Easy, Simple, and Cheap (even Family Friendly) Alaska Activies

It's no secret that Alaska excursions are expensive!  If you don't book early, you often run the risk of not having any tours.  In the event that happens OR you just want to save some money, here are some tips for inexpensive or free ways to spend your days.

• Ketchikan: There is 1 easy trail to hike near town.  The  Rainbow trail accessed off of 3rd ave and is short, close in, and has nice views in spots and rougly parallels 3rd ave.  You could make a loop and walk back through town.  Ketchikan is pretty wet, so bring the rain gear you might need.
• Skagway: If you really want to get up to White Pass and the train is sold out, you can rent a car - however Avis is the only company in town, and accordingly, its not cheap.  I quick check for a 6 hour rental with 3 ships in town took the price to $160.  It's 22 miles from downtown Skagway to the Canadian border post which is about 8 miles past the border.  There are places here and there along the ride to pull over and see the view.  Its about 65 miles from Skagway to the next town, Carcross.  You need to bring your passports/birth certificates to cross the border.  
• Alternatively if you are traveling with kids, there is a great playground in Skagway called "Mollie Walsh Park" and is near a museum.  Both can be accessed by walking up Broadway and heading east on 6th Ave.  
• There are also a handful of trails from easy to strenuous on this map.
• Juneau has the famous Mt Roberts Tram which charges $35 for adults and $18 for kids!  But you can get the tram ride down for $10 if you hoof it up the mountain. This is one of the better "cruise" hikes from some overgrown stairs at the end of 6th street at Nelson St.  From there its about a 1.8mile, somewhat steep, hike up to the top gondola station. If you hike up to the station and buy something in the gift shop, i believe the ride is free.
• Victoria: These water taxis are a lot of fun https://victoriaharbourferry.com/water-taxi/.  Unfortunately they close around 9 or dusk (whichever is earlier), so if you can get off the ship quickly and get downtown (15 min walk), you might be able to make a quick ride in one.  Last time we were there Victoria had new double decker buses running between the pier and downtown, however don't count on a short wait if there are more than 1 ship in town.  Alternatively, we've enjoyed walking out of the port and taking a right on Dallas Road.  There's a long breakwater shortly outside of the port you can walk along, or just along the seawall is nice to Beacon Hill Park which is large and has lots of walking paths.
• Seattle: Here is a great program that the Port of Seattle provides for free  https://www.portseattle.org/page/port-valet-enjoy-seattle-luggage-free.  Basically they check your bag in and all the way to your home airport so you can wander Seattle - and of course buy more things :)