Ports

[Two from Virginia]

Has anyone done touring of the ports by themselves (without an official tour guide)? If so, which ports? And what did you do (outside of hiking)?

[melika091900]

well in ketchikan we walked around and went to creek street and ate , and then shopped,,,

alot of people also walked over to the lumberjack show to see that.

 

 

in juneau we walked to the twisted fish to eat,and then we took the mt roberts tram and hung out at the top up there for a bit, and then shopped again,,

 

 

any particular things you were looking at doing ?

there werent really any tour companies at each place waiting for people to book like you would see in mexico or the caribbean, everyone basically booked ahead.. but i know alot of people rented cars and did things on their own..

[Nancyquilts]

In Ketchikan the Forest Service runs the Southwest Alaska Discovery Center near the lumberjack show (a big building with a green roof). If anyone has a Golden Age Pass, it's free to get in. If it's a week day, you could take the local bus to Totem Bight Park.

In Juneau, there are kiosks at the pier with buses to Mendenhall Glacier.

In Skagway, there is a FREE walking tour put on by the Park Service - you sign up in the old railroad station on the main street.

If you go to Sitka, the Raptor Center is worth a visit, as well as the Bishop's House, the cathedral and the Heritage Totem Pole Park.

[allentownahoy]

We rented a car in the 3 major ports. In Ketchikan we drove to Totem Bight, Ward Lake, along the coast and to a park with a trail and waterfalls.

 

In Juneau we drove to Mendenhall Glacier and the other side of a lake with a different view of Mendenhall. We drove along the coast stopping along the way. We also went to a religious shrine (I forget the name) with beautiful grounds and view. We were going to head to Douglas Island too but ran out of energy and time.

 

In Skagway we did Murray's drive into the Yukon as far as Emerald Lake. The drive is wonderful, the scenery amazing and ever changing and you do it at your own pace, stopping whenever and where ever you wish. I highly recommend doing this.

[Budget Queen]

I've done them all, many many many times. Independent touring options are everywhere in Alaska.