Alaska Guide brings you some very popular things to do in port along the Inside Passage Cruises. You are headed for Alaskan Historical Landmarks sure to bring you new adventures and a taste of Alaska's past.

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Please choose from our places of interest menu in the section below. At the end of each City section there is a link back to the below menu for your convenience. Thanks for stopping by. This page may be printed for your use.

White Pass & Yukon Railroad is located here and travels over sky-high wooden trestles along the same route used by the Klondike gold stampeders in the icy cold winter of 1897-98. On July 21st 1998 this famous railroad celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Within 3 months of the first gold strike, the settlement at Skagway grew from one cabin into a thriving city of more than 20,000 people. The gold rush stopped as quickly as it started, and the hoards of prospectors who clambered to this little town of one cabin moved on leaving behind the board walks, old store fronts, saloons and hotels lining the main street as reminders of a turbulent past.

Jefferson R. "Soapy" Smith and Frank Reid, who represented the "outraged local citizenry", shot it out and lost their lives. This past July, descendents of these two outlaws were invited to town to tell the story of their heritage.

Things to do in Skagway:

• Visit the gold rush cemetery, where you'll find old stone heads and some interesting epitaphs. And it's where Soapy Smith and Frank Reid now lay.


• Tour Skagway in horse-drawn carriages. Call Skagway Hack: 907-983-2472


• Walking downtown and cemetery tours guided and unguided, Hiking the Chilkoot Trail and White Pass. Call for trail conditions: Skagway Convention Visitors Bureau, PO Box 415-AAA, Skagway, AK 99840, Phone: 907-983-2854


• Skagway in the days of '98 with "Soapy Smith": Excellent Alaska show, presented at the Eagles Hall. Stage show and gambling with bogus money. There is a Cancan line dance with songs popular in the gold rush days of '98. Gambling nightly at 7:30PM, and stage shows daily at 10, 2, 8:30 PM, Mid-May to late September. Prices: $10-14.00/person. Call: 907-983-2545.


• Trail of '98 Museum: Alaskan history of Skagway, and Native cultures including Tlingit (pron. Klink-it), war canoes, native artifacts, photographs, documents, gold rush relics and the gold rush. Stories of the White Pass & Yukon Train are also found here. Located at the Corner of 7th Ave and Spring St. at City Hall, the museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, May-September. Cost $2-3 dollars/person. Call 907-983-2420.


• White Pass & Yukon Route: This iron horse of a century past chugs its way on a 3-hour narrated tour on the rail line built in 1897-98 that was used to carry Klondike gold rush supplies and men. You will travel round trip in a period parlor car to the summit of White Pass. You'll pass granite gulches, cascading waterfalls and the most spectacular scenery you can imagine. The narrator tells the story of the stampede north into the Alaska gold fields and some of the most rugged terrain in the US. Ticket office open daily 8-5. Train departs daily at 8:45 and 1:15 pm, Mid-May to Mid-September. Cost: $40-75.00/person Call: 907-983-2217 or 800-343-7373.

Eagles

Eagles make Haines a temporary home in the nearby Chilkat Bald Eagle preserve, located between Mileposts 9 and 31 on the Haines Highway. Here you will find one of the world's largest congregations of Eagles as they gather for a little fishing on the incoming salmon in the Chilkat River. At times upto 20 eagles will roost in a single tree.

Old Cannery and Salmon Boats

Lutak road to Chilkoot Lake and Mud Bay road leading to the Old Cannery with its picturesque salmon boats in this harbor area. Davidson and Rainbow glaciers can also be seen from Mud Bay road.

Southeast Alaska State Fair

The Southeast Alaska State Fair is in Mid-August runs for 5 days. The fair is held at the Haines Visitor Center, located at 2nd and Willard Streets. The mailing address is PO Box 530, Haines, AK 99827. Phone: 907-766-2234 or 800-458-3579. The Visitor Center is open daily Mid-May to Mid-September and Mon-Fri 8-5 Sept to Early-May.

This most unusual city is 5 miles long, four blocks wide and two blocks up Deer Mountain. The residents of Ketchikan will tell you it's the southernmost Alaskan City. Ketchikan is the salmon capital of the world, found on Revillagigedo Island, separated from the mainland by Behm Canal. Ketchikan has an average annual rainfall of 156 - 162 inches, and wins the award for the wettest city in North America.

