Tongass Nat’l Forest Sights & Attractions

Built in 1843, during the “Golden Age” of Russian North America, this spacious, two-story building was home to Bishop Innocent of the Russian Orthodox Church. It was the center of Russian North America’s cultural, educational, and business ventures, complete with a formal reception hall, dining room, chapel, school, and seminary.

Although it was a church  More...

The highlight of this big downtown building is not the exterior, but rather the large atrium, which has great views of Douglas Island and a 1920’s pipe organ that was used in movie theaters before being moved here in 1976. Today it’s played every Friday at noon. Off the lobby, you’ll find historic photos and displays from the state library, which is located on the  More...

This 1898 house was the home of Judge James Wickersham, a legend in Alaska who brought civility and law to the wild gold-rush towns of Eagle, Fairbanks, and Nome. After climbing Denali (Mt McKinley), he also helped lobby for the creation of Denali National Park, and was a force in Washington, where he persuaded the federal government to build universities and railroads in Alaska  More...

Settle in with a book and a view of the harbor, or check your email at Pelican’s Public Library.

Summers are busy in Ketchikan, with up to five cruise ships making port every day, but the locals also know how to play hard—especially at the huge Blueberry Arts Festival, hosted every August by the Ketchikan Arts and Humanities Council. In a town of 14,000, you’re likely to see as many as 8,000 people come out to this family-friendly event that celebrates the Southeast Alaskan blueberry.

Large collection of Central Yup'ik objects, part of Sam Fox (Yup'ik carver) collection, Truman Emberg papers, original Constitution of State of Alaska (with Emberg's signature), large basket collection, skin sewing & fur exhibit. Dave and Mary Carlson collection.

Mo-Fr 10am-5:30pm, Sat 10am-2pm

No admission fee, donations  More...

Soak your cares away while surrounded by dramatic views of the wilderness and the Pacific Ocean. White Sulphur Springs offers both indoor and outdoor warm pools and is just a short boat ride from Pelican. This is a favorite hot spot (literally!) for kayakers, boaters, local residents and fishermen and women.

Long Beach is a stretch of beach along Keku Strait a few miles north of Kake. This is a good spot for spotting whale activity offshore, as there are a few rocks out in the water that the whale like to rub against. Generally you would see humpback in this area, but once in awhile you might see a pod of orca.

For a small island community 800 miles from any major metropolitan area, the Ketchikan Gateway Recreation & Aquatic center is exceptional. These facilities feature enough equipment and activities to please a wide range of interests.

The causeway connects Japonski, Sasedni, Kirushkin, and Makhnait Islands. There are many beaches scattered along the route and beach-combing for shells is good here, but the probability of finding glass fishing floats is slim. There are underground bunkers that remain from WWII and they can be explored but use caution because they are very old. If you do plan on exploring these bunkers, use a good flashlight because within them, there are some sudden drop-offs. There is no land access to the trail, but you can access the area by hiring a water taxi or sea kayak.

The Community Hall/Gymnasium, located in downtown Kake, is the most used facility in town. Here's where you could find a community gathering complete with Tlingit dancing. Or you may get a chance to watch residents in a spirited game of basketball, the city’s favorite sport. (Kake has a few state championships in its history!).

Tsimshian master carver Stan Marsden led the community of Pelican in designing, carving and raising totem poles to symbolize the spirit of Pelican – an independent, close-knit fishing community. You can see their handiwork in the Unity pole in front of City Hall and in the raven and bear poles in front of Pelican High School.

Perfectly timed for the approaching holiday season, the Ketchikan Arts & Humanities Council’s Winter Arts Faire showcases the creations of local artists, which make for great gifts. More than 80 artists exhibit their work here, so you could easily fill all of your holiday wish lists with local, handmade gifts.

No visit to Tenakee would be complete without a long soak in the hot springs, whose healing properties drew the Tlingit people to this area long ago. The springs, which include a beautifully-restored bathhouse and changing room, are right in the middle of town, across from Tenakee Springs Market.

The Shamrock Building is a must-see spot in Tenakee Springs. Built in 1902, it is listed on the National Register of Historic places and has been everything from a jail, pool hall, dance hall, and senior center. These days it’s home to a local bakery that serves breakfast and lunch items. You can also browse a fine selection of local and regionally-made art.

