Alaska Excursions on a budget

[agape78]

Any recommendations of excursions for those on a budget? Would like to get a good feel for Alaska but not sure if we can afford the helicopter or floatplanes. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[tadjr]

In Juneau, $10 rt bus ride to Mendenhall Glacier and take a nature hike.
Lots of free stuff in Skagway. If there are a couple of you, rent a car there and head into the Yukon. Lots of info here already on what to do there, look for any thread with Yukon, Skagway Drive or Carcross in it...

[Host Caroline]

If you simply can't afford the floatplanes and copters there are other things to do.. if you can "swing" just one it is so worth it, but have been to Alaska cruising many times and it's wonderful.. don't let anyone convince you that your budgetary constraints will do anything to dampen this wonderful itinerary.

In Skagway if you like to hike you can take a long walk (level)out to the Gold Rush Cemetery or rent bikes and explore town and surrouding area that way. Be sure to go by Ranger Station on the corner of Broadway right at the beginning of town.. they give guided walking tours and have lots of info including maps of the Dewey Trail system. A hike up to lower lake is beautiful, well laid trail etc.
In Juneau the above post re the bus to Mendenhall is a good option. In Kdtchikan you can easily walk the town or get an inexpensive tour from locals when you get there. Many do that and the tours are fine -- some don't actually go to wood carvers in Saxman but others do. Ketchikan "duck" tour is inexpensive and fun. You might want to check out these sites for some more in depth info.
[url="http://www.visit-ketchikan.com"]www.visit-ketchikan.com[/url]
[url="http://www.skagway.org"]www.skagway.org[/url]
[url="http://www.traveljuneau.com"]www.traveljuneau.com[/url]
Again, you can do this without the floatplanes and copters if you need to and still have a wonderful trip! Don't be dissuaded[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Host Caroline
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[Budget Queen]

I do suggest however- consider one costly tour. And flights are just excellent. If you can't- then search out the hidden gems. They are all over Alaska and easily missed. Pick up a walking tour map and see the sights. Consider the city bus in Juneau- gives an interesting look at nontourist Juneau- then a level 1+ mile walk to Mendenhall visitor center- good museums in Juneau too. Skagway- if going via bike also head out Dyea Road- very very scenic. The trail head for Lower Dewey Lake is between 3-4th across the tracks. Definately hit the Park service [url="http://www.nps.gov/klgo/schedule.htm"]http://www.nps.gov/klgo/schedule.htm[/url]
Ketchikan- again use the free walking tour map and consider a loop - again giving a window on nontourist areas- head up Park - go to Totem Heritage Museum and the hatchery- if of interest- they used to have a combo ticket. (A side trip is up the funicular ($2?) out the back of the Fox Westmark- nice bunch of poles then back down the "Married Man's trail").. Go through the city park and then head back down Deermount then a loop back to Downtown Ketchikan. Go to the Public Lands building - free exhibits. This is a partial list. If you have some specifics I can probably offer my opinion. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]