Make the most of your cruise stop in Ketchikan, Alaska with this one-day guide! Discover local culture, top excursions, hidden gems, and the best photo spots for capturing Alaska's natural beauty.

Ketchikan, known as Alaska’s First City and the Salmon Capital of the World, is a vibrant coastal town brimming with native culture, rich history, and breathtaking scenery. Nestled in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, it’s one of the most photogenic towns along the Inside Passage — making it a dream destination for travelers and photographers alike.

Whether you're here for a few hours or a full day, this guide will help you experience the best of Ketchikan — and bring home frame-worthy photos of your Alaska adventure.

Alaska is a dream destination for many travelers, but this beautiful state comes with its own set of challenges. From my perspective, these challenges can be overcome with the right amount of planning.

Each year, I talk to seasoned travelers who would have preferred to make slight tweaks when navigating Alaska’s vast landscapes and rugged conditions.

So I thought writing a post about their feedback could help ensure a smooth and rewarding journey as you head up this way to Alaska and help avoid these common mistakes that visitors often make.

I love the hiking trails around Juneau. Moving from the east coast of the USA, elevation was a brand new thing for me and turns out I like it. I’m a simple hiker, generally heading out on trails that will take a mid to full day and not one to try anything too treacherous (I do not like feeling as if I’ll fall off the side of the mountain). However, I am a view seeker! The higher the elevation, the better the view (sometimes!).

After hiking Mount Roberts yesterday, it occurred to me that I have not pulled together a post dedicated to hiking in Juneau. What a great day to do so!

In this post, I’ll share the following:

1. What I wear and what I pack

2. My favorite hiking trails based out of Juneau

3. Considerations for different times of the season

Alaska is one of those places where Mother Nature seems to play a big role in one’s experience in this great state. Wilderness unfolds around you and is especially acute if you are outside and experiencing her beauty.

While I love a good plan, I also love an itinerary that has breathing room. Time set aside to wander down a different street or experience a different hiking trail. Time to connect with locals or try a different type of food from a street vendor. For me, having the time to explore and wander without feeling late is key to my happiness and overall satisfaction of a trip.

During the summer months especially, Alaska receives thousands of tourists. Over the years and after talking with many tourists, this article lists some of the things that locals have learned that would be helpful for future tourists. This article passes the wisdom and learnings of tourists onto the future tourist and reader.

We’re all first time travelers to a destination once! I wanted to share a few items to help provide structure to areas a first time visitor may have when thinking about their trip to Alaska.

Alaska is a land of breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural history. For first-time visitors, the state offers an incredible variety of destinations, from bustling coastal cities to remote national parks. Quite honestly, it can be overwhelming - so much to see, do, taste and experience (and in a short amount of time!).

Whether you’re arriving by Alaska cruise, plane to Alaska, or planning an Alaska road trip, here are the must-see places to add to your Alaska travel itinerary. I’ve also provided some thought-provoking itinerary planning questions for you to ponder as you plan.

Alaska is a land of breathtaking scenery, adventure, and exploration. However, the weather can be unpredictable, with temperatures shifting throughout the day and frequent rain, especially in Southeast Alaska. To make the most of your trip, here’s a comprehensive packing guide to ensure you stay comfortable and prepared.

I love the feeling of walking into a hidden gem—a place that’s off the beaten path, where you immediately think, Wow, this is one of Juneau’s best-kept secrets. These spots are harder to find nowadays because once the word gets out, they become must-visit destinations. So, consider yourself lucky—you’ve stumbled upon this guide before everyone else!

Most visitors to Juneau, Alaska arrive via cruise ships, making a quick stop in the capital city while exploring Southeast Alaska. If you’re wondering what to do in Juneau within walking distance of the cruise port, here are three lesser-known spots you won’t want to miss.

The good news, during the summer when most visitors pile into the area, most services are functional. You can walk outside the airport and there are generally 3-4 cabs out front. IF you are one of the last people to get outside after an incoming flight, and there is a shortage of cabs, try to catch a cab driver and let them know that you’ll wait for a pick up. Most cab drivers will circle back around after their initial drop off. The good news, since Juneau is not too big (40 miles of a road system give or take), often times the drop off and return back to the airport is not too long of a wait.

The summers in Alaska can be magical. The ocean is teeming with wildlife, eagles are soaring overhead and everyone you meet seems to have an extra spring in their step. As the days grow longer heading into the summer solstice, the Alaska sun kisses your cheeks and the familiar smell of the Tongass Rainforest fills your lungs. These are just a few of the reasons why people head to Alaska during the Summer but you still may be craving a deeper level of specificity around an answer to: What month should I go to Alaska?