Trip Idea

Learn about Tlingit Culture

Multiple Parks

Robe decorated with formline art in an exhibit case
Topic(s) Architecture and Building, Arts, Native American Heritage, Religion and Spirituality, Colonization and Settlement, Rainforest, Colonial/European Contact Conflicts, Landscape Design, Monuments and Memorials, River and Riparian, Trails, Missions more »
Activities Museum Exhibits, Guided Tours, Craft Demonstrations, Hiking, Park Film
Type Kid Friendly, Educational, Indoors, Group Friendly
Parks Sitka National Historical Park

If you would like to focus on history, culture, and art of Tlingit, this itinerary is for you. You can pair these suggestions with events in and around Sitka, including dance and music hosted by Sitka Tribe of Alaska.

  • Sitka National Historical Park

    Explore Exhibits on Tlingit Life
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center
    • Duration: 1–4 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Calm water with a low, white building flanked by totem poles in the background

    Learn about Tlingit culture and way of life through historical and contemporary ceremonial objects. Observe demonstrating artists in the wood, regalia, or metalworking studios or outdoors at the carving shed.

    View Details
  • Sitka National Historical Park

    Meet a Demonstrating Artist
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Craft Demonstrations
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center
    • Duration: 15–60 Minutes
    • Season: Summer
    • Time of Day: Day
    A copper bracelet with stylized engraving

    Artists demonstrate traditional Tlingit and Haida forms of carving, weaving, beading, and metalworking. Many of the things they create have ceremonial uses.

    View Details
  • Sitka National Historical Park

    Take the Totem Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Sitka National Historical Park Totem Trail
    • Duration: 30–90 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A man and woman walk by trees and a totem pole on a gravel path

    A historic trail lined with Haida and Tlingit totem poles passes through classic Southeast Alaska temperate rainforest to the site of the Battle of 1804.

    View Details
  • Sitka National Historical Park

    Join a Ranger-led Program
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Guided Tours
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Sitka National Historical Park
    • Duration: 15–60 Minutes
    • Season: Summer
    • Time of Day: Day
    A park ranger speaking with visitors on a forest trail

    Ranger-led programs are a great way to learn more about the park and history of Southeast Alaska.

    View Details
  • Sitka National Historical Park

    Watch Voices of Sitka
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Park Film
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center
    • Duration: 15–15 Minutes
    • Time of Day: Day
    Movie title and text

    Watch a 15-minute film for an overview of Tlingit, Russian, and American history in and around the park.

    View Details

Tags

Last updated: July 29, 2021