Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
About This Museum
Tucked away on Ketchikan's bustling Main Street, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center feels more like a portal than a museum. You step inside and the hum of the tourist strip fades, replaced by the recorded sounds of a rainforest and the sight of a towering, sun-dappled cedar grove. It’s an immediate, almost startling immersion into the Tongass, the planet's largest remaining temperate rainforest. The center masterfully condenses 17 million acres of wild Alaska into a single, awe-inspiring experience.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the stunning two-story diorama where life-sized bears forage along a salmon stream. Up close, you can examine intricate Tlingit and Haida ceremonial masks and a full-scale replica of a traditional clan house, their artistry speaking volumes about the region's deep cultural roots.
Visitor Information
Think of it as your all-in-one orientation to the Alaskan wilderness; it's run by a partnership of federal agencies, so the info on trails and public lands is gold. It’s right at the cruise ship dock, making it a perfect first or last stop.
Architecture & Building
From the outside, it’s a handsome, rustic structure built from heavy timber and native stone, designed to echo the region's longhouses and blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
Contact & Location
Address: 50, Main Street, Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, 99901, United States
Phone: +1 907-228-6220
Website: Visit Website
