If going on a cruise, we recommend this book: Fodor's The Complete Guide to Alaska Cruises (Full-color)

Ketchikan

Food: 

• New York Café was delicious, got halibut (fish and chip or sandwich, both very tasty). Small place so recommend getting there before noon.

To Do: 

• Totem Heritage Center was amazing. It’s a one-mile walk, or there is a free shuttle bus around town. 

• Check out Historic Ketchikan and Creek Street. The salmon might even be spawning in the creek!

Shopping: 

• Scanlon Gallery (owned by the wife) and Arctic Spirit Gallery (owned by the husband, Michael). Both are right there on Mission St. (the main drag). Michael was a joy to speak with about artwork. I bought a silver whale tail pendant here. 

• Along Creek Street (the old red light district) the shops are cute, including Soho Coho. Got a sweatshirt there by Ray Troll, a local graphic designer/artist. 

• Sockeye Sam’s near the docks had some really nice and decently priced T-shirts and other gifts. 

Juneau

To Do: 

• We didn’t do this, but it’s on our list for next time… Goldbelt Tram - The only tram in Southeast Alaska. Cars rise 1,800 feet from the cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau through the rain forest to the Mountain House, offering expansive, panoramic views of Juneau and Gastineau Channel. The Juneau tram is one of the most vertical tramways in the world!

Shopping: 

There was a wonderful vibe downtown and we really enjoyed walking around. Here are a few shops we found… 

• Kindred Post (the post office) is really neat. 

• Annie Kaill’s gallery is really nice. 

• Alaska Robotics Gallery is fun and has some cute, local T-shirts. 

Skagway

Shopping:

• Corrington’s Alaska Ivory: Nice store with nice people.

• Taiya River: Really neat jewelry store. Check out and hold the gold nuggets! 

Food: 

• We ate at Skagway Brewing Company. Pretty tasty, but the line gets long so plan to eat before noon. 

Other stores recommended by our guide:

• Lynch and Kennedy: Good artwork

• Skagway hardware 

• Golden Bear: Great artwork from natives (go all the way to the back)

• Post office: great place to mail a postcard

• Alaska dyed yarns: Muskat wool (luscious and warm)