Choose from 9 Fun Things to Do in Ketchikan
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Totem Bight State Historical Park
Ketchikan is home to a rich Native Alaskan culture, which can be fully explored at the Totem Bight State Historical Park, home to 15 intricate totem poles. These poles were sourced from abandoned native villages and then restored, and each tells a unique story of Tlingit and Haida carvers.
The restoration project not only helped to preserve important elements of Native heritage, but provided older Native Alaskans with jobs and allowed younger generations to learn about this art form. Look closely at the totem poles and you’ll notice many depictions of Alaskan wildlife, as each animal has its own meaning. An eagle, for example, stands for peace and friendship, while a killer whale stands for strength. There is also an onsite replica Native village, crafted as authentically as possible. Inside the community house, where several Native families from one lineage would have lived together in one large room, visitors can get warm near a roaring fire.
Practical Info
A guide is recommended for a visit to the Totem Bight State Historical Park to provide storytelling. The park is free to enter, and there are a number of trails to explore.
Address: 9883 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901, USA
Hours: Daily
From $ 55
Ketchikan Cruise Port
If you’re sailing north by cruise ship from Seattle or Vancouver, Ketchikan cruise port will likely be your first port of call. The former salmon fishery and the Salmon Capital of the World offers visitors a real taste of Alaska’s frontier personality and cultural heritage and a chance to explore the surrounding temperate rain forest.
The Basics
Travelers docking in Ketchikan can choose to explore the former fishery and gold mining town on their own or head further afield on a half-day shore excursion to explore the natural surroundings. See the world’s largest collection of totem poles at Saxman Native Village, explore the Inside Passage on a Zodiac cruise, board a fishing boat from Deadliest Catch for a fishing excursion, walk through the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, or take off on a floatplane tour above Misty Fjords National Monument. Many tours offer the chance to spot wildlife, like eagles, bears, and marine mammals.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most Ketchikan shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at the Ketchikan port.
- Guided shore excursions typically last two to four hours, depending on the activities involved.
- Bring bug spray ashore, especially if you plan to spend time in the woods.
- While it’s possible to explore on your own, booking a shore excursion with transportation and a guide is the best way to eliminate hassle.
How to Get to Ketchikan from the Ketchikan Cruise Port
Cruise ships dock at one of four berths located right near the city center. On the occasional days when the berths are full, ships might be required to anchor offshore and tender passengers into town.
Port Information
While the US dollar is the official currency, some shops also accept Canadian dollars. ATMs are located throughout town near the cruise ship dock.
Address: 405 Dock St, Ketchikan, AK 99901, USA
From $ 77
Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary
Welcome to what is most likely heaven on Earth for Nordic fauna fanatics! The Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is a 40-acre rainforest consisting of immense spruce, hemlock and cedar trees with a forest floor covered with several different kinds of moss, wild flowers and berries. A living postcard of the Alaskan wildlife, the sanctuary is located just a few miles outside the picturesque and tranquil fishing community of Herring Cove.
The sanctuary is not just about breathtaking sights but also memorable and varied experiences led by naturalists, that truly reflect what life is like in this harsh but fascinating and pristine climate. Here, visitors can interact with a herd of Alaskan Reindeer, marvel at Eagle Creek (Alaska’s richest salmon spawning stream), step back in time while visiting a historic Alaska sawmill, learn more about the local fauna at the Alaska Wildlife Foundation Center and even watch a Native master totem-pole carver at work. The Sanctuary is also home to a variety of species that are not quite as friendly as reindeers – such as Sitka black tail deer, mink and marten, bald eagles, black bears, seals and many types of birds – making the excitement all that more palpable. Not to mention the photo opportunities!
Practical Info
The Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is located in Ketchikan on Revillagigedo Island in the Alexander Archipelago of southern Southeast Alaska. There are ferry services from Juneau, Hollis and Wrangell to Ketchikan, as well as an international airport on neighboring Gravina Island. Touring the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary costs $89 per adult and $50 for those under 12 years of age.
Address: Wood Road, Ketchican, Alaska, USA
Admission: Adults $89, Children (under 12) $50
From $ 89
Creek Street
In pioneering days every red-blooded gold-rush town had a red-light district, and during Ketchikan’s frontier past it was Creek Street.
