Named after the Native American chief Noah Sealth, who in 1851 gave a friendly reception to the first white settlers, Seattle was originally no more than a village of trappers and loggers. Its prosperity came first with the Klondike gold rush of 1897, and subsequently with its two natural resources, lumber and fish. The millions of ties that went into the construction of the first western railroads came mostly from around Seattle and from the state of Washington.

Klawock, on Prince of Wales Island's rugged central-western coast, is an authentic pioneer town in lush Inside Passage rainforest. At this new port, bears are drawn to the salmon-rich Klawock River, and extensive totem poles and Tlingit cultural practices offer a true Alaskan experience. Watch expert Tlingit artisans at a carving shed demonstrate the skills behind their legendary totem poles.

Founded by Russian fur traders as New Archangel in 1799, Sitka was the center of Russia's Alaskan empire until the U.S. bought Alaska in 1867 and raised the Stars and Stripes. Today, picturesque Sitka is known for fishing, a summer classical music festival, and historic attractions. On clear days, it rivals Juneau for scenery and is the only city in southeast Alaska that fronts the Pacific Ocean.

Tall pines, whale-filled waters, and bald eagles capture the Alaskan wilderness. Visit the Native Theater and Heritage Center for Tlingit song and dance, then enjoy classic Alaskan seafood. Ride a gondola up Hoonah Mountain for views and chances to spot Sitka black-tailed deer, or head into the remote Spasski River Valley to a viewing platform for grizzly bears.

Beginning in 1897, Skagway was the starting point for more than 40,000 gold-rush stampeders bound for the Yukon via the Chilkoot Trail. In downtown Skagway, over 20 historic buildings preserve the Klondike Gold Rush era, with locals in period costume sharing the town's bawdy history. Ride the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway as it climbs 3,000 feet into scenic mountains past Bridal Veil Falls and Inspiration Point.

In 1880, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were prospecting for gold with the help of Indian guides. Here they discovered nuggets "as large as beans" at the mouth of the aptly named Gold Creek. Out of their discoveries came three of the largest gold digs in the world where more than $150 million in gold was mined. Juneau's surrounding beauty and natural wonders have attracted cruise ship travelers for over a century, with steamship companies bringing tourists here since the early 1880's.

Ketchikan, on the southwest side of Revillagigedo Island, grew around salmon canneries and sawmills. Its name is said to come from the native term "Katch Kanna," meaning "spread wings of a thundering eagle." Once proclaimed the "Salmon Capital of the World," Ketchikan is known for its outstanding totem poles and is a must for anyone interested in Native art. Travelers often come here for their first look at the North Country and are rarely disappointed.

The port of Prince Rupert is the largest community on British Columbia's north coast. Deep-green fjords and coastal rain forest surround this quaint fishing town, located on Kaien Island at the mouth of the Skeena River, where the Tsimshian people have been for thousands of years. Prince Rupert was, at the time of its incorporation in 1910, poised to rival Vancouver as a center for trans-pacific trade. Prince Rupert turned instead to fishing and forestry.

Victoria is a picturesque city with old-world charm and abundant flowers. Founded in 1843 by James Douglas of the Hudson's Bay Company as Fort Victoria, it became part of a British colony in 1848 and merged with mainland British Columbia in 1868. Though a port city, it is less industrial than Vancouver. Its harbors, especially Inner Harbour, are filled with pleasure craft, ferries, and floatplanes.

Named after the Native American chief Noah Sealth, who in 1851 gave a friendly reception to the first white settlers, Seattle was originally no more than a village of trappers and loggers. Its prosperity came first with the Klondike gold rush of 1897, and subsequently with its two natural resources, lumber and fish. The millions of ties that went into the construction of the first western railroads came mostly from around Seattle and from the state of Washington.