Ketchikan is well known for its totem poles, tall cedar logs carved with eagles, ravens, wolves, bears, whales, and other figures. The totem poles tell stories, designate clans or lineage.

Creek Street is a relic of Ketchikan's rough and tumble past. A once thriving red light district this street is built on stilts along a stream, a spawning ground for salmon.

Ketchikan highlights include art galleries, shops, and a museum.

Festivals include:

• Festival of the North in February
• Salmon Derby late May to early June
• Blueberry Festival with arts/crafts the second Saturday in August

How to see Ketchikan

See Ketchikan by boat, air, and walking tours along Ketchikan's streets and docks, which provide a colorful picture of the city's history. Maps for a 2 hour self guided tour are found at the Ketchikan Info Center, located at: Downtown dock at 131 Front St., Ketchikan, AK 99901. Call: 800-770-2200.

Deer Mountain Fish Hatchery

The Hatchery, located at 1158 Salmon Rd. across the bridge from the Totem Heritage Center, raises King and Silver salmon, and steelhead and rainbow trout. Allow 30 minutes for tour. Tours daily from 8-4:30. Cost: FREE. Call: 907-225-6760.

Saxman Native Village

Tlingit Indian Village of 350 residents. The Totem Park has 26 totems to view. See master totem carvers at work in the carving center. Enjoy the Beaver Tribal House, and the Old School House. The Cape Fox dancers await you with a traditional Tlingit dance. Guided tours available. Allow 30 minutes to tour the village. Open daily 8-5, mid May to September 30th. Cost: FREE. Guided tour: $40.00 Call: 907-225-5163. Located 2 1/2 mi South on So. Tongass Hwy.

Tongass Historical Museum

Displays of artifacts of the SE Alaskan tribes pioneer artifacts and works of art. A research library is also housed here in the museum. Allow 30 minutes. Open Monday - Saturday 8:30-5:00PM, Sun 1-5 June-Sept; Wed-Sun 1-5 remainder of year. Open when the cruise ships are in port. Located at 629 Dock St. in the Ketchikan Centennial Bldg, Ketchikan, AK.

Totem Bight State Historic Park

Here you will see over a dozen totems, a Tlingit community house and more. Reached by a short trail from a parking area, it's a great Alaskan Experience! Open daily 6AM-10PM. Allow 30 minutes. Cost: Donations. Call: 907-247-8574. Located 10 mi North on North Tongass Hwy.

Totem Heritage Center

See totem poles and workshops emphasizing traditional Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art works. Open: Mon-Sat 8-5, Sun 9-5, mid-May to Sept 30th. Cost: $2.00. Call: 907-225-5900. Located at 601 Deermount St. Ketchikan, AK.

Juneau, Alaska's Capital City, is found along the Gastineau Channel at the foot of the snowcapped mounts Roberts and Juneau. Reach this city by air or boat. Joe Juneau and Richard Harris discovered gold in Alaska in 1880 and the started the first Gold rush in American Alaska. Walking, boat and charter tour flights are available to tour this great city, home to the oldest churches in SouthEast Alaska, scenic mountains, and glaciers.

Self Guided Tours

Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau for information on upcoming events. Located at 134 3rd St., Juneau, AK. Call: 907-586-2201, or 907-586-JUNO for recorded info of events.

Walking maps are found at the Davis Log Cabin. Located at 134 Seward St., Juneau, AK 99801. Open Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat-Sun 9-5 May-Sept and Mon-Fri 8-5 rest of year.

Alaska State Museum

Learn about the state's history, preserves and exhibits of Indian, Athabascan, Eskimo and Aleut cultures. See a bald eagle nesting tree, and Alaskan totem poles. 60 minute tour. Located 1/2 block west of Egan Dr. at 395 Whittier St. Cost: $3.00/person. Open Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat-Sun 10-6. Call: 907-465-2901.

