leads you to the various examples of the native houses. Inside each house was a young guide that would explain the uses of the tools, animals, hides, unique entrances and how they lived and survived in such harsh conditions. It was a great eduction and fascinating. ....and some of the young guides were great and threw in funny little tidbits about their culture. They welcomed questions from the visitors. This is a great place to get a feel for the real Alaska Heritage. read more

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This place was really neat! The employees were very nice, explained and answered questions, and definitely worth the visit!

I think the indigenous people of Alaska deserve a MUCH better museum. The native corporations around Anchorage have MUCH much much MUCH better collections of artifacts, which may be part of the reason the ANHC has so few, I'm not sure. The Heritage Center has 2 things going for it though, it's a nice place to go for special events, where native dance and music is celebrated. The other good part is a blessing/curse. 90% of what's worth seeing at the museum is OUTSIDE. The replicas of Alaska Native housing is amazing. But it's really only accessible about 2 months out of the year... June and July. August rains the entire month, so you'll get soggy if you visit then. Its worth taking the time to explore and enjoy the outdoor display... not something you want to rush through trying to avoid getting wet. So my suggestions are this: 1. Go in June or July on a day when the weather is nice 2. If you can, couple your visit with a day they're having a special event. 3. If you want to see artifacts, go elsewhere (Native corporations dot the city, and you're welcome to walk in and enjoy, just don't take photographs unless you ask.) read more

Interesting and fun museum. First, it has a free shuttle from downtown which is so convenient for tourists like me. Second, it has informative display for each of the native tribes. Third, it has a great outdoor area with different types of traditional dwellings that you can enter and explore. Fourth, they have great tours and talks; the former cover the outside area and they have an amphitheater for talks. read more

Just went today! FREEEEEE on Mother's Day and their opening day for the Summer season! I had a great time with the non-stop performances and sharing of the native Alaskan cultures. At first, I thought I would be bored after an hour, however, the performances were different every time. The Hall of cultures and village sites were short, but I think they do deliver great points. I really enjoyed using their free app that gave me a private tour. Just one suggestion, maybe a charging station for the phones or indoor seating for the cafe to charge the phone after using the app. My phone was completely dead after both Hall of Cultures and Village site tours. I am glad that I had my own set of headphones in my purse so I could take my time and walk with the recordings from the app FREE! Also, today they had Pamyua performing at the end. I am so glad that I stayed. Although I don't understand the language, but they have a fun raggae vibe that is welcoming. The children in the audience had a great time dancing and a mom stood up and danced too. I would definitely recommend it for my friends who visit Anchorage. However, I wonder what is their regular programs. Today, it was packed with entertainments, local craft artists. But if my friend is visiting next Mother's Day, I will tell them to show up! Keep up the great work! read more

Alaska Native Heritage Center - Local school program to promote native culture at the native heritage center - Museums Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

This is a must see when in Anchorage. Regional houses are viewed during a walking tour of the grounds. It was fascinating to see the different styles. There's also a good presentation as well as drumming and dancing on the indoor stage. Different nations have displays set up in another room. When we were there, vendors were selling some pretty cool stuff they, and their families, had made. read more

The Alaska Native Heritage Center provides a connection to the rich history and natural beauty of Alaska. The center does an excellent job of blending cultural history with current information about local people and their deep relationship with the area. Highly recommend visiting this center to gain more thorough knowledge about Alaska. read more

What a great place to visit. There were two men demonstrating games played at the World Eskimo Games and it was incredible. The volunteers and artisans obviously put their heart and soul into their work. Definitely a must visit sight when you come to Anchorage. read more

I like this museum, but I've only been to the main building and the Athabascan cabin in the back. The main floor is a great area to watch dancers and speakers. The gift shop is full of Alaskan made gifts. The collection of different Alaskan Native artifacts is great. I like that the lighting is low to preserve the art. There are sod houses and such surrounding the grounds, but I've never gone in any of them. Maybe next time. read more

Alaska Native Heritage Center - Cool 3D photo when using the glasses. Photo collection from around 1868. - Museums Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

They have done a beautiful job with this Center. We saw several outstanding performances by local native peoples. There was also a tabled area and a gift shop where native craftspeople were displaying their exquisite work. We took a very informative guided walking tour on the grounds outside around a little lake through carefully constructed and appointed abodes representing the various indigenous groups. Very worthwhile experience. read more

While they had a few interesting things was mostly about selling trinkets and $25 PER PERSON is outlandish! Do not recommend. read more

Workers with attitude. Do not recommend this place. Great weather though. That's all.

I definitely recommend visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center. If you are also planning to visit the Anchorage Museum then be sure to ask for the ticket package. The most engaging part of our experience was the dance performances by far! They happen every couple hours or so. We arrived in time to either watch the dance performance or go on a tour - the presenter on stage suggested walking through the various Native Alaskan sites on our own so to not miss the dance performances. I am glad we did because each site has people stationed inside ready to answer your questions anyway. Some of the representatives are shy or perhaps tired but if you show interest and curiosity, they were all kind and knowledgeable of the artifacts and living spaces. The interior of the sites are really well done and intricate. We learned everything from how they moved from home to home, how they created fire, tools for cooking, window materials, decorative artifacts, etc. The performance was colorful and beautiful. The dancers look like they are having fun which makes the entire show much more exciting. You can tell the musicians and dancers regularly perform together. I appreciated the background information they gave about each song/dance. read more

Alaska Native Heritage Center - Great dances at the Alaska Native Heritage Center! - Museums Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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