Anchorage Museum

In the heart of Anchorage, AK is the Anchorage Museum—a world-class facility that is among the top ten visitor attractions in the state. With a mission to celebrate, study, and explore the people and land that make up Alaska’s history, this 40,000 square-foot museum offers impressive exhibits and an experience that is well worth the trip.


Art at the Anchorage Museum

About the Anchorage Museum

Over 180,000 visitors every year come to the Anchorage Museum for its incredible galleries, art collections, and artifacts. With a focus on the history of Alaska, the museum includes the Alaska Gallery with more than 1,000 exhibited objects and the Art of the North, a permanent art collection with seven galleries.

Highlights include:

• Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center:
  This collaborative exhibit with the Smithsonian Institution showcases Alaska Native artifacts, offering insights into the history and traditions of Indigenous peoples. Artifacts include tools, clothing, ceremonial items, and artwork, each accompanied by detailed explanations.


• Art Galleries:
  The museum’s art collection highlights the works of Alaskan and circumpolar artists. From traditional Native art to contemporary pieces, the galleries showcase the beauty and complexity of northern life and landscapes.


• Imaginarium Discovery Center:
  Perfect for families, this interactive science center engages visitors of all ages with hands-on exhibits about Alaska’s natural phenomena. Popular features include the planetarium, earthquake simulator, and exhibits on auroras, glaciers, and wildlife.


• Alaska History Gallery
  Explore Alaska’s rich history, from its Indigenous cultures and Russian colonization to the gold rush and modern statehood. The exhibits are immersive and informative, providing a deep dive into the region’s past.


• Outdoor Art and Installations
  The museum grounds feature outdoor sculptures and art installations that reflect Alaska’s unique environment and culture. The Winter Garden, in particular, offers a serene space to enjoy public art.


• Gift Shop featuring Local Artists The gift shop at the Anchorage Museum is a great place to find local art and goods.

Visiting the Anchorage Museum

The museum is open daily from 10am-6pm in the summer.

Whether you come to check out the 11,000 square-foot Discovery Center, the Arctic Studies Center, or one of the permanent or visiting exhibits, there is something for every age and interest at the Anchorage Museum. Don’t forget to stop by the Anchorage Museum Store—ranked in the “World’s 10 Best” by Conde Nast Traveler!

Outside the museum

History

The area that the Anchorage Museum is built on was originally the homeland of the Eklutna Dena’ina people. These Native people are still recognized and respected today through the mission of the Anchorage Museum.

In 1968, the Anchorage Museum opened in a 10,000 square-foot facility. At the time, it displayed 60 Alaskan paintings and a collection of only 2,500 historic objects. Since its grand opening, the museum has expanded three times. In 2010, it reached its current size and now boasts over 500,000 photographs and 25,000 objects in its collection.

Part of the collection

The unique design of the Anchorage Museum combined with its amazing collections make it a place unlike any other in Alaska. Worth the visit, whether you stay for a day or just a couple of hours, there is unlimited knowledge to explore when walking through the halls of Alaska’s history.

• In addition to its impressive galleries and collections, the museum also includes an atrium, classroom, and a large auditorium that is used in its events and programs.


• The Anchorage Museum only had two staff members at its opening, and it now employs more than 50 people.


• The Smithsonian’s NMNH Arctic Studies Center made the Anchorage Museum its Alaskan home office in 1992 to help support the mission of the museum.


• The Anchorage Museum presents between 15-20 different changing exhibits every year, along with several permanent exhibits and galleries.


• With the help of the Smithsonian Institution’s Arctic Studies Center, more than 600 Native artifacts from Alaska’s past have been returned to the state for long-term display.


• The impressive library and archives of the museum are in high demand from a variety of scholars, researchers, and publishers.

Points of Interest

Alaska has shaped itself around a celebration of its history, land, and Native cultures, and there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the beauty of the state than at the Anchorage Museum. With its mission to honor Alaska’s land and people, this state-of-the-art museum is one of the crown jewels of Alaska’s largest city.

View all of our Anchorage tours here.