Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
Fees & PassesEducation ProgramJust for Kids!Film List Getting Here
About Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center (SEADC) is an Alaska Public Lands Information Center (APLIC), the only one in Southeast Alaska. As an APLIC, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center offers its visitors public-lands centered orientation and education by focusing on its many collaborative agencies.
Located just a block from the cruise ship docks in downtown Ketchikan, the Discovery center is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. Due to the Discovery Center’s location, this USDA Forest Service managed center serves as a gateway to the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the United States. Visitors can explore over 20,000 square feet of exhibits highlighting the fascinating ecology and history of a nearly 17-million-acre temperate rainforest, connect with the rich cultures of the region's native peoples, and discover how people earn a living from nature.
The Center’s 200-seat theater offers the perfect opportunity for tourists to rest, escape the rain, and travel through this beautiful coastal rainforest community, without ever leaving your seat, through a variety of award-winning films. Ranger-led tours, map talks, and interpretive presentations are provided on an hourly basis.
Contacts:
For more information or questions please contact the Director Erika Schaubach at 907-228-6220; erika.schaubach@usda.gov (link) or Lead Ranger 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.
Hours
October 1 to April 30
- Open Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on all Federal Holidays.
- May be open other days for special events and by request.
- The Discovery Center has no entry fee from October 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026.
- America the Beautiful passes are available for purchase during the winter months.
May 1 to Sep 30
- Open Daily, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed on all Federal Holidays.
- General Admission - $5.00
- Youth 15 and younger - Free but must be accompanied by an adult.
- We Honor “America the Beautiful” & Local Seasonal Passes.
Events & Activities
Apr 5 to May 30
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.
Alaska Hummingbird Festival of Events Schedule
Alaska Hummingbird Festival Call For Artists
Artistic Collaborations at the Discovery Center – Select Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
November to April, the SEADC hosts local artists for a series of art workshops focused on the people, cultures, and landscapes of the Tongass NF (Ages 13+). These young adult and adult artistic programs usually fall on the first Saturday of the month. SEADC Rangers also lead a related art project for children and preteens in the center’s lobby.
“AC@DC” Arts & Crafts
October to April the first Saturday of each month, the SEADC challenges its visitors to discover their artistic side. Themed children and preteen arts and crafts projects combine science and art, offering a chance to learn while you create. Families are welcome. Projects will coincide with Artistic Collaborations at the Discovery Center, a series of art workshops geared towards young adults and adults.
Discovery Family Games – Second Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
October to April the second Saturday of each month, the SEADC hosts a variety of enlightening, fun and engaging games. Individuals and families explore the exhibits in new challenging ways by solving puzzles, completing scavenger hunts, and deciphering secret messages. All ages are welcome.
Saturday Science @ SEADC – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
From October to April, the third Saturday of each month, the 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. All ages are welcome.
Friday Night Insights
This popular lecture series will return in January 2026. 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.