Saxman Native Village or Totem Bight or both

Question

We will be visiting Ketchikan on 6 September off a Holland America Cruise. We would rather organise our own thing rather than do a tour off the ship.

We are interested in either the Saxman Native Village or Totem Bight or maybe both.

I read somewhere that you can only see the carving shed and dancing at Saxman with a tour. Is this accurate?

Can you reach Saxman and Totem with public transport?

I would be interested in any thoughts on which one would be the best to visit.

Thank you

Answer

If you’re visiting Ketchikan and are interested in Tlingit culture and totem poles, both Saxman Native Village and Totem Bight State Historical Park are worth considering. You can visit either or both depending on your time and interests.

Saxman Native Village:

Saxman is a living Tlingit village known for its collection of totem poles and cultural demonstrations.
The carving shed and traditional dancing demonstrations are generally part of a guided tour, so if you want to see live carving or dance performances, a tour is recommended. However, you can still walk around the village and see many of the totems on your own.
It is located about 5 minutes by car or taxi from downtown Ketchikan. Some local shuttles or buses may stop nearby, but schedules are limited, so check ahead.

Totem Bight State Historical Park:

Totem Bight is a state park featuring historic totem poles and a replica clan house. It’s more of an open-air museum and doesn’t require a guided tour to appreciate the carvings and history.
The site is accessible by road, and you can reach it via taxi or car rental. Public buses (the local Ketchikan Transit) have stops near the park, but service may be infrequent.

Visiting both:

If you have limited time, Totem Bight can be done relatively quickly on your own, while Saxman offers a more cultural and interactive experience if you join a tour.
Driving or taking a taxi between downtown Ketchikan, Totem Bight, and Saxman is straightforward and allows the most flexibility.
Plan at least 2–3 hours if you want to see both comfortably, including a potential guided tour at Saxman.

Summary: If you want an easy self-guided visit, Totem Bight is best. If you are interested in active demonstrations, carving, and a cultural experience, include Saxman and consider taking a short guided tour there. Public transportation is possible but limited, so taxis or rental cars are usually the easiest way to reach both sites.

Saxman Native Village or Totem Bight or both

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