This historic bordello hub was built over Ketchikan Creek, hence the neighborhood’s name. In Ketchikan’s gold-mining heyday, more than two dozen houses of ill repute lined the boardwalk.
Prostitution wasn’t outlawed here until 1954, and was legal as long as business wasn’t transacted on dry land. This explains why Creek Street isn’t a street at all, but an elevated boardwalk built on wooden pilings.
Things are a lot more tame these days, and the red-trimmed Dolly’s House museum is Creek Street’s most colorful remnant. The boardwalk stretches over the creek, and gaily painted wooden buildings line the waterfront here.
This historic bordello hub was built over Ketchikan Creek, hence the neighborhood’s name. In Ketchikan’s gold-mining heyday, more than two dozen houses of ill repute lined the boardwalk.
Prostitution wasn’t outlawed here until 1954, and was legal as long as business wasn’t transacted on dry land. This explains why Creek Street isn’t a street at all, but an elevated boardwalk built on wooden pilings.
Things are a lot more tame these days, and the red-trimmed Dolly’s House museum is Creek Street’s most colorful remnant. The boardwalk stretches over the creek, and gaily painted wooden buildings line the waterfront here.
Practical Info
Creek Street follows Ketchikan Creek in downtown Ketchikan. It connects to Stedman St and Tongass Avenue.
Address: Creek Street, Ketchikan AK 99901, USA
Hours: Open daily
From $ 80
Tongass National Forest
Encompassing 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is the largest forest in the United States. Originally the Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve, a project of Theodore Roosevelt started in 1902, the park was developed and renamed in 1908 to pay homage to the Tongass Clan of the Tlingit Indians. Visitors to Tongass National Forest have an enormous array of activities and experiences to choose from: bird-watching, trekking, fishing (there are five species of salmon here, among other fish), camping, visiting glaciers, lake canoeing, off-roading and just relishing pure fresh air and pristine natural beauty. In fact, there are 17,000 miles (27,359 kilometers) of lakes, creeks and rivers to enjoy within the forest. Wildlife is also prevalent, with chances to view otters, brown and black bears, wolves, eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer.
Those who truly want to experience the best of the Tongass National Forest can kayak on Amalga Harbor to see the famous Mendenhall, Eagle and Herbert glaciers while also keeping an eye out for whales, birds, seals, porpoises and sea lions. There are also opportunities for hiking and lake canoeing in the forest, which can be done in a Native American-style canoe. Before visiting the Tongass National Forest, you may want to visit the Tongass Historical Museum in Ketchikan to learn about the area’s geography and Native Alaskan heritage.
Practical Info
Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and surrounds the Inside Passage.
Address: Tongass National Forest, Sitka, Alaska, USA
Hours: Daily
From $ 71
Saxman Native Village
Saxman Native Village celebrates all things Alaskan and Tlingit, and that means totem poles, folklore and dance, lumberjack exploits and woodcarvers.
The native village introduces visitors to the customs and culture of Alaska's native inhabitants, and features the largest collection of totems you're likely to see.
At the Beaver Clan House, members of the Cape Fox Dance group welcome visitors with traditional songs, stories and dance. Woodcarvers show off their skills, and there are examples of their craft for sale in the village store.
While visiting Saxman Village, it's also possible to take in a lumberjack show and wood-chopping competitions.
The native village introduces visitors to the customs and culture of Alaska's native inhabitants, and features the largest collection of totems you're likely to see.
At the Beaver Clan House, members of the Cape Fox Dance group welcome visitors with traditional songs, stories and dance. Woodcarvers show off their skills, and there are examples of their craft for sale in the village store.
While visiting Saxman Village, it's also possible to take in a lumberjack show and wood-chopping competitions.
Practical Info
Saxman is 2 miles (3km) south of Ketchikan, on the S. Tongass Highway.
Address: S. Tongass Highway, Saxman, USA
Admission: Tour: $35
From $ 700
Totem Heritage Center
Historic totem poles from the 19th century are preserved and exhibited at Ketchikan's Totem Heritage Center.
The tall totems were collected from abandoned Tlingit and Haida villages in the region. Other Alaskan displays such as masks, photographs and artwork are also exhibited at the center, which hosts programs and classes to promote and safeguard traditional arts and crafts.
The century-old totems are poignantly weathered, their paint faded and patchy. Tours help fill in the stories behind the various carvings of animals and symbols.
