Ketchikan’s Southeast Alaska Discovery Center: Exceptional Museum Experience

When we’re in Southeast Alaska we’re drawn to both the wildlife and the beautiful Tlingit culture visible everywhere, but there’s actually even more that make this region so interesting. The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center in Ketchikan is a really cool museum and information center, perfect for putting together a daily plan for your time in town and around the island. Managed by the US Forest Service, the SE Alaska Discovery Center admission is covered by your National Park Pass, making it something fun, interesting and inexpensive to do in Ketchikan.

I think it’s important to learn a little as you travel, so getting to have a short stop into a place like this that tackles so many topics AND is very digestible, making it ideal if you’re visiting from a cruise ship or if it’s your first day in Ketchikan. If you have any questions about visiting Southeast Alaska or planning your time in Ketchikan, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan unforgettable trips to Alaska!

Highlights of the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

I often forget that the National Forests have so many different sorts of experts working within their system that they have boundless knowledge to share. It’s not just about forestry. The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is the perfect culmination of all the practices of the National Forest Service! You’ve got exhibits about the wildlife and ecosystems of the Tongass National Forest, paleontology exhibits about dinosaurs that have been found throughout Alaska, and of course indigenous stories reflecting the history of the Tlingit people throughout Southeast Alaska.

I would say that if you only visit one museum when you’re in Ketchikan, make it the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. It’s right next to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and very near Cruise Birth 2. When you visit, be sure to watch the different video presentations in addition to going through the exhibits. You can’t visit Ketchikan without also taking part in some element of Alaska Native culture, so getting some context and learning about one of the most influential activists in Alaska history, Elizabeth Peratrovich, is an important activity. I think that’s what impressed me the most about the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, is the way the whole museum frames our current presence in Alaska in terms of millenia of life, both of humans and the natural world.

Tips for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

If you’re visiting Ketchikan with kids, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is probably the museum they’re going to enjoy the most. Whether someone is into science or totem poles, there’s something to learn about. For people visiting Ketchikan on a cruise, this museum is a great opportunity to let the kids guide the pace because there are so many interactive opportunities for them here, especially if this is the first stop on your cruise route. Get the kids interested in all the wildlife and scenery that lies ahead.

I could spend 90 minutes here easily (and have), but if you wanted to just get a quick overview of either the nature or the history, you could have just a 45 minute visit and walk away with a better understanding of Southeast Alaska than when you arrived. If you’re not a museum person, that’s okay, you can still leverage the displays, nature guides and maps, as well as the staff to help you plan other activities and stops throughout Southeast Alaska. The Tongass National Forest is huge and beautiful, and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is there to be a tool to make your visit as good as it can be.

Tip: if you’re also visiting the Tongass Historical Museum, they can provide lots of suggestions for exploring beyond Ketchikan as well.

Need to Know for Visiting the SE Alaska Discovery Center

When you visit the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, it does have a fee. It’s not an expensive museum, but it does cost $5. You can show your National Park Pass and then it’s free, but it’s worth it either way. Also, the gift shop here is one of the best in all of Southeast Alaska, in any port. I like finding meaningful souvenirs, books, quality t-shits and like when my money goes back to a good organization or towards education and conservation. You can check off all of those boxes here.

Parking for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

Parking in downtown Ketchikan isn’t difficult as most visitors are coming from the cruise ships. Having said that, be sure that you’re parking in correctly designated spots if you do have a car with you. I’d recommend parking in one of the paid lots so that you don’t accidentally end up ticketed or towed, and they’re all within walking distance of the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, Creek Street and the Tongass Historical Museum.

More Things to Do in Ketchikan

Ketchikan is such a cool town and it’s a wonderful place to explore for several days. If you’re only able to stop in for a little bit from a cruise ship, that’s fine too, but you’re going to want to come back and explore on your own in the future. What makes Ketchikan such a great town to visit is the combination of Alaska Native culture and all the elements that come to mind when you think of Alaska: salmon, mining, timber, landscapes. Ketchikan can be a wonderfully active town to visit or you can arrive and spend a few days relaxing.

As you plan your time in Ketchikan, think about how you want to mix up your activities. You can plan tours on the water or to visit different parts of Ketchikan to learn about Tlingit culture or nature. There are some walking tours to dig into the food scene or you can enjoy the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Do you need a car when you come to town? No, not necessarily and downtown is very walkable, even beyond Creek Street, and there is a bus system that goes to some further away spots. A car is nice though, as that open you up to hiking and traveling around the island freely.

Here are are recommendations for things to do in Ketchikan:

Where to Stay in Ketchikan

If you’re lucky enough to get to spend several days in Ketchikan, there are some fun options for hotels around down town. For visitors with their own cars, you can consider something outside of the immediate downtown area and not need to worry about parking. I will say, there are some cool places to stay just off Creek Street, which puts you right in one of the most iconic Alaskan neighborhoods. You can even stay at the Cape Fox Lodge overlooking downtown and then take the funicular down to the main area. Some hotels in Ketchikan offer shuttle service between the hotel and downtown or the airport ferry terminal, so if you want to enjoy a more quiet stay, you can still easily get about town without a car.