Petersburg, Alaska - Overview and Essential Travel Information
by cctraveler2 at TravelPost
Petersburg.... The 'Little Norway' of Alaska Petersburg was founded by a Norwegian and to this day it still celebrates its heritage by observing Norwegian Independence Day on May 17th with parades, races, games and events at the Sons of Norway Hall. The small tour boats which ply the Inside Passage stop at Petersburg for Norwegian dance demonstrations and local sea food. Until recently the major economic industries were commercial fishing and logging - but over the last 20 or so years logging has been on the decline - so now tourism is catching up with about 40,000 visitors a year. The population fluctuates around 3,000 people, less in the winter, and more in the summer when the salmon canneries employ many summer laborers. SIGHTS Outdoor and scenic activities are the main reason for visiting Petersburg. There are a few ways to get out and see some things - you are surrounded by the Tongas National Forest so you could just take a hike up a mountain. If you hitchhike (or drive) out the road you can visit the Crystal Lake Salmon Hatchery, go steel-head fishing, or if you are visiting during the winter view Trumpeter Swans. Then before the end of the day, take a walk down to the harbor to view commercial fishing boats. Charter boat captains can take you out to see the wales that summer near town, to the La Conte Glacier which spews icebergs out into Fredrick sound, to a secluded river to view black bears dinning on salmon, or to a quiet fishing spot so that you can catch your own halibut or salmon. GETTING THERE Petersburg is located on Mitkof Island in SouthEast Alaska. There are no roads from the mainland - and in fact Petersburg's longest paved section of road is 18 miles long. Most visitors arrive via the Alaska State Ferry System or Alaska Airlines twice daily jet service. Other means of transportation is via small aircraft from neighboring towns in South East Alaska, small tour boats, or arriving as a crew member on the summer fishing fleet.
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