Just for Kids! Getting Here Fees & Passes Education  Program Film List 

Summer Hours May 1 to Sep 30: Daily: 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed on all Federal Holidays

Admission May 1 to Sep 30: General Admission - $5.00 Youth 15 and Under – Free Admission We Honor “America the Beautiful” & Local Seasonal Passes.

About Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is an Alaska Public Lands Information Center, the only one in Southeast Alaska. It is the gateway to the Tongass National Forest and offers over 20,000 square feet of exhibits highlighting the beauty, diversity, and history of the temperate rainforest that encompasses nearly 17 million acres. Located just a block from the cruise ship docks in downtown Ketchikan, the Discovery center is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. Visitors can explore the fascinating ecology of the coastal rainforest, connect with the rich cultures of the region's native peoples, discover how people earn a living from nature, and experience Alaska's rainforest from the comfort of the 200-seat theatre through a variety of award-winning films. Ranger-led tours, map talks, and interpretive presentations are provided on an hourly basis.

Events and Activities

• Alaska Hummingbird Festival and Juried Art Show – Apr 5 to Sep 3
  The Alaska Hummingbird Festival educates and promotes public understanding of the spring migratory birds of Southeast Alaska through a variety of activities including a juried art show for Alaskan artists.
• Summer Art Exhibition - Jul 5 to Sep 30 
  The annual Summer Art Exhibition features local artists and focus on the people, cultures, and landscapes of Alaska.

Follow the Tongass National Forest on Facebook for updates on what is happening at SEADC.

Christmas in July – July 13, July 20, July 27
Every year, a different national forest is selected to provide a tree to appear on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. The 2024 tree will be coming from Alaska’s National Forests! The Discovery Center will host ornament-making session in July.

Museum Activities for Children

The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center offers a variety of activities for young visitors. Kids can test their skills and knowledge with a scavenger hunt or earn their Tongass Junior Ranger patch by completing assignments in our Tongass National Forest Junior Ranger Book. In addition, the Discovery Center offers an Agents of Discovery mission where kids can play augmented-reality games to sleuth out the truth about the Tongass National Forest. The Tongass Family Activity Book offers fun and enlightening activities for the whole family. More details are available on Just for Kids page.

Featured Films

Presently the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center features ten documentary films highlighting the natural and cultural wonders of the Tongass National Forest; the rich cultural legacy and struggles for justice of Native Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes; the history, arts, and the people of Ketchikan; and many more. For more details and the full list of our featured films please visit the Film List page.

Contacts:

For more information or questions please contact Art Davtian at 907-228-6290; artak.davtian@usda.gov or Hazel Brewi at 907-228-6246; hazel.brewi@usda.gov.

For media inquiries please contact the Tongass Public Affairs Officer at 907-617-2063 or paul.robbins@usda.gov.