After Finnish laborers completed St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, they asked Russian authorities if they could build a Lutheran church for themselves. The Russians allowed it, but only if the building didn’t look like a church. That building was torn down in 1888, but you can still see what it looked like: the current Lutheran church (which looks like a church) has  More...

In 1882, the U.S. Navy bombarded the small village of Angoon, resulting in destruction of homes, winter food stores and all but one canoe. The community survived through much hardship. The event is still very much a part of the collective history passed down through generations of Angoon residents.

Pelican Creek Bridge is just a few minutes from Pelican’s harbor. This is a great place for viewing salmon that are headed upstream to spawning sites. Check it out in July and August for the best viewing opportunities.

Open for a few hours every day but Monday and Friday, the public library in Tenakee offers Internet access, children’s programming and many books and DVDs for check-out. It’s located conveniently on West Tenakee Avenue, above the community center.

Take a walking tour through the historic district in Marine Park. Pick up a free map at the kiosk and just go! South Franklin Street is the main tourism district and one of the best shopping areas to find everything Alaskan, from cute and furry faux creatures (like iceworms) to handmade native crafts and expensive fine art. To ensure authenticity, look for the polar bear symbol for  More...

The wide beach flats in front of Kake where Gunnuk Creek and Little Gunnuk Creek empty out offer a wide expanse to explore, especially for kids. Watch for eagles, take in the view of Kuiu Island across Keku Strait, or learn how to dig for clams.

4th of July is Elfin Cove’s biggest community event, with everyone turning out for some patriotic fun that includes a pancake breakfast, games and even a banana slug race!

No visit to Juneau is complete without a close-up look at the Mendenhall Glacier. The Juneau Icefield's most visible ambassador, 13-mile long Mendenhall Glacier ends at Mendenhall Lake and is easily viewed from the Forest Service's historic visitor center. Here's what you'll find here:

You won’t find any old buildings here, but there are great interpretive signs and numerous hiking trails at this state park. And it’s an important place—the site of the first Russian settlement on Baranof Island. The Russians built a small fort in 1799, but Tlingits, unhappy with the Russian traders, attacked it in 1802. Nearly 100 Aleuts and 20 Russians were  More...

Explore a large, scale model of Sitka from 1867, the year the Russians transferred the Territory to the United States. View exhibits on traditional Tlingit lifestyles and see a collection of tightly woven cedar and spruce root baskets. Or learn about the town blackouts and a large-scale military buildup in Sitka during World War II. The museum is the only place in Sitka that includes  More...

With almost 30 years under its belt, the Ketchikan Wearable Arts Show is an event you don’t want to miss. Described as the “original runway performance,” this show has inspired imitations in neighboring communities and around the world. If you’d like to see a show that most clearly represents pure artistic talent, this is it.

Once the administrative headquarters for an empire stretching from Asia to California and Hawaii, Castle Hill today is little more than a grassy hill with a few interpretive signs, a modest stonewall, several old cannons, and a few flagpoles. But when you visit the top of this hill, you’re standing on rich historic grounds. Archeological excavations have unearthed over 300,000  More...

Just a short, mostly uphill, walk from downtown sits this estate that was built in 1913 for $40,000 and now houses Alaska Governor Bill Walker. Along with a totem pole outside, the 26-room building has eight fireplaces to keep the wet, cold winter at bay. There aren’t tours of the mansion, but local bus tours made it a destination during Sarah Palin’s time in  More...

Juneau is one of only two capitols in the United States that isn’t accessed by roads—only boats and planes can reach the city. But there is a stretch of paved road that runs north from town, past Auke Bay and towards Berner’s Bay. You’ll pass the University of Southeast Alaska and the ferry terminal before getting “out” of town. It’s a great  More...

Just off the boardwalk, Pelican Elementary School and Pelican Middle-High School are gathering places for the young people of the community. Children enjoy the playground, swings and green spaces, as well as the outdoor basketball court and school gym.

This 1255-foot-long bridge has reserved its place in history by being America's first cable-stayed girder spanned bridge. Today, it connects Sitka, on Baranof Island, to the town's airport, which is on Japonski Island. Finished in 1972, it was named after a former mayor of Sitka.