If you want to skip the expensive group excursions, an icy strait point walking tours alaska cruise itinerary is your smartest alternative. Icy Strait Point is a private, Native-owned destination designed specifically for cruisers, which means the immediate port area is built for easy pedestrian exploration. You can step directly off the ship and instantly access old-growth forests, waterfront trails, and authentic Tlingit history—all on foot and mostly for free.
Here is exactly how to spend your day walking the port and the neighboring town of Hoonah.
The Ultimate Icy Strait Point Walking Itinerary
1. The Shoreline Walk (Nature & Wildlife)
Start your day on the Shoreline Walk. This wide, paved path runs directly along the waterfront, connecting the Ocean Landing dock to the Wilderness Landing dock and the various excursion staging areas. Walking the main stretch takes only 15 to 20 minutes, covering roughly half a mile, but you should budget at least an hour to stop and look at the water. Sea otter and humpback whale sightings from shore are common here. Because the water in Port Frederick drops off steeply and is incredibly nutrient-dense, marine life regularly feeds just yards from the coastline. Grab a coffee from the port’s espresso stand, find a bench, and let the wildlife come to you.
2. The Cannery Museum Walk (History & Culture)
Next, head into the massive red building at the center of the port complex. This is the free Cannery Museum Walk. Taking about 30 minutes, this self-guided route leads you through a fully restored 1912 salmon cannery. It features detailed interpretive displays on Huna Tlingit history, the economic boom of the early cannery era, and the region’s diverse local ecology. The original canning machinery, including the massive retorts and conveyer belts, is still in place on the wooden floorboards. The building still carries the faint, historic scent of cedar and salt. It is completely enclosed, making it the perfect place to warm up if you get caught in a sudden Alaskan downpour.
3. Brown Bear Viewing Platforms
You do not have to pay for an expensive, multi-hour deep-woods expedition to see wildlife. From the main port area, you can take a walk or a short shuttle to dedicated observation platforms. These wooden platforms overlook an active estuary just outside the main commercial zone. Brown bears frequent the estuary to feed, particularly when the salmon run peaks in late summer. Bring binoculars or a camera with a serious zoom lens. While bear sightings are never guaranteed, these platforms give you the safest, clearest vantage point available near the port complex. Stand quietly, scan the tree line, and watch for movement in the tall grass.
4. The Walk (or Shuttle) to Hoonah
Do not spend your entire day in the commercial port complex. Head 1.5 miles south into the actual town of Hoonah to see how real Alaskans live. You can walk the flat, paved waterfront road in about 30 to 40 minutes, enjoying spectacular views of the harbor and the mountains across the strait. If you want to save your legs, take the Hoonah Town Shuttle. It is completely free, takes exactly 10 minutes each way, and drops you right in the center of town.
Hoonah is a real Tlingit community, complete with a local grocery store, a working post office, and a small school. It provides a striking contrast to the polished commercial port complex. You will see local commercial fishing boats unloading their catch, functional family homes, and everyday Alaskan life. Stop by the Hoonah Indian Association to see local carvers working on traditional dugout canoes.
Where to Eat and Drink Along Your Route
Walking burns calories, and the port has several verified, reliable places to stop for food and local beer. Expect typical Alaskan resort pricing.
- The Cookhouse Restaurant: Located just off the Shoreline Walk inside a historic cannery building, this is the most convenient stop for a quick, filling lunch. They serve massive portions of hand-cut halibut and chips (ranging from $25 to $30) and hearty smash burgers. The service is fast, and the indoor harbor views offer a great place to watch the fishing boats navigate the channel.
- The Crab House: If you want fresh Alaskan seafood, this waterfront spot in the main port complex is the answer. They serve fresh Dungeness and snow crab caught directly in local waters. For an unforgettable snack, order the Alaska Crabby Bloody Mary. It comes heavily loaded with fresh crab meat, a snow crab leg, and shrimp. Expect to spend $50 to $70 per person if you sit down for a full crab meal, but the quality matches the price tag.
- Icy Strait Brewing: Located at 155 Front Street in the town of Hoonah, this local microbrewery is a mandatory stop on your walk. Grab a pint of their popular Cannery Red Ale or the smooth American IPA for about $8. The brewery features large windows overlooking the water and is the perfect place to rest your legs before taking the free shuttle back to your cruise ship.
Practical Tips for Walkers
- Dress for shifting weather: You will be fully exposed to the elements on the Shoreline Walk and the open road to Hoonah. Wear a solid waterproof jacket and bring a small daypack to store your extra layers. Umbrellas are entirely useless in the local coastal wind; rely on a good hood and water-resistant walking shoes instead.
- Restroom logistics: Use the large, heavily serviced public restrooms inside the 1912 Cannery building before you head out on your walk. Once you leave the immediate port area to walk to the bear viewing platforms or head down the road toward Hoonah, public facilities become sparse.
- Be bear aware: You are walking in one of the most densely populated brown bear territories in the world. Even on the paved paths near the cruise docks, bears frequently cross the roads. Walk in groups, keep your conversations at a normal volume so you do not surprise an animal around a blind corner, and absolutely never approach wildlife for a photograph.