Favorite Alaska Excursion Ideas for Family with Teen Boys...?

[carlsbadbruin]

Hi,

We just booked a cruise to Alaska for next June. Besides cruising Glacier Bay, our ports are Tracy Arm (crusing or tender?), Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, and I'm looking for excursion ideas for our family (DH and I are in our 40s, two sons ages 16 and 18) that won't break the bank (unless they're a must do!).

 

Here is what seems appealing so far:

Juneau: Mendenhall and Nugget Falls hike?

Skagway: White Pass train and cycle down, or Green Jeep up pass and visit Caribou Crossing?

Ketchikan: Bering Sea Fisherman's Tour?

 

Dog sledding also looks interesting; I see one tour in Skagway that gets good reviews even though it doesn't take you to a glacier ($$$$). Any favorites that we should put on our "must do" list? We did do a two week land tour of Alaska by RV a few years ago, so wildlife isn't a top priority, although always wonderful to spot! Thank you for sharing any favorites that you think our teen sons might enjoy!

[Kamloops50]

Hi,

We just booked a cruise to Alaska for next June. Besides cruising Glacier Bay, our ports are Tracy Arm (crusing or tender?), Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, and I'm looking for excursion ideas for our family (DH and I are in our 40s, two sons ages 16 and 18) that won't break the bank (unless they're a must do!).

 

Here is what seems appealing so far:

Juneau: Mendenhall and Nugget Falls hike?

Skagway: White Pass train and cycle down, or Green Jeep up pass and visit Caribou Crossing?

Ketchikan: Bering Sea Fisherman's Tour?

 

Dog sledding also looks interesting; I see one tour in Skagway that gets good reviews even though it doesn't take you to a glacier ($$$$). Any favorites that we should put on our "must do" list? We did do a two week land tour of Alaska by RV a few years ago, so wildlife isn't a top priority, although always wonderful to spot! Thank you for sharing any favorites that you think our teen sons might enjoy!

There are no glaciers close to Skagway . I would take the train to the Summit with the kids . Tracy Arm is probably a service stop for tour up the Arm.

[Kamloops50]

Look into the Lumberjack show in Ketchikan. Ketchikan us also very walk able.

Juneau consider the Mt Roberts tramway is the weather clear or high overcast.

Edited December 1, 2015 by Kamloops50

[Keith1010]

When our children were teens they really enjoyed Salmon Fishing in Ketchikan. It was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it.

 

Keith

[sherryf]

I've been to Alaska twice with teens.

 

The first trip my sons were 18 & 15 and my daughter was 12.

 

Juneau - took the shuttle bus to Mendenhall and hiked to Nugget Falls. The kids liked finding bits of ice along the shore, so they could say they touched glacier ice.

 

Skagway - Gold panning, sled dogs & 40 below chamber. They really loved playing with the puppies!

 

Ketchikan - Husband and 15 yr old went to the Lumberjack show. They thought it was corny but fun. The rest of us went to Saxman Village. The kids enjoyed it, but my 18 yr old son thought it was too commercial.

 

The second trip my boys were 21 & 18 and my daughter was 15. We also had my 18 yr old son's best friend with us, also 18.

 

Juneau - Our big splurge of the trip was whale watching with Orca Enterprises, with a stop at Mendenhall Glacier. We were very lucky to see many whales and bubble net feeding. The kids were all enthralled and it was well worth the expense.

 

Skagway - We hiked to Yakutania Point and Smugglers Cove. The kids loved climbing all over the rocks at Yakutania Point and throwing rocks at Smugglers Cove.

 

Ketchikan - City bus to Totem Bight and Potlatch Park. The kids enjoyed seeing a bit of "real" Alaska by riding the city bus. They looked a bit at the totems, then walked along the shoreline, looking for sea life among the rocks, and threw stones in the water. Even as teens, throwing rocks is more fun than culture. :rolleyes: They seemed to like Potlatch Park a bit more, and my son's friend particularly liked the old cars.

 

If you'd like details or photos of any of these, let me know. I'm happy to share more if any of these things seem interesting to you and your sons.

