Watch out Alaska here we come !! Need some locals suggestions on what not to miss (Ketchikan: RV park, rent)

[Karla with a K]

Hi everyone
We will be leaving on Thursday for our long awaited Alaska cruise.
We are leaving out of Seward and thank to the kindness of Rance and Bud the fun things to do in Seward is covered
However I was wondering if any of the experts here would have any "not to miss" on our stops along the way

Personally I would rather my money got to the local businesses instead of the cruise ship as far as adventures(we all know the cruise ship takes a big cut on the excursions)

Thanks so much
Karla

Seward, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier (Cruising)

Juneau, Alaska - we have a whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier with Orca Enterprises, booked this direct with Orca

Skagway, Alaska

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by Karla with a K

Hi everyone
We will be leaving on Thursday for our long awaited Alaska cruise.
We are leaving out of Seward and thank to the kindness of Rance and Bud the fun things to do in Seward is covered
However I was wondering if any of the experts here would have any "not to miss" on our stops along the way

Personally I would rather my money got to the local businesses instead of the cruise ship as far as adventures(we all know the cruise ship takes a big cut on the excursions)

Thanks so much
Karla

Seward, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier (Cruising)

Juneau, Alaska - we have a whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier with Orca Enterprises, booked this direct with Orca

Skagway, Alaska

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

As a past tourist, I know a few not mentioned here. In Seward, U may wish to visit the area where the "tidal wave' washed away the town. Part of that area is a large public RV park. Since U are on a cruise, it would not make sense to take the local boat ride to see sea life. Skagway have that historic train ride where the 'disalluded' miners help build the narrow gauge tracks. Juneau have the sky tram which I thot was rather expensive. U can also tour the legislature building if on a weekend. It is free and 2 years ago, they did not even have guards there and if the docent go to lunch, they leave a self guide tour book. Many of the rooms are unlocked during the weekends. Ketch', like all the places mentioned, have a lot of touristy things to do. Like for instance, I understood Skagway nearly doubled their jewelry stores in the last couple of years. U can be one of those helping to triple their operation in the near future.

[Metlakatla]

Meteor showers this time of year, and the aurora has been spotted as far south as Haines now. Fall is really in the air, and hopefully this great weather in SE will stick around for you.

[Xa'at]

Juneau:
Wharf- esp chilkat cones, great ice cream and the Pizzeria in the same building is excellent
Mt Roberts (THE TRAIL- take the tram down but hike up it's way worth it)
Downtown- Annie Kails, Alaska Nepal, Heritage Coffee, Fudge Co and a few others that escape me at the moment
Whale Watching Cruise- I like the one where they take you to the lodge and feed you salmon
Mendenhall Glacier
Thane Ore House- good salmon, usually not crowded
North Douglas- false outer point is beautiful, nice short trail
Eagle Beach- out the road

I apologize for the incomplete sentences. I'm having trouble typing but wanted to get this in before you leave. Have a good trip and let us know how it goes.

[Metlakatla]

Like for instance, I understood Skagway nearly doubled their jewelry stores in the last couple of years. U can be one of those helping to triple their operation in the near future.

The damned jewelry stores have little to do with the residents of Skagway itself. They are offshore carpetbaggers who follow those ships like flocks of vultures--same names and same faces will be on their merry way to the Caribbean before the last ship of the season leaves Alaska waters. They are not wanted anywhere in SE Alaska by the people who live here and if the people off the ships did not support them we wouldn't have to see our communities ruined by this sort of enterprise.

Petersburg did it right when they said hell NO to the big ships.

The reason you see so many of these jewelry stores in all of the ports is because they can, will, and do pay at least twice the rent for their retail space than a local can pay. And because the people off the ships support them. The city of Skagway is getting screwed royally by this type of economic dynamic and if anyone thinks that the residents here are benefiting from these jewelry stores--well, only a handful of them are, and that would be the landlords who sold out their own community to these people. As for the rest, the population here is declining which is hardly an indicator of economic prosperity.

BTW, most of the jewelry stores are owned by the cruise ship lines....

Karla, thanks for wanting to support local businesses; I didn't mean any of this personally at all Have a great time.

[Karla with a K]

Metlakatla
I tend to avoid the "cruise line endorsed shops" for that very reason.
So tell me how do I know it is local? Or do I do what I have done when I have been on Caribbean cruises and go off the main "drag"?
If anyone happens to live in any of these stops and knows of local owned business feel free to DM me. Jewelery is actually not on my list of things I am looking for, because of the above reasons. I am going to be interested in local crafts type things. I want to bring a piece of the local culture back to the school I teach at once a week. I think the kids would really enjoy learning and seeing this. I want to bring little totem poles home especially those that may have a story that would fit the folks I am bringing them to, if that makes sense.
I do know to look for hte "mama & baby" polar bear stickers.

Xa'at
fudge and pizza ok I am set
I am not a big seafood eater so hubby can enjoy the seafood while I get my pizza fix

RAMFEB31 the train was one of the things we were considering , thanks

thanks everyone I am getting more excited
well lol I better get back to packing or we won't be able to leave our cabin
See you all tomorrow lol
karla

[MinuteMan]

Originally Posted by Karla with a K

I am going to be interested in local crafts type things. I want to bring a piece of the local culture back to the school I teach at once a week. I think the kids would really enjoy learning and seeing this. I want to bring little totem poles home especially those that may have a story that would fit the folks I am bringing them to, if that makes sense.

In Ketchikan, there's the Saxman Native Village Totem Park, one of the top 5 attractions in Alaska . It has the worlds largest standing collection of totem poles and you can shop at their store for authentic arts and crafts. The Saxman Village is close by, further then walking distance so booking a tour would be your best bet. Saxman Native Village Totem Park near Ketchikan, Alaska

[Metlakatla]

What MM said And you can watch the totems being carved if you are there at the right time.

Please stay away from the lumberjack show in Ketchikan however as the very thought of the glorification of the ruination of the beautiful Tongass makes me need to lie down with a cold washrag on my forehead, among other things.

There is a small store in Skagway called Inside Passage that specializes in Native art--it's on 6th Street just off of Broadway.

You can also stop and see me. Will pm you the details.

[Karla with a K]

Metlakatla I got your pm the info is on the to do list

MinuteMan saxman village is now also on the list
thanks you guys

karla

[Xa'at]

Don't forget to take lots of pictures!