The tall totems were collected from abandoned Tlingit and Haida villages in the region. Other Alaskan displays such as masks, photographs and artwork are also exhibited at the center, which hosts programs and classes to promote and safeguard traditional arts and crafts.
The century-old totems are poignantly weathered, their paint faded and patchy. Tours help fill in the stories behind the various carvings of animals and symbols.
Practical Info
The Totem Heritage Center is a few streets east of downtown Ketchikan.
Address: 601 Deermont Street, Ketchikan AK 99901, USA
Hours: Open May - Sept 8am - 5pm daily, Oct - Apr Mon - Fri 1pm - 5pm
Admission: Adults: $5 (May - Sept)
From $ 700
Misty Fjords National Monument
Just 22 miles (35 kilometers) outside of Ketchikan lies the vast and remote Misty Fjords National Monument—a collection of sea cliffs, deep-cut fjords, glacial valleys, thick rainforests, and roaring waterfalls. Accessible only by boat or floatplane, Misty Fjords is an outdoor playground for hikers, kayakers, and day cruisers.
The Basics
As the second largest wilderness in the National Forest System, Misty Fjords National Monument is an ideal day trip from the nearby city of Ketchikan. Its remote location leaves visitors with two options for experiencing the national monument: boat, or plane. Flightseeing tours by seaplane are a popular option, especially for those pressed for time, and there’s nothing like seeing the wilderness from above to get a sense of its sheer size. Visitors can cruise over the waters of Behm Canal, Walker Cove, Punchbowl Cove, and Rudyerd Bay— ideal locations for spotting bears, bald eagles, Sitka deer, mountain goats, killer whales, and Dall porpoises. For the full Alaskan experience, combine a flight tour with a feast of sweet Dungeness crab.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Many seaplane tours include a guaranteed window seat for plenty of photo ops.
- Flightseeing tours from Ketchikan often last several hours.
- Many tours to Misty Fjords National Monument include hotel pickup and drop-off in Ketchikan.
- The area receives lots of rainfall, so be sure to dress accordingly.
How to Get There
Many of points of interest within the national monument can be accessed via Behm Canal, the main waterway through the heart of the wilderness area. Most visitors arrive by cruise ship or fly over the monument in seaplanes from Ketchikan or Juneau, Alaska.
When to Get There
Most guided tours to Misty Fjords National Monument operate only during the summer months (May through September).
Shore Excursions from Ketchikan
Misty Fjords is one of the most popular shore excursions for cruise ship passengers who arrive at Ketchikan. These tours often include a seaplane flyover and landing at one of the park’s lakes or fjords, and give travelers peace of mind with a guaranteed on-time return to their cruise ship.
Address: 3031 Tongass Avenue, Ketchikan 99901, USA
Admission: Free
From $ 249
Inside Passage
Extending from Washington’s Puget Sound, along the shores of British Columbia and into the Gulf of Alaska, the Inside Passage is a must-have experience when visiting Alaska. The waterway exists thanks to the many islands that reside between the North Pacific Ocean and Alaska’s coast. This allows for calmer waters, which is why many ferries and cruise ships choose to use it to transport travelers.
Featuring bays, beaches, peninsulas, fjords, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, rivers, coastal towns and over 1,000 islands, the passage is a photographer’s heaven, as well as a supremely scenic playground for adventure travelers, culture cravers and outdoor enthusiasts. There are a variety of experiences to be had along the way: visiting Native Alaskan heritage attractions; exploring Gold Rush history; glacier trekking; dog-sledding; spotting wildlife such as bald eagles, whales and bears; rainforest cycling and more. Kayaking through Glacier Bay National Park, home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of glaciers, is an extremely popular activity in the passage, which also resides in the center of the United States’ largest forest – the 17-million-acreTongass National Forest. You’ll be privy to the offerings of this natural attraction as well.
The city of Ketchikan is located along the Inside Passage on its southern tip, which means it often serves as the first stop for people visiting Alaska. Here it’s possible to visit the famous Misty Fjords National Monument, take part in traditional arts and crafts courses at the Saxman Native Village, view historic totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center, go salmon fishing and much more.
Practical Info
The Inside Passage is a coastal route for sea vessels on the Pacific Coast of North America.
Address: Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
Hours: Daily
From $ 199