[Gardyloo]

For more budget-friendly excursions, consider just visiting Totem Bight park in Ketchikan (you can even ride the city bus) and in Skagway, rent a car and drive past Emerald Lake to the Robinson Roadhouse ghost town in the Yukon. It's a great drive and the ghost town is a blast to hike around. http://sightsandsites.ca/south/site/robinson-roadhouse

[Kamloops50]

For more budget-friendly excursions, consider just visiting Totem Bight park in Ketchikan (you can even ride the city bus) and in Skagway, rent a car and drive past Emerald Lake to the Robinson Roadhouse ghost town in the Yukon. It's a great drive and the ghost town is a blast to hike around. http://sightsandsites.ca/south/site/robinson-roadhouse

 

If do use a car. Don't forget to visit the Carcross Desert. It is the largest desert that far north in the world.

[Gardyloo]

If do use a car. Don't forget to visit the Carcross Desert. It is the largest desert that far north in the world.

Actually I think the Kobuk Sands, in Kobuk National Park (near the arctic circle east of Kotzebue) is several times the size of the Carcross "desert," but sure, the Carcross Desert is well worth a visit.

 

Kobuk Sands...

 

[Toddy709]

Highly, highly recommend Bering Sea Fisherman's Tour!! It was our favorite excursion that we did in Alaska!

[nybumpkin]

In Juneau we did a Mendenhall River rafting tour with our then-18 and 14 YO sons. We booked through the cruise line but the tour was operated by Best of Alaska. Sons had never done rafting and this tour was a good introduction for them. We suited up on the shore of Mendenhall Lake, boarded our rafts and had some great views of the glacier and Nugget Falls before we headed down the river. The rapids are not terribly difficult but challenging enough to give our sons a good experience. At the end of the tour they had some snacks and beverages for us. We really enjoyed it.

[Budget Queen]

There are more "must dos" in Alaska then you can do in 50 trips. First suggestion- be certain to get the kids' input. Don't make the plans for them. :)

 

You mention "budget", Green Jeep is the most costly rental of the three. I instead suggest, since it's of interest- reserve a car through Avis- now, and cancel if you change your mind. is EVERYBODY interested in the train? If not, the rental car can work out perfectly, with picking up/dropping off the train riders in Fraser. With the rental car, you can add a cheap sled dog cart ride at Caribou Crossing. "Necessary" in my opinion- is purchasing Murrary's Guide, which is updated every year.

 

I never recommend the Mendenhall raft tour, mentioned above. In my opinion- it's way overpriced and so so at best. Not sure if this poster went to the Visitor Center side for viewing, but no way, would I consider the view from the float put in "good", as soon as you hit the river, the glacier is behind you with the views- backyards. :) Would run about $500 for 4. Again my opinion, money is far better spend elsewhere.

 

A "must do" for my preferences on your trip is the add on Tracy Arm ship excursion. Otherwise you will NOT be seeing it from the cruise ship.

Edited December 2, 2015 by Budget Queen

[Coral]

In Skagway - Look at Glacier Point Wilderness Safari if you decide to not go into the Yukon.

 

I would definitely get the sons involved. I think Alaska is a mecca for teen males. I would look at Glacier Trekking in Juneau.

 

I would skip the Lumberjack show in Ketchikan. Especially where there is the Bearing Sea Tour or a fishing tour (if they are into this).

 

While I know these are expensive, they are really impressive. Some of these are really worth saving up for.

Edited December 2, 2015 by Coral

[nybumpkin]

I never recommend the Mendenhall raft tour, mentioned above. In my opinion- it's way overpriced and so so at best. Not sure if this poster went to the Visitor Center side for viewing, but no way, would I consider the view from the float put in "good", as soon as you hit the river, the glacier is behind you with the views- backyards. :) Would run about $500 for 4. Again my opinion, money is far better spend elsewhere.

Budget Queen - I really respect your Alaska recommendations, but this just wasn't our experience - and we didn't pay close to $500 for four. On our tour, we did head out across the lake toward the glacier; we didn't immediately head for the river. Were the views as good as we would have had if we had gone to the Visitor Center? No, but we did the small boat in Tracy Arm previously on this cruise and got to see plenty of glaciers. Our sons wanted to raft and really didn't care much about seeing yet another glacier.

[Budget Queen]

Budget Queen - I really respect your Alaska recommendations, but this just wasn't our experience - and we didn't pay close to $500 for four. On our tour, we did head out across the lake toward the glacier; we didn't immediately head for the river. Were the views as good as we would have had if we had gone to the Visitor Center? No, but we did the small boat in Tracy Arm previously on this cruise and got to see plenty of glaciers. Our sons wanted to raft and really didn't care much about seeing yet another glacier.

