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Just for Kids! Getting Here Fees & Passes Education Program Film List
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Summer Hours
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Admission
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SEADC Hummingbird Call For Artists
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
- Winter hours September 29 to April 30
Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed on all Federal Holidays. The Discovery Center has no entry fee from October 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025. America the Beautiful passes are available for purchase during the winter months.
- Winter programs at SEADC will include:
Artistic Collaborations @ Discovery Center – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
November to April the first Saturday of each month SEADC will host local artists in for a series of art workshops focused on the depicting the people, cultures, and landscapes of the Tongass NF (Ages 13+). SEADC Rangers will also lead a related art project for children and preteens in the center’s lobby.
- Discovery Family Games – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
November to April the second Saturday of each month SEADC will host a variety of enlightening, fun and engaging games where individuals and families solve puzzles, complete scavenger hunts, decipher secret messages, etc. All ages are welcome.
- Saturday Science @ SEADC – 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
From October to April, the third Saturday of each month SEADC invites experts and educators to share in a monthly science themed event. Activities include family-oriented science stations, games, scavenger hunts, experiments, and more.
- Friday Homeschool Programs -
Pre-K - 3rd grade – 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 4th - 7th grade - 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
These weekly conservation and science education programs are planned for Fridays beginning in October. For additional information please visit the SEADC education program webpage
- Friday Night Insights - January to April 2025 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This popular lecture series will return in January 2025. Friday Night Insights are free programs presented by a variety of speakers with a focus on diverse local topics including science, resources, culture, and history of Alaska.
Follow the Tongass National Forest on Facebook for updates on what is happening at SEADC.
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 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.
