Petersburg (Alaska)
Petersburg is a small fishing town in the Southeastern region of Alaska.
Understand
Climate
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Get in
By plane
Alaska Airlines provides two daily jet flights, and various float plane and air charters also serve the area.
By boat
One of the charms of Petersburg is that it doesn't have a deep water port, so it's not accessible by big cruise ships, but some smaller ships stop there. The Alaska Marine Highway provides regular ferry service.
Get around
There is a local taxi and some local shuttle services. The local roads are also nice for bicycling, although the size of the island limits the overall distance one can travel. Rental cars are available from both the hotels in town. Boats can even be rented from the Scandia House.
See
- Le Conte Glacier. The southernmost tidewater glacier in the northern hemisphere. The glacier moves extremely quickly, offering almost continual calving, including underwater calving leading to "shooters" as icebergs rise rapidly to the surface from the hundreds of feet of submerged ice. Hundreds of harbor seals also inhabit the fjord created by the glacier; closer to the face you're likely to see them lolling about on icebergs.
- Clausen Memorial Museum. Has local history exhibits.
Do
As Petersburg is located on the south end of Frederick Sound, where many humpback whales summer, it is an ideal starting point for whale watching. Although it's less comfortable to be out on the sound during rougher weather, days with lots of waves are better for seeing aerial displays.
- Blind River Rapids, Mile 14.2 on Mitkof Highway. A boardwalk through the muskeg to Blind Slough, where the salmon are numerous and other wildlife is often visible.
- Boardwalk. Behind the school there's a boardwalk through the muskeg (extremely soft nutrient poor meadow) that's worth walking.
Buy
Because Petersburg doesn't have a deep water port, it doesn't get the large cruise ships; thus, it isn't overrun with the large cruise line operated tourist shops that plague many such coastal towns. There are a few little locally owned galleries with local artists, and a bookstore with some nice coffee table books, but most of the town actually exists for the local population.
Eat
- Coastal Cold Storage. Assorted fried seafood and daily specials in a take-out ambiance, but the real treats are the vacuum packed smoked fish in the cooler. Great breakfast sandwiches too.
- Tina's Kitchen (On the main road). Does good halibut and salmon burgers. Summertime only.
- LaFonda. Genuine Mexican food served in Kito's Kave on Sing Lee Alley.
- Papa Bear's Pizza. Pizza, wings, burgers and other American fare. Ice cream is available.
- Helse. A sandwich shop with healthier choices.
- Beachcomber (Located at about 4 mile of Mitkof Highway). This summertime restaurant and bar primarily serve local seafood from a limited but tasty menu.
Drink
There are two bars open to the public. Harbor Bar is located on main street and Kito's Kave is a short distance away on Sing Lee Alley. There are Moose and Elk's lodges for members as well. All establishments are smoke-free as of 2010.
Sleep
- Scandia House. The newer hotel. Has a jacuzzi suite available. Located in the center of downtown. Has a coffee shop on the first floor.
- Tides Inn. Also located close to the center of town.
- Morning Mist Bed and Breakfast. Mel and Sherry Stockton are the great hosts.
- Water's Edge Bed and Breakfast. The delightful host Barry is a very friendly person.