AprilN
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 7, 2002
- Messages
- 1,666
All right, here is some "insider" info I received from a friend who grew up in Ketchikan (now San Jose, CA) and visited there earlier this summer. Keep in mind that these were written with a younger child in mind, but could be fun for anyone. Her dad is a commercial fisherman.
KETCHIKAN -TOURS (via DCL)
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour
This is supposed to be a GREAT tour, if you guys watch Deadliest Catch. I have not done it, but have heard great things, even from locals
Alaska Bear Adventure
This is great if you are into seeing the bears. Kind of pricey if you are not. They take you out to this really cool spot, (actually, our favorite boating spot) by float plane, and you hike up a nice little trail to see the bears.
KETCHIKAN - Sun, clouds or sprinkles
I would suggest City Park, the (salmon) hatchery and the nearby playground. You can make your way there by walking to Creek Street, stopping along the way at Whale Park to see the totems. On the edge of Creek Street, you can take a tram up the hill to Cape Fox Hotel ( a bear walked in the lobby last week). There is a nice view of the downtown and a shortcut to the park. The playground is not the nicest one but it works just fine and the park is nice, with little pools and fountains to put your feet in if the weather is warm. Just a warning, if the weather is hot, you will probably experience some pretty foul odors near the creek, as the salmon will just be done spawning, and if water levels are low, they lie dead and rotting on the sides of the creek.
KETCHIKAN - Rain
Your docking location will require some walking, no matter what you do. I would make my way to the Berth 1 area, walking along the water. This will get you to a nice little zone of entertainment. The Salmon Landing Market is all indoor, if you head out the back entrance the Fish House restaurant has great seafood, and a casual atmosphere for kids. I like the halibut burger, and ask for bacon and cheese on it. The fish and chips are good, and so are the tacos. Right next door is Fat Stan’s bar, if you need to break for an Alaskan Amber. ( Kids can go). Further down, about 40 steps, is the Ketchikan Visitor (SEAVIC) Center to the left. I think it's $5, worth it, and very kid friendly and interactive and totally dry, which might be the best part. To the right is the Lumberjack Show, which kids tend to love. It has covered seating, but is open in the middle. I would hold off buying tickets on the ship and buy them at the door. That way if it's blowing and raining sideways, you can skip it. If it does clear up a bit, Whale Park is across the street, and Creek Street starts another block down.
Ketchikan is known for its shopping, though most of it is pretty touristy, cheap stuff.. A few good spots to try include:
-Sockeye Sams (souveniers, really good salmon dip samples). I used to work here in the Summer.
-Ketchi-candies
-Bella Boutique
-Hatley Store
-Sweet Mermaids (bakery)
-The Cedar Chest
-Ketchikan Dry Goods
JUNEAU
The glacier is an absolute must. In Juneau some other fun ones are the Salmon Bake if you like salmon. And you can pan for gold, in a nice outdoor area, that is fun for kids. The river rafting is fun, but probably too old for younger kids. Governors mansion is nice, and the tram ride is supposed to be pretty great as well. The Hanger or Twisted Fish are good spots to eat.
KETCHIKAN -TOURS (via DCL)
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour
This is supposed to be a GREAT tour, if you guys watch Deadliest Catch. I have not done it, but have heard great things, even from locals
Alaska Bear Adventure
This is great if you are into seeing the bears. Kind of pricey if you are not. They take you out to this really cool spot, (actually, our favorite boating spot) by float plane, and you hike up a nice little trail to see the bears.
KETCHIKAN - Sun, clouds or sprinkles
I would suggest City Park, the (salmon) hatchery and the nearby playground. You can make your way there by walking to Creek Street, stopping along the way at Whale Park to see the totems. On the edge of Creek Street, you can take a tram up the hill to Cape Fox Hotel ( a bear walked in the lobby last week). There is a nice view of the downtown and a shortcut to the park. The playground is not the nicest one but it works just fine and the park is nice, with little pools and fountains to put your feet in if the weather is warm. Just a warning, if the weather is hot, you will probably experience some pretty foul odors near the creek, as the salmon will just be done spawning, and if water levels are low, they lie dead and rotting on the sides of the creek.
KETCHIKAN - Rain
Your docking location will require some walking, no matter what you do. I would make my way to the Berth 1 area, walking along the water. This will get you to a nice little zone of entertainment. The Salmon Landing Market is all indoor, if you head out the back entrance the Fish House restaurant has great seafood, and a casual atmosphere for kids. I like the halibut burger, and ask for bacon and cheese on it. The fish and chips are good, and so are the tacos. Right next door is Fat Stan’s bar, if you need to break for an Alaskan Amber. ( Kids can go). Further down, about 40 steps, is the Ketchikan Visitor (SEAVIC) Center to the left. I think it's $5, worth it, and very kid friendly and interactive and totally dry, which might be the best part. To the right is the Lumberjack Show, which kids tend to love. It has covered seating, but is open in the middle. I would hold off buying tickets on the ship and buy them at the door. That way if it's blowing and raining sideways, you can skip it. If it does clear up a bit, Whale Park is across the street, and Creek Street starts another block down.
Ketchikan is known for its shopping, though most of it is pretty touristy, cheap stuff.. A few good spots to try include:
-Sockeye Sams (souveniers, really good salmon dip samples). I used to work here in the Summer.
-Ketchi-candies
-Bella Boutique
-Hatley Store
-Sweet Mermaids (bakery)
-The Cedar Chest
-Ketchikan Dry Goods
JUNEAU
The glacier is an absolute must. In Juneau some other fun ones are the Salmon Bake if you like salmon. And you can pan for gold, in a nice outdoor area, that is fun for kids. The river rafting is fun, but probably too old for younger kids. Governors mansion is nice, and the tram ride is supposed to be pretty great as well. The Hanger or Twisted Fish are good spots to eat.
I am also glad though that you found out now, and not when we are in the middle of the ocean! 
Poor thing. 
Praying this gets easily resolved and you have a spectacular vaction with us! 
I was so distraught but couldn't contact them until this morning due to their office hours. Turns out, the insurance company never received the claim. WHEW! I was upset that I received a bill I thought was taken care of and it only gave me til the end of this week to pay! (Btw, the bill was dated 5 days before I got it in the mail.) Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. 
That's the same one April posted. 
