Kodiak Alaska

[mscruzer55]

We are going to be in Kodiak for a short time 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. I was wondering if anyone has taken the city highlights and Abercrombie State Park tour. Is it worth the cost or would we better off just doing the town on our own?

I was also wondering if Holland offers a shuttle to town. I think it is about 1.5 miles to walk.

[Keith1010]

We were in Kodiak in 2012 and actually will be there again this Summer.

 

Very few cruise ships get there.

 

If you want to visit the town, personally I would just do it on your own. That is what we did and you can see the same sites that are on the tour and more. It is very easy to walk around. Very nice people in town.

 

Here are a few photos:

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQ-xQwpCD0...0/DSC_4032.jpg

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByOwtK07pW...0/DSC_4039.jpg

 

Inside one of the museums.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P43-RFdHo4...0/DSC_4044.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9hGgX9THd...0/DSC_4052.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85EMCkZ4Ok...0/DSC_4038.jpg

 

I think the only benefit of the tour is getting out to the park. But you could just arrange for someone to take you out there after visiting the town on your own.

 

Keith

[LEtue]

Bummer, I can't open and view the pictures :(

[Potstech]

Having spent a year there back in the 70's I remember it was a small town built around the fishing fleet snd a cannery. Would love to go back and see how it has changed. Never saw a cruise ship there at the time and few go there now. Do a little research and go on your own.

[CowPrincess]

wondering if Holland offers a shuttle to town. I think it is about 1.5 miles to walk.

 

It "felt" like about a mile each way, decent sidewalks, safe walk, pretty flat.

 

IIRC there were some school buses being used to shuttle cruisers, not sure if HAL or the town provided them, or if there was a cost associated, since we walked :)

 

There were also taxis available right at the dock.

[mscruzer55]

Thanks,

I don't mind the walk either, we have some older couples with us I thought it might be nice if they had a ride to town.

[epixx]

Do not spend the money on the excursion. It's way overpriced. We caught a taxi right at the pier to go to Abercrombie State Park. You absolutely do not need a tour in the park. The trails are very well marked. We told the taxi driver when and where to pick us up for the return, and he was there waiting as arranged. We did not go into town, but you would have time after Abercrombie to have the taxi drop you off in town.

[mapleleaves]

try SEARCH THIS FORUM using the word abercrombie. It will bring up past threads with that word and hopefully a past traveler posted a trip report or port review that might provide assistance.

 

Did you look at the town web site? often times it will include a visitor guide and/or map.

[Northern Aurora]

It has been several years since we've been in Kodiak but we also will be there this summer. We'll spend a few days before boarding a state ferry to go out to Dutch Harbor.

 

Kodiak can be quite windy at times to the point that Alaska Airlines can't land their jets. And if the weather is both windy and raining too a visit to Fort Abercrombie would not be enjoyable. While I love Fort Abercrombie, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of those places which would be absolutely miserable in nasty weather.

 

I am guessing that the two museums listed in the HAL excursion are the Alutiiq Museum and the Baranov Museum. They are located in very close proximity with each other, and would be a great option on a cold, windy, rainy day. There is also the Kodiak Maritime Museum, but I know almost nothing about this museum except that opinions haven't been very positive.

[JimAOk1945]

Here are a few photos:

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQ-xQwpCD0...0/DSC_4032.jpg

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByOwtK07pW...0/DSC_4039.jpg

 

Inside one of the museums.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P43-RFdHo4...0/DSC_4044.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9hGgX9THd...0/DSC_4052.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85EMCkZ4Ok...0/DSC_4038.jpg

 

 

Keith

 

Keith,

 

The links aren't working for me either. Is there another way to view your pictures?

[arctickitty]

I also vote for DIY in Kodiak...the downtown area is small and walkable and overall you want to be flexible for weather.

[Keith1010]

Sorry about the links.

 

Here are new links to our photos.

 

Harbor near tender drop off dock.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0M9jEJOeabw/T4STiV6QP8I/AAAAAAAAQYo/Tij41fLhozs/s1600/DSC_4028.jpg

 

One of a couple of churches.

