Favorite Ketchikan excursion & why?

[fireflymd]

I have already booked all our other excursions for our Princess cruise and land tour to Alaska.

Talkeetna--Glacier Landing Explorer (fixed wing plane to Mt. McKinley & Ruth Glacier landing)

Talkeetna--Ultimate Denali Hike & Flight (seaplane and hiking)

Denali--Nenana Gorge Whitewater Rafting

Denali--Denali tour (bus)--hoping to get Tundra Wilderness Tour

Skagway--Dog Sledding & Glacier Flightseeing (helicopter)

Juneau--Whales, Bears & Glaciers (whale boating tour, van to bears, flightseeing of Mendenhall Glacier and others)

Ketchikan--??

We have already done ziplining, and snorkeling, I'm not athletic enough for sea kayaking, not interested in fishing. We are travelling with our 2 teenagers.

Initially I booked the Rainforest Island Walk and Seahawk Adventure, but I'm wondering if it will be enough to just check out the town on our own?

[vbmom87]

We enjoyed the boat tour to Misty Fjords, but not sure that would interest your teens. In retrospect I wished I had done the combo flight/boat tour to get the perspective of the fjord from both above and down low. You have quite a flew flights already planned so I would venture to guess you might be looking for something different.

If you have a cultural interest you could go to Saxman's Village or Totem Bight and Potlach Park.

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

http://www.potlatchpark.com/


Many people enjoy the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour, especially with an interest in the show "Deadliest Catch." Your teens might find this of interest.

http://56degreesnorth.com/default.asp?pageid=1



You can pick up a map at the Visitors Center and take a self guided stroll through Ketchikan. If you are in Ketchikan during a salmon run make sure to go to the fish ladder. You can see where it is on the map.

http://www.experienceketchikan.com/s...s_downtown.pdf


Ketchikan has the excellent Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. We found it quite educational and very interesting.

http://www.alaskacenters.gov/ketchikan.cfm

There is plenty to occupy your time in Ketchikan. You just have to figure out what will interest you the most. For other ideas check out:

http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/

[tommycha]

We took the Neets Bay Bear Watching Cruise trip and manage to see some bears, jumping salmons and seals.

You might want to check out our review

http://discoverbooktravel.blogspot.s...-watching.html

[Budget Queen]

What is your "seaplane" tour out of Talkeetna?

I always fly Misty Fiord, every trip.

On the cheap, there is taking a city bus to Totem Bight (print out the totem guide sheet) and also include a walk over to Potlatch Park. Can add hiking near Ward Lake with an additional bus stop, and time.

Car rental for the same areas, plus more.

Request their visitor guide

It also depends when you are going for some tours?

[sherryf]

I am happy to just wander Ketchikan on my own sometimes (2 out of 5 trips). Depending on time of year, you may see salmon in the creek. I find that Ketchikan has the best shopping.

When we took my teens, we split up and did two different excursions. My husband and 15 year old son went to the Lumberjack Show and had fun. It's a bit corny, but amusing. My 12 year old daughter, 18 year old son and I went to Saxman Native Village. They did enjoy it, but my son felt that it was "too commercial". I think he would have preferred to experience native culture in a more "natural" setting, but unfortunately they have to make money catering to the tourist crowd so it is a bit commercialized. My kids enjoyed the native dance show, especially one particularly adorable toddler boy. The totem carvers are also interesting to watch.

[dustyroad]

you definetely have all the other ports covered for a great time. how about the '' deadliest catch '' crab tour in ketchikan. 2nd on my list would be the nature walk. my brother and his wife took it and loved it. have fun.

[fireflymd]

Originally Posted by vbmom87

We enjoyed the boat tour to Misty Fjords, but not sure that would interest your teens. In retrospect I wished I had done the combo flight/boat tour to get the perspective of the fjord from both above and down low. You have quite a flew flights already planned so I would venture to guess you might be looking for something different.

If you have a cultural interest you could go to Saxman's Village or Totem Bight and Potlach Park.

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

http://www.potlatchpark.com/


Many people enjoy the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour, especially with an interest in the show "Deadliest Catch." Your teens might find this of interest.

http://56degreesnorth.com/default.asp?pageid=1



You can pick up a map at the Visitors Center and take a self guided stroll through Ketchikan. If you are in Ketchikan during a salmon run make sure to go to the fish ladder. You can see where it is on the map.

http://www.experienceketchikan.com/s...s_downtown.pdf


Ketchikan has the excellent Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. We found it quite educational and very interesting.

http://www.alaskacenters.gov/ketchikan.cfm

There is plenty to occupy your time in Ketchikan. You just have to figure out what will interest you the most. For other ideas check out:

http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/

Thanks so much--I'll check out those websites. You're right--I have so many flight tours scheduled, I was hoping not to have to pay for another one. We just might like a day to walk around the town.

[fireflymd]

Originally Posted by tommycha

We took the Neets Bay Bear Watching Cruise trip and manage to see some bears, jumping salmons and seals.

You might want to check out our review

http://discoverbooktravel.blogspot.s...-watching.html

Beautiful scenery, thanks! I'm hoping to see bears in Juneau, on our Whales, Bears & Glaciers tour, although the location to which the tour will take us varies depending upon the day.

[fireflymd]

Originally Posted by Budget Queen

What is your "seaplane" tour out of Talkeetna?

I always fly Misty Fiord, every trip.

