Southeast Alaska Discovery Center — Attraction in Ketchikan

The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is operated by the US Forest Service as it is about the Tongass National Forest. It is so well organized and presented that it outdoes many better-funded National Park Visitor Centers. The building has a soaring central hall more than two stories high with exposed wood beam architecture. The displays cover the natural and human environment, and the many different users of the national forest. Less well known is the effort the Forest Service made to reconcile with the Native American tribes in the Tongass National Forest (Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes) after a long history of suppressing the rights of the first peoples in the area. There are very interesting Native American artifacts in the collection. There are several videos and a map store. The Discovery Center is a short walk from the cruise ship docks and a well worth visiting Ketchikan highlight. The center Director had many valuable insights to share and was very friendly and accessible, possible in a small center with only a couple...

If you are interested in learning about Nature, Native Culture and Economy of Southeast Alaska this is an excellent place to start. The displays are highly detailed and organized. Each section is clear and visually pleasing to the senses. There is audio/video companions and interactive displays throughout. There is also a Theater that shows movies and has special guests regularly. You can find something for the entire family and will keep children engaged and happy. Southeast Alaska Discovery Center demonstrates the complex and colorful history of Alaska in an understandable form that everyone can appreciate. If you are in Ketchikan stop by and get out of the "Liquid Sunshine" for a little while and learn what Alaska...

This is a great visitor and discovery center. Something for both kids and adults. One of the forest rangers held a 45 minute presentation on the history of Alaska, touching on everything from the early American explorers, the Russians and native Americans. It was fascinating to hear about the economic and political forces that made the state what it is today. Super insightful presentation that was one of the highlights of our Katchikan shore outing. Love the forest and...