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Hoonah, AK

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Icy Strait Point

3.9 (67 reviews)

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The museum
Eloy Y.

Icy Strait Point is located in the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. where one's Alaska adventure truly begins. From walking the halls of a century-old salmon cannery to soaring over thick forest on the world's largest zip rider, every experience is steeped in the natural beauty and deep stories of this place. This is the most "natural" port of call on our day 3 and the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska owned by the local tribes. Our excursion consisted of a red gondola for up to six people to the top of the mountain; one would see the bay, mountains, cruise lines, and wonderful, amazing views. One can hike to a hidden lake and a cave. It can also be a good location to see bald eagles and a nest. The green gondola is free and transports one to the Cannery. It is very well designed and blends in with the landscape. Inside there are some very well-laid-out and spacious shops, together with an interesting museum. What's missing? High priced jewelry stores and a slew of trinket shops. Great place for adventure activities!

The Crab special menu
Kat E.

Best crabs in all of Alaska. On a cruise and must have crabs on every stop. Icy strait Points restaurant wasn't open yet but I'm glad we visited when they finally opened. The plan was to grab a drink and chill, not even hungry. But then the food looked so amazing we feasted instead, of course we got the drinks too. Beautiful and super spacious venue with a full kitchen and bar. We ordered way too much food but finished everything then back onto the cruise to rest.

View
Jamie S.

This is a beautiful cruise port. The gondola rides are so cool. Nice little hike at the top. Beers. Nice little restaurants and shops around. Coolest zip line ever.

Ryan H.

Icy Point Strait is well worth your time. It's warm, the bathrooms are maintained and the staff is attentive to the needs of its guests.. if you have time, make sure to take a hike around and get into nature- especially if the sun is peaking its head out..

Spasski River Valley
Karen V.

I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could. It's a man-made attraction designed for cruise ship tourism in the town of Hoonah. It was built by the Huna Totem Corporation to benefit the Tlinget community (which is great). It was built on the site that was once the Hoonah Cannery which was bought by the Icy Strait Salmon Company. It operated as a salmon cannery & fishery, even after the city burned to the ground in 1944. You'll learn about it as you take the complimentary green gondola cars to the cannery that houses a museum, gift shop, and restaurant. You can also take the trail to the cannery. With that said, Icy Strait Point was our least favorite port of call. They offer many wildlife tours, a very high zipline for adventure seekers, and trails that can be accessed via the SkyGlider. We were driven to the Spasski River Valley to take a trail with a total of 3 observation platforms. We saw a Sitka black-tailed deer, and some actual bear scat (and not to be confused with the boozy shot I had in Ketchikan). I'm just putting that one out there for my fellow Yelpers who don't believe that the bears are really there. Yes, be careful not to step in it on the trail. That silly bear. We also heard a red squirrel barking at us from a tree. We learned about the vegetation such as skunk cabbage and spruce tip. The spruce tip actually tasted pretty good. We saw a bald eagle's nest on the way back into town. So, what didn't I like? It's just not as organized as other ports in Alaska. The facilities weren't as good. You're dropped off at the cannery to shop & eat instead of back to the Departure Den. I should have known they wouldn't take us back there just by the name of the building. We had to take the gondola back to the ship. I get it. It's a way to support the local economy. My husband was desperate to get back to the ship. He saw a whale off of our balcony before we left. What was cool is that I got to see one off in the distance later that afternoon. There were also sea lions frolicking around the ship. So, we did get back in time. Let's just say that I loved the nature aspect of it all. I could have done without the touristy part of it.

James R.

Great place to hike and see nature. We walked about 7 miles of trails. This was a great cruise ships stop Would love to come back.

Dungeness crab cluster and crab and salmon chowder
Saundra J.

Wow this location is amazing. Got off the NCL Bliss and hopped on the Gondola ride to the waterfront, beautiful The waterfront view is beautiful!! The greenery and the still of the water is amazing. We stopped by the gift store and purchased the canned wild salmon .

Adventure Center
Bonni R.

Icy Strait Point is a stunning place with so much natural beauty. The bay is full of whales and there were eagles soaring overhead. The Adventure Center is the central meeting place for tours and excursions - including a desk for booking last minute tours. We had booked a back country Jeep tour. The tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable but the tour itself was just ok. The company needs to provide better training and communication devices for their staff. We did learn all about the history of Hoonah and the island. It has the largest population of brown bears in the US but we didn't see any. There's a cannery tour and all kinds of guided wilderness or whale watching tours and at the top of the free gondola is another paid one that goes up the mountain There's a great zip line and a self guided hike to a waterfall. This is a great place to experience nature.

View from the very top
Michelle F.

Surrounded by rainforest and Port Frederick and Icy Strait, Icy Strait Point is a community nestled in with wilderness, wildlife, and Native Tlingit hospitality. Located in Alaska's largest Native Tlingit village of Hoonah (about 35 miles west of Juneau), Icy Strait Point features a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum, nature trails and even a beach! When you arrive at Icy Strait Point you may want to take the tram way up to the top first. Its breathtaking views will amaze you! Sorely, all the trails and food venues at the very top were all closed when we went. Nonetheless it's a beautiful place!

