Petersburg Sights

  1. Bojer Wikan Fishermen's Memorial Park

    Along Sing Lee Alley is Bojer Wikan Fishermen's Memorial Park. This deck of a park is built on pilings over Hammer Slough and is a monument honoring local fishers lost at sea. Also on display is the Valhalla , a replica of a Viking ship that was built in 1976 and purchased by Petersburg two years later.

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  2. Clausen Memorial Museum

    Clausen Memorial Museum holds an interesting collection of artifacts and relics, mostly related to local fishing history. Exhibits include the largest king salmon ever caught (126lb) and a giant lens from the old Cape Decision lighthouse. Outside is Fisk , the intriguing fish sculpture that was commissioned in 1967 to honor the Alaska Centennial.

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  3. Frederick Sound

    In recent years, whale watching has become a popular trip out of Petersburg. From mid-May to mid-September humpback whales migrate through and feed in Frederick Sound with the peak feeding period in July and August. Other wildlife that can be spotted includes Steller's sea lions, orcas and seals.

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  4. LeConte Glacier

    The most spectacular paddle in the region is to LeConte Glacier, 25 miles east of Petersburg. It's North America's southernmost tidewater glacier. From town, it takes three to four days to reach the frozen monument, including crossing Frederick Sound north of Coney Island. The crossing should be done at slack tide, as winds and tides can cause choppy conditions.

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  5. North Boat Harbor

    The North Boat Harbor is the best one for wandering the docks, talking to crews and possibly even scoring some fresh fish. Begin at the Harbormaster Office where a wooden deck provides a picturesque overview of the commercial fleet and has a series of interpretive panels that will teach you the difference between purse seine and a long-liner.

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  7. Outlook Park

    Outlook Park is a whale observatory with free binoculars to search Frederick Sound for humpbacks, orcas and sea lions.

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  8. Petersburg Fisheries

    Walk north along the waterfront to see Petersburg Fisheries, the original outfit founded by Peter Buschmann in 1900; today it's a subsidiary of Seattle's Icicle Seafoods.

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  9. Sandy Beach Recreation Area

    From downtown, Nordic Dr heads north on a scenic route that ends at Sandy Beach Recreation Area. This beautiful day-use area features Tlingit petroglyphs, visible at low tide.

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  10. Sing Lee Alley

    Heading south, Harbor Way passes Middle Boat Harbor and turns into Sing Lee Alley. This was the center of old Petersburg, and much of the street is built on pilings over Hammer Slough.

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  11. Sons of Norway Hall

    Sons of Norway Hall is the large white building with the colorful rosemaling built in 1912 and the center for Petersburg's Norwegian culture. Come on down and play bingo at on Saturday; 'O-32,' ja shore you betcha.

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  13. Thomas Bay

    Almost as impressive as LeConte Glacier is Thomas Bay, 20 miles from Petersburg and north of LeConte Bay on Frederick Sound's east side. The bay features a pair of glaciers, including Baird Glacier, where many paddlers spend a day hiking. The mountain scenery surrounding the bay is spectacular, and the area holds three USFS cabins: Swan Lake Cabin, Spurt Cove Cabin and Cascade Creek Cabin. All require reservations. Paddlers need to allow four to seven days for the round-trip out of Petersburg.

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