Traveling to Alaska advice

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[spikerkat]

I need advice on what to see in Ketchikan, Juneaul, and Sitka.   My cruise in in June and I don't want to be limited to the tours offered by the cruise line.   What are the things to see that are worth spending time?

[Lani]

   Hi, Spikercat.  Welcome to the 'flats.  Now that you've arrived, why don't you tell a little something about yourself?  We've very friendly here! 

[bonefish]

Hi, spikercat. Glad to see you here. Am also envious! Would looove to go on a cruise to AK. 

[Sister Artemis]

I did get to cruise up into Alaska about 10 years ago... my advice?  Walk past the stores -- trinkets, gems, and t-shirts -- that are right by the dock and which are very much aimed at the cruise ship folks.  Walk past those places, and get back into the REAL town.  In all three towns you mention, we found wonderful galleries and shops featuring local artists and craftsmen and women, great local food (although of course there's free food back on the ship, sometimes it's nice to have a change of pace), cool little bookstores, and all the wonderful things that small towns have to offer.

[Alex]

In Sitka, there's a great restored Russian Orthodox church on the main street in town.  There are also remnants of an old Russian fort about a ten minute walk from where the cruise ships dock.  If you have more time Edgecumb mountain has some nice hikes (although you'll likely need to go up there by bus).

I second what Sister Artemis says -- in most of these places, you can find amazing places just beyond the touristy places right next to the docks.  If you don't mind walking 10-20 minutes, an entirely different world will unfold for you.

[Sirenoftitan]

  to the forum, spikerkat.   

I'm sure you'll get lots of helpful information about your June cruise.

[Fresh Tracks]

Are you going to be on a cruise ship schedule or will you have some time in each community???

In Juneau, you can walk off the boat and be downtown.  Take a taxi to get out to Mendenhall Glacier.  Hike around there.

Ketchikan, a hike up Deer Mountain is good if it's a nice day.  Explore downtown/Creek Street.

Sitka--take a bus/taxi to town/Totem Park.  Downtown has the old Russian church, lots of shops and a good book store--Old Harbor Books.  Totem Park outside of town is a great hike.

 

[futurexpat?]

 

I agree about walking past the shops right by the dock and get into the towns and look for the really nice local artist shops. Juneau is easy to get around on your own. The glacier is worth seeing (while it's still there  ). If you can get around on your own or a cab, I would highly recommend the Alaskan Brewery, especially if you like beer. You get nice taste tests here! It's ten years since I was in Sitka, but I remember that there's a lot of Russian history there. We walked up to see the eagle-rescue site, although I'm drawing a blank on the name. I think Ketchikan is a nice place to see lots of totem poles, but you can find out-of-the-way shops, too.

We just did a cruise up there last year, too. ENJOY!

[Fresh Tracks]

Oh yeah, and the State Museum in Juneau is pretty awesome.  It's just a few blocks from the dock--behind Centennial Hall.  Ask anyone how to get there.