Ray F.

This is a fun cruise ship stop! Lots of things to do and not enough time to do them all! There is the largest zipping at 1300 feet a s 1 mile long! There is a wilderness trail of rope and cable obstacles in the trees. There are hiking trails, but watch out for brown bears! Whale watching is a big event, and they are exceptionally careful to keep distance to not harass the whales. You'll likely see humpback whales and orcas, maybe a Minke. You'll see various seals and sea lions, otters, and possibly brown bears. Lots of restaurants (mostly seafood) and all understand getting customers fed quickly to be back on ship! There is a cannery museum and an old graveyard.

Yummy doughnuts!
Lena K.

This was my absolute favorite port city we stopped at on my recent Alaskan cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line. Yes it's a tourist trap but who cares; we are tourists! My favorite was the gondola up to a viewpoint and the mini hike you can take at the top. Of course there is the fear of bears but they have people there in case plus they send you in groups of 10. You can zip-line down from the top or take the gondola back. It's nerve-wrecking if you're afraid of heights. Then you take another gondola, not too high in elevation, to another little city plus to Hoonah. To get to Hoonah, you can do the little over a mile walk or take a shuttle for a small amount. We walked there but took the shuttle back. I loved that they had a brewery in Hoonah and we walked around and met a local, who has never left the island, create a totem pole! He was telling us all about it. It was fascinating. It's crazy he has never left the island. Btw, great fact, there's more bears on this island per square mile than any other place on earth. Crazy!! Definitely take a picture with the orca whale statue. It's gorgeous!!

One of many shops in area
Paul E.

From what I can tell icy straight point is a little bit of a tourist trap for the cruise ship traffic that passes through this area. You have a number of shops that has all the requisite trinkets you see throughout the coastal areas of Alaska that cater to the cruise tourism business where the majority of the stuff is made in China and not in Alaska. No thank you! Also a few restaurants that have a definite local flavor to it with a fresh sea food heavy menu. Tourist trap aside, there are some nice but short nature trails to explore tied to this location with some very nice elevated views of the ocean/bay which is primary reason for my four star rating. There are two trams that run constantly, one which is free that runs between the two port areas for the cruise ships (roughly a quarter mile long) and one that takes you to the top of the mountain overlooking the port area (there is a charge for this one) that gives you the aforementioned elevated views. The other significant thing to mention is that this area has a significant bear population where we saw a mama bear and her two cubs crossing a trail on the day we were there. Bear caution signs are everywhere to caution you on how to act if come across one of the critters. Overall we had a good time at this port as we took advantage of what was free (the trails and one tram) and did pay a small charge to go up the mountain for the nature walk and views that was definately worth it and would recommend you take advantage of this as it is probably the lowest cost activity in this area short of the 1.5 mile walk into town along the coastline.

James D.

This is a great cruise ship port of call.. it's located in Hoonah, Alaska. Some of the businesses are expensive, like the world's fastest zip line and upper gondola ride.. The lower gondola is free to get you from the port to the shops and restaurants. The shops offer a large variety of souvenirs. The Cafe, overlooking Icy Strait Point. It has great food.. Delicious salmon chowder bit small serving though for it's price.. Just watching the water and seeing a whale pop-up is the highlight ..Information center and mini museum is great with locally made souvenirs.. the staff is over the top helpful.. In years gone by, cruise ship passengers were met at the top of the pier by a local tribal chieftain. He offered wood chips to be placed in the adjacent fire pit as a signal of acceptance.. Icy Straight Point is home to so many bald eagles, thick forests & scenic paths, it's like living a John Denver moment.. You will never forget your visit here

An eagle sitting on the ship's mooring.

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8 years ago

Did the ZipRider. It was so much fun. Not the scariness of a zipline. Just a fun and scenic ride. Highly recommend.

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14 years ago

We had a great bus driver on the way up and a heart pounding zip down. I think my start off scream may still echo the Hoonah mountains.

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Review Highlights - Icy Strait Point

“This port was nice as they only allow 1 ship at a time and less than 150 during the whole season.”

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Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

4.8(262 reviews)
37.4 mi

Mendenhall Glacier is a must visit. Trails are easy for families and friends to enjoy. In Autumn,…read moreevenings are extremely wet/muddy/cold, but the views of waterfalls/nature/trees/glaciers/Alaskan wildlife/are all very well worth exploring. At least the views are amazing and there's free shuttle buses to take you back to downtown Juneau. Note, women's restroom at the visitor center is heavily congested with only 3 bathroom stalls, so be prepared for long lines. Otherwise, use nearby public restrooms. There's no snacks/foods/beverages to buy onsite. Bear country. Some people have seen bears and whales or eagles. Follow the walkable trail options and never go off route here. Expect lots of tourists even during cold months. I like the museum set up inside the visitors center up those flights of stairs or you can use the elevator/with restricted hours of operations. It's a very good walk on trails if you're coming here to stay for 2-3 hours. Nothing strenuous or difficult. Seniors and kids enjoy it too. Glacier views in Alaska are a must see since it brings you closer to Alaskan life. Mendenhall Glacier is worth paying for if you need a good stretch away from the downtown Juneau shopping district. Loved it very much here.

