Saxman Native Village & Lumberjack Show

This tour combines two major parts of Southeast Alaska’s story: Native culture and the region’s logging history. You’ll start with the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where logging skills turn into a fast-paced competition. It’s loud, fun, and easy to follow. You’ll watch lumberjacks climb tall poles, chop massive logs, and throw axes with surprising accuracy. The seating is covered, so you can relax and enjoy it rain or shine. Kids usually love this part, and adults tend to get pulled in pretty quickly too.

Next, we head to Saxman Native Village. When you arrive, you’re welcomed in the Tlingit language before stepping into the Beaver Clan House. Inside, the Cape Fox Dancers perform traditional songs and dances. The steady drumbeats, detailed regalia, and storytelling give you a real sense of how these traditions are passed down. It’s not rushed, and it feels personal.

After the performance, you’ll visit the carving center. This is where you see artists working on totem poles by hand. They’ll explain what the figures mean and how each design tells a story. You’ll finish with a walk through the totem park, where the finished poles stand together in a quiet, outdoor setting.

This tour works well if you like history but also want something lively and hands-on. And if you want to add food to the experience, take a look at the Alaska Cultural, Culinary & Lumberjack Show.