Petersburg Travel Guide

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.