If you're visiting Juneau, the hike to Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls is an absolute must. The…read moreviews are breathtaking from start to finish, and seeing the glacier up close with Nugget Falls cascading beside it is something you won't forget. Money-saving tip: Skip the expensive excursions and take the Juneau Capital Transit bus from downtown to Dredge Lake Rd., which is the closest bus stop to Mendenhall. From there, it's about a 1.7-mile walk to the Visitor Center, followed by an easy 1.5-mile hike to Nugget Falls. The trail is well maintained and suitable for most people. The bus costs just $2 each way. Be sure to bring exact change or download the Token Transit app from the App Store to pay your fare. The bus system was easy to navigate, and we had no trouble figuring it out. In my opinion, this is one of the best values in Juneau. You get the same incredible glacier views and unforgettable experience that many people pay hundreds of dollars for on organized excursions. If you're comfortable walking a few miles, this is absolutely the way to do it!

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Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

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TECKK Outfitters

TECKK Outfitters

4.0(6 reviews)
1.3 mi

Without a doubt one of the most adventurous things we did. The high speed one mile zipline. It's…read moreunbelievable. What a great time we had. From the top you can see everything on the one side. When you come in for the landing it's really cool as you drop in over everyone watching.

Icy Straits or Hoonah: one word, TECKK Outfitters. Ok, that was two words. We had originally…read morecontacted them for just a morning of bear searching. Edna (co-owner) handled the preliminaries. Very courteous and prompt with answers. Required no money down. Keith, her husband, did the touring. Picked us up outside the boat area, swung us by his house to pick up his pup (Trigger) and let out his geese...all the way giving a tour of Hoonah. Then he dropped off half the van occupants at the dock for their morning of whale watching as the three of us (4 counting Trigger) headed into the bush in search of bear. Seriously. The four of us (ok, five if we count Keith) heading over old forest service roads deep into the back country! We couldn't have asked for more personal, attentive service. Within minutes, I felt like family. Keith is as open and good natured as they come. We really felt like we were penetrating the real Alaska with a real Alaskan! After four hours of deep and persistent searching, we came back with no bear sightings...such is the reality when trying to find a wild animal out in the wild, but we had zero regrets. When we come again, and we will, there will be no need to call anyone else. In fact, we had such a great experience with Keith and his organization that even though we had just whale toured the prior day in Juneau, we opted to hop aboard his boat for the afternoon tour. Wow. WOW! The boat is new and totally equipped for rough seas and full fishing assemblage. And in true TECKK fashion, the experience was very personal...boat has room for pilot and lookout, and 5 guests. That's it! We spent the next four hours zipping across Point Adolphus with more whales, to include full breaches, than we could keep a count of! I'm not lying, whales were everywhere and we were right in the middle of them! Oh, and just to show the fickle nature of bears, Keith's afternoon tour ran across three large brown bears! Military discount.

Aj Mine Gasteneau Mill Tours

Aj Mine Gasteneau Mill Tours

4.8(16 reviews)
42.2 mi

Very cool place. A bit intimidating driving up the steep hill with no protection for sliding down…read morethe side! EEK! The tour itself is fun and educational. I like learning the history and seeing the old time relics that are still around, especially if they are still operable, which some items were. The cave is cool, very damp and very cold! Was wicked cool to enter in. Staff was great, fun. The outdoor part of the tour talked about the old broken down buildings that the site was on. Would have been awesome to venture inside some of those old concrete mountainside structures. Than they let you pan for gold, which we found some flakes, not enough to make anyone rich tho. Overall, great presentation, great excursion, fun time. One thing I did pick up on was that this wasn't actually a gold mine that we went into. The section they give the tour on is more of what I'd define as the processing cave. They even stated that the railroad brought in the rock from a mountain miles away, it was dumped into the top of the facility with the rock crusher and such inside the mountain in the cave, gravity had it go through several sections to crush it to a fine practical and separate the gold and other valuable minerals. However, this is not to say that this wan't a gold mine at some point, further inside the mountain, thot he part they display held the internal equipment that separated the rock and minerals. Overall, it was a great experience. We

My boyfriend and I are from California and have heard all about gold mining in our neck of the…read morewoods but it was so refreshing to see how miners did it in other states so far away. The entire staff was so knowledgeable about the entire operation and did not hesitate to answer our groups questions. It was so neat to go into an actual mine and see the drill in action as many of the mines around here have caved in or are no longer safe to be entered. We would definitely recommend for any of those coming into town and wanting to strike it big!!

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Aj Mine Gasteneau Mill Tours
Aj Mine Gasteneau Mill Tours
Aj Mine Gasteneau Mill Tours

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Icy Strait Point - travelservices - Updated October 2026

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