Petersburg, Alaska Attractions

Exploring the town on foot is a great way to sample the local culture. Wander along the boardwalks of Hammer Slough then head toward Sing Lee Alley's specialty shops and cafes. Nearby is Bojer Wikan Fisherman's Memorial Park, where there is a monument dedicated to those lost at sea and a replica of a Norwegian Viking ship.

Three miles southeast of the town is Sandy Beach Park. Besides being a great place to discover tide pools and watch birds, it is also the site of ancient native Alaskan petroglyphs and remnants of prehistoric fish traps. These traps, best seen during low tide, forced salmon into channels where they would become trapped once the waters rose.

Petersburg is situated on Frederick Sound, a place where you'll find some of the best humpback whale viewing in North America. Kaleidoscope Cruises is a local charter that offers 8-hour whale watching trips mid-May through September. The boat even has specially equipped underwater microphones so passengers can listen to the whales. Important Information: Tours take place between May 15 and September 30.