 

The current cruise ship excursion cost is around $145.

 

I'll leave it, at, perhaps- if you've got other Alaska float/raft experiences- how did this compare? My trips- have Mendenhall float at the bottom of my list.

[Suzanne123]

I think the kids especially would enjoy the OceanRaft Skagway.

 

[carlsbadbruin]

Wow, there are so many excellent options to research; I'm glad we're not leaving until June! ! Thank you all so much!

 

The Glacier Wilderness Safari looks fun, and we have quite a bit of shipboard credit we can use for at least one more expensive shore excursion for the family. I think both my sons would enjoy the canoes, since they love kayaking, but the older one didn't like whitewater rafting when we tried it in Colorado (maybe this is easier?); he's not a big fan of rocky rides and water hitting him in the face ;-).

[SightCRR]

Make sure to at least look into Helo glacier landing in Juneau. We have gone with Coastal and enjoyed it every time. I would do lots to be able to go as it is expensive. Skip casino, fancy dinners, extra coffee just about everything that costs extra. Do free/cheap things in other ports. Helo ride then walk on white/blue ice is hard to beat.

 

Cab after to Mendenhall glacier & falls walk then bus back.

Book other things in other ports that you can cancel last minute if need be so if it gets canceled due to weather you will have back up plans.

Sightcrr

[aronde]

Our boys are a bit younger but we all enjoyed the Sea Cycles in Ketchikan (see http://alaskaseacycletours.com) It was a brilliant tour. The cycles themselves were great to ride and easy to operate plus we had close up views of wildlife and our guide gave us a great insight into life in Alaska.

 

The other highlights for us were our rental car excursions in Skagway (up to to Emerald Lake) and Juneau visiting the glacier, salmon hatchery and various points along Glacier Highway.

[quercus alba]

My teens and young adult kids enjoyed sea kayaking in Ketchikan. It was nice to be active, even in the rain! There are a couple of local companies that do a good job with this.

[mskaufman]

Make sure to at least look into Helo glacier landing in Juneau. We have gone with Coastal and enjoyed it every time. I would do lots to be able to go as it is expensive. Skip casino, fancy dinners, extra coffee just about everything that costs extra. Do free/cheap things in other ports. Helo ride then walk on white/blue ice is hard to beat.

 

Cab after to Mendenhall glacier & falls walk then bus back.

Book other things in other ports that you can cancel last minute if need be so if it gets canceled due to weather you will have back up plans.

Sightcrr

 

This is what I was going to suggest for teenage boys.

[Budget Queen]

This post confirms, that a LOT of activities in Alaska are greatly enjoyed and highly recommended. :)

 

All the more reason, to take your time and really look at all the options- not just the popular ones. A gem of a tour- is waiting just for you. :)

[Genessa]

this past summer my 11 y/o granddaughter and I really enjoyed two excursions in Skagway - zip lining and rock climbing/rappelling.

Two different companies (since I was traveling alone with my granddaughter I booked through ship) - both very well run, 13 varied lines - including one short training one.

 

The rock climbing included 4 climbs (one short training one) and one rappel. And great views from the top before the rappel.

[illiniwahoo]

Wow, there are so many excellent options to research; I'm glad we're not leaving until June! ! Thank you all so much!

 

The Glacier Wilderness Safari looks fun, and we have quite a bit of shipboard credit we can use for at least one more expensive shore excursion for the family. I think both my sons would enjoy the canoes, since they love kayaking, but the older one didn't like whitewater rafting when we tried it in Colorado (maybe this is easier?); he's not a big fan of rocky rides and water hitting him in the face ;-).

 

We really enjoyed the glacier point wilderness safari, but be aware that you don't really get to canoe much. You have a paddle, but you canoe for about 200 yards, then they turn the small motor on! The best part was beaching the canoes and walking through the glacier run-off water.

[chipmaster]

You know your teens better than any of us.

 

They like adventure, history, scenic, YMMV.

 

I know mines loved the fishing out of Ketchikan. They loved the glacer landing/dog sledding and the pups ( the teen in all of us loved that ).

They really like the whale watch, and I was suprised the hike to the falls was a great experience, they generally aren't big fans of "hiking."

We didn't subject them to the train ride.. I've done that and wouldn't subject myself to it again :D