Headhoncho Posted February 15, 2012 #1 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I'm heading to Alaska(first time) for a cruisetour in June. I'm particularly interested in walking tours of the above mentioned ports. Generally museums, old saloons, historical buildings and sites would appeal to me. I'd appreaciate any comments from people who have been there indicating "must see" attractions, local lore and how best to get arround each location(ie. transportation). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mapleleaves Posted February 15, 2012 #2 Share Posted February 15, 2012 If you google a Port's name, followed by 'visitor information' you'll find the town's web site. The Ports promote tourism so they have informative web sites about local sights and activities. Many will even send you a free visitor guide. ie google 'ketchikan visitor information' and you'll get ketchikan's web site. This link will open to the walking tour. They provide free maps at the visitor booth for self guided tours. http://www.ketchikanalaska.com/culture/tours.html Skagway is skagway.com If you want to learn more about the town's history, why don't you buy an Alaska travel book, or borrow one from your library?? like Frommers. Then you'll have a better appreciation of what you're experiencing. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/juneauandsoutheastalaska/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Aurora Posted February 16, 2012 #3 Share Posted February 16, 2012 If you are interested in the history Skagway, consider visiting the Skagway Museum and Archives. It is well worth a visit for anyone interested in the Klondike gold rush. If you have access to a car, also consider driving the few miles out to Dyea. Dyea was the other gold rush community, and was the site of the start of the Chilkoot Trail. A few people still live there. The National Park Service has a campground there plus have now marked some of the old building remnants. The Chilkoot Trail was the land access to the Klondike, and the iconic photos of the stampeders climbing the ice stairs to the summit were taken on the Chilkoot Trail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCalicoCat Posted February 16, 2012 #4 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Just because it is there, I'd take the trip to Mendenhall Glacier & walk around there... Assuming you wanted a walking activity. I'm going to hit married man's trail in Ketchikan... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMZinSC Posted February 16, 2012 #5 Share Posted February 16, 2012 If you go to the Visitors Center in Skagway they have free walking tours led by park rangers. If you want to do it on your own though, try this. It was fun. We actually walked all the way out to the Gold Rush Cemetery and back. It was a long walk, but we really enjoyed it. DH complained when we started out and it was so far, but to this day he is still saying that was the best day we spent in Alaska. http://www.skagway.com/skagwaywalkingtour.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markpark Posted February 16, 2012 #6 Share Posted February 16, 2012 We enjoyed the Skagway Walking Tour led by the park ranger very much. It is free. Available five or six times a day if I remember correctly. Ketchican has a self-guided walking tour. I think the maps were available at the cruise dock. Could have been at the beginning which was a city park, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleckle Posted February 17, 2012 #7 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Ketchican has a self-guided walking tour. I think the maps were available at the cruise dock. Could have been at the beginning which was a city park, I think.Here they are in pdf format, if anyone wants a preview. Ketchikan Downtown Walking Tour Map Ketchikan West End Walking Tour Map Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted February 17, 2012 #8 Share Posted February 17, 2012 If you go to the Visitors Center in Skagway they have free walking tours led by park rangers. If you want to do it on your own though, try this. It was fun. We actually walked all the way out to the Gold Rush Cemetery and back. It was a long walk, but we really enjoyed it. DH complained when we started out and it was so far, but to this day he is still saying that was the best day we spent in Alaska. http://www.skagway.com/skagwaywalkingtour.pdf For clarification- it is not Skagway's "visitor center", it is the National Park Visitor Center. These are two different locatons. http://www.nps.gov/klgo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted February 17, 2012 #9 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I'm heading to Alaska(first time) for a cruisetour in June. I'm particularly interested in walking tours of the above mentioned ports. Generally museums, old saloons, historical buildings and sites would appeal to me.I'd appreaciate any comments from people who have been there indicating "must see" attractions, local lore and how best to get arround each location(ie. transportation). Fodor's Alaska and Frommer's Alaska have very comprehensive "town" descriptions and attractions to consider in all the ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhoncho Posted February 19, 2012 Author #10 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Many thanks to those who posted suggestions to my request for recommendations for "Walking Tours in Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan". I am considering each suggestion as I plan my trip to Alaska. Any further suggestions would be sincerely appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linsuesue Posted February 21, 2012 #11 Share Posted February 21, 2012 There is a walking tour of Ketchikan that you can download from amazon that is under $10. I just put it on my Ipod, and we listened to it as we walked around Ketchikan. You can use it every time you visit Ketchikan. Once you go to Alaska, you can't wait to go back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskacie Posted June 10, 2012 #12 Share Posted June 10, 2012 You can also try http://www.juneauwalkingtours.com -- they don't charge for the tour, just ask that you tip your guide, who does work only for gratuities. I think all guides are Alaska natives (not Native Alaskans) and they're supposed to be quite good -- well I guess you have to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliesMom Posted June 11, 2012 #13 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Here they are in pdf format, if anyone wants a preview. Ketchikan Downtown Walking Tour Map Ketchikan West End Walking Tour Map Do you know what the alpha symbols inside the blue boxes are for on the maps? I printed out these maps too ... will be great on our cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliesMom Posted June 11, 2012 #14 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Juneau Walking Tour Map http://www.traveljuneau.com/images/map_downtown_big.jpg Here's one for Sitka also if anyone needs it: http://www.nps.gov/sitk/planyourvisit/upload/ACF19B5.pdf.pdf Historic Sites in Sitka Map http://www.travelsitka.com/images/Historic-Sites-of-Sitka-for-web-lg.jpg Downtown Map/Outdoor Recreation Guide of Sitka http://www.travelsitka.com/PDF-Files/NPS-downtown-area-map.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss tea Posted June 11, 2012 #15 Share Posted June 11, 2012 We are going to creek street in Ketchikan. I heard there is lots to see. Look up the web site Creekstreet.com You can also go to married mans trail walking distance from creek street. Very beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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