Page 724 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

722  ALASK A & HA W AI ‘ I

1 Ketchikan P Southeast Alaska
Discovery Center
* 8,200. ~ 4 2 miles (3 km) S of 50 Main Street. Tel (907) 228-6220.
downtown. n 131 Front Street, (907) Open May–Sep: 8am–4pm daily;
225-6166, (800) 770-3300. ∑ visit- Oct–Apr: noon–8pm Fri. & 7
ketchikan.com
Strung out along the waters
of the Tongass Narrows and 2 Sitka
backed by forested hills, * 9,000. ~ 4 7 miles (11 km) N of
Ketchikan is the first stop along downtown. n 303 Lincoln St, (907)
the Inside Passage for Alaska- 747-5940, (800) 557-4852. _ Alaska
bound cruise ships and ferries. Day (Oct 18). ∑ sitka.org
All kinds of watercraft, float-
planes, and kayakers jostle for Founded by Russian entre- The Russian-style St. Michael’s
space along the crowded preneur Alexander Baranof in Cathedral, Sitka
waterfront. Cruise ships dock 1799, Sitka was the capital of
outside downtown, providing Russian America until Alaska The Alaska Raptor Center,
passengers with easy access to was sold to the United States in across Indian River from the
local attractions such as the 1867. Even now, a strong Russian park, rehabilitates bald eagles,
Creek Street precinct. Formerly influence survives here. The owls, and falcons. Visitors are
the heart of a red-light district, center of town is dominated by free to walk or join a guided
the street is lined with St. Michael’s Cathedral, a tour. Sitka also has a network
colorfully restored Russian Orthodox cathedral of hiking and biking trails.
wooden houses built on that was rebuilt after the
pilings over the water and original 1848 structure P Alaska Raptor Center
linked by a boardwalk. burned down in 1966. It 1000 Raptor Way. Tel (907) 747-8662,
Even for those who are preserves many Russian (800) 643-9425. Open May–Sep: 8am–
not planning a trip into artifacts, including the Sitka 4pm daily; Oct–Apr: 10am–3pm (tours
the wilderness, the South- Madonna, sup posedly by appt). 8 7 ∑ alaskaraptor.org
east Alaska Discovery blessed with healing
Center is definitely worth powers. Beyond St.
a visit. Exhibits here relate Michael’s is Sitka National 3 Juneau
the human and natural Historical Park, the site of * 33,000. ~ 4 Auke Bay, 14 miles
history of the southeast Totem pole, a fierce week-long battle (22 km) NW of downtown, (907)
region of Alaska, and Sitka between the Russians and 465- 3940. n Juneau Convention &
also include a fabulous local Tlingit tribe in 1804. Visitors Bureau, 800 Glacier Ave, (907)
re-creation of a rainforest. The area is sprinkled with totem 586-2201, (888) 581-2201.
Ketchikan’s Totem Heritage poles, and its shores are gently ∑ traveljuneau.com
Center displays an incredible lapped by the waters of Sitka
collection of more than 30 Sound. Native American Juneau is possibly the most
original totem poles, many workers display their craft skills spectacularly located capital
more than a century old. at a cultural center throughout city in the US. It is also the
Lying to the north of the the warm summer. The park is most remote, with no road
city, Tongass Avenue runs also a good place to view the access to the outside world
along the waterfront all the town’s natural setting. Islands or even to the rest of Alaska.
way to the Totem Bight State dot the Sound, and the snow- With its large resident pop-
Historical Park. From here, a capped volcano Mount ulation, as well as over one
trail leads past huge totem Edgecumbe – often compared million visitors who arrive
poles to a reconstruction of a to Japan’s Mount Fuji – sits during the short summer
Native American clan house. majestically on the horizon. (late May–early Sep), Juneau
is the busy hub of the Inside
Passage. Sandwiched between
steep-sided forested peaks
and the Gastineau Channel,
the heart of the city is an
intriguing mix of modern high-
rise buildings and historic gems
such as the Red Dog Saloon,
and the Alaskan Hotel. The
best way to appreciate the
town’s wonderful location
is by taking the tramway up
Mount Roberts, from where
Ketchikan’s Creek Street, with restored buildings linked by a boardwalk the panorama extends across
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp744–5 and pp746–7

722-723_EW_USA.indd 722 11/2/16 2:50 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm