Alaska Native Heritage Center — Attraction in Alaska

Super learning experience! We visited with my 94yr old father-in-law and could not have enjoyed it more. My FIL is pretty good mobility-wise, but for long walks not a great idea to have him walking. The front desk was terrific and we were able to use a wheelchair that they provided which enabled us to be able to explore both the inside and outside locations at the center. Even my teenaged boy, who would always rather be fishing, was engaged. They have built some representative lodgings on the grounds which enable the visitor (even the one in the wheelchair!) To walk thru and see what you might see in native lodgings in different areas of Alaska. It was incredibly well done and very interesting. The day we were there there were vendors with local crafts etc. Which was also interesting to see. There was a performance on the stage where a few men and women were partaking in a typical game that you might see children (or adults?) playing. It was incredible what the young lady was able to physically do in that game! They also performed a native song and dance which was lovely to see. Bottom line, I think this Center is a can't miss place to visit. It is beautifully maintained and the information imparted is so interesting and well done. Definitely worth the price...

After breakfast, we visited the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Our visit began with an engaging demonstration in which two young men played a traditional game involving kicking a leather ball suspended from a high post at adjustable heights, followed by a performance from a singing group. At 11:00 a.m., we attended a video; however, the audio was difficult to hear, there were no captions provided, and playback was frequently interrupted, although the content appeared compelling. We toured the center, which displayed a limited number of artefacts, but featured an informative timeline detailing historical interactions between the US government, missionaries, and native peoples. The outdoor area included several dwellings situated around a pond that offered additional context, though the exhibits were limited. Several vendors sold crafts that may appeal to many visitors. Also, a gift shop and a café are available. Facilities such as restrooms were clean, and parking was ample. Admission is relatively expensive compared to other US museums. I do recommend a visit for those interested in Alaska’s early...

Interesting, but I would've expected more items in their display cases/areas, especially for the price of $29 per person. Also, we got there 2 hours before closing, so we had to rush a bit to see everything. We were disappointed that there were no docents outside in the various native houses (there were areas set up for docents, but no one was outside). We're unsure if maybe they're only there early in the day. We did have alot of questions if some one had been around. Inside on the mainstage, there was a display of a few of the native traditional games (one foot high kick) and that was very interesting. After we rushed through the place, I feel like that was plenty of time to see everything and visit the gift shop. Before we left, we asked if we could speak with someone to answer some of our questions. A very nice and informative docent came out and he was very helpful (I can't remember his name, but very glad we were able to speak to him). I would recommend checking the calendar and visiting when there is a big event going on - there might be more to see...