ERA Helicopter Flightseeing Tours

Departs daily from the North Douglas Heliport. This narrated 1 hour tour will give you breath-taking views of the capital city, abandoned mines and four glaciers in the Juneau icefield. You will land on a glacier to explore blue ice caves, see wildlife in the Gold Fork and Carlson Creek valleys. Allow 90 minutes for free ride to heliport and tour. Daily at 7AM and 8PM. Mid-May to late September; Mon-Fri 8-5 rest of year. Cost: $155.00. Call: 800-843-1947 or 907-586-2030 (in Alaska).

Gastineau Salmon Hatchery

More than 160 million salmon eggs annually hatch here, including chum, pink, coho, and king. See the many exhibits such as the saltwater aquarium with live salmon and more than 100 species of southeast Alaska Sea life. Guided tours are available. Allow for 1-hour minimum. Sun-Fri and holidays 10-6PM, Sat Noon-5PM mid May to Mid October; Sat-Sun Noon to 5PM rest of year. Located at 26197 Channel Dr. Juneau, AK. Cost: $2.50. Call: 907-465-5114.

House of Wickersham

This was the residence of the noted Judge James Wickersham, an Alaskan Statesman, historian, and pioneer judge. This large Victorian mansion was built 1898-99 on a high hill and used as a landmark by early sea captains sailing into Juneau. You will see rare Russian and Alaskan artifacts, carvings, photos, original furnishings and historic documents. Open Mon-Sat, Noon-5PM May-Sept. Cost: $2.00. Call: 907-465-4563. Located 213 7th St., Juneau, AK.

Juneau Douglas Museum

Focus is on the history of Juneau, cities old life and gold mining past. Welcome back to the past room provides for hands on experiences with artifacts and equipment of years gone by. A large relief map and presentations bring the old days of Juneau back. Open Mon-Fri 9-5PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-5PM May 15th to Sept 15th. Cost: $2.00/person. Call: 907-586-3572. Located at 4th and Main streets.

Lady Lou Revue

Musical based on Robert Service's poetry of Alaska. This revue features popular fictional characters such as Dan McGrew and Sam McGee. Shows: Mid-May to Late Sept. Show times vary. Cost: $8.00-16.00/person. Call: 907-586-3686. Located in the Wharf Mall at Egan Dr. and Main Street.

Surrounded by tall peaks and small wooded islands, Sitka can be reached by air or the Alaska Marine Hwy. In 1804 Russians led by Alexander Baronov established a settlement here at the site of an ancient Tlingit village, this settlement later became the capital of Russian America. The capital was named New Archangel, and was a busy port of over 3,000 when San Francisco was just a mission village. Castle hill marks the site of Baranov's headquarters and commemorates the 1867 ceremony, which transferred ownership of Alaska from Russia to the United States.

Festivities in Sitka

• Sitka Salmon Derby, Memorial weekend and the 1^st weekend in June
• Sitka Summer Music Festival, Chamber music concerts given on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday in June
• All Alaska Logging Championships, last weekend in June
• Alaska Day, mid October

Contact the Sitka Visitors Convention Bureau for more information. Write to the Sitka Visitors Convention Bureau, Dept. A, Box 1226, Sitka, AK 99835, or call Call: 907-747-5940.

Isabel Miller Museum

In the Centennial building, see Sitka's history and displays from Russian-American era and the area's fishing and timber industries. Allow 30 minutes. Daily 9-5, mid-May to late September; 10-Noon and 1-4 rest of the year. Cost: Donations. Call: 907-747-6455.

St. Michael's Cathedral

On Lincoln Street. Here you will find an extensive collection of Russian Orthodox art, including antique icons, enameled porcelain, wedding crowns, and elaborate vestments. Look for the onion shaped dome, it’s a landmark in Sitka. Allow 30 minutes. Open: hours vary. Cost: $1.00. Call: 907-747-8120.

Sheldon Jackson Museum

College Dr. on the Sheldon Jackson College campus. This may well be the oldest museum in Alaska (and we have many). Displays of Eskimo, Aleut, and Indian artifacts include pelts, sleds, kayaks, ceremonial masks, and tools, utensils of wood, bone, and ivory. Allow 30 minutes. Open daily 8-5PM, mid May to mid September; Tuesday-Saturday 10-4PM rest of the year. Cost: $2.00, Students and children are Free.

Sitka National Historical Park