When we think of places to visit in Alaska, the big three cities – Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau – often come to mind first. While you’ll definitely enjoy yourself in The Last Frontier’s population centers, the state is full of plenty of small towns that each have their own unique culture. Luckily, if you take an Alaska cruisetour, you’ll have an opportunity to visit some of these smaller ports.
At CruiseExperts.com one of our top small town picks is Ketchikan. You may have heard of it, as it’s often referred to as the “Salmon Fishing Capital of the World.” It’s possible, though, that fishing isn’t really your thing. Don’t worry! There are plenty of other activities to pursue and places to visit. Below are some of our favorites:
Creek Street – This scenic shopping area is actually a boardwalk perched along the banks of Ketchikan Creek. During the 19th century, Creek Street was home to bordellos and saloons, but these historic buildings have now been converted to locally-owned shops and art galleries. In the summer months, you can also watch thousands of salmon swim upstream to spawn. While visiting Creek Street, you can take in some Alaskan history by making stops at Dolly’s House Museum and the Chief Johnson Totem Pole, or taking a brief hike through the short Married Man’s Trail.
Photo courtesy of Travel Alaska
Misty Fjords National Monument – Located within the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords was declared a national monument in 1978 to promote and protect this remote region of Alaska. The area is comprised of deep saltwater fjords carved into mountainous terrain. Because of the underdeveloped nature of this part of the forest, visitors must take a boat or plane to reach it. Once there, you’ll be able to see animals like mountain goats, deer, wolves and brown and black bears.
Southeast Exposure Outdoor Adventure Center – The type of people who are drawn to Alaskan cruises often like to participate in outdoor physical activities. If that describes you, then Southeast Exposure is the place to go. The company provides guided sea kayaking tours and lessons around Ketchikan. This is a great way to take pictures from areas that you couldn’t ordinarily reach. The company also provides a ropes and zipline course that will send you flying through Alaska’s expansive rainforest. Southeast Exposure works with several cruise providers like Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line to schedule trips for large groups of passengers.
Photo courtesy of Travel Alaska
Totem Bight State Historical Park – Taking a trip to Totem Bight will allow you to learn a little more about the history of Alaska’s indigenous population. This 33-acre preserve is full of restored and re-carved totem poles as well as a traditional meeting house. In the early 1900’s, many Alaskan natives left their villages to seek work in the territory’s growing cities. Left behind were these elaborately carved totems. Decades later, the U.S. Forest Service, with the help of local artisans, began to salvage these monuments so that they could be appreciated by visitors for generations to come.
Photo courtesy of Travel Alaska
If you’re interested in taking an Alaskan Cruise this summer, now is the time to start planning. The staff at CruiseExperts.com can not only help you plan your itinerary, we can also provide suggestions for interesting places to visit when you’re off the ship. We love to travel and want you to have as much fun as possible!
Want more information?
Call a CruiseExperts.com agent now to book your stateroom on an Alaskan adventure. We are here to answer any questions you may have about taking a trip of a lifetime. Call us at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website, www.CruiseExperts.com
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