Cultural Discovery

Alaska Native Art, Cultural & Historic Landmarks

Some of the most inspiring and memorable experiences you will take from your Alaska travels is connecting with local cultures. Learn the history and geology of the places you visit and understand the unique Alaska cultures that have evolved in America’s Last Frontier. The state has experienced many significant cultural transitions – from the Russian era to its acquisition by the United States, acting as a strategic outpost in World War II, to the Gold Rush and then the oil boom.

Alaska’s cultural tours showcase a fascinating blend of Alaska Native history, Russian heritage, Gold Rush history, and modern “Alaskana” lifestyles. Many of Alaska’s cultural tours combine Alaska Native and non-Native cultures in informative tours that bring Alaska’s history to life. Alaska historical tours take visitors back in time to experience significant events like the Klondike Gold Rush, the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, or life in a salmon cannery in the early 1900s.

A large part of what makes Alaska unforgettable is its heartbeat of Alaska Native culture. Alaska Native cultural tours highlight the indigenous people unique to the area, possibly including dance performances in Southcentral or demonstrations of traditional practices like totem carving in the Southeast.

There is indeed a living legacy of Alaska’s vibrant history in the state’s Alaska Native people and the heritage of Alaska’s earliest residents. Alaska’s cultural experiences are accessible for you to discover – they are woven into every corner of the state, preserved, protected, and even reflected in modern Alaska life, which you can experience on a city sightseeing tour.

Enjoy exploring and experiencing Alaska’s history and culture, past and present!

 

Choose from 78 vacations in Alaska related to Cultural Discovery

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Root Glacier Hike with Kennecott Mill Tour

On this day tour out of Kennicott-McCarthy, experience the best of Kennicott’s history and landscapes on this hiking and sightseeing combination tour!  First, enjoy a spectacular half-day hike on the Root Glacier, searching for deep crevasses, shimmering blue... Browse itinerary

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Caribou Lodge

This fly-in-only lodge is accessible just 15 minutes from Talkeetna with views of mountain Denali. A visit includes various hiking options to explore the area daily, kayaking, or canoeing on the lake. Enjoy home-cooked meals served in the... Browse itinerary

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People at a log-cabin lodge watching a float-plane take off from an adjacent lake

Redoubt Bay Lodge

Departing from Anchorage's Lake Hood, it is just a 50-minute flight by seaplane over Cook Inlet to the entrance of Lake Clark Pass. Nested in a 171,000-acre critical habitat area, Redoubt Bay Lodge has three rustic cabins and... Browse itinerary

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Experience Kodiak Island

Fly from Anchorage on a scheduled flight, then embark on an excursion aboard a classic seaplane to enjoy a bird's eye view of the Island's scenic coastline and soaring mountain peaks. Kodiak is the second largest Island in... Browse itinerary

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Bettles Lodge Summer Experience

Fly from Fairbanks along the Yukon River to the foothills of Alaska's Brooks Range. Bettles Lodge offers simple but comfortable accommodations and genuine hospitality for all guests. Included is a guided tour of Bettles and the small village... Browse itinerary

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Orca Adventure Lodge

Start in Anchorage with a scheduled flight over glacier-carved Chugach mountains to Cordova's quaint historic fishing town. On arrival, transfer to the lodge and settle into one of the 40 cozy guest rooms for two nights. The lodge... Browse itinerary

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Hurricane Gulch Train Excursion

On this Talkeetna day tour, ride the Alaska Railroad on one of America’s last “flag stop” trains on the Hurricane Turn Train—the train route threads from Talkeetna along the Susitna River and through the Indian River Canyon. The... Browse itinerary

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several wooden rocking chairs on a wooden deck overlooking the Kenai River in Alaska

Kenai Riverside Lodge

Transfer provided to Cooper Landing, just a 2-hour scenic drive from Anchorage. The lodge sits on the upper reaches of the Kenai River, a world-renowned for wild salmon and trophy trout fishing. This riverside retreat is the perfect... Browse itinerary

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