Saxman Native Village & Creek Street Tour

In just a few hours, this tour gives you a real sense of the culture and history that shape Ketchikan today. From the moment you’re picked up, everything is taken care of, so you can relax and focus on what you’re seeing and learning. The total experience runs about 3 hours from Ward Cove Cruise Terminal or 2.5 hours from downtown Ketchikan, which fits nicely into a cruise day.

The first stop is Saxman Native Village, a living community where Tlingit traditions are still practiced. When you arrive, you’re welcomed in the Tlingit language and guided into the Beaver Clan House. You’ll be seated comfortably for a private cultural performance. The drumming is steady and strong, the songs are meaningful, and the dances tell stories passed down through generations. It feels personal, not rushed, and you have time to take it all in.

After the performance, you’ll walk through the Carving Center. This is where you see how totem poles are made, from shaping the wood to mixing traditional paints. Guides explain what the designs mean and why certain animals and figures appear again and again. Outside, the Totem Pole Park brings those stories together, with clear explanations that help you understand what you’re looking at.

The tour finishes with a visit to historic Creek Street and Ketchikan Creek. You’ll stroll along the boardwalk, hear how this area played a role in the town’s early days, and watch the creek flow beneath your feet. By the end, most guests feel they’ve seen a side of Ketchikan that goes beyond the usual stops, with culture, history, and everyday life coming together.