On the cheap, there is taking a city bus to Totem Bight (print out the totem guide sheet) and also include a walk over to Potlatch Park. Can add hiking near Ward Lake with an additional bus stop, and time.

Car rental for the same areas, plus more.

Request their visitor guide

It also depends when you are going for some tours?

The seaplane trip is part of the Ultimate Denali Hike & Flight excursion. We might just walk around the town. I'm interested in the totem and native village excursion, but I'm the only one.

[fireflymd]

Originally Posted by sherryf

I am happy to just wander Ketchikan on my own sometimes (2 out of 5 trips). Depending on time of year, you may see salmon in the creek. I find that Ketchikan has the best shopping.

When we took my teens, we split up and did two different excursions. My husband and 15 year old son went to the Lumberjack Show and had fun. It's a bit corny, but amusing. My 12 year old daughter, 18 year old son and I went to Saxman Native Village. They did enjoy it, but my son felt that it was "too commercial". I think he would have preferred to experience native culture in a more "natural" setting, but unfortunately they have to make money catering to the tourist crowd so it is a bit commercialized. My kids enjoyed the native dance show, especially one particularly adorable toddler boy. The totem carvers are also interesting to watch.

I'm actually interested in both of those excursions, but DH generally doesn't enjoy "shows". I might just book the Saxman Native Village excursion and "surprise" him with it!

Originally Posted by dustyroad

you definetely have all the other ports covered for a great time. how about the '' deadliest catch '' crab tour in ketchikan. 2nd on my list would be the nature walk. my brother and his wife took it and loved it. have fun.

Thanks for the suggestions--DH does enjoy Deadliest Catch. It's funny, this is the only port I'm questioning what to do. We may even just wait until that day to decide.

[Budget Queen]

Originally Posted by fireflymd

The seaplane trip is part of the Ultimate Denali Hike & Flight excursion. We might just walk around the town. I'm interested in the totem and native village excursion, but I'm the only one.

Not sure if of any interest, but there is a 2 for 1 toursaver coupon, if you switched to a helicopter with the trekking, out of Denali. Significant deal.

[sherryf]

Originally Posted by fireflymd

I'm actually interested in both of those excursions, but DH generally doesn't enjoy "shows". I might just book the Saxman Native Village excursion and "surprise" him with it!



Thanks for the suggestions--DH does enjoy Deadliest Catch. It's funny, this is the only port I'm questioning what to do. We may even just wait until that day to decide.

The dance show is only a part of the Saxman tour. You also get to watch the totem carvers and hear some stories about the totems there at the park.

You might consider splitting up, like we did. Your husband can do the Deadliest Catch and you can do Saxman, and the teens can decide which parent to go with depending on their interests.

[vbmom87]

Originally Posted by sherryf

You might consider splitting up, like we did. Your husband can do the Deadliest Catch and you can do Saxman, and the teens can decide which parent to go with depending on their interests.

Great idea!!!! We went with five to Alaska and split up in every port but Skagway. That way we all got our priorities in.

[dustyroad]

Originally Posted by fireflymd

I'm actually interested in both of those excursions, but DH generally doesn't enjoy "shows". I might just book the Saxman Native Village excursion and "surprise" him with it!



Thanks for the suggestions--DH does enjoy Deadliest Catch. It's funny, this is the only port I'm questioning what to do. We may even just wait until that day to decide.

there are vendors on the dock and at the visitors center ( im not sure if the deadliest catch will be one of them though ). im sure you will find something for both of you. i love strolling up creek street and married mans trail. there is a salmon ladder there too see the salmon if they are in season. have a great time.

[fireflymd]

Originally Posted by dustyroad

there are vendors on the dock and at the visitors center ( im not sure if the deadliest catch will be one of them though ). im sure you will find something for both of you. i love strolling up creek street and married mans trail. there is a salmon ladder there too see the salmon if they are in season. have a great time.

Thanks! I really can't wait.

[tommycha]

Ketchikan is a nice place to walk around.

A pity that the ship don't dock that for long, only for about half a day in the morning or in the afternoon depending on your itinerary.

[Jd820]

How much is dog sledding ? Is it only at Skagway ?

[fireflymd]

Originally Posted by Jd820

How much is dog sledding ? Is it only at Skagway ?

I booked all of our excursions through Princess--if you go to their website, you can check out all the pricing.

As far as I can tell, there are only two places where you can actually be in a dog sled on snow (on a glacier)--Juneau and Skagway. We chose Skagway because we wanted to do the whale watching in Juneau.

There are other dog "sledding" excursions--but they are not on snow.

[Budget Queen]

Originally Posted by Jd820

How much is dog sledding ? Is it only at Skagway ?

Available in Juneau and Seward also.

expect at least $500++ pp for a glacier helicopter landing.

On the ground there are several cart ride options in many locations, mainland Alaska and out of Juneau and Skagway. ranging in price from about $10-100+++

[richfrommo]

Originally Posted by Budget Queen

What is your "seaplane" tour out of Talkeetna?

I always fly Misty Fiord, every trip.

On the cheap, there is taking a city bus to Totem Bight (print out the totem guide sheet) and also include a walk over to Potlatch Park. Can add hiking near Ward Lake with an additional bus stop, and time.

Car rental for the same areas, plus more.

Request their visitor guide

It also depends when you are going for some tours?

Where do you catch the city bus to Totem Bight park at & where can I find a totem guide sheet at to print out ?