Free facility within walking distance from cruise ship docks. Run by the US Forest Service and is totally non-commercial, though they have a gift shop area. Excellent exhibits.
We're glad you enjoyed your visit to the Discovery Center, and thanks for letting folks know that we're worth the trip!
Within easy 2 block walking distance of the cruise ship dock, right in town.The $5 admission is a bargain. Excellent US Forest Service film and nice dioramas displaying rainforest habitat , Tlingit & Haida cultures and native flora & fauna.
We're glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to the Discovery Center, and I'll pass along your kudos to the rest of our staff. Come back and see us again!
There is a great film on the Tongass National Forest. We got in free with our national parks card. There are some great exhibits and a nice way to learn about the area, tribes, and history. It's an easy walk from the cruise port.
Thanks for visiting us and we're glad you enjoyed your visit to the Discovery Center!
This is a nice visitor center and an overview of the Tongass National Forest.My son always loves the Junior Ranger program, and it was convenient that we could pick up the book here and get started on it, and then turn in the completed book at Mendenhall Glacier visitor center when our cruise hit Juneau the next day.
Thanks for visiting the Discovery Center and sharing your honest thoughts - we think the center offers a great visitor experience but we agree that some of the exhibits need a refresh and we're in the planning and design stages of some renovations and upgrades. We hope you'll come back in the future and experience the Discovery Center again.
This was my second visit to the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. The first time for my wife and grandson. You have to pay $5 per person for entry but you get great value for that. It is right in the heart of downtown, a couple of blocks from Creek street and the cruise ship docks. The interpretative portion of the center is very informative focusing on all aspects; wildlife, ecosystem, native peoples, and the main industries; fishing, logging and mining. Allow for at least one hour to see everything. Make sure to see the 18 minute movie about the Tongass National Forest. The scenery of this video is stunning.
Really gave us a good perspective on the whole state of Alaska. Excellent short film about the rainforest, and informative displays. Well worth a quick trip.