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQ-xQwpCD0Q/T4STtgYikQI/AAAAAAAAQY4/PJBaKLi4rXs/s1600/DSC_4032.jpg

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByOwtK07pW8/T4STzUFxbiI/AAAAAAAAQZI/E0bo3XRqMps/s1600/DSC_4039.jpg

 

From one of the museums we visited.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P43-RFdHo4M/T4ST1j_IzVI/AAAAAAAAQZQ/PTl4ad6KdtI/s1600/DSC_4044.jpg

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft_MRBhOW4I/T4ST4NRUIXI/AAAAAAAAQZY/QDIRVKNAzzU/s1600/DSC_4046.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CxvWLIQi6O8/T4SjX4PCF2I/AAAAAAAAQa8/mfihIkiCKQk/s1600/DSC_4042.jpg

 

This bus is used for the city tour excursion. We saw the same places on our own.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IQvb3sqEudc/T4ST6zVFSXI/AAAAAAAAQZg/5QODE_ySFnU/s1600/DSC_4048.jpg

 

Another museum.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzAIG9v_fP8/T4ST9RyAssI/AAAAAAAAQZo/a150dGWOcYI/s1600/DSC_4050.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9hGgX9THdg/T4ST_WK12BI/AAAAAAAAQZw/q8NZUBYsKV0/s1600/DSC_4052.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85EMCkZ4Okc/T4Sao8qKYHI/AAAAAAAAQa0/2BIjf01DYDc/s1600/DSC_4038.jpg

 

Area where they do dry docks.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gO5fHBp5tT0/T4SUFRbpecI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/3OgC_ZPEqrE/s1600/DSC_4054.jpg

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aC3GvSUwI2o/T4SVNlJWLoI/AAAAAAAAQas/-IumH-NzgR4/s1600/DSC_4053.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8N92xNM0wY/T4SUJ4g5yCI/AAAAAAAAQaI/ZWjoTnK_zws/s1600/DSC_4063.jpg

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gAyhLmDZ4u4/T4SUMg8dPWI/AAAAAAAAQaQ/Z4ihluOZLk8/s1600/DSC_4065.jpg

 

We were there in late April so you see a lot of snow on the mountains.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYC5lu6IsqE/T4STxiJaYSI/AAAAAAAAQZA/4S6N5WJEPI4/s1600/DSC_4036.jpg

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

Just want to add that my wife and I do a variety of things in port.

 

Sometime we do them on our own.

 

Other times a private excursions.

 

Other times a ships tour.

 

We felt that doing this on our own was the way to go and glad we did that.

 

The people who live in this town are a gem. Very nice.

 

Keith

[JimAOk1945]

Just want to add that my wife and I do a variety of things in port.

 

Sometime we do them on our own.

 

Other times a private excursions.

 

Other times a ships tour.

 

We felt that doing this on our own was the way to go and glad we did that.

 

The people who live in this town are a gem. Very nice.

 

Keith

Thanks for reposting the links to your blog and sharing your experiences in touring Sitka. It's very helpful.

[Keith1010]

You are very welcome.

 

Keith

[mscruzer55]

Thanks for the information.

[Keith1010]

You are very welcome.

 

Keith

[mscruzer55]

Oh yes, I have printed maps of every town we are going to and I have things planned for all of them I sure don't want to miss anything. I just wasn't sure about Kodiak. Thanks for your input.

[TheCalicoCat]

It has been several years since we've been in Kodiak but we also will be there this summer. We'll spend a few days before boarding a state ferry to go out to Dutch Harbor.

 

Kodiak can be quite windy at times to the point that Alaska Airlines can't land their jets. And if the weather is both windy and raining too a visit to Fort Abercrombie would not be enjoyable. While I love Fort Abercrombie, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of those places which would be absolutely miserable in nasty weather.

 

I am guessing that the two museums listed in the HAL excursion are the Alutiiq Museum and the Baranov Museum. They are located in very close proximity with each other, and would be a great option on a cold, windy, rainy day. There is also the Kodiak Maritime Museum, but I know almost nothing about this museum except that opinions haven't been very positive.

 

I'm planning a flight to see bears at this stop - hope we have good weather.;)