Totem Heritage Center
Totem Heritage Center
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Totem Heritage Center was established in 1976 to house and preserve endangered 19th century totem poles retrieved from uninhabited Tlingit and Haida village sites near Ketchikan and to preserve and promote Native artistic and cultural traditions through traditional classes. The Center is home to 33 authentic poles, numerous historic images, and Native art works. Educational and interpretive tours are available.
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4.5
556 reviews
Excellent
245
Very good
239
Average
64
Poor
3
Terrible
5
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,444 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
Anyone not incapacitated can easily walk to the Totem Heritage Center, about 15 minutes walk from the cruise ship docks. The walk is pleasant, especially if you follow the route (well-marked) from Creek Street along the stream. The museum is small and note that it charges $6 (they might reach more people if they charged less or made it free).
Written 4 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TN-610
Chattanooga TN109 contributions
Aug 2022
The Lady at the Ticket window was EXTREMELY rude. I walked up to the ticket window and said "I'll take 1 please" and she said "one what!?" and I said.. "well one ticket" and she replied "I'm not a mind reader sir" - what a way to welcome a guest.
The actual museum is much smaller than I had thought. There's only 4 standing totem poles, and some addiitonal poles that are horizontal in display cases. A few other displays but it's very small. There aren't any docents inside to tell you about the history, just some signs to read.
The actual museum is much smaller than I had thought. There's only 4 standing totem poles, and some addiitonal poles that are horizontal in display cases. A few other displays but it's very small. There aren't any docents inside to tell you about the history, just some signs to read.
Written 5 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim S
Manchester, NH9 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
We visited the Totem Heritage Center not expecting much. We knew ahead of time that it was was small and inexpensive. What made it 1000 times better was the young man working there, I believe his name was Braxton. I approached him with a few questions, and not only did he give me interesting, informative answers, but once he knew I was interested in learning things, he continued to talk and share. We learned so much about totems and their history from him. Without someone sharing information like that, I'm not sure how much I would have enjoyed this stop. They should really consider offering guided tours of the place throughout the day, as Braxton really made the whole topic come alive for us. Highly recommend this stop, just be sure to ask questions while there to get him started! :)
Written 21 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcus Y
5 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
We live in BC Canada so Totem is not something special for us, but you can see some heritage ones here which I never saw them in other place. Salmon Hechary is just at the back but it was closed. You can either take the free bus from the bus stop beside the visitor center at the port. or walk along the creek after viewing the salmon run and the heritage center is right beside the city park.
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carincher
Fort Lauderdale, FL62 contributions
Sept 2022
Very nice and informative, very interesting. Just kind of small. But worth visiting to understand all about the totems, what they mean and why they are built, and all the struggles the native tribes passed through the years up to today.
From that museum you have a path to go along the river to the salmon ladder and end in Creek street, no need for tours or taxi, you can just walk from downtown.
From that museum you have a path to go along the river to the salmon ladder and end in Creek street, no need for tours or taxi, you can just walk from downtown.
Written 20 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shoe54
Safety Harbor, FL29 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
There was minimal to see as compared to many years ago when I had gone. The main building was not open. There was a young man carving a small totem who would answer questions but there was no one to provide information. There is a gift shop which is well staffed and very helpful.
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello! I am sorry you were disappointed, but your photo is from the village of Saxman and not the Totem Heritage Center. While there are many totem poles and other cool things to see at the Saxman Totem Park as an independent traveler, like the carving shed you spoke of, there are tours that visitors can sign up for (usually a cruise ship excursion) that are guided, provide information, and allow you inside the clan house. I believe the tours are booked with Cape Fox Tours. For independent travelers, just know that Saxman is part of our community and not a museum/heritage center with a lot of interpretive signage and the like. The Saxman Totem Park is definitely a must see if you have the time in town. The gift shop is fantastic and has only been open a few years--I am gad you enjoyed it!
Written 31 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
naturelovergal
Orlando, FL36 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
I was so glad we visited the incredible Totem Heritage Center. It was so well done. We loved learning at all of the exhibits within the museum. The highlight however was seeing the older totems preserved. Excellent.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
broketraveler
Parksville, KY273 contributions
July 2024 • Family
Took the free shuttle from the cruise ship dock. It was raining our day in port, so it was a quick place to visit our if the rain. It does cost 6 dollars a person and it took us around 15 minutes to look around
Written 7 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lili813
Tampa, FL122 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
For a small museum, it offers a lot. The movie on loop in the totem preservation area was especially helpful in learning about Haida culture and efforts to pass on language and customs today. (I do wish there was space for more than 3 to sit at a time, as it’s lengthy but again, it’s small). And, you can pay just a couple dollars more to get a combo ticket to the other museum (Tongass).
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so glad you enjoyed your visit! I hear you about the seating and we'll see what we can do. The video on loop is called Our Native Legacy and is part of a series called The Ketchikan Story project. Google it and you can see a great introduction to our small yet vibrant community!
Written 31 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tilly
Cornwall, UK235 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Although small, there is a wealth of knowledge inside. The staff are very helpful and answered all our questions. We knew nothing of the culture of totem poles and learnt a lot. Very reasonable entrance fee and good to support the work carried out here.
Written 6 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far is this from the cruise port?
Written 19 September 2024
of the three listed below, where would you spend the most time
Totem Heritage
Tongass Historical
SE Alaska Discovery Center
We'll be there next month
Written 31 May 2023
Hi all - I will be visiting Ketechan in June and would appreiciate if you can tell me where to join the shutlle and any other information that will be helpful.
Thanks and have a nice day!
S1rw
Written 5 April 2018
If you Google "Ketchican Walking Tour Map", you will find a free map which is easy to print out (or you can collect one from the Visitor Information Centre when you arrive). You will find a site called "Explore Ketchican" which is full of useful information. The walk is mostly flat - you can do it at your own pace, and you get to see a lot of the tourist places along the way. Cute place to wander around. I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit. Make sure you purchase some souvenirs from Creek Street - great shops, friendly people and lots to see!
Written 6 April 2018
What is the entrance fee to Totem Heritage Center for adults / seniors / handicapped?
How far is it to Totem Bight Park from the Heritage Center? Cost for the Park?
Are both places worthwhile to see if you are traveling on the bus and have 5 hours total to get back to the ship??
Written 8 July 2015
A Tripadvisor member
Ketchikan, Alaska
Glad that you're coming to visit Ketchikan! The Totem Heritage Center features original 19th century totem poles as well as contemporary Northwest Coast art. Admission is just $5/person. We have tour guides available to answer your questions. It's a great experience for those visitors looking to learn more about Native culture in Southeast Alaska.
Totem Bight State Park is an easy 20 minute bus ride north of the Totem Heritage Center, just a $1/person bus ride, 50 cents for seniors. Well worth the visit as it's a beautiful ocean side location with restored poles and a model clan house. Admission is free.
Written 8 July 2015
what's the easiest way to get there from the cruise ship??? how far a walk is it and is there an entrance fee for seniors??
Written 18 May 2015
A Tripadvisor member
Ketchikan, Alaska
The easiest way to get to the Totem Heritage Center from the docks is to take the free downtown shuttle (look for the city bus that says "free shuttle"). The shuttle runs on a 30-minute loop and stops in front of the Center. Otherwise, it's about a 10 minute walk for most visitors from the docks. Our nominal $5/person admission supports the Center. Looking forward to your visit! If you have additional questions, please feel free to call us at 907-225-5900. Thank you!
Written 19 May 2015
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