Feel the heartbeat of Alaska’s Indigenous People. Hear our stories. Explore our history and discover a cultural heritage still living and thriving today at the largest cultural institution in Alaska.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center offers a unique experience for you to learn and explore the traditional and contemporary ways of Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. More than a museum, the Center is a place to engage and interact–to ask questions and discover.
Our living cultures continue to flourish in a changing world, and although our world changes, our values and traditions remain. Your visit today will take you on a journey through 10,000 years of Alaska Native history and culture through art, dance, Native Games demonstrations, exhibits, traditional Native dwellings, films and more.
There is always something new to discover at the Alaska Native Heritage Center!
Plan Your Winter Visit
We look forward to your visit this winter! Our 2023 Winter Season runs from Monday, September 18, 2023, to Friday, December 1, 2023. Our operating hours are Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 5PM. During our Winter Season, you can enjoy self-guided tours of our Hall of Cultures and Village Sites.
Please note that the Alaska Native Heritage Center and Ch’k’iqadi Gallery will be closed on select days.
Plan Your Summer Visit
We look forward to your visit this summer! Our 2023 Summer Season opening day will be May 14, 2023, and our closing day will be September 16, 2023. We will be open 7 days a week from 9AM to 5PM. The Alaska Native Heritage Center and Ch’k’iqadi Gallery will be closed on select days, including: Monday, July 10th and Tuesday, July 11th.
Our summer programming will include daily guided tours, dance performances, Alaska Native Games demonstrations, Alaska Native Artists selling their work, and more!
See Summer Season Daily Cultural Programming Schedule
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place is center stage for Alaska Native dancing, compelling Native Games demonstrations, and intriguing storytelling! Join us and learn a song or practice a traditional game with one of our staff on stage.
The Hall of Cultures
The Hall of Cultures features a number of unique and dynamic exhibits that will teach you more about each of the five major culture groups of Alaska.
Alaska Native craft activities will keep the children entertained, and Alaska Native artists demonstrate and sell their work throughout the Hall of Cultures. You can take home a piece of traditional Alaska Native made art!
The Theatre
The Theatre shows a variety of movies all day, including the Heritage Center-produced film, “Stories Given, Stories Shared.” This introductory film offers an opportunity to learn about the many different cultures of Alaska Native people as well as the beautiful landscapes and climates from each of the regions in Alaska.
Village Sites
During your visit, you will stroll through six authentic life-sized Native dwellings situated in a wooded area around beautiful Lake Tiulana. One of our Culture Bearers will introduce you to the traditional lifeways of the Iñupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Athabascan, Eyak, Haida, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Unangax̂, Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, Yup’ik, and Cup’ik peoples.
Each village site has a traditional structure along with artifacts that each group used in their daily lives. Make sure to stop by the whale bones at the Iñupiaq site– it’s one of our best spots to snap a photo during your visit!
