Icy Strait Point Cannery Museum Tour — Hoonah, Alaska

Discover the Icy Strait Point Cannery Museum Tour in Alaska

Located in Hoonah, Alaska, the Icy Strait Point Cannery Museum Tour offers visitors a fascinating look at Alaska’s historic salmon canning industry. Guests explore the preserved Hoonah Packing Company cannery, view original processing equipment, and learn how salmon were cleaned, canned, and shipped from Southeast Alaska to markets around the world. The tour highlights the industrial heritage of coastal Alaska and the role of fishing in local communities.

Why it’s special: The cannery is one of the few historic salmon processing plants in Alaska preserved as a museum, showcasing authentic machinery and the stories of workers who powered the seafood industry.

History & Story of Icy Strait Point Cannery

The Hoonah Packing Company cannery was built in 1912 and became a major seafood processing facility in Southeast Alaska. For decades, the cannery employed hundreds of workers who processed salmon harvested from the surrounding waters of Icy Strait.

The facility operated for much of the 20th century before eventually closing as industrial fishing and processing changed. In the early 2000s, the site was restored and reopened as part of the Icy Strait Point cultural and tourism development, preserving the cannery buildings and equipment as a living museum celebrating Alaska’s fishing heritage.

What You’ll See & Do on the Icy Strait Point Cannery Museum Tour

• Explore historic cannery buildings used for salmon processing
• View original machinery used to clean, cook, and can fish
• Learn how salmon were packed and shipped around the world
• Discover the lives of cannery workers and fishermen in Southeast Alaska
• Walk through exhibits explaining the history of the fishing industry

Hands-On Elements: Interactive displays demonstrate how salmon were processed and packed in the early cannery operations.

Photo/Video Policy: Photography is allowed throughout the museum and historic cannery buildings.

Souvenirs & Extras: Alaska seafood products, local crafts, and souvenirs available in nearby gift shops at Icy Strait Point.

Pricing of the Icy Strait Point Cannery Museum Tour

Adult price: $0 per adult (free)

The museum is generally included as part of the visitor experience at Icy Strait Point.

Visiting information for Icy Strait Point Cannery Museum Tour

Duration: Approximately 30–45 minutes
Age limits: All ages welcome
Accessibility: Museum walkways and exhibits are wheelchair accessible
Working Hours: Monday–Sunday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Hours typically align with cruise ship schedules during the main summer tourism season.

Nearby attractions to Icy Strait Point Cannery Museum Tour

• Icy Strait Point ZipRider
• Whale Watching Tours in Icy Strait
• Hoonah Whale Park

FAQs About Visiting the Icy Strait Point Cannery Museum Tour

What was processed at the Hoonah cannery?
The cannery primarily processed Pacific salmon, which were cleaned, cooked, canned, and shipped to markets across the United States and abroad.

Is the museum located inside the original cannery?
Yes. The museum is housed within the preserved Hoonah Packing Company cannery buildings.

Do visitors need a ticket to enter the museum?
Most visitors can enter the museum freely while exploring Icy Strait Point.

Is the museum suitable for cruise ship visitors?
Yes. Icy Strait Point is a major cruise destination, and the museum is one of the most popular attractions for visitors arriving by ship.

How far is the cannery museum from downtown Hoonah?
The museum is located at Icy Strait Point, only a short distance from the town of Hoonah.